Picture Book Review: Christmas Love Letters from God: Bible Stories by Glenys Nellist Illustrated by Rachel Clowes

Book Description:

Written for children ages four to eight, Christmas Love Letters from God cleverly combines both prose and poetry as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolds. The book includes seven stories, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the visit of the wise men. Following each story, the child will find his or her own letter from God attached to the page. Each letter begins with a space in which to write the child’s name, so each one can be specially addressed to the child.

Written as if God is speaking, each personalized message gives the young reader a sense of wonder as they discover anew the Christmas holiday and the birth of Jesus. A very special Bible verse, entitled God’s Perfect Promise, also accompanies each story and letter as God’s personal words of love, promise, and hope.

My Thoughts:

I've read several of Glenys Nellist's books for children and can say this is the best one so far. There is so much to this lovely book. Seven stories are laid out with scripture, one of Glenys's beautiful poems, a letter from God, and a little scripture tucked into the illustration. I could easily see this becoming a tradition to read the week before Christmas, sharing one story a night and writing a letter to God on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. I love that she begins the stories with the prophet Isaiah. She handles the stories of Mary and Joseph with grace and has the wise men visit when Jesus is a bit older. To top off the excellent storytelling, Rachel Clowes' illustrations are fabulous. She uses some interesting techniques and adds in a few trinkets here and there that would be fun for a child to search and find. If you love sharing the Christmas story with children or would just enjoy a beautiful book for the holiday, buy Christmas Love Letters from God. I received this book for free from Zonderkidz. 

Picture Book Review: The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel by Mike Berenstain

Book Description:

In the newest Berenstain Bears Living Lights book, The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel, the cubs discover there’s more to angels than wings and flowing white robes!

It is almost Christmas and there is finally snow in Bear Country. Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear are ready for some winter fun! But when they can’t decide what kind of snowbear to build, Honey Bear’s snow angel gives the older cubs a great idea. Soon the cubs have built a Christmas snow angel. Later, as they warm up with some hot cocoa, Mama and Papa give the cubs a little lesson about some very special angels and the work they do for God.

My Thoughts:
Mike Berenstain has created a great book that helps teach children about angels and their purpose in The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel. Brother and Sister Bear are so excited about the snow that's fallen overnight. They take little sister, Honey, out to build their first snowman of the season. I enjoyed the variety of snow people they thought about making. Honey inspires them on their final. This leads to Mama and Papa telling the bear cubs about the angels in the Christmas story. I like how Mike intertwined a fun story with truth about angels in the Bible. The book also has further references in the back for other angel scriptures. As usual the Berenstain Bears do not disappoint. I received this book for free from Zonderkidz.

Picture Book Review: A Night of Great Joy by Mary Engelbreit

Book Description:

Mary Engelbreit presents A Night of Great Joy, a delightful picture book that celebrates the joyful season of Christmas. This book tells the story of the nativity through the performance of a children’s Christmas pageant. With adorable illustrations and simple storytelling, Engelbreit paints a wonderful picture of the night that Jesus was born.

A Night of Great Joy recalls that fateful night with wonder and awe. From the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem to the gathering of many before the baby Jesus, this holiday treasure leads children through the tale of the birth of Jesus, guiding them with the star of Bethlehem.

Mary Engelbreit, New York Times bestselling illustrator of the blockbuster Christmas classic The Night Before Christmas, brings readers a new holiday picture book that’s sure to become a family favorite.

My Thoughts:
Who doesn't love a Christmas pageant?

I've long been a fan of Mary Engelbreit's illustrations and of Christmas pageants. A Night of Great Joy embraces the colorful whimsy of her art with the sweet, often amusing joy of a children's play. Mary's simple telling of Jesus birth pairs beautifully with her wonderful illustrations. I love the expressions on the faces of the diverse cast of children as they participate in the most important holiday story. And the shepherds and angels are a hoot. Parents and children will have a lot of fun reading this version of the Christmas story. I see this becoming a classic in years to come. If I could only buy one Christmas book for the children in my life this year, I'd choose this one. I received this book for free from Zonderkidz.

Children's Book Review: Ready, Set, Find Christmas

Book Description:

Get ready to follow Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. They are in a hurry! Mary is expecting the baby Jesus and they need your help to find many things along the way. This holiday board book is perfect for young children who will love finding the 48 objects hidden on the pages while reading the classic story of Christmas, accurately retold and with scripture references. On your mark, Ready-Set-Find!

My Thoughts:
Ready, Set, Find Christmas is a sweet book for preschoolers. I think children will have fun searching for the objects pictured on each spread. The drawings are charming, especially the animals. Scriptures are used to tell the story of Jesus birth. The book ends with the wise men visiting Jesus at the manger. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it is a cute book and would be a great way to share Jesus' birth with a child.  Also, the book has nice sturdy tabs that make it easy for little fingers. I received this book for free.

Autumn Mistflower

Fiction Book Review: Finding Riley by Dan Walsh

Book Description:

An unexpected surprise brings the Mitchell family of Savannah a chance to experience the Christmas trip of their dreams. An unexpected disappointment threatens to turn it into the worst Christmas of their lives. John Finch and his friend Alfred live in the woods. Been doing it for decades. He likes wintering in Florida, but this year’s been particularly harsh. Between the cold, freezing rain and terrifying lightning storms, John’s starting to wonder how much more of this lifestyle he can take. A new friend enters the picture and changes everything. Kim Harper, the dog trainer introduced in Rescuing Finley, is contacted by a billionaire philanthropist seeking her help with a new dog training project that will help the homeless. Is he for real? And is her co-worker right? Does this rich, handsome man’s interest in Kim go much deeper than her dog-training skills?

My Thoughts:
Dan Walsh has written many wonderful books, of them all the Forever Home series are my favorite. Finding Riley is the second book of the series. One of the things I like most about these stories are the chapters where we get to hear the voice of Riley. Written in a realistic way, I could easily imagine the dog having the exact thoughts that Dan portrayed. In the story we are introduced to a homeless camp. I learned from and appreciated Dan's presentation of this. He also does an excellent job of portraying the animal shelter and the role they play. And I loved Jeff, a sweet, sweet boy. And of course I enjoyed the twist of romance lightly threaded through the story. If you love dogs, need a pleasant, uplifting read, or want to escape into a sweet Christmas story, read Finding Riley. I received this book for free.

All Other Ground is Sinking Sand

Psalm 62:5-8
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Does anyone else remember singing or still sing "My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand..." a hymn written by Edward Mote in 1834. And 182 years later this song still comes to mind. As the chaos of the world swirls around me I need the reassurance that God is my fortress. 

Sin is alive and well. Satan is attacking. But rather than hide under a rock, I'm taking refuge on the Rock.

My hope rests in Jesus. I trust him with everything. Yes, everything. If you feel the weight of the world, the chaos of life, fear for our country—seek Jesus. He's the calm in the storm. He's the one who brings comfort and peace in the midst of mayhem. He is the solid Rock.

Praise God for peace in turmoil that comes only through him.