Be Kind, Be Sweet

Be Kind, Be Sweet

Tricia Lowenfield and Mandy Moore Lowenfield

Published by: Pumpkins Pansies Bunnies and Bears Press

2008



Be Kind, Be Sweet, be nice to everyone you meet! A colorful book about learning your manners. Each page has a beautiful, colorful drawing, a number, a short poem to teach or reinforce a manner and a Bible verse to correspond with it. Each manner has the same number of words as each number on the page. For example, number two is "Thank You". All kinds of manners are covered, from nice words, "Please" and "Thank You" to table manners, to prayer.



My oldest daughter really likes the font this book is printed in. A beautiful, fancy type of cursive. My youngest daughter once again loves the drawings! They are very colorful and my kids like them because they look like something they could have drawn. It really helps them connect with the book. I like that at the end of the book, there is a list 1-12 of all the manners covered in the book.



This book is lots of fun to read with your children. You can work on numbers, or manners, or both at one time. Great, once again, for homeschooling!

A note on upcoming reviews

I will be reviewing a series of books starting next week! My adult books will be a series by Janice Hanna! I will review Salt Water Taffie, Cotton Candy Clouds and Sweet Harmony! Check back tomorrow for our children's book review, and next week for Salt Water Taffie!!

Tortured for Christ

Tortured for Christ

Richard Wurmbrand

Living Sacrifice Book Company

Orginally published in 1967 and re-released in 1998


The story of Richard Wurmbrand, and the persuicuted communist believers everywhere. This book is a horrifying glimps into the lives of thousands of persicuted Christians everywhere. Richards story takes place in communist Russia. It begins with the tale of his youth, in which he was not a Christian, but a atheistic Russian youth. He tells of an unuasual attraction to churches and of his following conversion. Richard tells of leading his first church with no "formal" training and his quick inprisionment under the Nazi's. The book is a retelling of what Richard endured in prision for a total of 14 years, and a wonderful story of how the persecuted Christians, in the midst of terrible brutality, still loved the Communist and earnestly desired to reach them with the love of Christ.



Tortured for Christ is filled with stories of the martyrs in other parts of the world. Stories of how Communist who tortured and killed Christians were won with the love of God. Stories of how the underground church reached and is reaching people in countries where speaking of Christ is illegal. Glimpses of the horrors inflicted on the faithful, unyielding Christians. Details on the true inner workings of the Communist regime, down to how they indoctrinate little children to HATE Christ. This book will help you understand why Communism is dangerous to ALL people!



Written 30 years ago, this book is STILL relevant as religious oppression STILL occurs in much of the world today. In the last chapters of this book you can find a list of ways to support the underground church. I suggest this book for anyone who has grown complacent in their faith, or anyone who wants to learn more about persecution and what they can do to help.



This book can be purchased at The Voice of the Martyrs website, it's FREE!


http://www.persecution.com/public/tfc.aspx?clickfrom=c2lkZWJhcg%3d%3d

S is for Shepherd.

S is for Shepherd

Tricia Lowenfield

Pumpkins Pansies Bunnies and Bears Press



S is for Shepherd is modeled after "The New England Primer", a modern version of it you could say. The book goes through the entire alphabet using Biblical words or phrases for each letter. There is also a corresponding verse to go with the letter. There is also a picture on each page that goes with the rest of the "lesson".



The artwork in this book is wonderful. Each picture looks as if it were drawn by a child. This is my oldest daughters favorite part of this book. "The pictures look like they were drawn by little kids." is what she told me when I asked her what she liked about the book. My youngest daughter particularly liked the pictures of David and Mary.



I really enjoy reading this book to my kids, I really do. It reinforces so many great lessons at one time; letters, word association and Bible verses. The only issue that I have is that the book is handwritten. This makes it hard for older children who haven't learned handwriting to read alone, my six and a half year old had a little trouble. HOWEVER, I think it will be great practice when she IS learning handwriting and has to learn to read it.



There is also a great CD that comes with this book. There are 13 songs that are meant to reinforce the lessons in the book. The music is very upbeat, engaging and fun. A great CD to let the children listen to any time.



I would highly recommend this book to anyone with preschool aged children, or even children working on handwriting skills. This book would be great for homeschooling as well!

Love Finds You in Poetry Texas

Love Finds You in Poetry Texas, Janice Hanna
Published by Summerside Press, INC



Love Finds You in Poetry Texas, the entertaining story of a matchmaker without a clue. Belinda Bauer decides to become a Marriage Broker in the small town of Poetry, Texas. She sets out on her endeavor and her first act of business is to find a bride for her close friend, Georg Kaufman, who is convinced that he doesn't need a bride at all! Along the way she finds many brides for many would be grooms in her small town, not always the ones they ordered! However, Belinda is beset by the inability to find a bride for Georg. Neither party realizes that Gods plans for Geoge do not include a mail order bride! The story returns again and again to the idea that you should never attempt to get ahead of God's plan for yours or other peoples lives. While some matches don't work out well for some, they all work out just as God intended them too. The prevailing theme is that no matter how well intentioned you are, you can't rush Gods plans. In every situation in this book, you can clearly see the hand of God move.All in all this book is quite delightful to read.



The plot is engaging and draws you in rather quickly. Predictable in some places, but rather unpredictable in others. The setting is well described, without being wordy. Reminiscent of old western movie sets. You feel as if you are in the mercantile, or barber shop or any other place the action is taking place in. Characters are well developed, you almost feel like you know someone just like them! Obviously Janice has drawn inspiration from people around her!



I would highly recommend this book. It is a great read, easy to follow, but not dull. It pulls you in and makes you feel as though you are witnessing the entire amusing ordeal. Very much worth curling up with on your sofa!!