Friday, September 04, 2015

Terrorist - Graphic Novel

I am not always a history fan - so to sit down and read a non-fiction historical book, often is not my first choice.  But I was sent Terrorist:  Gavrilo Princip, the Assassin who Ignited World War I by Henrik Rehr and it made me WANT to read history!  This is a brilliant novel set in graphic novel format that captures the start of World War I and it's subsequent outcomes.  The story is about Gavrilo Princeip, a young Serbian terrorist, who ultimately sets off World War I by assassinating the archduke Franz Ferdinand.  It is a fictional account and that caught me as well - I was drawn in immediately by the storyline and action - yet another thing to love about graphic novels.  It's just a fabulous and interesting way to learn history.  I think your history buffs and graphic novel history readers will enjoy this one!



*I was sent a copy by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Thursday, September 03, 2015

The Unmaking

Here is an artist who has stood the test of time.  Nichole Nordeman has been singing for quite some time and yet still produces albums that change and resonate with the times.  Her lyrics are powerful and her songs are upbeat and tender.  Her latest album, The Unmaking, is no exception.  This album has only six songs on it - but don't let that fool you - It's worth every song!  The title track, "The Unmaking", is one of my new favorite songs - the lyrics are powerful and you can be encouraged that God might be "unmaking" us to make us into who He wants.  I love "Not to Us" - the melody and tune are catchy and will stick with me - reminding me that it's not about us.  Another that I enjoyed is "Slow Down" - a tender ballad to our kids asking them to slow down their growing up.  I just loved this album  - make sure to listen!

About the new album The Unmaking:

"Before things in our lives can be resurrected and given new life, certain things must die.  Before beauty blooms in spring, roots must do the hard work under the hard frozen soil of winter.  Before you renovate and re-build, you tear down the parts of the structure that are weak or damaged or dangerous.  Before we make, we must unmake."  Nichole Nordeman 


About Nichole Nordeman:

Nichole Nordeman is a recording artist and songwriter for Sparrow/EMI CMG, with numerous number-one and top ten singles to her credit and cumulative CD sales of over one million.  A two-time Gospel Music Association winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, she has won a total of nine Dove Awards, including the best-selling album, Music Inspired by The Story.  Her best-known songs include "Holy", "Legacy", "Brave", "This Mystery", "Why", and "What If".  She lives with her family in Tulsa, OK.  

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"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
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#FLYBY

The Biggest Story

I have been a long-time fan of Kevin DeYoung - his books written on theology and Christian issues are spot-on, thought-provoking and timely.  When I saw he had a children's book - I was so excited!  I am always on the lookout for strong children's Christian titles and especially those that teach theology at a young age.  DeYoung has accomplished more than I had even hoped with his new title, The Biggest Story.  This is a story that is subtitled:  How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden and that is exactly what he does.  He brings us full circle from the garden to the cross all based on Christ (the snake crusher) and what He has done for us.  So not only is the story strong and the words are powerful - the illustrations!  I can't say enough about Don Clark's careful rendering of the gospel story through intricate and interesting illustrations.  I think you could sit and look over his illustrations for days and still not catch all that is there.  They are powerful and contemporary - I love them!

This is a book I will be giving as gifts and highly recommending!  It is fabulous - a treasure for families and a keepsake for all ages - with a powerful message - and that's the best part!  AND another "best part" is that I get to giveaway a copy of this wonderful book!  All you have to do to enter is share this post - Facebook, Twitter, a blog - as many wonderful ways as possible.  Just leave a comment below for each share you do.  I will choose a winner, Friday, Sept. 11!!

About the book:

Hardcover: 132 pages

Publisher: Crossway (August 31, 2015)


In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung - a best-selling author and father of six - leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heave and new earth.  With powerful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark, this imaginative retelling of the Bible's core message-how the Snake Crusher brings us back to the garden-will draw children into the biblical story, teaching them that God's promises are even bigger and better than we think.  
 
 
About Kevin DeYoung:
Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan.  He blogs at the Gospel Coalition and has authored or coauthored numerous well-known books, including Just Do SomethingThe Hole in Our HolinessCrazy Busy, and Taking God At His Word.  He lives with his wife and their 6 children in Central Michigan.
 
 
About Don Clark:
Don Clark is an artist and the cofounder of Invisible Creature, a widely respected and award-winning design studio in Seattle that has worked with clients such as Target, Nike, LEGO, and WIRED magazine.  He lives with his wife and their 3 children, 4 goats, 12 chickens, and 1 crazy dog on a farm just outside the city limits.
 


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”



#BIGGESTSTORY  #FLYBY

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Arbordale Publishing

Arbordale (previously Sylvan Dell) Publishing always has such great offerings for science and math.  Their books often have full color photography or appealing illustrations, text that is do-able for our elementary kids and yet give them facts and ideas to ponder long after they've finished reading.

Here are the titles I just received:
Amphibians and Reptiles:  A Compare and Contrast Book by Katharine Hall - this should have been written LONG ago.  As a teacher, I always wanted a good book to contrast amphibians and reptiles - this one is perfect!

The Hungriest Mouth in the Sea by Peter Walters - this is a great introduction to the food chain.  I love the illustrations on this one! 

The Lucky Litter:  Wolf Pups Rescued from Wildfire by Jennifer Kats Curtis.  I think kids who enjoy animal books will LOVE this one.  It is the tender story of wolf pups rescued from a wildfire in Alaska and how they are sent to the zoo and how they acclimate there.  Now these pups live at the Minnesota Zoo - which is even more fun to know!  (and maybe go visit!)

Sounds of the Savanna by Terry Catasus Jennings.  This title not only explores the savanna habitat, but it also ties in the importance of animal communication and the sounds with their meanings.  I enjoyed this one!

The Sparrow and the Trees by Sharon Chriscoe.  Here is a bird migration story BUT more so, an interesting story on trees - why some lose their leaves and others do not.  I think our nature-loving kids will thoroughly enjoy this!

They Just Know - Animal Instincts by Robin Yardi.  This one is a delightful tale that we can share with even our youngest.  The text is fun and the illustrations are whimsical for the younger set.  It brings the topic of instincts down to an easy-to-read and understand-level. 

Tortoise and Hare's Amazing Race by Marianne Berkes.  So this is genius!  A retelling of a wonderful classic - but tying in math - and fractions.  How often do we find a picture book that teaches fraction skills!?!?!  I love this one!

So don't miss these latest Arbordale offerings - they are wonderful to support STEM curriculum as well!



*I was sent copies for review by the publisher.


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