BookLook Blogger Review - I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God by Diane Stortz; Illustrated by Diane Le Feyer

I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God written by Diane Stortz is the most recent book I selected from the BookLook Blogger program to review, because we were in need of a new devotional. It contains 40 Bible Stories, Devotions, and Prayers About the Names of God. The 224-page colorful book is illustrated by Diane Le Feyer and published by Tommy Nelson. This hardcover children's devotion is suitable for children ages 4 to 8. As children read and learn more about God; they'll discover his love for them.

The textured cover of the glittery book is absolutely beautiful and sparkling. It makes me think of God's light shining in our hearts and life. The book contains brightly animated and detailed illustrations within the pages that you'll surely adore and appreciate. 

The four-page Table of Contents precedes A Letter to Parents. The book addresses stories from BOTH the Old and the New Testament. The Bible stories begin with Genesis and end with Revelation. Each page features one of the names of God with a pronunciation guide for more difficult names followed by the story title.

A referenced scripture is indicated at the top of the page. A Bible story related to the verse helps the reader apply the newfound knowledge to their life. A Biblical truth or main idea is provided in a light purple banner on the page. For example, on page 128-129 the scripture verse is Luke 5:31-32 (ICB) which states "It is the sick who need a doctor . . . I have come to invite sinners to change their hearts and lives!" The translations for the scripture verses and passages referenced vary. The related Biblical truth stated in the banner is "Jesus heals and forgives." The Bible story titled Great Physician: Up, Down, Up was about four men in Capernaum who lowered their paralyzed friend down on a mat through the roof of a house where Jesus was staying to be healed. Jesus asked the man to get up, pick up his mat, and go home after telling them he had authority to heal and forgive sins. The Devotion for the day consist of approximately 2-4 pages in length. A corresponding Prayer concludes the devotion. In the case of the story above, the prayer was "Dear God, thank you for Jesus, our Great Physician. I'm glad He knows how to make me well. Amen." My 8-year-old daughter will most likely read aloud each prayer every day with me.

On the next page, a What Does It Mean section explains the story in age-appropriate terms for children. There is a Learn More feature which enables the child to dig deeper into Bible scripture in relation to the specific truth being discovered. An additional referenced Bible verse and story are given to explore each particular name of God further. The book referred us to Matthew 8:14-15 to read another account of God's healing work. What Happened Next? helps the reader visualize the story during a specific time period. It summarizes the events that follow next in the story.

The author explains in the book that some Bible names for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit may also be descriptive titles. Several of the names taught and featured are Great Physician, Son of God, Teacher (Rabbi), Cornerstone, I Am, Jehovah Jireh, Immanuel, Creator, The Lord My Rock, Holy One, Bread of Life, Logos, Abba, and Messiah.  Learning the different names or references of God will bring us closer to Him. They tell us all something about his character (who he is), what He is like, and what He does. The book teaches children how vast God's love is and how much He cares for us all. By reading this book, you can develop a deeper understanding of God and his character. 

Our love has grown for God and will continue to grow over time. The foundation of the book is based on a scripture Psalms 9:10 which states, "Those who know your name put their trust in you." As you study God's name you'll know Him better and become closer to God spiritually placing all trust in Him and His Word. 

The names of God and the stories in this book will reveal a lot about His character. The author's hope is that children around the world will develop an understanding of God's character, learn to know him better, and grow to love Him more. This is the reason the book was written.

You'll find a few adult and middle grade resources for Learning More about the Names of God at the back of the book. The book also includes a green bookmark ribbon to save your place.

What I Like 

• Short Devotions
• Biblical Accuracy
• Teaches the Names of God
• Pronunciation Help
• Relevant and Meaningful Prayers
• Digging Deeper in the Bible to "Learn More"
• Stories Told from Both Old and New Testament
• Age-Appropriate Explanations
• Diane Stortz Website Book Resources (Matching Game and Coloring Pages)
• High-Quality Vibrant and Beautiful Illustrations

Recommendations
I highly recommend this well-written book to Christian families wanting to explore the Names of God. We plan on using this devotion in the morning before beginning our school day.

