Showing posts with label Just 4 Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just 4 Fun. Show all posts

9.03.2018

Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids ~ Review

Crack Yourself Up
Jokes for Kids
By Sandy Silverthorne

Kids of all age love telling jokes but finding good clean joke books can be a challenge. Well have no fear Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids is here to feed your joke telling hobby. This book is a mix of jokes, knock-knocks, and silly stories that may or may not make you laugh but you'll be sure to roll your eyes a time or two. With a scattering of illustrations to add to the book, kids will be sure get in a few giggles while sharing the hilarity with those around them.

Some jokes are standards one would expect in any joke book such as the "How do you keep a blank from charging?" "Take away his credit card." While others are a bit more unique such as Q: What did the elevator say to the other elevator? A: I think I'm coming down with something. And then there are reverse jokes which give the answer before the question which could result in some outrageous hilarity as others try to come up with the correct question. 

There are 138 pages with 130 pages for the jokes and the book is small enough to take with you almost everywhere - though I wouldn't recommend taking it into the tub as it has an aversion to water, though there is a joke about Noah's ark and one about the ocean.

Recommended for kids 6 - 12 years of age though, in my opinion, other age will enjoy the jokes as well. This book would be a great way to get a party off to a great start with an air of jocularity that can break up any awkwardness.

I was provided a complimentary copy by Revell with no expectations but my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Why are dogs such bad dancers? 

They have two left feet.


Knock, knock. 
Who's there? 
Alex. 
Alex who? 
Alex the questions around here.

What's red and goes up and down? 
A tomato in an elevator.

Any kid can be a comedian with a little help from Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids. This zany collection of one-liners, knock-knock jokes, riddles, puns, funny lists, and hilarious illustrations promises hours of fun. Just be careful. These are the kinds of laughs that make milk come out your nose--so don't drink and read!


Perfect for kids ages 6-12.

7.27.2016

God Bless America ~ Reveiw

God Bless America
A Patriotic Coloring Book

This is a truly interesting coloring book with its patriotic theme.  There are quotes from well-known Americans and statements of nationalistic significance incorporated within the assorted pictures.  And in my opinion an even greater attribute is the back of the coloring page explains the importance of this statement or quote and credits the artist who created the scene.

Adult coloring has become an almost instant hobby, but this book can be even more than just another title on the list of to-color-books.  This would be an excellent addition to the American History class that is looking for a new way to garner student attention.

The level of coloring skill needed varies as there are pages perfect for almost any age while others would demand a greater attention to detail with the fineness of detail portrayed.  The statements are taken from the Bible, the Founding Fathers, and persons of more recent history (such as Neil Armstrong and  Rosa Parks).

This would be a delightful peak of American history to give as a gift or explore yourself.  Enjoy a quiet afternoon reveling in the joys of coloring.  This paper is a heavier quality that should take most coloring mediums and the pages are perforated so removing them is not an impossible chore.

I was provided a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.



About the Book:
Return to simple pleasures and simpler times.
Enter the pages of this coloring book for adults, and you will find a peaceful way to reflect on what makes America a truly amazing country: our values of equality, opportunity, faith,family, character, generosity, justice, and perseverance. Each coloring page features an original design from one of nine different artists, illustrating an inspirational quote from one of the Founding Fathers, an historic document, a patriotic hymn, or another of America’s heroes.

Slow down, quiet the noise, and express creativity as you color your way through history.

So grab your colored pencils or markers, find a comfortable spot to relax, and spend some time celebrating America. To help set the perfect patriotic mood, a link to the “Coloring America” playlist is included inside.

#COLORINGAMERICA

7.14.2016

The Great Disney Scavenger Hunt Spotlight and Giveaway

About the book:
The Great Disney Scavenger Hunt

See the enchantment of the Disneyland resort in a whole new way with "The Great Disneyland Scavenger Hunt." From Main Street U.S.A. to New Orleans Square, Walt Disney lovingly designed every detail to immerse guests in the magic of his theme parks.

See Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure through new eyes when you discover fantasy, thrills, and dreams around every turn. Whether you’re perusing the shops, waiting in line, or riding attractions, there’s plenty to uncover for even the most knowledgeable Disney fan.

If this is your first visit or your five hundredth, you will discover something new with "The Great Disneyland Scavenger Hunt."


Buy the Book:  

About the Author:

Catherine Olen has enjoyed a love affair with the magic of the Disney theme parks for as long as she can remember, counting herself among Disneyland pass-holders for the last twenty-five years. Previously, Olen owned and operated Hollywood Grave Hunter and is the proud author of The Final Curtain: Celebrity Deaths and The Upside of Undertaking, chronicling her previous career experiences. She has been a correspondent to Entertainment Tonight (US and France), The Biography Channel, Reelz Network, and the Mark and Brian radio show.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Pinterest  ~  Instagram


Giveaway:​

Win a Disney Prize Pack which consists of a print copy of
The Great Disneyland Scavenger Hunt,
a “Mickey” or “Minnie” Disney plush toy
and a $10 Disney gift card

(10 winners total, open to USA and Canada)

Ends July 30

a Rafflecopter giveaway


6.09.2016

Cute Horse Pictures

Just wanted to share some cute pictures of our mini horse Jay.  
Jay decided he wanted to check-out our deck and the stairs.









10.11.2015

The World's Best Story Writing Contest



2015 CONTEST!
Writers submit your Story
Enter for a chance to join the House of transmedia stories company



What is World's Best Story?

"This is not just a literary contest, we're looking for stories that will be consumed in multiple media formats – from books to the big screen and beyond," says Vincent Salera, founder of World's Best Story. "Our goal is to revolutionize the traditional literary contest and identify a story with blockbuster appeal. We're looking for a story that audiences will love and help authors turn that story into trans-media franchises, which is why we're empowering readers to judge the contest."

How does it work?

Readers will vote for stories and awarded judges will declare the final Top 10 winners.

2015 Judges: Warren Adler, Victor Malarek, Tamarra Kennelly, Brooke Burgess, Samreen Ashan, Alistair Cross, Rhonda Hayter

Timeline:

Entry Period Closes/Public Voting ends. (November 8)

Top 10 Winners Announced! (November 8)

Professional Review/Voting (November 8 - December 8)

Winner and Top 10 Ranking Announced (December 8)


What are the prizes?

The top 3 winners will receive a full publishing package by FriesenPress, trademark protection in the U.S. and Canada by IP agency Benoit and Cote, a virtual book tour by Laura Fabiani of iRead Book Tours as well as consulting/marketing services with book expert Anne Chaconas of BadAss Marketing. Busbud and YoDough will be providing lots of goodies for both writers and readers.

How do I submit my story?

To learn more about World's Best Story, including how to enter, please visit World's Best Story.

World’s Best Story : info@worldsbeststory.com

See what's buzzing at World's Best Story:

How to Get Readers Buzzing About Your Book: Secrets from the World of Book Blogging

Viral campaign with famous characters:

What if Oscar Wilde wrote Sex and the City? (series of posts)

What if Lady Gaga wrote Gone With the Wind? (series of posts)

The Current Top 10 Most Voted Stories

Connect with World's Best Story:

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Pinterest



Enter your story today!




10.04.2015

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream ~ Review

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream
debuts on Hallmark this weekend (Sunday, October 4 at 9pm ET/PT, 8pm CT)



I was given the opportunity to preview tonight's newest Signed, Sealed, Delivered movie.
Unlike previous episodes/movies the members of the Department of Dead Letters
get involved before a letter comes into their possession.  But their abilities and determination
help them as they attempt to find out information on a missing soldier.

When a letter full of seeming nonsense crosses their path 
this team works to solve what could be clues
that will bring a woman home to her father and her daughter.

But, as it is with most mysteries, time is running out...

If you are seeking an alternative to Sunday night football
or you are just in the mood for an uplifting movie
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream 
may be just what you are looking for.

