Book Description

God loves to see us grow - but more than anything, He wants us to grow closer to Jesus.Just as we mature physically, we can also grow on the inside.How?By spending time each day with Jesus.

Growing with Jesus: 100 Daily Devotionals contains 100 quick readings to help the reader grow stronger in his or her faith.Each devotion provides a scripture verse, a fun thought to grow on, and a fascinating 'factoid' about our amazing, ever-growing body and the world around us - from the uniqueness of our fingerprints to a shark that goes through 24,000 teeth to how our body grows at night and then shrinks back during the day.

Growing with Jesus is the one book that will help kids grow as much on the inside as they're growing on the outside!

Reviews (4)

Great Devotional
I have been reading this devotional with my 5 year old daughter every morning. It is wonderful for her. She understands it and it's not a lot for her to take in. Highly recommend this book. When we are done I will probably start over at the beginning again.

Devotionals that make sense for kids
These devotionals make sense to kids, without talking down to them. They include a bible verse, a devotional message for the day, an affirmation/exercise, and a neat trivia fact. The topics are religious in nature, but very real world, day-to-day stuff... like being a good friend, taking care of yourself, being aware of your thoughts, managing your emotions, respecting other people... stuff even us adults could benefit from reading on a daily basis!

Delightful
This devotional is exactly what I had hoped it would be for our five year old. Each topic is a simple, two-page spread with easy to understand explanations. It even includes a "child-sized" application for each day. This is a very age-appropriate devotional for young children. The authors have helped me as a parent to bring simplified biblical truths to my young child in a way she can understand and relate to.

Enjoyable devotional for the young
I've only gotten through the first 30 days of this book with my 4 year old and based on that, would recommend this book.

Each day starts with a bible verse and then goes on with a simple, short section about what the verse is about and what it is trying to teach you. Often times, the author does this by giving an example that a young child could understand. Example: "How do you feel when you see someone getting something you'd like to have? Does it bother you inside, or are you truly happy for them?" The author then continues about how jealousy hurts you (the jealous one) and suggest the child imagine what it would feel like if it were he/she receiving the present and then to switch that excitement over to them. It then directs the child on what to do today to apply the lesson just learned. Each day ends with a section called "My Amazing World" which gives interesting facts or piece of history but it doesn't always relate to the lesson of the day.

The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that there are some things that my 4 year old has not experienced and therefore cannot relate to. The days that discussed peer preasure and dirty words are two examples. I still find it a valuable tool in teaching my child god's lessons and use each day's devotional as a spring board to discuss how god wants us to live our lives. ... Read more

Book Description

It's challenging enough to be a normal high school senior -- but Caitlin O'Conner has a host of new difficulties to deal with in the third book of Melody Carlson's widely popular and fascinating teen series. Time is critical to help the orphans in Mexico, missions-minded Caitlin believes, but Mom and Dad are set on her attending college. Meanwhile, her relationship with Josh takes on a serious tone via e-mail -- threatening her commitment to "kiss dating goodbye." When Beanie begins dating an African-American, Caitlin's concern over dating seems to be misread as racism. One thing is obvious: God is at work through this dynamic girl in very real but puzzling ways. A soul-stretching time of racial reconciliation at school and within her church helps her discover God's will as never before. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Who I Am: Diary of a Teenage Girl
Author: Melody Carlson

This book is an autobiography of Caitlin O' Conner, a 17 year old girl (going on 18) in her senior year at high school. Her two best friends are Jenny and Beanie, but Caitlin soon makes a new friend Anna. Caitlin lives with her mom, dad and little brother, Ben. She has recently given up on dating, since she has given her heart to God! Her ex-boy friend who has also stopped dating is Josh. His little sister, Chloe, is starting to become a little too mature for her age and dresses like she is 18. He is concerned about her, so he asked Caitlin to become friends with her and try to teach Chloe about God. Caitlin's uncle, who is also her pastor at church, helps her and her friends with the many problems they face! Caitlin is a person who likes to be in control, and think what she does is what her friends should do. Her friends get annoyed with her trying to run their life's and trying to get them to stop dating and forget about boys! She is trying to work on that, and she learns a very good lesson on about what she should say! She is struggling with issues such as teen suicide, racial prejudice, and her own judgmental heart, and the only thing to keep her going is her faith! Being her senior year, Caitlin is trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life! Not getting accepted into the college she really would like to attened (unless she wants to pay full price), throws her whole life of balance. Go through this amazing journey of courage and guts with Caitlin, as she struggles to make the right decisions! It is a never-ending adventure of a 17 year old trying to follow God's pathway and dealing with the rest of the world at the same time! I really enjoyed this book and hope you will check it out! Especially if you are a teenager who cant figure out what to do with the rest of your life!

