God Made You Special By Mike Berenstain

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”Matthew 5:8In this newest 8x8 softcover title in the Berenstain Bears Living Lights collection, the Bruins join the Bear family for a cookout and bring their cousin Tommy along. It isn’t long before the cubs start up a game of baseball and Sister soon notices that Tommy doesn’t play like the rest of the group. When Sister asks about Tommy, Mama takes the opportunity to talk to Sister about how God makes each of us unique in our own way. And that we all have special gifts and talents to share with the folks around us.About the AuthorMike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too.

I absolutely love how the Berenstain Bears have incorporated scripture references in their stories. Their books have always been about good values now I can use what I'm used to to teach my son more about the Bible and the Christian way. Always very bright and colorful and very believable scenarios. Mama and Papa are always very gentle but stern with their cubs. The pages are always a good quality and smooth material which is very important to my Autistic son. Looking forward to more good reads!

Book provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review

I can Learn The Bible: Devotional for kids

Memory verses and devotions that will write God’s word on your children’s hearts.In this 52-week devotional for children, author Holly Hawkins Shivers adapts the gift book The Joshua Code (written by her father, O.S. Hawkins) into a devotional that will help kids learn and live the scriptures. Using kid-friendly language, I Can Learn the Bible teaches scriptures in a way children can understand. Each week, kids will commit a new scripture to memory by reading a fun, engaging devotional that’s doable for a child. Matthew 7:7 will remind kids to always ask God for help. Philippians 1:6 will teach them that God is always working in their lives. And 50 more scriptures will continue to write the truth on their hearts so that they will remember it forever.Parents using the gift book will love using the kids’ book as a discussion tool for the entire family. A great gift for baptisms, confirmations, and any special occasion, I Can Learn the Bible includes clever tips for memorizing scripture. Each new day and each new verse will reinforce to young readers that “God’s Word is FOR ME and TO ME, it is IN ME and working THROUGH ME, and just like His love, it goes on and on forever!”About the AuthorHolly Hawkins Shivers is actively involved in children's and women's ministry and is a contributor to various writing projects and ministry blogs. I Can Learn the Bible is her first book. She lives with her husband and four children in Plano, Texas, where she also enjoys traveling, music, and running . . . mostly after her little ones!

What an awesome devotional for children. I read it with my son and we discuss the principals and scripture. I like how we can focus on one devotional a week and apply the verse to every day. This is perfect for my 4 year old son who has aspergers but may be a little hard to understand for the average preschooler. We do thoroughly enjoy talking about how God is working through us as well as for us.

It's A God Thing Vol. 2

More incredible stories of God's intervention

Some things in life have no earthly explanation. It's just a God thing.

Miracles are not reserved for the characters in the Old and New Testaments; they happen to everyday people today, all around the world. Series creators Don Jacobson and K-LOVE Radio Network (14 million listeners) have joined together once again to produce a remarkable collection of modern-day miracles.

Stories include:

• A man who was mysteriously pulled from a broken truck as it sailed over a ravine
• A young boy who made a full recovery after being trapped under water for seven minutes
• A young girl who defied all medical prognoses and survived after her vehicle was hit by a train
• A mother, compelled to drive across town, who found her nine-year-old son stranded and alone at a busy intersection

Experiences like these are far more common than one may realize. From more than 1,000 occurrences, these 40 stories were chosen for their ability to amaze, encourage, and inspire all who live each day with both faith and doubt, victory and despair. Each day, the sunrise itself is a sign of God's miraculous hand, and these stories prove that it's only the beginning.

58 stories to lift us and encourage us and most of all remind us that God is with us everyday. It's just what I needed in this crossroads of my life, not sure which way to turn but these stories gave me a little reminder that God is in control. Maybe it's a good thing it was late arriving from the publisher ;) It's a nice read for someone always on the go and can't always finish a book in one sitting. The stories are short but they have a big impact on your heart. I mean, people will wonder how someone could survive a broken neck, or where the urges to check on a child come from. That, my friend, is God. God is in the everyday, not just the big things, but the little things too. I've read the first volume of this book as well and I hope Don Jacobson & sponsor, K-Love Radio, continues with this series. There's so much hope and inspiration to keep you going when you feel like giving up. If God can do it for the 58 people in this book, than He can do it for you.

