Tag: Book Review

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL by Glenys Nellist

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Toddlers will delight in this new book by Glenys Nellist. It is a sturdy board book filled with eye-appealing illustrations and rhyme that sings.  Each word has been carefully selected so that young children can relate to the ideas being presented.

Each page showcases a different daddy and child “animal” while highlighting characteristics about daddies that children find special.

Some of the characteristics/qualities of “Daddy” found in the pages of the book:
–he teaches
–he’s super-duper nice
–being carried on Dad’s shoulders
–shows me how
–he’s my favorite guy
–taken good care of me
–we play together
–strong, handsome, big, tall, smart, funny
–we cuddle
–helps me when I wobble
–we hang around together
The animals:

–polar bear
–skunk
–giraffe
–octopus
–lion
–flamingo
–bat 
–elephant
 The last page shows a human child and father and ties in James 1:17, the verse from Scripture that says, “every good and perfect gift is from God.”  (Daddy is God’s gift to the child)
Glenys did a masterful job of using the animals’ natural traits and blending those into things that young children will find special about their own daddy.  For example, one of my favorite pages was the one in which the flamingo daddy helps the child flamingo not to wobble on one leg.  Another favorite was the skunk daddy showing the child how to make a stink. It made me smile and laugh.  
Overall, I loved the book.  Great job, Glenys!  I wish you all the best!
About the author:

Glenys is the coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children’s book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children’s ministry.
Book Review and Author Interviews, Writing tips

Book recommendation–LITTLE RED’S RIDING ‘HOOD by Peter Stein

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Hey everyone– I found a new favorite book and I just have to share!
LITTLE RED’S RIDING HOOD by Peter Stein with pictures by Chris Gall

It is a wonderful example of humor, word choice, and kid appeal in a picture book and just have to share it with you.

It is a winner of the 2017-2018 Young Hoosier award, and for good reason.  
As you read the book, you will understand why… such a fun read from cover to cover!
The book plays on the beloved story of Little Red Riding Hood, done “transportation” style.
Little Red Riding Hood is “Little Red the scooter,” and the Big Bad Wolf is “Tank, the King of the Road.”
Here are some of the word plays that made me smile!
“Poor Granny Putt-Putt is feeling run down.” 
“Vroom! Didi-didi-didi”
“Well, burn my rubber!”
“They’ve got the goods to make Granny feel showroom-new!”
“Something felt out of alignment.”
“Why, Granny! what big wheels you have.”
“That crash cooled his engines for good.”
I loved it all!  Especially the ending which I will let you read to find out…but its a happy one.
Happy reading!
You can visit Peter Stein at www.petersteinstudio.com
Book Review and Author Interviews

Review of SNUGGLE TIME CHRISTMAS STORIES by Glenys Nellist

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If you have a toddler or are a grandparent of a toddler, you will want to add SNUGGLE TIME CHRISTMAS STORIES to your Christmas book collection.  The beauty of this book is the word choice.  It is “just right” for little ones, helping to instill God’s beautiful story in their hearts at a level that makes sense to them.  I can also see this book being used in toddler classes in churches everywhere.  

It is a beautiful padded board book–very eye appealing with foil and glitter.  There are 13 short, individual poems that each include a reference from Scripture.   My favorite poem is “Hee-Haw, Said the Donkey.”

Hee-haw, said the donkey.
Squeak-squeak, said the mice.
Cheep-cheep, said the chicken, 
This baby is so nice!

Moo-moo, said the cow.
Baa-baa, said the sheep.
Shh-shh, said the pigeon.
Jesus is asleep! 

I have been around toddlers enough to know that animal noises are a hit!  And I can picture all of the little darlings acting out the noises and then rocking baby Jesus to sleep in their arms.  So precious!

Thanks, Glenys for another beautiful book that will impact little hearts with the beautiful message of God’s love for them!

Amazon link:  Snuggle Time Christmas Stories

About the author:  GLENYS NELLIST was born and raised in a little village in northern England.  Her stories and poems have been published in children’s magazines where her writing reflects a deep passion for bringing the Bible to life for young children.  Glenys lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, David.