Who I am: Diary of a Teenage Girl
Author: Melody Carlson

This book is an autobiography of Caitlin O' Conner, a 17 year old girl (going on 18) in her senior year at high school. It is the 3rd book in the series Diary of a Teenage Girl. Her two best friends are Jenny and Beanie, but Caitlin soon makes a new friend Anna. Caitlin lives with her mom, dad and little brother, Ben. She has recently given up on dating, since she has given her heart to God! Her x-boy friend who has also stopped dating is Josh. His little sister, Chloe, is starting to become a little to mature for her age and dressing like she was 18. He is concerned about her, so he asked Caitlin to become friends with her and try to teach Chloe about God. Caitlin's uncle, who is also her pastor at church, helps her and her friends in the many problems they face! Caitlin is a person who likes to be in control, and think what she does is what her friends should do. Her friends get annoyed of her trying to run their life's and trying to get them to stop dating and forget about boys! Caitlin is trying to work on that, and she learns a very good lesson at what she should say! She is struggling with issues such as teen suicide, racial prejudice, and her own judgmental heart, but the only thing to keep her going is her faith! Being her senior year, Caitlin is trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life! Not being accepted into the college she really would like to join (unless she wants to pay full price), throws her whole life of balance. Go throw this amazing journey of courage and guts with Caitlin, as she struggles to make the right decisions! It is a never-ending adventure of a 17 year old trying to follow God's pathway and deal with the rest of the world! I really enjoyed this book and hope you check it out!! Especailly if you are a teenager and cant decide what to do with the rest of your life!

My review
I loved this book because it really was real. I liked the way it can apply to a teenage girls' lives. I liked the way it kept you on the edge of your seat.I loved this book because it taught you how to be a good friend. The book also taught people to not judge others becuase Caitlen(the narrator)met so many people and helped so many of her friends change their lives it's really amazing.The book taught me to be open and also be a good listener at the same so that your friends can talk to you about lots of things. I enjoyed this book and I hope you will enjoy it too. So if you're a teenage girl I hope you read it enjoy it.

Another good read from Melody Carlson
While I enjoyed the new installment of Caitlin's diary, I agree w/Jill from Ohio--it was not quite as good as the previous two.
I think it was because a lot of the dialog didn't ring true. Some of the conversations Caitlin wrote about in her diary didn't sound believeable for teenagers. Also, the African American characters' conversations were not believeable. I also think she was beating a dead dog--so to speak--because she continued to belabor the "to date or not to date" issue.
I would still recommend this book to teenage girls, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

A revelation
Through out our high school years we go through peer-pressure, and beliving if there really is a GOD. I whent through the same experiences that Caitlin did. It is amazing how much God can do for us if we just let him have our heart. For we can do all things through Jesus Christ our LORD who strengthens us. I pray that who ever reads this book... comes to find the lord... and comes to seek him...that they too will come to accept JESUS CHRIST as their LORD and SAVIOR! IN THE NAME OF JESUS!And if they already have, and their lifes have been a continues dead end street with no answeres that they seek and find Jesus and recommit their lifes to him ~AMEN ... Read more

Book Description

Parents and children alike will be won over by the lovable innocence of Gigi, a little girl who just knew she was a princess-she had known it from birth! But where were the castle and royal jewels? With a little help from Mommy and Daddy, Gigi realizes that she is not just any princess-she is the daughter of the greatest King of all!

A wonderful discovery for little princesses everywhere, Gigi, God's Little Princess will subtly teach girls of their importance and belonging to the King of all kings.

Reviews (1)

Pink-loving princesses will love it!
What's not to love about a curly-haired, freckle-faced "princess" with an attitude? Gigi had known from the day she was born that she was a princess-although she wasn't exactly sure why. With no castle or royal treasures, she didn't live like a princess. She had no subjects-even her cat didn't obey her. Yet, through this little story, Gigi learns that it is not the castle or the crown that makes a princess, but the declaration of the King-"you are God's little princess."