The strong, spiritual message is given in a clear and concise manner that children can easily understand. Diane Stortz, the author, distinctly presents the names of God which is the core message yet she weaves in an additional profound message that stands out with regards to God's plan to send Jesus who will make things right again.

I definitely think this devotion would make a GREAT Christmas or Easter gift. I know we explore the names of God during those holidays in my home. This book was included in my daughter's Easter basket this year. It would be perfect for any family or Sunday school class learning about the Names of God. A teacher could also read aloud and discuss the devotion at the beginning of class.

Price
Thomas Nelson Website Store $16.99
Amazon $11.21

Note: All prices are subject to change without notice.

Would you like to see a sample. Click on the link. 

Disclaimer
I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Gold Team Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

BookLook Blogger Review: Parable Treasury by Liz Curtis Higgs

The most recent book we reviewed as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Team was titled, The Parable Treasury written by Liz Curtis Higgs. The book was published by Tommy Nelson. 

About the Author
Liz Curtis Higgs is the award-winning speaker who wrote twenty-eight books, including Bad Girls of the Bible and Thorn in My Heart. Her parable series for children has been awarded the ECPA Gold Medallion for Excellence.

Book Description (Taken from the Website)

With more than 1.1 million units sold in the Parable Series, Liz Curtis Higgs has given parents and kids alike beloved parables they can read throughout the year. This adorable compilation, Parable Treasury, allows families to get all their favorite stories in one value-packed book. For nearly twenty years, Liz Curtis Higgs has made the holidays a little brighter throughout the year with her bestselling Parable Series. In a lovely hardcover format, the Gold Medallion–winning books from the Parable Series will include:

• The Pumpkin Patch Parable, which focuses on the harvest season and shows that we can let God’s love shine through us.
• The Pine Tree Parable, a heartwarming tale of the farmer and his family, who nurture tiny seedlings into fragrant Christmas trees.
• The Parable of the Lily, which helps children understand the power of grace and forgiveness and the true meaning of Easter.
• The Sunflower Parable, which helps children discover the value of planting seeds, not only in the ground but also in the hearts of those around us.

My Thoughts and Review

The Parable Treasury written by Liz Curtis Higgs is a children's book which compiles four fantastic full-length stories into one collection using a parable format. It is suitable for children between the ages of 4-8. The hardcover padded book contains 117-pages. Each story sets during a particular season or holiday. The high-quality beautiful illustrations are vibrantly colorful. These adorable illustrations will easily appeal to children and adults alike.

The "Table of Contents" at the beginning of the treasury lists the title of and page number for each story. A "Letter to Parents" follows. Each story begins with a page dedicated to the title of the story being told. The author chose an easy to read format which utilizes a larger print throughout the stories and an italicized font for referenced Scriptures noted at the bottom of each page in oval shaped boxes.

Liz Curtis Higgs integrated and weaved related Biblical Scripture into the story which clarified meaning and added to the story plot helping children make deeper connections to the story. The spiritual, thoughtful messages will guide children to discover valuable moral lessons and virtues based on God's Word. The author prayed over and carefully selected each verse. I love that she shared the stories with her family first and then made them available to the world.

We immediately started reading the Pine Tree Parable which quickly became a family favorite in our home. It teaches children to give and serve others which glorifies God. This was the first time we read this story and it had such huge impact on my daughter. She decided that she wanted to give something special to someone in need. We also discussed each story and its important messages as we read it aloud. The heartfelt stories captured her attention so much so that she insisted on reading the entire treasury in one sitting. The stories are not too long or too short.

My daughter and I enjoyed reading every single parable in this treasury. The book contains truthful messages based on Scripture with eye-catching illustrations you are sure to love. We will definitely read the Pine Tree Parable every Christmas to remind ourselves the importance of giving selflessly. I can't wait to reread The Parable of the Lily during the Easter season.

The Parable Treasury would make a great Easter Basket gift for any child! I highly recommend the Parable Treasury to all families with children between the ages of 4-8. It may become a classic bedtime book in your home and you can enjoy the Christian stories year after year. 

Price
Amazon  $11.22
Faith Gateway Store $14.99

Note: All prices are subject to change without notice.
*You can purchase the treasury book but you also have the option of purchasing each book separately in stores.