Time is a priceless gift and all too often we don't appreciate
the time we are given with those closest to us
until all we have left are our memories.
This movie helps drive home this message 
in a hopeful and lighthearted way. 


The beloved POstables (Eric MabiusKristin BoothCrystal Lowe and Geoff Gustafson) go to Washington, D.C. to bring a damaged letter from an American prisoner of war before a Senate Hearing Committee. As the soldier’s fate hangs in the balance, Rita competes in the Miss Special Delivery Contest. The juxtaposition of events poignantly dramatizes the great price of freedom and how unaware civilians can be of the sacrifices of men and women in the Armed Forces. 
The two-hour event guest stars Mark Valley and Christina Bianco.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered is a comedic drama that follows the lives of postal workers who transform themselves into an untraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow on time.


8.24.2015

~ Win a Year's Supply of Books ~


Enclave Publishing is giving away a year's worth of eBooks!
52 books that you can enjoy throughout the coming year.
But "What do I have to do to enter this giveaway?" you ask.
Simple just enter the giveaway at the following link


But don't wait too long there are just 14 days left to enter.

4.12.2015

All My Old Friends ~ Video


Hope you enjoy this little video I put together celebrating the joy of friendship with books,

2.24.2015

Veggie Tales - Noah's Ark ~ Review and DVD Giveaway

Veggie Tales
Noah's Ark

The last year has seen many offerings of Noah's Ark in both book and movie format. Well, Veggie Tales has joined this list with this, their newest DVD offering.

Bob (a tomato), Larry (a cucumber), and Roger (an elephant) introduce us to Larry's imaging of what Noah, his family, and the Ark were like.  With a variety of songs the story is told.

Shem (one of Noah's sons) is the main character in this version and he's not the happiest veggie on the boat (make that Ark).  He's just gotten married and is looking forward to a life with his new wife when literally there is an Ark in his life.  We see Shem go from arguing with Noah just what God's will is to having absolute faith in God's will and His timing.

The people are portrayed by the Veggies while the animals are animals and the elephants
and zebras are absolutely adorable!  And then there is Mr. and Mrs. Hamster who have a
bit of a separation thanks to some of Shem's earlier impatience before he learned that God
has a time for everything.

There is a little side video in the midst of Noah's featuring a Silly-Song "My Golden Egg".
Think Indiana Jones meets an Easter egg hunt and you'll have an idea of what it's all about.

I was provided a review copy of this DVD in exchange for my honest review.


"Noah and his family along with a zoo full of animals take an adventure aboard an orange slice ark. After 40 days and nights of rain, everyone’s faith has been tested, and they’re ready to jump ship. Will they chart a new course, or will they remember to trust God’s promises? Grab your umbrellas and find out in this Veggie Tales re-telling of the beloved Bible story!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In NOAH'S ARK, Brady, the multi-Emmy® award-winning host of one of TV’s most famous game shows, Let’s Make a Deal, and star of Whose Line Is It Anyway, brings to life Noah’s son Shem, who first questions, then learns to embrace, his father’s direction from God. Christian singer, actress and radio host Jaci Velasquez co-stars as Shem’s wife, Sadie.

“Saying ‘yes’ to VeggieTales was a no-brainer – my daughter’s a fan and I love the music and messages,” says Brady, who performs seven original songs in NOAH’S ARK. “The best part is, Bob and Larry are down to earth and they never let the ‘I’m a global Veggie superstar’ thing go to their heads.”

Adds Velasquez: “Every parent searches for entertainment that’s both wholesome and imparts valuable life lessons, and with Noah’s Ark, VeggieTales serves up a delicious dish on both counts. The story, the music and the visuals are perfect for the entire family.”

In NOAH’S ARK, Shem and Sadie return home from their honeymoon to find that Noah (played by Pa Grape) has begun, at God’s direction, to work on a massive ark, which his wife Naamah (played by Madame Blueberry) and sons Ham (played by Larry) and Japheth (played by Bob) are helping construct before the start of 40 days and 40 nights of rain.