This simple message of belonging to "the greatest King of all" was created by Christian communicator, singer, and songwriter Sheila Walsh. Pink-loving princesses will love the whimsical illustrations by Meredith Johnson. Although royals of all ages may enjoy Gigi and her quest, its simple story line is probably geared to the youngest princesses who lay in wait for a bedtime story and a sweet reminder of God's gracious love. -- Susan Hammond, Christian Book Previews.com
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good
...I have very little education about religious topics. I'm reading this in one of my classes right now and I think it's wonderful. I give it four stars though because it can get boring at times. Otherwise, it's great if you don't want to read the bible... My favorite passage in this is Jacob's Ladder. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent tool for Children
This is an excellent tool for children, based on the best selling God Chasers book by Tommy Tenney.Well worth the money. ... Read more

Book Description

Both boys and girls will be eager to read these devotionals created just for them from the same people who created the One Year Book of Devotions for Kids #1-3. A variety of themes relevant to today's elementary school-age boys and girls will encourage and challenge them to personalize lessons from Scripture.

FEATURES: 365 daily devotionalsBible passages to set up each day's themeA contemporary story to apply each passage to today's boys and girlsDaily memory verse"Key" for each devotional summarizing the applicationComplete topic, Scripture reading, and memory verse indexes ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Absolutely Wonderful Book !!
Highly recommend !! This is the only book that I have not had to ask and encourage my 10 year old son to read. He loves this book. As a parent, I love this book.

Devotions for Boys
I have three sons, and will read this book with each of them as they become ready! I was fortunate to find this book last June, just in time to start a summer devotional program for my oldest son (now 8 and in second grade). This book definitely enriched our summer! The stories are warm. The teachings are based on scripture. The main characters in each of the 365 stories are young boys that all young boys can relate to. They present solutions to issues which most young boys will likely encounter or ponder (kindness, honesty, obedience, faith, loyalty, etc.). At the end of each story is a 'How About You' section which poses questions for discussion between the parent and child. If you keep this open and non-confrontational, then this section can really encourage the child open up and to learn from you by talking, asking questions, and sometimes even make confessions to you. Because these are age-appropriate teachings presented in stories which young boys can identify with, I believe they will have a tremendous chance of impacting our young boys and keeping them on the right path when we as parents cannot be near them.

This is a great resource for parents who want help or additional resources for instilling solid Christian-based morals and decision making in their young boys. Sharing these stories with my son has been such a delight! By the way, he himself absolutely loves this book!!! We have nine more months if we read one story a day, but we will be finished much sooner because he has asked if we can start reading backwards after we finish our daily story (we average about 3 stories a day). P.S. I love to read him the day's story while waiting for his bus in the morning! What a great way to send him off to school! Best of luck. I hope you enjoy this book with your son as much as we do!

Devotions for Boys
I purchased this book "sight unseen" from ... some months ago. I was interested in adding some spiritual content to the nightly reading sessions that I have with my two sons (ages 7 and 10.) I had originally intended to merely "tack on" the daily page-long devotional to the end of our sessions. I found, however, that my boys are so eager for this type of instruction, and the little stories are so compelling, insightful, and contemporary, that our 1/2-hour long sessions have been converted completely to the one page, its corresponding scripture verse, and the "How about you..." discussion questions provided. The kids actually remind me if I forget, and beg me to read them the night's selection when I try to defer if I claim I'm too tired! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

We loved this book!
In this wonderful book (published by Moody Press), author Helen L. Taylor takes the Christian classic Pilgrim's Progress and reworks it for younger readers. She simplified the words and concepts, but stayed remarkably close to the original story. The chapters are nice and short, which makes this an excellent bedtime read, which is how I read it to my nine-year-old son and eleven-year-old daughter.

This is really two stories in one book, the first story tells of Christian, a small boy living in the City of Destruction, who hears Evangelist talking about the Celestial City where the great King lives. Christian becomes a pilgrim, and sets off for the Celestial City. Along the way he has many encounters and learns many lessons. The second story is about Christiana, a friend of Christian, who sets out with others to walk the same path, and they encounter many trials, often different than the ones faced by Christian.

This is an excellent book. It is jam-packed with Christian concepts, which you can then stop, at a convenient chapter break, and explain. Indeed, if I have one complaint, it's that I wish that this book had a study guide to accompany it! My children were a little disquieted by the martyrdom of one character, but as this is also a part of the Christian experience, I am glad that this book addressed it.

So, I must say that my children and I all loved this book. As a matter of fact, I think that I will make reading it a yearly tradition (for a while, anyway). We highly recommend this book!

Excellent book for both children and adults
This is a great adaptation of Bunyan's classic Christian work. It makes for great reading at bedtime, and though, being only twenty I have no children, I have found I enjoyed this book a great deal. It details the account of Christian, and later his (in the original book) wife's journey to Heaven (the Bright City). It has been a few years since I've read this, but I've read it four or five times, enjoying it immensely.

