“The Giving Manger: A Christmas Family Tradition Kit” by Allison Hottinger

Posted on December 12, 2021 by WordPress.com Support


Interactively Celebrating Christmas!

Illustrated by Emily King

This Christmas, things will be different. So, dad tells his children, Anne and Ben. He then shows them an empty manger, a small bundle of hay and reads Mathew 25:40 b:

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

That means doing good thing for others is like doing it for Jesus, it is a gift to Him. This year, family members will concentrate on doing for others. Every time as service is done, a piece of straw will be put in the empty manger.

The Christ child figure will not be put in the manger until Christmas Day, when hopefully, there will be lots of straw to cushion Him. They will give gifts to Jesus by serving others without expecting anything in return.

At first, Anne and Ben do not like this idea. But then, Anne is surprised to find a number of pieces of straw in the manger because her mom did Anne’s chores for her. She is so touched by it, that Anne does some good deeds for Ben.

They discover the joy the comes from helping others. Because of that, there are lots of pieces of straw in the manger on Christmas morning. There is also lots of joy present from giving these kinds of gifts to Jesus.

This kit teaches a great lesson, and provides everything needed to re-create this blessing in your family. There is an empty manger, a small bundle of straw, the Christ child figure, and the story book. To get you started, the back of the book has a list of service ideas.

By doing this, the focus of Christmas is on Christ, and your family will have a great interactive way to celebrate. Any age can do this, even the youngest of children. I highly endorse making this a yearly tradition, and recommend this five-star kit as a way of enjoying the true meaning of the season.

Worthy Kids has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Giving Manger: A Christmas Family Tradition Kit, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

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“The Story of the Wise Men” by Patricia A. Pingry

Posted on December 10, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

Star of Wonder!

Illustrations by Alice Buckingham

This charming picture book tells the miraculous story of Jesus’ birth on a child’s level. Join the wonder of that night when the shepherds hear the good news from a sky full of angels.   While in another part of the world, wise men find a new, gigantic star, so bright it lights up the sky.  They drop everything to follow it.     Their journey takes them many miles.  They must cross the desert, and deal with the ravings of King Herod who is frightened he will be replaced by a new king.  But they do not give up, and keep following the star.  That is how they end up in the house Jesus, Mary and Joseph are living in, where they can worship the new king and give him gifts.

This old story is made new again through simple words meant for a child’s understanding.  The illustrations are bright, beautiful and draw young ones into the story.  Children will thrill to hear of the escape the wise men made from King Herod by not going back, along with the bright star in the sky that led them to Jesus.  I highly recommend this five-plus star book to all children everywhere from ages one through five-years-old.

Worthy Kids has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Story of the Wise Men, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“Interrupting Chicken” by David Ezra Stein

Posted on December 7, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

Nursery Rhyme Makeovers & Cookies in Bed!

Little chicken is wide awake and wants his Papa to wake up, too–and eat cookies together!  Papa desperately wants to get more sleep, and get his little chick to give up on the idea of cookies for breakfast.  As little chick bounces on Papa’s bed, he starts reciting nursery rhymes, but he changes them to include eating cookies.

“There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe,” and “Hickory, Dickory, Doc,” are a couple nursery rhymes that get hilarious make overs that include cookies.  Eventually, Papa gets up, and gets breakfast for his little chicken, but is it cookies? This fun story of little chick and his Papa takes place on familiar ground. As any parent of a little one knows, once they decide you should get up, they are very persistent.

This over-sized, hard-backed, picture book contains brilliant illustrations that bring even more life to this already high energy book.  Children will love the way little chicken changes nursery rhymes to try to get cookies.  They will definitely identify with being wide awake and trying to get a parent out of bed.  I recommend this five-star book to children four to eight years old.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, Interrupting Chicken, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“Where’s Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search” by Martin Handford

Posted on December 1, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

Christmas and Waldo in the Spotlight!

Just in time for Christmas, the latest Where’s Waldo is full of Santas, reindeer, Christmas sweaters and presents.  Additionally, this book has a twist that adds to the challenge of finding items.  It has a Magic Slider tool that is used with special windows in the book.  Until the slider is used, the window is dark.  After applying the tool, that section of the window lights up in the shape of a spotlight, and the hunt is on.