Disclaimer
I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Gold Team Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

BookLook Blogger Review: The Very First Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain

BookLook's Blogger Review Program recently offered me The Very First Christmas written by Jan and Mike Berenstain to review. I am gearing up for Christmas time so I jumped on the chance to add a new book to my Christmas collection. My daughter, Alyssa (Age 8) will receive this Zonderkidz published book as a gift for our growing Christmas book collection. Teaching about the real reason we celebrate can be a task without the right tools. This book will definitely be helpful.

Authors

Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear book series in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Though Stan died in 2005 and Jan in 2012, Mike continues to create the delightful Bear adventures from the family home and studio in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks much like the sunny dirt road deep in Bear Country.

Book Description

A Christmas story from the bestselling Berenstain Bears Living Lights series. The Berenstain Bears brand and Living Lights series continue their proven tradition of teaching children valuable lessons in a fun and creative way. In the 8x8 softcover format, the Berenstain Bears and the Night Jesus was Born gives fans of the Berenstain Bears the story of Jesus’ coming … from the angel’s announcement of a new baby to the visit of the three wise men. This newest Christmas title in the Berenstain series is perfect for gift-giving or as an easy addition to any holiday library.

My Thoughts and Review 
The dedication page shares Luke 2:11-12 with their readers "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." There is a place behind the front glossy cover for your child to write their name inside the book if you desire. I think the scripture reference adds a special touch to and builds the foundation for this spiritual book.

There are no page numbers, but this short 24-page softcover children's picture book will surely be one your child will want to read over and over again. The adorable classic characters always share such relevant and meaningful messages. This paperback book will help you and your family focus on the TRUE meaning of Christmas. The information read seemed accurate besides of course the use of the Berenstain bears as the main characters. The illustrations were simple and the characters displayed a friendly mood.

The story begins with the Bear cubs asking Papa Bear if he was going to read to them so he decided to read the story of The Very First Christmas from their storybook Bible. It discusses all the major events from the Christmas story beginning with Mary's visit from the Angel to Joseph's dream about King Herod. No specific name was given for the Angel that visited Mary or Joseph.

The back of the book contains Activities and Questions from Brother and Sister Bear for you to discuss with your children. One of the fun activities was to build a diorama showing the first Christmas. I know that my daughter will enjoy that activity! The other activity was to create Christmas cards with biblical messages for your neighborhood friends. This is the perfect time to get started on these projects and to utilize them during the Christmas or Advent season.

I HIGHLY recommend this affordable book for children between the ages of 4-8. As previously stated, I plan on giving this book to my daughter as an early Christmas book gift. We read MANY Christmas books during the month of December as part of our Book Tree Advent Countdown. I can't wait to see her projects after reading the book. I suggest reading this book before Christmas if possible and in conjunction with the projects at the back of the book. This book would make a great Christmas Day or stocking stuffer gift.

Price
Zondervan $3.99
Amazon $3.99

Disclaimer
I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Team Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

I will link this post up at Booknificent Thursdays and Desperate Homeschoolers' Christmas Reads for Kids Link Up.

BookLook Review - Brave Girls: Better Than Perfect written by Jennifer Gerelds

I love being a part of the BookLook Blogger Review Program. As soon as I saw the Brave Girls: Better Than Perfect: A 90-Day Devotional for Brave Girls Like You non-fiction book written by Jennifer Gerelds I knew that I had to review it. We already own one of the books from the series called Brave Girls Bible Stories and it was a big hit in my home.

My entire life, I've struggle with perfectionism even though I know the truth now. God doesn't expect or want us to be perfect - we are seen as perfect in His eyes since he created us in His image. Our imperfections are beautiful and unique to each one of us. We are "better than perfect" and greatly loved in God's eyes. The empowering message found in this book was one that I wanted . . . and needed my daughter to hear especially living in today's society. I want to cultivate, reinforce, and instill self-confidence in Alyssa's heart and mind. I want her to gain a sense of bravery as part of her character as she develops into a Godly woman.

Book Summary

Better Than Perfect: That's what every girl is in God's eyes. 

