Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review: Snuggle Time Fall Blessings

Cover of Snuggle Time Fall Blessings

Author Glenys Nellist has teamed up with Illustrator Cee Biscoe and created the latest book in the Snuggle TIme series published by Zonderkidz. It is full of cozy fall rhymes and illustrations sure to warm your heart. My favorite page was:

Bonfire and s'mores with a Snuggle Time book!
Bonfire and s’mores with a Snuggle Time book!

Bonfire!

Snuggle in your blanket,

Underneath the moon,

Watch the bonfire burning–

S’mores are ready soon!

The adorable parent and child bunnies watching the crackling fire made me think of all the wonderful family bonfires we have had over the years.

If you are the parent or grandparent of a little one, you will love to own this book! It is available on Amazon and many other book retailers.

Congratulations, Glenys! I wish you all the best with your writing!

Fun for kids, Kid Ministry, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Need a fun idea for a family ministry outreach?

Need a fun idea for a family ministry outreach?


Idea: Host a “family” gingerbread house building party!



In early December I attended a fantastic event at Harbour Shores Church in Indiana. I was so impressed with how it was organized, and saw great potential for other churches to duplicate the morning with the families in their churches.

Step One– Invite families

Families registered online and decided if they ordered one, two, or more gingerbread house kits. They prepaid for the event.

Step Two– Buy supplies, light refreshments, and prepare the work space

Event organizers made sure to have work space set up in the church gym, and enough gingerbread kits for everyone.  In addition to the gingerbread house kits, extra frosting and toppings were provided and laid out at each work station.

Light breakfast food was served as the participants arrived. The menu included fruit, muffins, doughnuts, juice, and coffee.

There was also a station to do a sticker/coloring craft if the participants wanted to do so.

Families mingled, found their work stations, and ate their refreshments.

Step Three– Read a Christmas story and present the gospel

I attended the event and read Mouse’s Christmas Gift. This was a great way to introduce spiritual truth into the event. After the story, I took approximately 10 minutes to present the gospel, using an object lesson.

Step Four — DECORATE the gingerbread houses

After the devotional time, families worked together to decorate their gingerbread houses. So much fun and so many smiles!

The entire event lasted just under 2 hours.

Fun for kids, Kid Ministry, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Gingerbread Houses + Mouse’s Christmas Gift = Special Morning

I had a great morning today with Harbour Shores Church! A big shout out to Lora Schultze and her crew for all their efforts. It was an honor to share Mouse’s Christmas Gift with everyone!

#wewillmakeadifference
#wewillbealight
#wewillcelebratejesus

Fun for kids, Kid Ministry, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Mouse in a Matchbox – Craft Idea for Kids

This week I am heading to Springfield, Missouri to celebrate Thanksgiving with my brother and extended family. On Saturday, I am doing another Story Time Event with Barnes & Noble. 
This is the craft that I am bringing to share with the children. 
I can’t believe I haven’t shared this craft on the blog yet. 

Isn’t it cute?
And so easy to make!

The craft is one of four ideas in the FREE DOWNLOADABLE teaching guide that Zonderkidz helped me format. 
I purchased the matchboxes (and emptied the matches) at Meijer. ($1 for 10 boxes).
 I cut pieces of felt for the blanket, 
and I cut make-up remover cotton pads into two pieces for the mattress.
 The paper doll is from the download. It comes in three sizes, but I chose the smallest size, made a screenshot, and created a document so that I can print a bunch all at once on white cardstock. 
Finally, assemble it!
I tell each child that Mouse loves to hear their stories. 
I hope many children end up telling Mouse their stories in the days and months to come.
Fun for kids, Kid Ministry, Mouse's Christmas Gift

FREE TEACHER/ACTIVITY GUIDE for MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT

This is content that I am reposting because you will not want to miss out!
Have you heard about the FREE, DOWNLOADABLE Teacher / Activity Guide that Zonderkidz helped me create for Mouse’s Christmas Gift





It is perfect for parents, teachers, Children’s Ministry leaders, Awana leaders, or anyone who is interested in teaching spiritual truth to children. 

It includes teaching lessons, application worksheets, and crafts. 

Here is the link to the download.

FREE TEACHER/ACTIVITY GUIDE

Merry Christmas!