Located on the inside of the front cover, the magic slider has a storage pocket where it can be kept close at hand.  This exciting book is sure to be a hit during this holiday season.  The windows are sturdy in this well-constructed, hard-backed book, and the slider is made from a firm material that will keep it straight.  In case of emergencies, or wanting more sliders for friends, there is a web-address by the slider pocket where more can be can be downloaded.

This book is brimming over with fun and Christmas cheer.  Kids aged five and up will enjoy this latest way to find Waldo and his friends.  I recommend this five-star Waldo book to long-time fans and newbies alike.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, “Where’s Waldo? Santa Spotlight Search,” for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“See the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat” by David LaRochelle

Posted on November 30, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Cat in Dog’s Clothing!

Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Join cat as he fills in for the dog, who is sick, in three stories.    However, the cat didn’t realize the stories would contain very dog-like, but completely un-cat-like, behaviors.  Cat soon discovers something he thought would be easy-peasy is far from it.

How is a cat supposed to dig a hole, and especially not get his pristine fur dirty?  Can a cat be expected to swim and get a stick?  Most importantly, can a cat fill in for a sheep dog and defend himself, along with sheep, from a wolf?!

Just like a fish out of water, cat tries to do what is expected from dog.  Be ready to hear giggles and laughter while your child reads the predicaments cat finds himself in as a result.  Kids preschool through fourth grade will love the zany adventures cat has when he tries to act like a dog.  Right when things look like they could be bad, cat is rescued.

I really enjoyed this five-star book, and so will your child.  This book follows in the footsteps of the hilarious first book, See the Cat:  Three Stores about a Dog.  Even though this is a fun tale, it has the underlying message that each of us are special, and it is hard for someone to take our place.  I highly recommend this to anyone who wants some smiles in their life!

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, See the Dog, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“A Donkey Called Mistletoe” by Helen Peters

Posted on November 23, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Love of a Donkey!

Illustrated by Ellie Snowdon

Jasmine is a little girl who adores animals.  She already has a rescue deer and pig that she diligently takes care of, so, her parents have told her no more!   But when she meets Mistletoe, the donkey, everything changes.

Mistletoe’s elderly owner, Mr. Hobson, can no longer take care of his farm, or his beloved donkey.  He is moving, and will be getting rid of everything including Mistletoe—he trying to adjust to the fact he won’t get to see his pal anymore.

Can Jasmine find a way to keep Mistletoe so the donkey will be close to Mr. Hobson?  When the costumed donkey doesn’t work out, will Jasmine get in trouble if she substitutes Mistletoe in the Nativity play?  Can the donkey be brought into the assisted living home to visit his former owner?

This chapter book has a sweet story about a child with a big heart. Set at Christmastime, there is a lot of excitement in the story.  The fate of Mistletoe seems to have been settled at the beginning of the book.  However, the tale has many suspenseful, fun twists and turns before before the donkey gets his final home. Children will laugh at the hijinks of Jasmine’s trouble-making brother, while understand the difficulty of getting parents to change their minds.  I loved the fun legend about the cross on the donkey’s back.

I highly recommend this five-plus star book, in fact, I recommend the entire series, to children seven through ten years old.  Each book contains a story about an endearing animal, and Jasmine’s part in their lives.  You and your child will love them all!

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, A Donkey Called Mistletoe, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“The Happy Crab” by Laya & Kevin Palmer

Posted on November 14, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Family Adventure at the Beach!

Illustrated by Guy Wolek

Happy the crab is living the perfect life in the ocean.  He is enjoying all the things to see, to do, and to be with his other friends living in the ocean with him.  But one day, after crawling into a sea shell and going to sleep, he awakens to find his whole world has changed.

A little boy and his family visiting the beach think his sea shell would make a great souvenir of their time at the ocean. The seashell is being held by the little boy as the family drives home. Unknown to them, they have a stowaway with Happy occupying the sea shell.

What will happen to Happy? We he never again get to be at the ocean he loves? If Happy is discovered by the family, will that make things worse for him?

I love this tale, it is a cheery story that will make you smile and smile. This over-sized, hard-backed picture book will delight young ones with its brightly colored illustrations, as well as, the fun story of Happy the crab.

It also subtly teaches that your actions can have an effect on others, and doing the right thing might go against what you want. But doing that can lead to a happy ending, as it does in this tale.

Children aged two to eight-years-old will reach for this five-star book over and over again. I highly recommend it!