The central problem (and this complaint is against Bunyan, not Helen E. Taylor) is, although I have read or heard it used to be a common thing back in that time era (1500 - 1700) to name the characters after whatever virtue or allegorical element the author wishes to state. Bunyan takes his allegory, and like Lewis in THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE stop telling the story and beat you with the allegory. (Narnia is one of my favorites, and although I like LWW, it has earned the position of my least favorite Narnia because several things don't jibe with me, or, instead of allowing readers to learn or draw conclusions, Lewis specifically dominates and draws an entirely too explicit comparison to Christianity. It is more personal taste than anything - though I like allegory, if one gets to explicit (like Aslan dying, or, in this book, when Christian sees a picture of King David) the story loses its spell over me.

However, this is still a great book. Highly recommended, and if you won't want to wade through the much harder original, adults should go with this.

Riveting!
During my childhood nearly 40 years ago) I was utterly fascinated by this book. It stood out as one of the most interesting books of my childhood days, and it made an indelible impression on me. (Other favorites were C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, Little Princess, & Secret Garden). But back to Little Pilgrim's Progress: I'm not sure why this book was so intriguing to myself and my siblings, perhaps because the little pilgrem faced real dangers and even death??
Well, recently this book came up in conversation -- I hadn't thought of it for years -- and I dug out a copy, and started to read it. Moments later my nearly 6-year-old daughter came up and asked me if I would read it to her. My nearly 4-year-old son also wanted to listen. (I read freqently to my children, and they often are able to enjoy stories beyond their age level, but still I thought this would be too advanced to hold their attention.) But still, I decided to try. Of course, when I read I simplified or explained the language from time to time (some of the wording is old-fashioned). But to my astonishment, my children were absolutely riveted. The chapters in this book are short, and the children kept begging me to read more!! I was especially amazed that my 4-year-old remained totally engaged in the story (there are occasional illustrations, but it isn't a picture book; they were just listening). We finished the Christian part of the book in a few reading sessions over 3 days. (We later read the Christiana story, but the children didn't find it as interesting).
Conclusion: I'm not saying that this book would usually be of interest to such young children, but only wanted to comment that it can be a very exciting book and can provide much opportunity for thoughtful discussion with a parent.
Oh, I will add one more thing -- shortly after reading the book, one day my son asked if he could change his name to "Help" (like in the story). And later, he asked if he could be called "Greatheart". So now we jokingly have added those names to his middle name. Also, after reading the story concepts came up a lot in conversations over the following days and weeks.

Excellent example of faith in action
I read this book when I was a child and remember being quite intrigued by it. It confronts some of the deepest fears and anxieties that go hand in hand with trying to be a God-fearing, moral human being. Although I didn't realize it at the time, this book provided (and continues to provide) excellent examples of the hardships and sacrifices that result from chosing the moral path in life, and as a result it introduces a view of Christianity that stresses not only redemption, but also the self-discipline and courage that is required to confront the evil around us every day. Persons of all ages can learn from this book.

A great book for kids
My mom read this book to me and my brother and sisters. It was a good book. At times it was hard to understand and with so many people in the book, it's not hard to see why. After some time, I got the hang of it. It is an exciting book at the end. Not the best book my mom has read, but still good! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Guide for any College Studnet
I am currently reading What About God and I can't imagine what my months at college would be like without this book. Each week's devotional focus is thought provoking and on target. Neinast seems to know exactely what thingscollege students will be facing throughout their first year of college. Foranyone wanting to know God more, grasp His amazing love, and find strengthand encouragement while facing one of the most life changing years, thisbook is a must. This book will definately help the reader to grow in theirChristian walk.

Spiritually challenging and very 'real.'
Here - in a book that young adult readers will find remarkably beckoning - one will discover not only an intelectually stimulating, but a spiritually-challenging combination of insight, wit, and wisdom whichchallenges, amuses and provides - with remarkable impact - realistic,meaningful connections to the contemporary life experiences of thecontemporary young adult."What About God" links 'head toheart,'and 'soul to spirit' in a remarkably mature manner, providing bothintellectual stimulation and meaningful challenges for faithful dailyliving. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Illustrations are heartwarming
This book is a real find. The illustrations are so boyish yet sweet. The print, at 4 lines and rhyming, will keep their attention. With 3 boys, we can relate to it and will enjoy it for years to come. Geared to younger boys, probably younger than 8. Scripture used is very easy to understand. Covers qualities such as obedience, cheerfulness, being kind, brave and diligent, thankful and responsible, among others.