Glenys Nellist’s Website

Twitter: @Glenys Nellist

Facebook: Glenys Nellist: Author


Book Review and Author Interviews

Review of BLUE TIDE by Jenna Lynne Duncan

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Arrgh matey!  This is no ordinary pirate novel.  Yes, there are pirates. But the setting is a future dystopian waterworld, with Middle Eastern elements masterfully woven throughout.  In BLUE TIDE, Jenna-Lynne Duncan combines romance and action in this page-turning novel that you won’t want to put down until you are finished reading it.
Lux and her family have been stranded on an island after the Floods destroyed much of the known world.  Lux longs to get off the island and hopefully return to what once was her homeland.  However, as she ventures out, she is captured by a pirate named Captain Draven.  As a captive, she begins to see into the heart of this young pirate, and understand his complex behavior.  By turning Lux over to the one who is controlling him, he could earn his own freedom, but will he now that the two of them share a romantic attraction? 
      
About the author:
Jenna Duncan likes to write heart-stopping, page-turning, haunting romance in all YA genres.  With a love for travel and a special connection to the Middle East, she explores different cultures and different languages. Her current YA releases are entitled HURRICANE, TEMPEST, AFTERMATH, and now the latest BLUE TIDE.  Jenna graduated with degrees in Middle Eastern Studies, Political Science, and International Studies.  BLUE TIDE was a recent winner of RWA’s Romancing the Lake contest. 
She welcomes those to contact her on TWITTER: @JennaLynneD 
and her website:  Jenna-Lynn’s website

Jenna:  Your book kept me reading until the end, and Captain Draven won my heart!  I was definitely intrigued from the beginning by the futuristic setting that included pirates.  Best wishes!  
P.S.  I love the cover!  

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review of LOVE LETTERS FROM GOD–BIBLE STORIES FOR A GIRL’S HEART by Glenys Nellist

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Glenys Nellist has done it again.  Her book LOVE LETTERS FROM GOD–BIBLE STORIES FOR A GIRL’S HEART speaks directly to young girls as it narrates in sweet and simple prose fourteen stories of the women of the Bible.  Each woman’s story highlights a different adjective:  Eve (The first girl), Miriam (The trusting girl), Rahab (The brave girl), Deborah (The strong girl) etc.  The lift-the-flap love letter on each page is a letter from God written to the reader, and portrays God’s reassurance that he is able, willing, and ready to help his precious daughters become the women he created them to be.   

I personally connected with and loved the beautiful story of Miriam.  Miriam had to learn to trust.  As she watched her baby brother in the basket she thought of all the things that could happen to him and she was afraid.  The end of the story is incredibly powerful.  Glenys writes, “And as she ran, she thought about all the things she had been afraid of at the riverbank.  The wicked king had not come.  The waves had not come.  But God had come.  God had come and saved her baby brother. ‘Thank you, God,’ Miriam whispered, ‘for helping me to let go of my fears and trust you instead.'”

I pray that I would let go of my fears and trust God in the the way this simple story tells that Miriam did.    

You know it is a great children’s book when it can touch the hearts of the adults who are reading it, too.  These are powerful truths for everyone—parents, grandparents, and children!
I also loved how Glenys moved chronologically through the Bible from Eve to Mary Magdalene at the Resurrection.  I also loved how she concluded with a space for the reader to write a love letter back to God.  

I highly recommend LOVE LETTERS FROM GOD–BIBLE STORIES FOR A GIRL’S HEART.

Here are some helpful links:

To purchase on Amazon, click here.

Glenys Nellist’s Website

Twitter: @Glenys Nellist
Facebook: Glenys Nellist: Author

GRAND RAPIDS AREA:  Glenys recently hosted a princess party which included activities such as reading the story of Esther, The Prayerful Girl (from the book), making a pin wheel craft and coloring, snacks (of course!), and parading around the bookstore.  She also taught the girls to wave like the Queen of England.  Sounds fun!  She is planning Princess Party at local church in the near future.  More details will be announced shortly on her website and Facebook.  Be sure to check there for more information.


About the author:  GLENYS NELLIST was born and raised in a little village in northern England.  Her stories and poems have been published in children’s magazines where her writing reflects a deep passion for bringing the Bible to life for young children.  Glenys lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, David.