A young girl’s doubt in her own self-worth starts from an early age. Am I pretty enough? Am I smart enough? Will I fit in? Do people like me? Am I worthy enough? These aren’t questions asked by teens, but from precious girls in grade school! Brave Girls Faith and Honor will help girls navigate these questions and learn just how wonderful they are! In this Brave Girls devotional, 90 engaging devotions will help young girls find their place in the world and learn that the beauty of their imperfections is what makes them unique, loved, precious, and “better than perfect” in God’s eyes. 

Book Description

This newly released 136-page paperback Christian devotional book published by Tommy Nelson: A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers is outstanding! Faith and Honor, two of the Brave Girls, introduce the book and its purpose reminding everyone to remain faithful and put their trust in the Lord. God loves us and we are perfect the way we are and that the "secret" to being beautiful is seeing ourselves through God's eyes as part of the big picture rather than the messy pieces. They remind us to take note of our attitude as well.  

Each daily devotion includes:

• Meaningful Bible Scripture Verses
• Short Thought-Provoking Devotional Text
• Simple Closing Prayer Pointers 

The devotion is organized into six main chapters:

1. Truth Detectives
2. Bible Beauties and Beaus
3. Divine Design
4. Body Builders
5. Character Quest
6. Mind Games

How We Used It
I am using this book with my 7-year-old as part of a mother-daughter devotional during our morning Bible time. We read one devotional each day. There are lessons and truths that we will both benefit from hearing. I want to use this time together as a way to grow closer to God and one another.

My Thoughts
We ABSOLUTELY loved Brave Girls: Better Than Perfect! My favorite chapter was the first one which began with descriptions covering 15 essential truths and baffling lies we've heard or told ourselves. These important snippets will clear up any misunderstandings we may be believing in our hearts. For example, a handful of lies addressed in this book are "I need to have money to be happy," "I need to be beautiful," "I can never make mistakes," "I need to have fun all the time," "I always need to be right," and "I need for everyone to like me." After stating each lie, often with scenario examples, the truth is clearly voiced.

Each devotion begins with a Biblical referenced scripture verse that can be memorized and is relevant to the central topic. The brief one-two page devotions were stated in a straightforward manner which took very little time out of our day. The material presented was age-appropriate in with regards to content, length, and level. However, I was a little confused because the description states that it is a 90-day devotional, but there were only 86 devotions in my book.

Several interactive and engaging exercises are provided throughout the book which in some cases will help you to spend more quality family time with your daughter. The following activities can be found scattered throughout the book recipes, crafts, research, science experiments, journal entries, easy word searches, fill-ins, hands-on activities, and fun games. There are step-by-step directions and a bulleted list of materials for crafts and recipes. Not all devotions have a hands-on component. A "Write It Out" reflection accompanies each chapter and can be used as a way to apply or summarize what's been learned.

Pre-teens will find that they can relate to the material covered in this book especially when they are confronted with issues in today's society which can have a profound impact on the self-worth of a person. Many Godly character traits were addressed in this book including but not limited to joyfulness, generosity, kindness, obedience, respect, self-control, patience, wisdom, truthfulness, humility, gentleness, and gratuity.

The one or two sentence prayer pointers teach children how to build a better relationship with God through conversation. They are easy-to-read and can be restated by children leading the closing prayer.

Price
The book can be purchased at Faith Gateway Store for the affordable price of $7.99 or on Amazon for $6.80.

Note: All prices are subject to change.

Recommendations
I would definitely recommend Brave Girls: Better Than Perfect to pre-teen girls between the ages of 7-11. Older and younger children within the age range will find the content appealing. It guides Christian girls through a study emphasizing God's Word when we doubt who we are and who He wanted us to be. This book would be a great gift in an Easter basket or Christmas stocking.

Disclaimer

I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Team Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thank you for visiting A Learning Journey!

I will link this post up at Homemaking Linky and From House to Home.

BookLook Review: It Will Be Okay Written by Lysa TerKeurst

I'm excited about sharing my most recent review for a children's picture book titled, "It Will Be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change" written by the well-known author, Lysa TerKeurst and illustrated by Natalia Moore. I was thrilled for the opportunity to read her children's book. This hardback picture book is suitable for children ages 4-8.

