Reviews

Wow! I didn't realize how many reviews I'd already have with the book not yet released. I love that people took the time to write and post reviews.

Here are three:

The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids opens the door to brush up on Bible knowledge! This book may even possibly teach kids a few new things too. It's friendly format is basic, yet appealing. The meat of the book is straight to the point and readers will begin a yearly journey starting in Genesis and finishing with the book of Revelations.

Each of the devotions has a title ( for example: A Willing Learner), a Question ( What Jew really wanted to preach about the Lord but didn't know Jesus was the Messiah), a multiple choice answer (a. Apollos, B. Agabus, C. Timothy), For You (a section that asks a question for the reader to contemplate the devotion at hand and apply it to their life), and the correct answer to the trivia question with the accompanying Bible Verse in which the answer is found ( in the devotion, I mentioned the answer is A and the story can be found in the book of Acts).

The 365 Bibical Trivia devotions are written as if speaking to the reader. The age recommendations is 10 -14 year olds but I think even a younger child interested in their faith can grow from using this book daily. This devotion could even work for a family time discussion. Reading through the book, I was even challenged by some of the trivia questions!I recommend checking this book out for yourself. I'm sure it would be a blessing to any kid craving that deeper relationship God.

What kind of fruit did Eve take from the tree of knowledge of good and evil? A. pear; B. apple; C. we don’t know.

What did Jesus serve the disciples for breakfast? A. fruit and cereal, B. fish and bread; C. manna and quail.

Learn a little Bible trivia while learning more about God’s message within the Bible. This One Year book features 365 trivia questions that lead into meaningful devotions about the questions. Each devotion also includes a For You section, which gives a simple application to kid’s lives. And the answer to the opening question wraps up the devotion and gives readers biblical references to read.

This book will keep curious kids on their toes and give them a reason to open their devotional and Bible daily. They can also use their knowledge to test family members each day. [The answers to the questions above are C. we don’t know and B. fish and bread.]

I had a privilege of trying this book with the kids I babysat and they loved it. Elizabeth said, "I love the pictures and the questions. It helped me think." Jack, the younger one liked looking at all the pictures and seeing what was next, even though he was only 2 1/2.

I mentioned this book to my cousins, and one of them said, "Man, I wish I lived closer to your house, so we can do devotions again." My other cousin said, "I like the Bible Trivia because it helps me learn more about the Bible and God's Word." I gave them a few trivia questions over the phone and read them the first few pages.

Even though this book may be for older kids, the toddlers I had liked the pictures and the applications that I made for them using the devotional book.

I highly recommend this book to any parent! Although, it won't be published until October 15, 2013.

Bible Trivia for Kids: The One Year by Katrina Cassel is a book for kids age 10 or so and older to test their knowledge of the Bible.

The format of the book is a daily devotion based on a Biblical trivia question. The devotion explains the passage from which the question is derived. Then there's an explanation of what it can mean in your own life.

This is something that parents and kids could do together, say, over dinner or before bedtime. It's too advanced for younger kids though, in my opinion. The only thing I didn't care for is that each devotion is dated. I just don't like dated devotionals, because it makes it seem like if you don't start on January 1, then you might as well not start at all.

Lessons from Old Testament Women #1

Old Testament Women: God Created You to Be Unique

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 139:14

There are many principles we can learn from Old Testament women that apply to your life right now, right where you are. It doesn’t matter whether you are homeschooled, or in in public or  private school.It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a follower of Jesus most your life or if faith is new to you. These principles are for you.

The first one is this: God created you to be unique. Remember Eve? God created her as a full-grown woman in the Garden of Eden in his own image. Eve was the first woman, so of course she was individual, but so are you. God doesn’t have a limited set of molds he uses to create people. He makes each one with his or her own looks, personality, talents, and strengths.

Think about your friends. One might be short, red haired, musical, and love roller coasters. Another might be tall with dark skin and dark hair and be the track star. You may look totally different from either of them and have some shared and some different interests.