Received from book look bloggers in exchange for an honest review

The Duck Commander Faith & Family Bible

The stars of the hit TV show Duck Dynasty are committed to upholding five core values both on and off the screen: faith, family, fellowship, forgiveness, and freedom.The Duck Commander® Faith and Family Bible features new stories and testimonials by Phil, the Robertson family patriarch, and his son Al, a pastor with more than 22 years of experience. Together they offer fresh wisdom on biblical values and how everyday people can apply them to their lives.Powered by relentless dedication to sharing the gospel and celebrating Christ’s kingdom, the Robertson family has become influential to contemporary evangelism and discipleship. The Duck Commander® Faith and Family Bibleunleashes the power of their practical insight into critical faith issues, founded on God’s Word.Features include:

• Full text of the New King James Version Bible

• A personal welcome note from Phil and Al Robertson

• 125 articles on the top 24 most-searched topics on BibleGateway

• Life application and scripture references supplement each article

• 30 days of life-changing testimonials

• Topical index and reading plans

What am amazing translation (NKJV) doesn't vary too far from what I'm used to but also a bit easierto understand than the KJV. Some great insight from the duckman himself (Phil Robertson) as well as his Pastoral son, Al. I really love the 52 days with Phil & the 52 days with Al reading. Such great devotional wrapped up in the word of God. There is also some Set Your Sights sections discussing common things asked like wisdom, forgiveness and repentance and also Bible verses that correlate with the subject. The indexes are great for finding things in a hurry and love the topical index at the end. Great sturdy hardcover to last many years. Love this Bible.

Book provided free by http://www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review

The Legend of St. Nicholas By Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated Richard Cowdrey

In The Legend of St. Nicholas, the new artwork, created by Marley and Me illustrator, Richard Cowdrey, captivates audiences and tells the story of a young man named Nicholas, who was moved by the plight of the poor and needy. Nicholas spent his life secretly helping the poor all over the world, giving gifts on Christmas Eve to remind people of the greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ. This gentle Christmas book introduces the original St. Nicholas and offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves. The final pages in the book include fun Father Christmas traditions in other lands.

I've been looking for a way to explain this to my son and I think I've found it. I want him to believe in the good and also about Christs birth without destroying the belief in Santa Claus as such. I've read it myself but I think I will wait 'til Christmas to read it to my son. It is very bright and colorful and has lovely illustrations. It tells the story of a boy named Nick in modern day who is a bit self centered, like most kids these days, who overhears a story of the famous St. Nicholas. It teaches children to be kind and giving to those less fortunate. I love the story and the meaning behind it. Still shows the magic of Christmas!

I received this in exchange for an honest review

Conrad and the Cowgirl Next Door By Denette Fretz, illustrated by Gene Barretta

“I hear that becoming a cowboy can be dangerous. Especially if you don't know the rules.

I don’t know the rules.”

It’s a good thing Conrad brought his Mega Ultimate Extreme First Aid Kit to Uncle Clint’s ranch because learning how to be a cowboy turns out to be a lot harder—and more painful—than he thought. Conrad has a lot to learn – including don’t squat with spurs on and never wave your red sweatshirt at a bull. But the biggest challenge of all is dealing with Imogene Louise Lathrup, the know-it-all-cowgirl next door. When Imogene shows up, she is all too happy to point out Conrad’s shortcomings. In this follow-up to their debut hit Pirates on the Farm, author Denette Fretz and illustrator Gene Barretta team up once again to tell a humorous tale about what it means to love your neighbor.

Read this book to my little 4 year old before bed and he loved it! It was definitely a hit for us. He kept comparing the characters in the book to him and his friends in real life. Even though Imogene is a know it all and focuses on things Conrad CAN'T do, Conrad is quick to forgive and is very kind. The message is very clear about being kind, helping and forgiveness. I love the vibrat colored illustrations and the cowboy slag, sure made it alot more believable!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Goodnight Ark By Laura Sassi

Beds are ready. Food is stored. Noah hollers, “All aboard!” It’s bedtime on Noah’s ark, but the animals can’t sleep because of the storm. Two by two, they crowd into Noah’s bed, creating a sticky situation. Will Noah ever get them back to their own beds? Climb aboard the ark for this rollicking, yet ultimately restful bedtime story as Noah finds a way to make things calm and cozy, even in the midst of a storm.

Let me tell you, my son absolutely LOVED this book! The illustrations and artwork we're phenomenal and appeals to the child and adult alike. The nice rhyming helped my son remember the story and he can almost read it back to you at 3 years old. The silliness also is appealing and makes it a nice lighthearted read adding a twist to the classic Bible story without taking away from the truth. I loved it and so did the rest of my family and friends. Actually, some of them even went in search of their own copy!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”