Book Review: The Promises of God Storybook Bible

About the Book:

God’s love is unstoppable. And that’s a promise.

Noah’s ark. Joseph’s dreams. Jesus’s miracles. The Bible is rich with stories for our children to hear and enjoy, but when those stories uncover the thread of God’s promises, our children learn much more than individual Bible stories. They discover how God has demonstrated His love for us, from the first promise in the garden to the promise of the new heavens and earth.

A conversational, whimsical, biblically faithful retelling of more than fifty key Bible stories, The Promises of God Storybook Bible lets your child hear favorite stories with new ears, repeatedly assuring them that each word is proof of God’s unstoppable love and unbreakable promises to His people.

My Thoughts:

The Promises of God Storybook Bible, written by Jennifer Lyell and illustrated by Thanos Tsilis, is the newest storybook-style children’s Bible to enter our home. My husband has read Bible stories to our daughters every night before bed for years, so we’ve gone through many of these. Without a doubt, I know he is going to LOVE the built-in bookmark. It’s a daily struggle for the bookmark to stay on the correct page.

I enjoyed how The Promises of God Storybook Bible focuses on the promises of God and his love for all of us. It’s such an encouraging and affirming message for children and adults. With over fifty Bible stories included, I was a bit surprised by some of the chosen stories. It jumps from the fall of Jericho to the prophecies of Isaiah, skipping some pretty popular characters and stories. (David & Goliath, for one) However, I liked that in included stories less frequently seen in storybook Bibles. As I mentioned, Old Testament prophecies are included. It also dedicates time to the New Testament epistles.

I recommend The Promises of God Storybook Bible: The Story of God’s Unstoppable Love by Jennifer Lyell to caregivers of children ages 4-10. It is more narrative-intense than similar storybook Bibles and sometimes dives into deep subjects. (The very first one tries to explains the Trinity and then follows with talking about how we can believe even when we don’t fully understand.) Younger readers may still enjoy The Promises of God Storybook Bible, but I think older children will more fully grasp its concepts.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Wait For Me by Susan May Warren

About the Book:

With Jess and Pete, every day is lived at full throttle. Now if they can only stay alive to enjoy it.

Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for EMT Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job has cost lives, and Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in search and rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.

When a terrible fight between Jess and Pete sparks an impulsive decision, Jess finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with two others. Just when Jess thinks things couldn't get any worse, they are taken captive and dragged into the untamed Montana wilderness – with murderous intent.

Now Pete will have to call on everything he's learned to find them – and pray that his past mistakes don't cost him the life of the woman he can't stop loving.

My Thoughts:

Wait For Me is the final installment in the Montana Rescue series by Susan May Warren. Like the rest of the novels in this series, Wait For Me was well-written, fast-paced, and held my attention. This particular novel was stuffed with emotional angst in addition to suspense and mystery. I liked that the author quietly sewed in a theme of leaning in and trusting in God's love for His children. She held true to the dichotomy that while God's love will ultimately preserve us, it doesn't always prevent us from hurt and injury. Still, God's love is presented as a source of hope and reason for faith.

I recommend reading the entire series before reading Wait for Me because Jess and Pete's relationship develops substantially in other books. The series long saga of Esme/Shae is finally resolved and the main characters from prior books play roles in Wait for Me. Readers who have enjoyed the Montana Rescue series by Susan May Warren will enjoy reading the final riveting installment. My personal favorites are Wild Montana Skies (Book 1) and Troubled Waters (Book 4). I recommend the entire series to fans of Christian romance. Each novel is filled with intense danger, growing faith, and delicious romance.

Read an excerpt from Wait For Me by Susan May Warren on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant

In God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Little Cub is on a fishing adventure when the interruptive otters scare the fish away, leading Little Cub to admit that liking the otters is sometimes hard. Grampa gently reminds Little Cub that spending time together and sharing love is far more important than catching fish. Thus begins Little Cub's lesson about God's great love and the different ways it is displayed in relationships.

God Gave Us Love is a super-cute book with an important message about God's love and the love we should have for others. Even as an adult, I could relate to Little Cub's ambivalence towards the otters. The message of unconditional love shines through as Grampa and Little Cub discuss the love that God gives us and why He gives it to us. Although the book appears durable for children of younger ages, I recommend this book for children five or older. Younger children will enjoy the pictures, but I'm not sure if they would understand all of the concepts. My little one won't be here to test it out for a few more months, but I look forward to being able to share this story with my child when he or she arrives.

Click here to read an excerpt from God Gave Us Love or to visit the blog tour.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Press as part of FIRST Wild Card Tours. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

FIRST Wild Card Tour: God Gave Us Love

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Lisa T. Bergren

and the book:

God Gave Us Love board book

WaterBrook Press; Brdbk edition (December 20, 2011)

***Special thanks to Laura Tucker, WaterBrook Multnomah Publicity, for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LISA BERGREN is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty books, with more than two million copies sold. A former publishing executive, she now splits her time working as a freelance editor and writer while parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of the family’s next visit to Taos.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…

“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”

This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.” Now in a sturdy format, ideal for the littlest hands at storytime, bedtime, or anytime. Would make a great Christmas gift!

Product Details:

List Price: $6.99
Reading level: Ages 0 and up
Board book: 22 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press; Brdbk edition (December 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307730271
ISBN-13: 978-0307730275

Here's an excerpt from the book : God Gave Us You (Board Book). (Click on images to see them larger):

God Loves Me More Than That

How much does God love me? More than the bumbles in a bumblebee. His love is wider than the prairies, softer than a summer breeze, and deeper than a wishing well.

Those are just a few of the cute rhymes that comprise God Loves Me More Than That. Dandi Daley Mackall, author of this book, leads children on a journey to understand God's love for them. Based on Ephesians 3:17-19, the book takes a well-known Scripture and expands on it using language familiar to children.

God Loves Me More Than That is an adorable children's book that teaches a lesson that many adults still need to learn. This book provides parents with the perfect opportunity to instill spiritual lessons to children at a young age. The illustrations match well with the text and theme of the book. I especially liked the hippo and butterfly illustrations. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to any parent looking to teach their child about God's love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Press as part of their Blogger Review 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."