Very nice!
This is such a nice little book. It is a good book to read when studying character traits with little boys and discussing what kind of boy God wants them to be. The illustrations are beautiful. My children really like this book! ... Read more

Book Description

These classic stories have enchanted millions around the world. Radio Theatre brings them to life in this dramatized audio production. Recorded in London with an all-star cast of England's brightest talent from the stage and screen, an original orchestral score, and cinema-quality digital sound design, this innovative recording provides hours of entertainment for the entire family. All seven stories are available in a single, redesigned slipcase or available individually, and both formats are marked at their lowest prices ever! ... Read more

Book Description

In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers to the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has. “The full-color pictures with subtle tonal modulations are an integral part of the design of the lumious pages full of movement and vitality. The Italianate aspects of the setting are beautifully realized.”--The Horn Book ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Beautiful Kids Story: Reveals God's Love
This easy to read and beautifully drawn children's story shows the intensity and power of God's love. The book's vision is that God's love is simple, straight-forward and more powerful than we could ever expect.

My 3 and 5 year old children love the book and want me to read it again and again. They say "'Read God's Clown' again daddy ...".

The ending deals with death but it is not death in misery or emptiness. The Clown of God reaches God's heart and I think it will reach your heart and your child's heart too.

Beautiful Story for Children
Tomie de Paolo's The Clown of God is by far, one of the most beautiful stories for children around. I was read this story as a child and it still is one of my all time favorites. The beautiful, soft-colored prints throughout the book will delight children along with the story about Giovanni, the poor boy who becomes a juggling clown in a circus. Giovanni goes on to become a famous juggler, but towards the end of his life, he once again becomes poor. He finds himself back home in Sorrento on Christmas Eve and performs a miracle in his local church. A story that will delight both children and adults.

A good story, not just for Catholic children
I read about this book here on Amazon.com, and wasn't sure I'd like it. We are not Catholic, and just from the review here alone, I knew that Catholicism was almost presumed. How would I explain the multitude of differences in our faiths to my five year old son? A priest versus a pastor. What on earth is a "brother," or a monk? Offering gifts to a statue of the Christ child, when we don't believe in making any graven image of God?

I checked the book out of the library to see what I thought. Yes, its Catholic flavor cannot be missed, but the message was an excellent one. The lesson the brothers taught Giovanni was one that I took to heart, that everything we do should be done for the glory of God. Though Giovanni wrote it off at the time, he ultimately got the message, and gave the best gift that he could to the Lord Jesus.

The only reason why I didn't give it five stars, was that my son didn't like the ending. He thought it was sad that Giovanni died, and therefore didn't especially want to hear it again. I used it, however, as an opportunity to teach him about death. Giovanni came to love the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus loved him, so he went to be with Jesus when he died. That isn't a bad thing; rather it is good! There is no need to be sad that Giovanni died, because he went to a place where things were much better for him.

Part of me wants to give it five stars for the teaching opportunity about death that it provided! But I guess I'll leave it as I did. Too bad I couldn't give it a 4.5!

The Clown of God written by Tomie de Paola
This story takes place in a town called Sorrento. There is really only one main character, and his name is Giovanni. Giovanni was a poor boy who didn't have any parents. he could juggle very well,and would juggle for food. He would juggle different kinds of fruit like zucchini, lemons, eggplants, oranges, and apples. Signor Baptista's wife gave him the food because he brought people in to buy her fruit.
Then one day a traveling circus comes to town. Giovanni enjoyed it so much, that he asked the Maestro if he could become a part of the performance. The Maestro agreed that he could join them, but doesn't get paid, just a place to sleep and some food. Then, later, the Maestro gives him a costume and lets Giovanni perform for the crowd. Giovanni would juggle sticks, plates, clubs, rings, and burning torches. Then he would do his most famous act; with a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and then a violent ball. When he got all the balls going at a good pace, he would throw "the Sun in the Heavens" ball that was gold. The crowds loved this act the best.
Over the years, Giovanni got very famous performing for dukes and princes. Then when he was a teenager, he ran into two Brothers. They asked him if he would share his food with them. Giovanni said yes to them. They told him that with his juggling, he was bring God glory. Giovanni didn't reallt think so, and laughed. Then he told the Brothers fairwell and left.
Then, Giovanni got old and no one wanted to see him juggle anymore. They started to throw vegetables and stones at him, so he had to leave. He decided to go back home to Sorrento. Then Giovanni reached the church of the Brothers that he met years ago. The Church was filled with people who were carrying beautiful gifts. He asked someone what was going on and they said it was the Holy Child's birthday.
He decides that he will juggle for the stern Child sitting in his mother's arm, for that was the only gift he could give. He did this when everyone was gone. So, Giovanni does his usually acts; the clubs, the plates, and the flaming torches. Then he does his most famous act, "the Sun in the Heavens." A brother sees him and goes to get a priest. When they get to Giovanni, they see him lying on the floor dead. Then the brother turns around and looks at the statue of the Lady holding her Holy Child. Read the book to see what happens.