Book Description (Taken From Faith Gateway's Store)

Whether we like it or not, growing up brings change. For many children, this conjures fears that are sometimes real and sometimes imagined. How can kids learn that even when they face new and unfamiliar situations, they don't have to be afraid? 

Little Seed and Little Fox are facing changes and brand new circumstances - and they don't like it one bit! Through this unlikely friendship, children will discover that no matter how new or fearful their circumstances, God is always with them. The whimsical art by Natalia Moore will put a smile on kids' faces and put their minds at ease. Just as Little Seed and Little Fox learn to trust that the Farmer is good and kind, children will also learn to trust God. The book will help kids discover that in the end . . . it really will be okay, because we have a God who is good and kind and always with us.

Author Biography

Lysa TerKeurst is the New York Times bestselling author of two popular adult books on the market titled, Made to Crave and Unglued. She's been learning God's lessons while admitting what a mess she can be and sharing it all on her blog (www.LysaTerKeurst.com) and in her books. Lysa is also the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She writes from her farm table in North Carolina where she lives with her husband, Art, five kids, three dogs, and mouse that refuses to leave her kitchen

What We Thought

I read this book to my 7-year-old daughter. I have to say . . . this 32-page book published by Thomas Nelson was meant for my daughter and I to read. With all the changes occuring in our life right now, I sometimes catch myself not putting all my trust in God. I have many fears about upcoming changes, but I am sure my daughter's fears are much bigger than my own. Alyssa and I snuggled on the bed to read this book the first day it arrived and we've read it many times since that day.

A personal letter from the author dedicated to her readers is found at the beginning of the book. I truly appreciated the memory verses mentioned in the book. I plan on eventually utilizing them in our homeschool. I will most likely create copywork pages to accompany this book in hopes that they will help my daughter memorize the verses better. I feel that these verses are extremely relevant to our circumstances right now and will be relevant to many readers as well. We are going through several big life changes and dealing with our newfound fears and turmoil on a daily basis.

My favorite Bible verse listed in this book is "So do NOT fear, for I am with you: Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10.

Natalia Moore's charming illustrations are sweet and absolutely adorable! You can definitely feel the bond between the two main characters and children will be able to relate to their experiences and feelings making their own connections to the story.

This touching story is about the friendship between a fox and a little seed. The book emphasizes two prominent and central themes. These changes and fears occur in their lives while God is watching over them. The book reminds children that no matter the circumstances you face or changes you face God will always be with you and there for you. The book also encourages children to put their trust in Him, because the Lord will NEVER leave or forsake us.

The Farmer represents God in this story as stated in this quote: 

"But the Farmer was good, and the Farmer was kind, and the Farmer was always watching over them. Even when they didn't know it." Notice that the word Farmer is capitalized each time which indicates or signifies that He represents God. The actions of the Farmer described are symbolic of God watching over us.

The book discusses topics such as friendship, meaningful relationships, facing fears and anxieties, adjusting to changes, and the importance of trusting God in the midst of chaotic life challenges.

Alyssa said, "This was the MOST amazing book you've ever read Mommy!" When I asked her what her favorite part was she summarized the message by saying, "That even though we're in a dark place and we're afraid . . . it'll be okay because God's always there."

There's not a thing about this book that I would change. Another aspect of the book that I like is that it features the seasonal changes of a tree. The lifecycle of a seed growing into a tree was depicted throughout several different seasons. As a home educator and certified elementary teacher, I love seeing books that add in science concepts. A science activity could be easily be created and used after reading this book.

Price 

You can purchase this book for $9.99 on Amazon or at FaithGateway Store for $14.99.

Note: All prices are subject to change at any time. 

Recommendations

I HIGHLY recommend this book for Christian grandparents, parents, and Sunday school teachers! It would be a perfect gift for children dealing with stressful situations, fears, and big changes. It is one of the best children's picture books I've read with a meaningful message that will benefit both children and adults. Younger children may not be able to sit for the longer pages therefore I suggest summarizing the main points on each page with children under age 4. My daughter asks to read this book quite often. The book is a gem that I'm happy to add to our home library.   

Disclaimer

I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Team Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

BookLook Blogger Review: The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family by Kara E. Powell

I came across an interesting book title as I skimmed the available books to review on BookLook. I chose to review The Sticky Faith Guide For Your Family: Over 100 Practical and Tested Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Kids written by Dr. Kara E. Powell. I received the book in paperback trade format.