God made you your own person. When you try to be like someone else, you cheat yourself of the individuality God gave you. Sure, it’s okay to try the same hairstyle as one of your friends or to want an outfit similar to hers, but you shortchange yourself when you try to be her and not yourself.

Look for the things that make you unique and special. Are you outgoing? thoughtful? good at planning? Can you sing? identify all the constellations? decorate cakes? God gave you the looks, talents, and personality traits he wants you to have. It’s up to you to develop them and to be willing to use them for him.

Thinking It Through

What makes you special? How are you using your own talents and personality traits for God and others?

Pray Psalm 139:14 as a prayer of thanks to God—and really mean what you say. Next time you find yourself wishing you were more like someone else, think of these words.

Adapted from The One Year Devotions for Girls Starring Women of the Bible.

First Review of New Book

Here is the first review (that I know of) of The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids. This was written by someone on Good Reads

The One year book of Bible trivia for kids is an amazing book designed to help kids learn the Bible while having fun taking short quiz's and reading a short devotion for every day of the year. My children and home school children are having a blast reading the days and will often read ahead and the past days they missed just to have some extra fun. I would highly recommend this book not only for kids but parents and teachers to read and express the literature with their kids and family members. This is even a fun refresher for some of the grown ups. I am very pleased and I think you will be too.

You can buy it on amazonHERE

A Light to Guide You

A Light to Guide You

Q: What book of the Bible says God's Word is a light for your path?

            a.  Hebrews

            b. Psalms

            c. Proverbs

     Imagine this. You and a friend are on a camping trip with your parents. The two of you get permission to walk to a nearby nature area. You pack snacks and bottles of water into your backpacks, and you're off.

     You have fun, but you weren't paying attention to the time. The sun is setting quickly, and you realize you'd better head back to the campsite. You know you just have to cut through the woods, and you'll be there.

     "Which way?" you ask your friend.

     "I don't know. What do you think?" He looks around.

     "I'm not sure. Everything looks different in the dark."

     "Wait a minute. I think I have a flashlight in my backpack." He digs around for a few seconds and pulls out a flashlight. He clicks it on and a bright beam of light cuts through the dark.

     "Point it over there," you say. "I think that's the way back."

     He shines the light where you point. Sure enough, it's your campsite straight ahead. The flashlight saved the day.

        God says his Word will be a light for your path. It tells you how to live, and it helps you make decisions. It's important to become familiar with the Bible so you can use it as your guide for life. Read from the Bible each day and ask yourself how the Scripture applies to you.

For you: When it comes to life's questions, you don't need to grope around in the dark, trying to find your way. You already have a light and a guide. The Bible can guide you in making the right decisions and knowing what to do when you aren't sure of the way. Take time to read a few verses of Scripture every day.

Answer: b

     Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

From The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids, Tyndale House Publishers coming October 2013

Coming Soon

Both Kathy and Karen have new devo books releasing with Tyndale House Publishing.

Learn a little Bible trivia while learning more about God’s message within the Bible. This One Year book features 365 trivia questions that lead into meaningful devotions about the questions. Each devotion also includes a For You section, which gives a simple application to kid’s lives. And the answer to the opening question wraps up the devotion and gives readers biblical references to read.

This book will keep curious kids on their toes and give them a reason to open their devotional and Bible daily. They can also use their knowledge to test family members each day.

See more HERE

Princesses are a big attraction for most girls, especially preschoolers and early readers. The One Year My Princess Devotions is written for early readers and preschoolers. Each devotion sheds light on how the reader is a princess—a daughter of God, the King. The devotions also emphasize how little princesses should respond to being God’s children. Each devotion includes Royal Words (the Bible verse), Princess Thoughts (a short devotion written for early readers), a Prayer, and a Princess in Action section (an activity related to the devotion).

The devotions are thematic according to the calendar. For example, January features creation and February highlights love.

