Author: Cindy

This Little Prayer of Mine Review

Posted on by Cindy

This Little Prayer of Mine
TITLE: This Little Prayer of Mine
AUTHOR: Anthony DeStefano
ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Elliott
PUB DATE: February 2010
PUBLISHER: WaterBrook Press
PAGES: 40

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nothing Compares to Childlike Faith

I know you’re up in heaven, God, and can hear my voice from there. I’m just a little child.

Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God’s readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near–watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They’ll also learn that prayer isn’t just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.

Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

Author Bio:

Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.
 
OUR THOUGHTS:
Thanks to Staci at WaterBrook Multnomah for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this book and for sending me a copy of the book to read and review.

Everytime I picked up this book the song  This Little Light of Mine kept popping in my head. Not sure if anyone else felt like that or not.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely adorable and so life like. They went really well with the words as Michael pointed out. For me I think having pictures that suit the words makes that book the more enjoyable and understanding for kids.

Michael enjoyed listening to this book when I read it to him. He pointed out that the story was told in rhymes.

We talk about God and how important it is in our lives and about praying. Michael asked how do you pray and what do you say. I showed Michael how to pray and told him to say what he felt like thank you for my mom and dad, the food that you give me and the house I have. Of course Michael wouldn’t be Michael if he didn’t ask if it was okay to pray for toys etc.

I think this is a great addition to our family library.

You can use this link to purchase This Little Prayer of Mine.

Please note that: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Horrid Henry’s Joke Book Review and Give away

Posted on by Cindy

Horrid Henry's Joke Book
TITLE: Horrid Henry’s Joke Book
AUTHOR: Francesca Simon
ILLUSTRATOR: Tony Ross
PUB DATE: April 2010
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks
PAGES: 112

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Warning: Too rude for parents and for slimy toad little brothers!

These are Horrid Henry’s very own jokes: the jokes that grossed out Mom and Dad… that made Aunt Ruby run home… that sent Miss Battle-Axe screaming from class. Be horrid! Read Henry’s jokes. Then tell them to the world! Horrid Henry’s Joke Book features chapters dedicated to jokes much too rude for Mom, jokes not to tell your teacher, wisecracks for your baby-sitter (just make sure you can make a quick getaway!), underpants and stink bomb witticisms, and more humor from Moody Margaret, Sour Susan, Aerobic Al, Beefy Bert and Dinosaur Dave.

OUR THOUGHTS:

Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Don’t cry it’s only a joke!

We love reading about the horrible things that Horrid Henry does in his books so when given the chance to read an advance readers copy of this book I jumped at the chance. Its exactly what it say it is a joke book.

I started to read this before Michael came home from school and I sat there laughing at some of the jokes.

Which pet makes the most noise?
A trum-pet!

 
When Michael got home I showed him the book and he was excited because it was Horrid Henry and asked me to read it to him so I would tell him to pick a number (that would be the page number) and then tell him to give me another number (that would be the joke I would read) some of them he would laugh at and others he would look at me and say “Is that suppose to be funny? Cause I don’t get it!”
 
Some of the jokes were funny and some I think were a little too old for him to understand. All in all it was a good laugh for me and of course Michael too.
 
This is Michael’s favorite joke from the book:
 

MARGARET: Knock Knock.
SUSAN: Who’s there?
MARGARET: Lettuce.
SUSAN: Lettuce who?
MARGARET: Lettuce in, it’s raining.

Michael loves knock knock jokes so those went over really well with him. Those were by far the best jokes in the book for him.

Thanks to Liz at Sourcebooks for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this book and for sending me a copy to read and review.

GIVE AWAY TIME!
I have 2 Horrid Henry April Activity Posters to giveaway to two lucky readers.

RULES:
-One Canadian and One International.
-The contest ends April 5th at midnight. Winners will be announce April 6th. Sorry that this is a short contest but I want you to enjoy the April Activity sheet.
– +1 for leaving email address
  +1 if you are a follower of this blog
  +5 if you leave a joke
-When you leave a comment please leave it to one comment. Its easier to add up that way.

This is what the prize win looks like. Just a heads up to everyone I am only giving away the posters and not the book.

Thanks again to Liz at Sourcebooks for providing this giveaway.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Happy Easter

Posted on by Cindy

Happy Easter Everyone.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Two Blog Awards

Posted on by Cindy

Thanks to Sherrie from Just Book for awarding me this award:

From the description: ‘A Prolific Blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.’

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to this post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners. Click here for the Mr. Linky page.

In my opinion all bloggers are deserving of this award so if you want to grab it just let me know.

The next award I got from Sherrie as well:

It’s called the Amazing Followers Award. Since I follow her blog I am putting it here too. If you follow my blog, feel free to take it for your blog. Make sure you link it back to me.

Thanks Sherrie for passing these two awards on to me I truly appreciate that you thought of me. You Rock!