just MY opinion
A masterpiece in both story and pictures. It should have received Caldecott honors when it was eligible. DePaola will be remembered for several achievements in books...the 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE series, the BARKERS series, STREGA NONA, NANA UPSTAIRS & NANA DOWNSTAIRS, and others, and THIS extraordinary book. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (12)

Mary is the mother of every single person on this earth.
This book will truly change your life. Its message is so simple. The Mother of God is calling us back to her Son. She wants us to totally surrender to God's will for each of our lives. I read a small book on Medjugorje 13 years ago and thought to myself, Wow! that's wonderful, but that was it, I didn't think about it again until I happened to pick up "The Visions of the Children". It contains actual interviews with each of the six children who have been speaking with the Blessed Mother. What they have to say will completely involve you with what is happening in Medjugorje. This book is for every human being on the face of the earth. God does not have favorites, He loves us all equally. Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Moslems, etc. - all will go to heaven if they love Him and keep His commandments. But we can do so much more to help others. Wake up! Do not be satisfied with the life you lead now. There is more, much more. If I had the money I would buy this book for everyone. Do not pass up what The Visions of the Children has to offer. It will change your life as well as the lives of those who encounter you after you have read it.

Full of insight.
This book has great interviews taken from the Medjugorje visionaries. The six seers, who see or saw the Mother of God daily, are interviewed in this awe inspiring book. They tell their story simply and make responding to God's desires more easy to achieve. They are full of knowledge from heaven that we simply would not know. They do. They have seen the future and what lies ahead for those who do not turn to God. They tell us what we must do now. They speak of the importance of prayer, of a Sacramental life, of a family that prays together. This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in Medjugorje and their future. Beware of some of the theology in the introductory and concluding chapters, they are the opinion of the author-not the Medjugorje visonaries. This book is a collection of interviews. Read them and understand the greatness of those who give their lives over to Mary in order to live heaven on earth.

Fluff
I have read all of Janice Connel's books and have always found them rewarding - but her works on the apparations at Medjugorje
are not up to her earlier works. She seems to be enamored with
the visonaries and has chosen to downplay or circumvent many critical areas that have challenged the authenticity of the reported visions. The author lacks objectivity and it is disappointing.

Not for me
I came to this book wanting to believe, and leaning towards belief, but with plenty of skepticism. This book reinforced my skepticism. It is not intended as a defense of the visions, per se, but friendly non-skeptical interviews with the visionairies, and report of Marian messages to the Parish at Medjugorge, and a smattering of anecdotes of seemingly miraculous events. The interviews with the visionairies were most unsatisfying. The questions were leading and shallow, nothing like the kind of questions I wish I could ask. Even worse, the answers were stereotyped, vague, and even evasive. Was this a language barrier problem? An artifact of the interviews being condensed and edited? An effort to avoid arguments? Perhaps. But I kept comparing in my mind these transcripts with scriptural accounts of conversations with Jesus. Jesus, despite all language barriers and editing, was always very direct, clear, and substantive, and never shied away from stirring up controversy. Jesus also taught us to be on guard against the many false prophets who would surely come. I remain on guard.

Visions of The Children
I have read Visions Of The Children many times over and over. After having been to Medjugorje twice I feel Jan Connell's book is probably the book which will make you feel as if you are already there in Medjugorje. I have read many books on Medjugorje. This one is my favorite because it is the most detailed about the six visionaries and their testimonies and encounters with Our Lady in Medjugorje.This book goes beyond all of the manifestations of Medjugorje like the rosaries turning gold, the sun spinning, etc- and focuses on the true messages of Our Lady and which she has been stating for the last almost 21 years. Do read this book and let it touch you as it has us those of us that have been blessed to visit Medjugorje ourselves and for those that havent this will take you on a journey there in your heart. A beautiful and inpisring book! ... Read more

Book Description

Chuck Swindoll shares 12 of the most important Bible teachings portrayed in 12 fun-filled stories kids can identify with and understand.

