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Think Big

*I received this book free for purposes of my review*

Think Big – By Kat Kronenberg, Illustrated by David Miles

New Children’s Book from bestselling, award-winning author captures the magic of our individuality and inspires kids to live their purpose.

In a society that often seems to encourage us all to look, act, and think the same, it can be difficult for kid to feel like what makes them unique matters. And, I’m sure that as we’re all homeschooling these days, we’re all discovering more and more of each other’s unique traits.

As hard as it can be, it’s good for us to discover, embrace, and celebrate all that makes us special so we can use our gifts to inspire others and ultimately make a positive and lasting impact on the home we all share.

Think Big is the third book in Kronenberg’s trilogy of books the Live Big Series. In Think Big, moody Baboon is faced with drought in his home, the African savanna. Even though they are all scared, inspired by Baboon, all the animals learn to reflect on who they want to be and what choices they need to make to shape their futures. The animals discover that they can make positive choices/decisions that allows them to connect their minds to their hearts, igniting their courage. Can they use their newfound power to not only survive, but ultimately thrive, amidst hardship?

As much as I love the story, I’m really in love with the illustrations. These bright, eye-catching illustrations go perfectly with the story and further help children remember how important it is for them to believe in themselves and discover how they can make the world a better place.

Extras:

You can find project guides, videos, and downloadable activity sheets at www.katkronenberg.com.

Available for purchase May 12. Pre-order is available from Amazon and Book People.

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Spirit of God Illustrated Bible Review

I received a copy of this book free from FlyBy for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible brings to life more than 40 Bible stories that help readers understand that God’s Spirit has been with us since the beginning of time and continues to be with us today. From the glory of creation through the powerful letters of Paul, God’s Spirit is living in his people. Old and New Testament stories such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, the Baptism of Jesus, and Pentecost come alive with dramatic illustrations by Fernando Juarez and moving text by Doris Rikkers. With a cover that sparkles and shines with foil, this is a special storybook Bible that will appeal to both children and parents alike.

Author Doris Rikkers is a freelance writer and editor who has written many bestselling children’s books and Bibles. Although she loves the ocean, she lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, surrounded by her books, her flower gardens, and her family and friends.

Illustrator Fernando Juarez illustrates children’s books and works as an art supervisor at the Madrid studio Ilion Animation. The company produces 3D feature films for children. Fernando has three kids himself, and if he has any time left after work and family, you might catch him playing guitar in a rock band.

The stories are each a few pages long and are easy to read to the kids. The illustrations are colorful and my kids find them to be quite funny with the oddly sized heads, funny looking animals, etc. They are just loving reading this Illustrated Bible together!

There’s a verse at the beginning of each chapter and then the story focuses on how God’s spirit moved through the story. It’s a perspective I haven’t seen before in children’s illustrated Bibles and it’s quite interesting, even to me, to read these stories and focus a bit on how God is moving in the story and how He’s moving the hearts of the people in these stories.

A great book for both me and my children! In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m enjoying this and getting more out of it than they are!

Click here to learn more and view a free sampler of the Spirit of God Illustrated Bible.

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K is for Kinder

Did you know that our word Kindergarten is from German? Literally translated it means Children Garden. The original Kindergartens were designed as a place for pre-school children to play and grow. The word itself pictures the natural growth of childhood in a nurturing environment.

I remember my year in Kindergarten as being so much fun. I did learn to read, and I’m pretty sure I learned to count, and I definitely remember all the cool toys we got to play with, the playground, and the fun performance we got to put on for our parents at the end. Oh, and I loved my teacher, she was so sweet, and learning was so much fun.

And that’s what I think of Kindergarten and all the pre-school years. They should be years of fun, wonder, and nuture. Years where my children grow without the pressures of growing up. Like little flowers in a garden. To be carefully tended, loved, taught, and encouraged to bloom. You can’t make a flower bloom any faster by opening it up yourself, you have to wait. And just like flowers, each child will bloom when they’re ready. And not all will bloom at the same time.

I’m reminded of this line from Mulan – My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look, this one’s late! I bet when it blooms, it will be most beautiful of all” by Fa Zhou – I provide all the nuture, care, attention, training, teaching, etc. and my children will bloom when they’re ready.

So, let your children be children. Let them enjoy being children. Because childhood is so magical, and so short.

 

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Children’s Advil

Trying some Infant Advil from Smiley360.com. It doesn’t work as well for my kids when they get shots or are teething but seems to work great for fevers.

Also, if you like Advil on Facebook you can get a buy 1 get 1 free coupon.

Smiley360 is a brand review site. You get to try products for free and review them, so if you like to try free products you should check it out!