NEW BOOK REVIEW

Ghosts in the Old Attic (A Sam Cooper Adventure Book 6) ... By Max Elliot Anderson


Sam Cooper is about to get the surprise of his life. His parents plan to leave Harper’s Inlet and move to Louisiana, where they will open a bed and breakfast.

When the family arrives, Sam’s cousins have some pretty wild-eyed stories to tell about a “haunted” mansion nearby. He and his cousins begin exploring the creepy place. Where were those noises coming from and the strange lights at night? There is also a rumor that the reason this place is “haunted” is because there is buried treasure hidden someplace.

As the cousins are investigating, Sam’s parents have been looking for an available property they can afford.

Sam was in for another surprise when he found out about the rundown mansion his parents finally chose to buy. Who is trying to discourage them from moving in and why?

Will the family be able to open the bed and breakfast before it’s too late, or will they lose all their money?


OUR REVIEW

"It's okay to be a little scared. But if you wake up every morning and tell God you need Him to help you in your day...He will." What a great theme that runs through Ghosts In The Old Attic (A Sam Cooper Adventure Book 6) by Max Elliot Anderson. This is such a great book for all ages, although I would think middle school kids would related to the adventures of Sam and his cousins.

I particularly liked that the "ghosts" kept the adventure moving, while Dad helped explain that there is a dark side to life which people battle with and accept, but if you dig deep enough you'll always find that God has the real answer you are looking for.

I did jump into this series, but it is a stand alone story, fast paced with easy to like characters with a realistic setting. An excellent read!

                              Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                     Reuben's Big Test ... By Natalie Vellacott

Nine year old Reuben is being bullied. He wants to be brave but he’s afraid. He doesn’t know where to turn or who will help him. What about a teacher or his close friend Joseph? Should he ask God for help and is he sure that God will hear him?

What will Reuben do when it seems he is being forced to choose between God and science at school? Should he answer the questions as his teacher wants him to, or stand up for his faith?

Does Reuben have the courage to report a crime he has witnessed or confront a thief by himself? Is his final decision brave or just really dangerous?

Join Reuben on his final interactive adventure as he learns what it means to be brave in different situations and as he faces up to his biggest test of all.


OUR REVIEW

Reuben's Big Test by Natalie Vellacott is the last of a three part series. We find Reuben facing the most challenging issue today in schools...bullying.

By reading each section and asking the choices that are given in the book help us discover how our own children may feel and possible react to any given situation that encourages bullying or being the end result of bullies.

The book also touches on God's creation and just how much kids may know. "Children, look. The Big Bang is one theory about how we came to be here. Reuben and Joseph have provided another theory from the things they have read in the Bible. Is that right boys?"  I think this opens the door for a great discussion in a group of kids and their friends, or even the classroom by bringing questions in on an elementary level.

This story is a great sharing activity to help children be brave and find the courage to make the right choices with God's help and teaching.

                                   Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

Reuben and Joseph: A Make Your Own Decisions Book (The Adventures of Reuben Sense 2) ... By Natalie Vellacott


Reuben is happy with his small circle of school friends. Their families all have money and they can visit each other's houses and borrow each other's things. Reuben likes hanging out with the popular boys and thinks things will always be this way.

Is Reuben's comfortable friendship group about to be invaded by the sudden arrival of Joseph, a poor boy who doesn't seem sure when his birthday is, let alone anything else? How will Reuben and his friends respond to him? Will Reuben be willing to share the things he has with someone who seems to have nothing or will he avoid him at all costs? Will he offer heartfelt friendship or angrily obey a teacher's instruction?

Will Reuben get close enough to Joseph to find out why he is dirty and wearing ragged clothes? Will he be able to help him if he does find out? How will his Christian faith impact the decisions he makes? What would Jesus do in this situation?

Join Reuben on another interactive journey as he learns the importance of caring for others and sharing what he has with those less fortunate. Struggle with him as he makes tough decisions and learns some painful lessons!


OUR REVIEW

Are you looking to spend some quality time with your children? This book is for YOU!  Reuben and Joseph by Natalie Vellacott is a fabulous inter-active story to teach your child how to handle situations and dilemmas that might happen in real life.

I read this book twice. Once to get the "feel" of the complete options, and then followed through with making a decision on the story problems to complete the ending.

