Adventures in Booga Booga Land - Volume 1 - DVD

Join Marty the Monkey and Gerard the Giraffe, two zany best friends, as they embark on three adventures. Each episode is 15 minutes long and presents one the parables of Jesus.

Episode 1. So this is Booga -Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Episode 2 : Marty's Sandcastle - Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

Episode 3: No Light in the Lighthouse - Parable of the Lamp under the Bowl

This video lacks any real substance and Jesus is not mentioned other than on the cover claiming that the stories are from the Parables of Jesus. I watched this video with my 5 year old daughter and she thought it was okay, but admitted it's not her favorite. I was not impressed with this video. I don't think it stressed the lesson of the parables and it is a loose interpretation of each story. It is good for entertainment, but not for teaching the Bible. I would suggest for ages 5-8.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze.com Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Angel Song- By Sheila Walsh & Kathryn Cushman

Women of Faith Novel of the Year.

After her sister dies, Ann just can't get the tune her sister was humming out of her head. God begins to reveal Himself to her through her sister's friends and a 12 year old neighbor boy who actually believes he sees angels. When this beautiful melody keeps returning to Anne, she realizes it just might be the angel's song and she begins to see the real presence of angels around her. 

If you like Christian romance this book is okay. I found it to be a bit too predictible, and not contain enough substance.  Overall, I wasn't impressed enough for it to be my pick for Novel of the Year.  Although Anne believes in Angels, she is only starting to trust God. It wasn't much deeper than that.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze.com Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

God's Promises for Girls by Jack Countryman & Amy Parker

This is a cute, small, hardcover, devotional book just for girls with promise verses from the International Childrens Bible. I chose to review this book so I could give it to my daughter when I was done. Each topic is covered on a two-page spread with a poem, selected Bible verses, and illustrations to match the theme.

I would recommend this book for girls age 5 to 10. I love the message of this book.  God's promises for girls makes a great bedtime devotional, and is also a good way for children to learn or memorize scripture. This book offers encouragement from God's word to every little girl at times when she needs reasurance. There is also a companion book for boys called God's Promises for Boys.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze.com Book Review Blogger 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.”

An Honest Love - Hearts of Middlefield Book 2 - By Kathleen Fuller

An Honest Love is a story of two couples, set in the Amish town of Middlefield, Ohio. Anna Esh has recently moved to Ohio with her mother to help care for Uncle Zeb, and run an Amish goods store. When Lukas Byler comes to her store, he immediately starts to fall in love with her. Anna is getting over a painful breakup with an ex-fiance, and has not been completely honest with Lukas. Will her secrets stop them from finding love?

Lukas's sister, Elisabeth, gets a job and begins a friendship with her co-worker Aaron Detweiler. Will these two finally realize they have more than just friendship? They need to be honest with themselves and each other in order to find an honest love.

If you enjoy Amish Romance books you should read this book. Although this is considered a sequel, I had no problem following the plot without having read the first book "A Man of His Word", which I later read and enjoyed. Reading both books was helpful to keep all the characters straight.

(I received a free copy of this book to review as part of Thomas Nelson's booksneeze program.)

Gigi God's Little Princess- (DVD) by Sheila Walsh

This video includes two fully-animated episodes of Gigi on one DVD.

In the first episode "The Royal Tea Party" Gigi has important news to share with her best friend Frances.  Gigi wants to find a special way to tell Frances that she is one of God's little princesses too!  This video has a great message for any child.

In the second episode "The Pink Ballerina" Gigi and Frances take a ballet lesson.  Gigi wants to dance perfectly to make God proud of her.  My favorite scene is at the end when Gigi talks to her Dad. He reminds her that God is proud, not because of anything you do or how well you do it.

I watched both episodes with my 4 year old daughter and she loved them. She really liked Lord Fluffy, Gigi's cat.  The second episode was our favorite, but both stories had great messages.  I really liked that the values and message that these videos reinforce.  Plus there great bonus features including: learn to draw Gigi, Read-A-Long, Sing-A-Long, and extras for your PC. I would recommend this video for young girls.

I received a free copy of this DVD to review through the booksneeze blogger program.

Jesus Lives- Seeing His Love in Your Life - by Sarah Young

Jesus lives is a beautiful, padded hardcover book little book containing devotional thoughts and scripture. This book is a companion volume to Jesus Calling. This devotion book will help you open your heart to hear Jesus speak to you day by day. You can read through the book one devotion at a time, or you can use the theme index in the front of the book as a guide to pick a specific topic.

Personally I prefer reading fiction, but what stands out about this devotional book is it is written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to you. The daily messages include a message from Jesus followed by related Bible verses of the same theme. Overall, I thought this book was good but not something I would have bought myself. The book was easy to read and the messages were inspirational. This cute little devotional book would make a nice gift for anyone. I enjoyed the perspective of Jesus speaking directly to me, and found the devotions comforting. The words of Jesus himself will help you experience His presence in your hardest times.

(I received a free copy of this book to review through the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program.)

Fresh Start by Doug Fields

I don’t always like “self-help” books, but Fresh Start, by Doug Fields is different, because it’s a “God-help” book. The message in this book is that we are stuck people and our ability to start again doesn’t come from our own strength or resolve or positive thinking. Change comes only because “we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil. 4:13).” We are free to change, but not by our own limited power. Real, lasting change comes from God’s unlimited power. Anything else is a temporary fix. Doug Fields is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church with over twenty-five years experience. In this book, he discusses pride, serving, dreams, success, past hurts, pain, conflict, discouragement, relationships, rejection, anger, values, and sharing your fresh start story. Doug Fields says, “It’s not about trying harder; it’s about plugging into God’s transforming power.”  Doug will demonstrate that when you are willing to cooperate with God, He has more than enough power to transform your life.  If you are ready to grab hold of a fresh start for your life, read Fresh Start. This book is well written, easy to understand, and has a great message. 

(I received a free copy of this book as part of Thomas Nelson's book review blogger program.)