REVIEW and GIVEAWAY-Childrens Books

ENDED-WINNER WILL BE POSTED ON FRIDAY

This Little Prayer of Mine

I wanted to share a little about a couple books I received. An author named Anthony Destefano contacted me in regards to reviewing his new children's book a couple years ago. I have to be honest and say I was a little hesitant at first b/c I was not sure where he found me, but it was totally a God thing. He turned out to be a christian author and his new children's book is titled This Little Prayer of Mine. He has also written other christian books for adults such as Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide To Heaven. He had no idea I was so involved with ministries where I am surrounded by families, mothers and LOTS of children; by me previously working at a preschool at a local church, being on the steering team of a local MOPS group and also working in children's ministry at my own home church, I have many opportunities to share this wonderful book with hundreds of people. Not to mention I am a mom of three young children and an aunt too. This book is absolutely amazing and we read it all the time...my children have grown to love it in the few days we have had it in our hands and they can relate to the children in the book as well. This book helps children understand how important it is to have a close relationship with God and how you can always turn to him in prayer. It takes praying to another level and that you an pray for everything not just things or people. The illustrations are really adorable as well. The rhyming is lots of fun for my children and I am sure lots of other children out there as well. This book begins with:

I know you're up in heaven, God,

and can hear my voice from there.

I'm just a little child.

Will you answer my short prayer?

God is always there, no matter how old we are and this book helps show that to even the youngest of children. I have read this to my MOPS group and there were quite a few moms in tears...including me!!

Little Star-Awarded the Moms Choice Award

Anthony sent me his newest children's book this past Christmas called Little Star-it is yet another amazing book that has become a huge favorite in our house.  This story connects the star at the top of our christmas trees each year to the star in the sky for the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

I am so excited to be able to share both of these books with one lucky reader/follower of our blog.  

Here is how to enter-Up to three chances per person:

Become a follower of our blog-if you already follow leave a comment and let us know

Become a fan of US on Facebook-leave us a comment to let us know

Become a fan of Anthony Destefano on Facebook and leave a comment to let him know we sent you-leave us a comment here to let us know you did.

Enter now through May 23rd

52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 29 - When We Were Friends

For the 29th book that I'm reading this year as part of the 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, I chose When We Were Friends by Elizabeth Joy Arnold.

I just started reading the book on Friday, and can tell it is a book that I'm going to like it. The writing style is easy to read, and the characters are well-developed and seem like "everyday" people - they could be one's friends, neighbors, or colleagues. 

The book is best described on the back cover:

Lainey Carson and Sydney Beaumont were the closest of friends -- until they reached high school and Sydney's burgeoning popularity made it easy for her to leave the contemplative, ungainly Lainey behind.


Eighteen years later, Lainey, who lives at home caring for her mother, is an artist who's never found the courage to live her dreams. When Sydney shows up on her doorstep with her infant daughter, insisting that Lainey is the only friend she can trust, Lainey reluctantly agrees to take temporary custody of the baby to protect her from an abusive father.


But that very night, Sydney appears on the evening news -- claiming that her daughter has been kidnapped. Unsure of whom she can trust, Lainey is forced to go on the run with a child who is not her own -- but whose bond with her grows stronger every day they spend together.

In search of a safe place to stay, Lainey befriends a man who, concerned for their welfare, offers them a home. But as the two grow closer she starts to realize that he may be harboring his own secrets.


An utterly riveting story that will keep you turning the pages, When We Were Friends asks how we define motherhood and family, whether we ever truly overcome our pasts, and what friendship really means.

From some of the reviews I read about the book, the plot is unrealistic and a bit far-fetched. However, if you know that going in you can adjust your expectations. For the most part, the reviews of this book are positive and it comes highly recommended.

52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 30 - Golden Sun

For the 30th book that I read this year as part of the 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, I chose Golden Sun by Ruth Sanderson. This is actually a youth fiction book that I read to Olivia, but it fits the goals of the challenge (e.g., over 100 pages, has a plot).

The book is the fifth one in the Horse Diaries series, and is a wonderful story that combines history, Native American life, and horses.

Much like how the book Black Beauty is narrated by Black Beauty (the horse) himself, Golden Sun is written in a conversational tone and told from the perspective of the horse (also named Golden Sun).

Golden Sun is a chestnut snowflake Appaloosa. During the summer, he treks through the mountains with his rider, a Nez Perce boy named Little Turtle who collects healing plants. He accompanies Little Turtle on his Vision Quest where both realize their true calling.

Golden Sun intersperses words used by the Nez Perce which Olivia and I knew because we had read the Kaya books (an American Girl series about a Nez Perce girl).

The Kaya books had a translation/dictionary in the back to explain what the Nez Perce words meant which was helpful. Having read that series first, we had a greater appreciation and understanding of Golden Sun.

Golden Sun has realistic, beautiful illustrations by Ruth Sanderson. Her ability to capture the detail and beauty of horses is consistent throughout the entire Horse Diaries series.

There is a sixth book in the series that will be released (hopefully) soon. Both Olivia and Sophia are looking forward to reading it.