Do you ever wonder if your child will keep their faith once high school or college approaches? I have pondered this question numerous times especially now as we face challenging circumstances and our faith is tested. I wonder if I'm doing everything I can to raise my daughter into a Christian woman who will remain faithful to God in her lifelong journey. My upbringing didn't give me the tools needed to properly raise my daughter as a Christian so I am constantly evaluating the methods I utilize. I pray that I am modeling Godly behavior and that I am arming her with Biblical truths that will have a positive impact her lifelong decisions.

Book Description (From the Website):

The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family addresses one of the top current concerns about youth and the church: the reality that nearly half of all young people raised in Christian families walk away from their faith when they graduate from high school. That's the bad news. But here's the good news: research also shows that parents are one of the primary influences on their child's faith. This book arises from the innovative, research-based, and extensively field-tested project known as "Sticky Faith," designed to equip parents with insights and ideas for nurturing long-term faith in children and young people. Grounded in academically verified data, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family is a positive and practical resource that empowers parents to take the small steps that can translate into big progress in their kids' spiritual journeys. Even busy families will find the "guidebook" format accessible and easy to use. More importantly, they'll be equipped with research-tested tools to nurture a strong faith in the next generation.

What I Thought
The Sticky Faith Guide is a 240-page parent resource book published by Zondervan that is based on recent research from several longitudinal studies conducted by the Fuller Youth Institute. The practical ideas presented are derived from personal interviews, real-life stories, and family experiences. Dr. Kara Powell's book is a follow-up to a previously published co-authored book titled Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids.

I made the assumption after seeing a few sample pages that this book and its format would be a quick read, but I was mistaken. It took me several months to get through this book, but mainly because the book contains pages and pages of practical suggestions and information. My spiral notebook contained many notes and ideas to consider implementing right away and in the near future.

The book encourages you to evaluate your life choices and to think about what we truly desire for our children's future with regards to their faith development. Dr. Kara Powell inspires you to turn the ideas into meaningful actions - to practice and test the suggestions in your life. The book makes no guarantees, because obviously it depends on you and whether you implement the ideas taking small steps towards positive change. The author encourages you to try just a few ideas at a time and to not be so hard on yourself. She tells you to pick and choose no more than FIVE manageable ideas to build a stronger foundation for your family. You can always start off with fewer ideas if necessary. I know that I am not always doing everything right all the time and that I've made many mistakes as a mom; however this book gives me a glimmer of hope by offering me a toolkit of ideas to try. The author doesn't make you feel like a failure and doesn't judge you which is greatly appreciated. She doesn't want you to be discouraged about the things you aren't doing or to compare yourself to the efforts of others. Keep in mind that you'll hear about both the triumphs and the tragedies experienced by families.

Each chapter story addresses one particular topic or theme. There are 11 themes that are thoroughly discussed within its own chapter. Dr. Powell begins with a story that describes the topic addressed in the chapter. Then, she explains the significant research and findings behind the theory with numbered examples. Furthermore, she offers practical "sticky faith" ideas and parenting strategies that were suggested during the family interviews conducted. The ideas are indicated by a light bulb icon. There are several reflective questions and a short questionnaire at the end of the chapter in which you evaluate your efforts using a 1-5 rating scale. This book consists of 13 chapters and 2 appendices. One appendix section is about college transitions which will be more beneficial to me at a later time. The other appendix is an overview about the project's research which contains information about the studies conducted. I quickly skimmed this section.

Chapter 1 discusses the reasons, purpose, and benefits for a parent to read the book. Chapters 2-12 contain a topical collection of practical ideas modeled and experienced by other families. Topics explored are modeling sticky faith behaviors, faith, family relationships, technology, handling mistakes and forgiveness, connecting with teens, community, vacation, extended family, communication, service learning, transitions, and more. Chapter 13 is about taking the necessary baby steps towards a new life with your family. It covers your goals and the implementation of the book ideas. It discusses how you can apply those ideas to your life immediately with God's grace and guidance.

