Reading, Writing & Pondering

    I love penguins. Do you? Have you been to the Shedd Aquarium to see the penguins there? I went there when I was a young person. Then last year, we planned a trip to go there, but didn't get to go due to some unforeseen circumstances. I still hope to go see Edward and Annie in person some day. Edward and Annie by Caryn Rivadeneira is a beautifully illustrated 32-page children's book aimed at children ages four to eight. This book is 10 1/2 inches square so it is a bit large for young children to hold on their own but it makes a great size for family reading time, I think Edward and Annie starts out with the two penguins in their home. Then their caretaker, Kai, takes them on an adventure as they waddle through the Shedd Aquarium and visit the other animals. This book takes place during the pandemic when the aquarium was closed to visitors. Even though they are open again, this book is still a wonderful read--even if you have never been there. Following along and seeing th...

  Baptism. What does it all mean? Why are some immersed and some sprinkled? Baptized in the Water: Becoming a Member of God's Family by Glenys Nellist. Baptized in the Water talks about baptism from the Bible when John baptized Jesus. It talks about adults being baptized. It talks about babies being baptized. This book is all inclusive and is a book for someone who believes that the church is inclusive of all people whether they believe in adult or baby baptism. It ends with a beautiful baptism prayer. Even if you believe differently than this book, it could be a good starting point for discussion, depending on the ages of your children. I was baptized as a baby but then I also made a decision to be baptized as an adult when I came into my faith on my own. I think each was meaningful in its own way. I also like that Baptized in the Water shows baptism in both churches and outdoors in lakes/rivers. Baptized in the Water has beautiful, bright, vibrant illustrations. I so like how...

  Do you know a young girl who might like a Bible to journal in? The NIrV Journal the Word Bible for Girls is aimed at ages six to ten. This Bible has a beautifully illustrated hard cover with lined side margins for taking notes, drawing, coloring, or doodling. There are 100 verses for tracing to help with print and cursive penmanship and Scripture memorization. It both encourages creativity and it also works to help young girls learn better penmanship. While this Bible is directed at young girls, it is a nice Bible for almost any girl or even an older woman. I would use this Bible myself. It is just the Bible text and that text is a very readable 8.5 print size that is quite dark and easy to see on the page. I like the lined margins as there is a lot of space to take notes to to use this Bible for Bible art journaling. The pages are fairly thin so I would use colored pencils or pens that do not bleed through the paper for whatever I wanted to do in the margins. This Bible is also ...

  Joyce Meyer talks about Paul (formerly known as Saul) in the introduction to Be Joyful . She shares how Paul began writing about joy after he was transformed. He shared in the Bible about how joy is a big part of his life now and how it can change yours.  In Be Joyful , Joyce Meyer writes fifty days of devotional readings focused on the joy that you can have today through the Christian life. I like how these readings are so easy to understand and relate to. Meyer has such a way of bringing the Bible to people in such a way that they can understand and better apply it to their life. Each reading includes a Bible verse, a short devotional and ends with a couple things to think about. Usually the things to think about are questions to ask yourself so that you can relate to the reading and apply it to your own life. For example, chapter 34 features Philippians 4:6-7 with encouragement not to be anxious. Meyer shares advice and short stories on anxiety that is truly uplifting. Th...

    Do you know the story of Juneteenth? I didn't know much about this holiday until I read Juneteenth by Dorena Williamson. I honestly didn't realize it took so long for some African Americans to realize they were free but in Texas it took over 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation for them to know--on June 19, 1985. Juneteenth celebrates that newly learned freedom in Texas--and then nationwide. Juneteenth is a board book that is easy for small hands to hold with thick cardboard pages and a size of approximately six inches square. This book has brightly colored pages with realistic illustrations that work great for this book that includes history in a simple format for all ages to understand. This would be a great book for young children to learn about this holiday and more of our American history. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

  Awake by Anjuli Paschall is her 2nd book. I enjoyed Stay and looked forward to this one. Her writing style is more like a series of memoir-style essays compiled together with a thread that links one to the other to make up the book. She is one of those authors that I feel like I have gotten to know over cups of tea. . .and by the end of this book, in a sense I have. Awake is Paschall's thoughts on living a full life for God by "staying awake."Throughout the book, she shares her personal stories and spiritual reflections, with some Bible verses, on living awake, rather than chasing after more and better. She talks about staying awake by seeing all the little things in a day--as well as being there for each other. She is down-to-earth and so very real that I feel like I know her and I am ready to move in to her wonderful neighborhood so I can join in to one of her fun traditions. She is also real enough to share the hard things she has gone through and how to be awake e...

  It seems like most children go through a phase where they ask lots and lots of questions. Sometimes it is fun and sometimes it can be exasperating, if we are honest. I love how Papa Penguin has lots of patience in answering his little boy penguin in Papa Love You, Tiny Blue by Jo Empson. Papa Loves You, Tiny Blue is full of beautiful water color illustrations of life in and by the ocean for penguins. The book is a large size for little hands to hold at approximately 11 inches by 12 inches in size. It is a great book to read together before bed. I like that this book features the dad telling his thoughts and parenting the young one. This book also gives a glimpse into the life of penguins and other animals by the ocean and in the ocean. It is both lovely for animal lovers and for those who cherish love between family members. I highly recommend Papa Loves You, Tiny Blue. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

  I truly believe life is better when lived with an attitude of gratitude. Thank You, Mama by Linda Meeker encourages children to say, Thank you. As a foodie, I also love that Thank You, Mama talks about different foods. Thank you, Mama is aimed at three to seven year olds. It measures about 9.25 inches square and is full of bright, colorful illustrations. This book also models respect, good manners and offering gratitude. I wasn't familiar with this author's work on TikTok as I am not on that platform but I think the book is adorable. I also like how it offers children a glimpse into other people's cultures and foods. I think it also encourages children to like those who are different and the different foods that they eat for various meals. By including an Aunt and Grandma in the story, it also shows are families can include different people that are close to them. Thank you, Mama also teaches young readers new words and helps them build their vocabulary. They can even...

Fatal Code is the second book in the Snap Agency series. Natalie Walters definitely upped her game with this series. Fatal Code follows Lights Out and I would encourage you to read them in order to get the most out of the series. In Fatal Code , SNAP agent Kekoa Young moves in next to Elinor Mitchell. As a native Iowan, I love that this book starts out in Iowa, although sadly it is at Elinor's grandfather's funeral service. Kekoa and Elinor get to know each other as neighbors. At the same time, Kekoa is also spying on her as part of a SNAP case, which could complicate things. Elinor works as an aerospace engineer and is also trying to solve the mysterious code left behind in some of her grandfather's notebooks. Kekoa is not only an agent but also a former navy cryptologist so he tries to help her--along with keeping an eye on her to see if she is behind some wrongdoing or not. Fatal Code is full of fast-paced action. I like that there are really two mysteries to solve--wh...