Little Princesses will look forward to learning more about their King each day.

See more HERE

Don't miss out on these books that will be releasing in October.

Review

The Christian Children's Book Review blog is a great place to read about books that might interest you. Here's a review they did of Just for Me! Friends
Read review

Just for Me! Friends: A Fun Guide Just for Girls Ages 6-9

Just For Me! Friends: A Fun Guide Just For Girls Ages 6-9, written and illustrated by Katrina Cassel, is, as the title says, “a fun guide just for girls.”

This girl-friendly book is packed with information and ideas about friendship. The book is divided into nine chapters. Each chapter deals with some aspect of friendship, such as the definition of a friend, how to be a good friend, and tips on finding and making friends.

Each chapter also has at least one friendship-related puzzle, Bible verse and “girl story.” Many chapters also have activities and quizzes. The book is interactive with places throughout the pages for the reader to record their thoughts and ideas.

Numerous pencil-sketches illustrate the pages. Answers to the puzzles can be found in the back of the book.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 6-9.

Publisher Info: Legacy Press, 2009; ISBN: 9781584110828; Paperback, 152 pages, $7.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $6.49!

Or buy at Amazon.com $7.99.

A Little Salt Goes a Long Way

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” (Matthew 5:13 NIV)

Isabel sat up from her hunched position and stretched her arms and back. Ow! that hurt. She glanced at the clock and realized she’d been working on her mosaic project in that position for over two hours. The pieces of broken porcelain and sea glass were all laid out on Isa’s table, ready to glue onto the tile.

Tomorrow was Auntie's anniversary, and she wanted to finish the project tonight and let it dry overnight. Auntie liked frogs, so Isa had designed a frog sitting on a lily pad. Up close, it was hard to see the frog, but from a few feet away, the subtle colors blended together and the frog emerged from the pattern.

“Isa!” her mother called, “Chandler’s on the phone.”

Isa picked up the phone in the kitchen. “Hey, Chandler,” she said, walking back to her room as she talked. “Where are you? Isn’t this your small group night?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t go. I had too much homework. Besides, I decided I can be a good Christian without going to small group.”

Isa surveyed the mosaic layout on the table and frowned. “Um,” she said, distracted by her work. Something Chandler said didn’t feel right, but she couldn’t decide what bothered her. Right now, she only wanted to finish this project.

“Now I have to glue everything on.” She wedged the phone between her ear and shoulder and reached for the bottle of glue. This was the very best glue—it was super strong.

“What are you talking about?” Chandler asked.

“I’m doing a mosaic for my aunt, and now I have to glue it on.”

The bottle felt light. Isabel turned it upside down and squeezed, but only feeble trails mixed with air sprayed out. “Uh-oh, I don’t think there’s any left.” She looked at the clock again. “It’s too late to go to the crafts store—even if Mom or Dad would even take me this late.”

“Mix some water in the glue,” Chandler said. “If it’s super strong now, it will still work if you dilute it.”

“Good idea!” Isa squirted as much as she could get out of the bottle into a bowl. Then she added a few drops of water and stirred with a paintbrush. But there still wasn’t enough glue for the frog. “I have to add more water,” she said, but when she added more, there still wasn’t enough.

Besides, it looked really weird. Isa lifted the brush from the bowl, and the watered-down glue dripped and splattered like milk onto the table. “Um, that’s not even glue anymore. It’s not going to stick to anything. I’ll have to throw it out.”

Suddenly, she knew what bothered her about what Chandler had said. “You still there, Chandler? You know, you should have gone to your small group tonight.”

***
When Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,” he meant that you as a Christian are unique—you stand out among people who don't follow him. As salt, you can help them come to know, love, and serve God.

Here are some questions for you:
1. What does glue do, and what was Isa trying to do with it?
2. What happened to the glue when Isa added water to it?
3. Why did Isa tell Chandler she should have gone to her small group meeting?
4. What are some things you can do to keep your saltiness?

God bless!
Marilyn