My favorite chapters were 3, 4, 8, 10, and 11. Chapter 10 (Home Sticky Home) and 4 (Warm Family Relationships) were my two absolute favorite chapters, because they contained simple and relevant ideas that I could easily implement with my daughter.

FIVE Ideas I Intend to Implement

• Bible Scripture Wall
• Faith in Every Room
• Conversation Couch 
• Christmas Card Dinner Prayers 
• Wow, Pow, Holy Cow, and How Dinner Conversations

I also enjoyed reading the chapter on connecting with teenagers. I love how the author encourages family game night. I liked the idea of having a heart-to-heart talk with my daughter about her future spouse and journaling what qualities she's looking for in a husband. I think this will help her with the pain she's dealing with during our divorce. 

Furthermore, I want to limit the use of technological gadgets including computer use, smartphone, and iPads during family time and meals. Phones won't be allowed at the table - they will be placed in a basket until after mealtimes. Technological gadgets can have both a positive and negative impact on your family if not moderated. I want to be present in my daughter's life and not have my nose stuck in some gadget and I want the same respect from her when we're together. The ideas presented in the book aren't difficult to implement. It'll take just a little effort. I was motivated to start as soon as I began reading the book.

Overall Thoughts
This valuable book will definitely help guide Christian parents into teaching and developing a long-lasting faith in their children's hearts which is a process that obviously takes time. Parents should also consider modeling their own faith. The book serves as a reminder to parents that we are the primary influencers and that faith develops at home pouring out into all areas of life. It is jam-packed with applicable and eye-opening ideas to implement which will lead your child towards Jesus and give you more quality family time. Another book feature that I appreciated was Dr. Powell's simple explanation of the 5 G's of Gospel: Good, Guilt, Grace, God's People, and Gratitude which can be easily understood by children during any family meeting.

I will be rereading this insightful book a little at a time. It is a parenting tool that I will probably keep for years as I explore and implement the different suggestions. There are many helpful and relevant ideas to be implemented and I'm going to do everything in my power to keep my daughter's faith strong.  

Price: 
Zondervan $15.99
Amazon $12.60

Note: Prices are subject to change at any time.

Recommendation:
I would definitely recommend this incredible book to all Christian families wanting to beat the statistics and become better parents. It is a "must have" resource if you want to help develop and instill a long-lasting faith in your child's life. This book will be useful for parents with children 18 and under. I also highly recommend this informative book to youth pastors or ministries working with children or teenagers.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Team Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

BookLook Review: Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze

I’ve always wanted to read one of Dave Ramsey’s books. I jumped on the chance to review the Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money book written by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze as soon as I saw it posted on the BookLook bloggers availability list. I knew that I would be a huge fan of his work! I can't remember learning much about money management skills as a child in school or at home. I want to teach my daughter, Alyssa, how to manage her money in hopes to avoid the same financial mistakes my husband and I made in our 15-year marriage. I only wish I had this information in my hands years ago. 

The content in the book is geared towards increasing the financial literacy of our children. It's meant to guide you as you teach your children the skills that will literally CHANGE your financial legacy and their lives as adults. You will hear anecdotes from both Dave and Rachel’s perspectives and memories. They share how these principles were applied to their lives and explain how to implement the strategies into your life. 

About the Authors

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He sold numerous copies of his four New York Times best-selling books including Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. 

Rachel Cruze is a seasoned communicator and presenter who has been speaking to large groups for nearly a decade. She’s the daughter of Dave Ramsey. She uses her knowledge and experiences from growing up in the Ramsey household today to educate America’s students and young adults on the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. 

Book Description

Financial expert and best-selling author Dave Ramsey teams up with his daughter, Rachel Cruze, in order to teach parents how to “raise money-smart kids in a debt-filled world.” In Smart Money Smart Kids, the authors equip parents to teach their children how to win with money starting with the basics like working, spending, saving, and giving. More challenging issues are addressed such as avoiding debt, paying cash for college without going into debt, creating a wedding budget and plan, and battling discontentment in the second half of the book. Dave and Rachel present a no-nonsense, common-sense approach for changing your family tree. They discuss the principles of good money management for children as well as giving the reader plenty of stories of what life was like for the Ramsey kids. 