Since iPads are in most of the schools today for learning use, I feel this book would be a great teaching aid as the Kindle form of Reuben and Joseph could be used effectively with adult supervision, answering even more in depth questions about faith and making the right decisions that might arise. Also, a great gift to a child who would enjoy the "choosing" of the adventure. A book that can be read many times over.

                  Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

The Complete Book of Arts and Crafts ... by School Specialty Publishing

 

 

Open minds and build artistic skills with The Complete Book of Arts and Crafts for kindergarten to grade 4. Filled with fun activities like painting, sculpting, drama, music, and mixed material projects you can strengthen your child’s creativity and encourage independent learning. This comprehensive learning guide features easy-to-follow instructions and high-interest project ideas that will keep your child interested in the hands-on process.

The Complete Book series offers activities that encourage independent learning and support skill mastery in Spanish, handwriting, maps, geography, the alphabet, numbers, counting, time, money, and arts and crafts. Each subject-specific, comprehensive workbook engages children through focused instruction and fun activities with full-color photographs and illustrations that hold attention while children learn important concepts needed for school success!

OUR REVIEW

Linda     

Awesome crafts for grades K through 4 or even a bit higher. The Complete Book of Arts and Crafts has wonderful, colorful pictures explaining each project. I'm a helper in a First Grade class one day a week, and I teach simple and easy projects, so that's why this book jumped out at me.
 
I ended up not using most of these crafts since I can now find a lot of them online, but I'm glad I have it handy for those last minute projects that you need in a moments notice. Since our class is around 23-26 kids, and I think this book would be great for a smaller group of children.



                                         Amazon Review

LITFUSE BOOK TOUR

DOES YOUR CHILD LOVE COMIC BOOKS? HOW ABOUT SUPER HEROES?

Now is your chance to have DC and Marvel illustrator Sergio Cariello make your child's dream come true!

Parents!

David C Cook is proud to introduce the newest book in the Action Bible collection: The Action Storybook Bible (coming October 2017). Pre-order The Action Storybook Bible from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ChristianBook.com to reserve your copy today. Plus click the graphic below to enter to have a chance to win an illustration of your child as a super hero by Action Bible artist Sergio Cariello (who has also illustrated comics for DC and Marvel!).

The giveaway is open until September 11, 2017, 5:00pm MST. Your entry must be received by then to be eligible. Five winners will be chosen at random from eligible entrants.

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{THE ACTION STORYBOOK BIBLE}

Families see the Bible in motion and put their faith into action! The Action Storybook Bible invites families with young children to explore God's redemptive story together. An entry point into the world of The Action Bible, it tells of the amazing creation story, powerful kings who reigned over ancient Israel, God's miraculous gift of eternal life through Jesus, and more! God's promise for the world is displayed throughout every page. Discover your family's place in God's incredible story and together put your faith into action! Interactive features include:

• Fifteen key episodes from God's Word-each one loaded with several stories along with over 350 brand-new illustrations throughout.
• Short and easy readings-for children ages eight and under with rich, colorful images.
• Life, Faith, Action! features-conclude every episode and invite families to talk about how God moves in the stories, how to see God in life today, how to put faith into action, and how to easily talk to God with a suggested prayer.
• Hall of Fame visual index-the place to look up favorite Bible characters by discovering their icon connections and finding them in the stories.

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

NEW BOOK REVIEW

Super Kids Code: Green Bully Trouble! ... by Kurt Zimmerman

Even super heroes get bullied!

Bullies are everywhere. In Bully Trouble, Madyson and Jordyn Green fly half way around the world to confront one of the world's greatest bullies, only to have to deal with the same problem at their own school! The Super Kids use several different tactics to confront the problem, and team up with the U.S. Navy to teach one bully a lesson he will never forget!




OUR REVIEW

When a fun loving girl comes up with excuses on why she doesn't want to go to school, an adventurous encounter with Grandpa and his flying machine takes off to a wonderful and well told adventure, geared for middle school or even younger children that have encountered bullying.

Linda     

Super Kids Code: Green! Bully Trouble! by Kurt Zimmerman provides enough excitement to grab hold of and captivate even an adult's attention. Grandpa guides the two young girls through a tough situation, proving that even in real life "You can make an outstanding difference in somebody's life.."

An outstanding book to share with all children, whether you realize your child is being bullied or not...perfect length to keep you hooked until the end!

                                             Amazon Review