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Pistachio: The Little Boy That Woodn’t DVD Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: Veggie Tales-Pistachio The Little Boy That Woodn’t DVD
PUB DATE: March 2010

DVD Synopsis
Once upon a time in the small town of Bologna-Salami, there lived a lonely toymaker named Gelato and his assistant Cricket. Gelato had no children of his own, so one day he decided to carve a little boy out of wood. Imagine Gelato’s surprise when he learned this little boy could walk…and talk…and definitely had a mind of his own! When Pistachio tries to do things his way, he lands in a “whale” of a situation! Will he decide to listen to the wisdom of a loving father in time to save his whole family from becoming fish food? Find out in this all-new adventure with a lesson about the importance of family and learning to listen.

OUR THOUGHTS:
When I got the email from Julie at Graf Martin to review this I jumped at the opportunity. We love watching Veggie Tale movies because there is always a lesson to learn or a message that manages to make kids grasp it. Plus the cute and catchy songs are well worth the listen.

Pistachio is a great movie that puts a spin on the childhood classic Pinicchio. I remember watching Pinicchio when I was younger. In all honesty I don’t remember taking away alot form that movie apart from you shouldn’t lie because your nose will grow and I always thought that until I was a little older when I realized that its impossible for that to happen.

The VeggieTale version is so much easier for kids to get the message that they should obey their parents and listen to them even though at their age its hard from them to do and they don’t want to listen and obey. They also emphasize that the parents are older and much more wiser and that what we say is 120% out of love and nothing more.

Please Note:
DVD has been provided courtesy of David C. Cook and Graf Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your local Christian retailer.

Thank you Julie for sending this and allowing me to highlight this great children’s video.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Books Bought # 37

Posted on by Cindy

Welcome to another edition of Books Bought that I am currently hosting right here. Books Bought is a meme where you list the books you physically have bought either from a store, second hand bookstore, library sale etc. You can post whenever you get them. If you want to take part all you have to do is grab the above button and let me know so I can check out your post.
Please note that this could lead to excessive books on your To Buy or Wishlists.
Here is what I got this week:
Through Thick & Thin (London Confidential)Through Thick & Thin Book 2 in the London Chronicles by Sandra Bryd.

I read and my review for book 1 Asking for Trouble will be posted next week as part of the First Wild Card Tour. I really enjoyed reading the first book and curious to find out what happens next.

The Sesond book I bought was:
I bought The Other Family by Joanna Trollope because she is coming to town at the end of the month and I am going to go to the book signing. I have never read anything by her so I am anxious to read it. You can check back after April 30th to hear about the author event, photos and a possible video.
This is what I bought, what about you?
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

The Children’s Baking Book Review

Posted on by Cindy

The Children's Baking Book
TITLE: The Children’s Baking Book
AUTHOR: Densie Smart
PUBLISHER: DK
PUB DATE: February 2010
PAGES: 128

ABOUT THE BOOK:
With easy-to-follow step by step instructions sure to inspire children to bake up brownies, breads, pastries, muffins, cookies, cakes, and more, the Children’s Baking Book features more than fifty fabulous recipes guaranteed to stir any baker. Full-color photos of each tasty dish help kids understand what to do, and make it even easier to follow the fun recipes. With twists on old favorites and delicious new ideas, tips and advice on preparation and cooking, the Children’s Baking Book will help budding chefs become brilliant bakers!

MY THOUGHTS:

This is a great cookbook for kids if they want to help you in the kitchen. We found the recipes to be easy and quick when looking that them. Plus from Michael’s reaction I am sure they are all stuff kinds want to eat.

We loved how the book was laid out with tons of pictures to accompany the recipe. Each recipe gives you the level of difficulty (easy, medium and hard), the quantity, prep and cooking times. Besides the title there is a little info about the recipe. Also very helpful was pictures of the ingredients and tools that you needed to  prepare kids for the recipe so that everything will be right here instead of havig to stop to get things. Plus there was Chef tips and variations with the recipes. The chef tips offer useful cooking advise and the variations so that you can mix it up some. With the variations tip if the recipe happens to call for an example of this is the Scones we plan to make for Easter. Instead of making plain scones we can make fruit ones just by adding raisins, currants etc.

The recipe  we decided to make was:

 We decided on this recipe to use up the apples we had sitting on the table. Michael helped to get all the ingredients together and the tools that we needed.

The only bad thing while we were preparing everything was the it called for 1oz (25g) of butter and 3oz (75g) of butter and I had to figure it out. I might have been a little off in my calculations. I checked the book to see if there was a conversion chart and there was nothing.

I peeled the apples and Michael chopped them up and put them in the casserole dish. In the bottom is the butterscotch mixture.

Michael loved making the crumble for the top.

 

 
 

This is what it looks like all assembled and getting ready to be baked.
 
Funny enough once this was done and in the oven my little helper vanished leaving me to clean up. Which I have to say I didn’t mind at all because not alot of stuff was used in making this.
 
Here is what it looked like once it was baked with vanilla ice cream. Made a great dessert after supper.

We are really looking forward to making many more recipes from this book so check back often when I share what we made.

If your looking for a cookbook to use with your kids then I highly recommend this to you.

Thanks to Chris at DK for sending this great cookbook our way. Michael is already planning what he wants to make next.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.