My Thoughts

This well-written book presents information in a practical way using a natural, conversational tone. It is a guide that teaches you how to discuss money management skills with your children and teaches you how to train them to handle money at an early age. The book was interesting and packed with insightful references. The 258-page hardcover book contains student budget worksheets for older children which are included at the back of the book. Smart Money Smart Kids is chocked full of useful information that will help parents train their children to make wise financial decisions in the future and to have strong work ethics. I agree with the authors about the importance of teaching these concepts at a young age not only through discussion but by modeling your behaviors and being a good example. Children do learn more from what you DO than from what you SAY. Let them catch you in the act of handling money properly. We really need to practice what we preach with regards to money habits.   

After reading this book, I have gained a much greater understanding of how to teach my daughter to be a good steward of her money. The handy and modifiable suggestions will instill values in her character while teaching her to be financially responsible. I love that the authors tell you it’s better to teach your children how to handle money now while they live at home rather than later when damage has possibly already been done. The ideas presented begin with a more hands-on approach for younger children leading more towards independence as children get older and mature. They give sound and insightful advice making it easy to start your children off on the right foot. The authors emphasize staying out of debt while finding a financial balance. They also explain the importance of teaching your children with grace. I especially appreciate the content found in chapter 10 with regards to parenting after or during a divorce. They encourage parents to remain unified with the goal to teach money smart skills and to cooperate by following the same principles in each household.   

I thought reading a book with two authors would be a bit confusing. This was NOT the case with this book. Each author was identified in bold print before they began writing. They took turns writing in sections. The use of two different fonts in the book (one for Dave’s writing voice and another for Rachel’s writing style) helped me keep track of each author's perspective. Dave definitely presents his ideas in a straightforward, to the point approach while Rachel’s writing style seems more personable as she reveals stories of life growing up as Dave’s daughter. Her stories added in a little humor making the book have a more light-hearted, softer feel. The writing styles of this dynamic duo balanced well with one another.      

First, a concept is clearly introduced and thoroughly explained to the reader. Then, Dave and Rachel organized the suggestions into different age groups. They discuss how to apply that concept into our children’s lives using age-appropriate examples. For instance, they encourage parents to use clear containers with younger children (age 6 and under) as they learn how to save their money. It allows them to see the money grow over time. We are using Dave's clear envelopes from the Financial Peace kit. Children between the ages of 6-13 begin setting financial goals and start saving for a special toy they want. My daughter is currently saving for the Frozen Karaoke CD. Older children between the ages of 14-18 will learn how to save for bigger ticket items such as a used car or college tuition. 

I already started implementing the strategies into our life. A couple months ago, I purchased Financial Peace Junior with intentions to utilize this system with my six-year-old daughter. It sat on the shelf collecting dust. I can happily say that this book has motivated me to begin teaching Alyssa. We recently started the envelope system using her piggy bank money. First, we made a list of age-appropriate chores that she would be willing to do. We categorized each chore as either a “paid commission” chore or a family expectation. I love that Dave uses the term “commission” instead of “allowance,” because it eliminates the idea that children are entitled to a certain amount of money that they expect us to give them each week.

The plan is to give Alyssa the opportunity to diligently work towards earning $5 a week. She’ll decide how much goes into each envelope with a minimum of 10% going in the GIVE envelope. She was fascinated with finding percentages and using them to figure out how much money she will place in each of her envelopes. I remember when I first asked her how much she wanted to give from what she earned - she said 75%. I am glad that she has a generous heart! She’s eagerly budgeting and learning how to handle her money. I am most thankful for having the opportunity to review this book!  

Price

Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money can be purchased for $24.99. Amazon is selling the book for $ 17.56.   

Note: All prices are subject to change. 

Recommendations
I highly recommend this valuable book to EVERY parent with children ages 18 and younger. This is an absolute must read that I encourage you to read as soon as possible. It will be one parenting resource that you won't regret purchasing. You will be more informed which will enable you to teach your children how to handle money properly. It’s time to bless your children with the knowledge that will help them have a more successful future. I also recommend that you obtain the Financial Peace Junior and use it with younger children. The authors do make several biblical references that you may or may not agree with depending on your Christian beliefs. 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary, free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Book Review Program in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."