Reviews (2)

A Great Family Devotional
I've had this book for 3 years and both my children (now aged 5 and 11) still love to hear the stories. The pictures are colorful and enjoyable and the bible stories are well placed in the story themes. The story set up begins with a situation the bear family encounters and then a bible story that relates to that situation is recollected by one of the bears. The last story Heaven Can't Wait will have the reader teary eyed, and is told in such a way that although the child will experience the sadness of death, they will see the victory of eternal life with God. I wish there were more books written of Big Ideas In the Bible. This book makes a great family devotional!

My 6 year old loved it.
We were on vacation at a friend's. They brought out this book to read for her bedtime story. Well, we had to read 2 of the stories that night. The first thing the next morning, she got the book out again and asked me to read more. While the other kids were out swimming in the pool, she insisted I read her 2 more of the stories. When we got home from vacation, she told me she wanted to use her allowance money and buy a copy of the book herself. The tone of the book is warm and encouraging. The spiritual truths are shared in a beautiful and loving way. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An absolutely beautiful book
Couldn't recommend this edition highly enough. The illustrations are beautiful and bring the magic of Christmas to life for both young and old. It truly is an heirloom edition made all the more special by the brass christmas stocking bookmark.

One Beautiful Book
Gorgeous...that is the best word to describe this book.

Christian Birmingham's illustrations create the pictures of the story that we all have in our heads...but alas, cannot paint ourselves. ... Read more

Book Description

God's word is like food. You need to eat some of it every day to get strong -- and to stay strong! The NIrV Kids' Book of Devotions is your daily treat from God. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Devotional for Kids!
This is a very age-appropriate devotional for pre-teen boys and girls. Each day's devotion is a story with a topic to which kids can relate. It is comparable to other children's devotionals such as The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids. This is a good devotional to get kids into reading and becoming familiar with their Bibles. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This was a great help!!!!
My daughter Laura was having problems in school. We had her tested and they said she needed to focus more. They suggested that we set aside a time to read together at home. We had not been doing that much. The cover to this book is so bright and colorful she went for it instantly! We thumbed through it and right there in the store, she tried reading the stories. I could see that they were simple enough for her but would also challenge her in her reading.

I can't say enough about this Young Reader's Bible. Laura has learned to love reading because of it. To me, that is a miracle because she was in danger of being held back before. These are familiar stories so they draw a child in. Even kids who have not gone to Sunday school before will find these stories exciting, and will want to read on. And the pictures are a BONUS.

I would recommend this book to anyone who asks about a children's Bible, and I have done so. It has been fun to see how many kids from church now pack their Young Reader's Bible with them. Buy this book. You won't be disappointed!

The Young Reader's Bible - Standard
I wanted a Bible story book for a 12 year old Chinese girl who has been in America only 8 months. When she arrived she knew very little or if any English.

I feel the book is very attractive with easy reading. I was drawn to the cover in comparison to other books I reviewed, in that the cover had adults and not only children.

The Bible stories are well chosen and which carries a historical thread throughout the book.

Earlier I sent her a more "primer" Bible story book which she told me she can now read.

I choose it because it is a Lovely Book. ... Read more

Book Description

Having recently emerged from the tumultuous teenage years herself, Amanda Ford saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Inspired by such popular books as Simple Abundance and The Woman's Book of Courage, her book offers support to young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. As anyone familiar with teenagers knows, there is nothing they hate more than being told what to do or how to think by "out of touch" adults. Here's the real scoop from one who knows the score. In 365 one-page essays, Ford offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-esteem, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more. Girls will find comfort, encouragement, and insight in these pages, along with suggestions for articulating and confiding their feelings, fears, and frustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Honest wisdom, great comfort, easy format
I am a family counselor and I recomend this book for my teenage clients and their parents. It is full of comfort. Like a big sister whose just been through all the trials of being a teenager herself, Amanda is able to offer a perspective that parents and other adults can't. The formate is helpful and user friendly. The reader can look up any topic in the contents and read one page or many on subjects ranging from boys, to peer pressure, to parents. This book encourages girls to listen to their own voice instead of following the crowd. It encourages each girl to make choices that satisfy themselves.

become that person you've always admired
This wonderful book offers 366 (yes, it accounts for leap years) daily tips for living the best life you can. Offers sound advice for handling boys, jobs, peer pressure, self confidence, having fun, parents, jealousy, manners, dreams, and any of hundreds of issues that pop up daily for the average teen. This book inspires you to act in your own best interests and make the most out of life.

This book includes a detailed index for looking up whatever topics concern you, as well as a list of other helpful books and websites. How cool is that?

Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls
Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls, is a treasure. It is an important and powerful book; a book that every teenage girl should read. Amanda Ford's writing style is simple, honest and very real. You know she is speaking from her heart and from her own experiences. This is a book with integrity. It is one that the reader can open to any page and find inspiration and guidance. Like Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance," Be True to Yourself has a daily message. The book will never become outdated and it can be read day after day. Each page is like a precious gem that shines on its own. There is no gift you can give that will help a girl more during her teenage years than Be True to Yourself. It will become her best friend and companion.

Awesome!
I haven't even bought this book yet but I can't wait until I do. I found it at a local bookstore because it was on a display table and the colorful cover caught my attention. So I picked it up and I love what's inside. Amanda Ford is a really good writer plus her tips and 'meditation' are really thought-provoking and fun! I hope she writes more and recommend this book to all teenage girls! ... Read more

Book Description

This little boardbook for three to four-year olds briefly and simply tells the story of the life of Jesus from His birth at Christmas to His resurrection at Easter and tells the reason we remember Him. This 5x5 book emphasizes the love and compassion of Jesus, especially to children. Rebecca Thornburgh's art is traditional and uses bright colors that children will love. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Book!!
Great simplistic book about who Jesus is & about His love for us.

nice and to the point
we bought the story of christmas and my 2 yr old wanted to know more about jesus. so this book is perfect. tells the story of his life in easy terms, colorful pictures, and short enough to keep her attention. we really enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Bright, fun, and easy to understand, The Little Kids Adventure Bible is a great way to encourage a love for God's Word in your child, and start him or her off on a lifelong habit of studying his Word. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

not for my kindergartener
We were ready to move from a preschool bible with simplistic writing under a picture on each page, but this book failed to capture his imagination. There are very few pictures in this book, each page is full of text. I wish I had looked at the sample page here instead of buying a shrink-wrapped copy. A friend recommended another bible from Zondervan with comics in it, and I'm ordering that today.

Perfect for young children
My friend bought this book for her son and I was reading it one night and was amazed at how accurate and easy for them to understand it was. We are picking one up for our 3 1/2 yr. old son.

Great for beginner readers
This is a great Bible for kids that are just starting to read. It reads like a Bible storybook but contains all the facts and goes through the entire Bible. Very thorough yet, holds the interests of young ones. ... Read more

Book Description

With more than a million copies sold, this classic Scripture provides an ageless Bible story for every day of the year. It's a perfect addition to any Sunday school room or children's church program.

"An imaginative arrangement, preserving the on-going interest of a serial . . . The illustrations are excellent . . . and will hold the listener's eye if the book is being read aloud . . . This selection provides a built-in continuity which other collections lack."—Church Times

"Written in a lively, eaily understood style which still retains the dignity of the original . . . The luminous artwork is realistic, expressive and well-researched in detail."—School Library Journal

"Many children's books retell Bible stories. This is one of the best for its factual, sensitive and imaginative approach. The stories are allowed to speak for themselves in a panorama of scripture from Genesis to Revelation, and each is beautifully and imaginatively illustrated. [Here is] storytelling par excellence, clear, uncomplicated, concise, superlative."—Churchman

"The selections are just the right length . . . After using this book for several months, I can enthusiastically recommend it for families with young children."—Christian Home and School

Reviews (5)

The children's Bible in 365 stories
I highly recommended this book for children and adults. It is a good guide to teaching your children about the wonderful and amazing stories of the bible.

The Children's Bible in 365 Stories
I use this book for teaching Sunday School. I'm planning on giving a copy to everyone that teaches Bible Stories to our kids at church because it edits the stories and gives a paraphrase that is accurate to the text.

Best bedside Bible tool
This bible is an excellent tool for reading the bible daily with your children. It is well written with excellent illustrations. Each story is short enough to read just before turning out the lights.

THE BEST Bible Story Book
Our family (we have 8 children) has read a number of Bible story books. This one stands out to us as THE BEST. It is clearly written so that even the younger ones can follow well. Also, it is written in an interesting manner that the children always want more. A sign of a real winner! With the stories being so short there is always time to read at least one.

Well written, artfully Illustrated
Although we have been using Batchelor's Children's Bible since our oldest daughter was three years old, she has really grown into it as she progressed through Kindergarten and First Grade. As the Chaplain of a Christian elementary school I am recommending it as a Bible Primer for our first graders to begin their own disciplined daily Scripture readings. The illustrations are artfully and historically authentic without being too complex for a young person's concentration. I highly recommend it. ... Read more