Bethany House Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, The Happy Crab, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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“Feels Like Home” by Marian Parsons

Posted on November 9, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bespoke Home!

Where we live, and what we have around us affects us to our core.  Our environment can be calming, or make us tense.  We should strive for our home to be a place of renewal and peace, and that is what this author wants to do.  She wants us to live in a Bespoke Home—a place that feels good, we have come home.

Close your eyes and imagine things that you like, colors, types of furniture, and so on.  Think back through your life about items you have liked most—whether you saw them in person, movies, or other forms of media.  Now imagine bringing some items like that into your living space.  Plan to put that into action a little at a time, so you don’t get over-whelmed by the scope of it.

The author wants you to remember you may not live in the place of your dreams, it may even be the opposite, but you can gradually make anyplace more “you.”  Ms. Parsons cautions that you need to work with the type of place you currently live in, not work against it.  But it is possible to create any space into a combination of yourself, and the reality of what you have to work with.

This is a great book that is easy to read, with lots of simple ideas to give yourself a very happy place to live–a Bespoke Home.  It will cause you to sigh deeply when you come in, and say to yourself, “I am home!” I enjoyed this five-star book and you will too.  I highly recommend this fun, practical book to anyone who wants to easily make their place home– without breaking the bank.

Worthy Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Feels Like Home, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Website:  https://missmustardseed.com/author/marian/

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“A Deep Divide” by Kimberley Woodhouse

Posted on November 4, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

Nowhere to Run!

Emma Grace has been living incognito after fleeing for her life years ago.  Although she never lacked for anything materially, her life was not a happy one.  When she found out her father was scheming to marry her off to the man who could do the most for his business, Emma Grace made her escape.

Afterwards, she found out her father had been murdered the night she left.  Emma Grace knows she is being hunted.  Convinced the killer is Mr. Wellington, her father’s number one choice for her husband, she is sure he has been the one chasing her ever since.

Who would think a former heiress would disguise herself as a hard-working Harvey Girl?  Emma Grace has been counting on that thought to keep herself hidden for the past decade.  After changing her looks and Harvey Girl work locations many times, she finally feels safe.

Emma Grace travels to the Grand Canyon to take her place at the elegant, brand new El Tovar Hotel.  She settles in to relax and enjoy her surroundings, along with the attention of the rich businessman and hotel guest, Ray.  That is when Emma Grace discovers she is still being hunted.

How was she found?  Will Emma Grace be drug back east, and forced to marry Wellington?  Does she have enough time to run away again?  Will she ever find the peace, love and acceptance she has been dreaming of?

This page turner will keep you guessing what will happen to Emma Grace.  Seeing the Grand Canyon through her eyes made it seem beautiful and serene, but still a wild place that needed to be explored carefully.  The character’s faith was a natural and vital part of this five-star, clean tale.  Fans of mystery and suspense will love this book!

Bethany House Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, A Deep Divide, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KimberleyWoodhouseAuthor/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

The Author’s Website:  https://kimberleywoodhouse.com

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“Lights Out: The SNAP Agency” by Natalie Walters

Posted on November 3, 2021 by WordPress.com Support

The Enemy Next Door!

Many years ago, Jack and Brynn were a couple, Jack thought they were in love. Then Brynn chose her CIA career over him, and Jack has felt betrayed ever since.  For the past several years, he has been the head of the prestigious Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency.  Now they have no choice but to work together to find an Egyptian spy, Remon Riad, who is missing.

He disappeared while in the United States serving as part of an anti-terrorism group that was a brainchild of Brynn’s.  She was responsible for checking him out before being invited, and Brynn was sure she had missed no red flags in his background.

The sooner they can prove Remon was innocent of terrorism, the sooner Brynn’s job will no long be on the line.  But was he innocent?  The more they dig, the more danger Jack and Brynn face.  Will the two of them be able to put the past behind them, and uncover the truth about Remon?

This fast-moving thriller will keep you turning pages while Jack and Brynn face attempts on their lives, and dangerous situations around every corner.  The fact that this is a clean story with a faith viewpoint, gets my attention.  Since it is also a great story, it earns five-stars.  This will be enjoyed by fans of thrillers, suspense, and mysteries.

Revell Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Lights Out, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041917969557&ref=hl

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/natwalterswrite

The Author’s Website:  https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com

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