But Shem doesn’t understand Noah’s unshakable faith in God, particularly when animals start arriving two-by-two – while the rain is nowhere to be seen. When the deluge does come, Shem begins to understand Noah’s determination to preserve humanity’s future … and the importance of trusting in God.

NOAH’S ARK also features a brand-new “Silly Songs With Larry” segment, in which Larry dons a safari outfit as he goes on a quest for a gigantic, golden egg.

Less than three weeks after the DVD and digital download release of NOAH’S ARK, the VeggieTales excitement continues when five all-new episodes of VeggieTales In The House, the hit animated series, debut exclusively on Netflix – bringing the total of VeggieTales In the House episodes to 15 as the series continues its first season.

To learn more about NOAH’S ARK, and to pre-order the DVD, visit the official VeggieTales website at http://www.veggietales.com, or call the toll-free VeggieTales Hotline at (844) 2-VEGGIE (U.S. callers only).

Carrots meet cubits as VeggieTales builds an ark filled with fun, adventure and important lessons about trusting God in NOAH’S ARK, its first Bible-themed production in more than four years. Starring Wayne Brady and Jaci Velasquez, along with Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato and a whole crew of Veggies, NOAH’S ARK will be available March 3 on DVD and digital download.



Enter for a chance to win a copy of this DVD
Open to US mailing addresses only.
Runs February 25th through March 3rd!
Winner will be contacted and have until March 6th at noon
to reply or an alternate winner will be chosen. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

11.25.2014

Guest Post from Author Cindy Thomson

Today we have a special treat - a guest post from Cindy Thomson.  Cindy is the author of the recently released Annie's Stories and its prequel Grace's Pictures.  Today Cindy shares a little about the special foods that play such an important part in a traditional Irish Christmas.  

With a month until Christmas Enjoy this gift from Cindy and be sure to check-out 
Cindy's live Facebook Christmas party on Monday December 1st 
5:00pm - 7:30pm EST  http://on.fb.me/1wTigIz!

Giveaways, chats, and guests are on the schedule!

Trim, County Meath Ireland from Flickr credited William Murphy
Trim, County Meath Ireland from Flickr credited William Murphy

Why is it holidays seem to revolve around food? Possibly because sitting around a table to eat is the best way to bring families together for conversation and good times. I used food in my latest novel, Annie’s Stories, to evoke a sense of home for Annie who was searching for that place after her life was disrupted. (You can find some of the recipes from that novel here.)  http://cindyswriting.com/2014/07/06/early-20th-century-recipes-from-annies-stories/

Since my stories feature Irish characters, and much of what I’ve written centers on Ireland and Irish culture, I’d like to share some traditional Irish Christmas recipes with you.

Christmas dinners traditionally feature a roasted goose. Turkeys are a more recent substitution. Other dishes included three types of potato dishes: roasted, boiled, and mashed. You might also find roasted parsnips, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. For desert you’d have plum pudding. On St. Stephen’s Day (Dec. 26) you would serve Irish Spiced Beef.

If you’d like to learn about some Irish foods like mash, bread sauce, and celeriac, check out a post I did for the Irish Fireside. http://irishfireside.com/2013/12/16/christmas-dinner-irish-style/

Plum Pudding is no quick dish to make. Perhaps that’s why there are traditions about the family helping. Below is a recipe I copied. I’ve never made this myself. I’ll stick to cookies. But if you’re adventurous, go for it. I’d love to hear how yours came out. (You can contact me through my website www.cindyswriting.com)

Christmas Pudding from Flickr, credited: Peter Hilton
Christmas Pudding from Flickr, credited: Peter Hilton 
Traditional Christmas plum pudding recipe

By CHEF MICHAEL GILLIGAN, Irish Central Staff Writer.

10 eggs
1 cup white flour 

4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice

2 teaspoons nutmeg
4 ounces chopped almond pieces

1 grated apple
1 pound light brown sugar 

1 medium carrot, grated (this optional ingredient probably crept into the recipe 
    during WWII when fruits was in short supply) 

Rind and juice of an orange and a lemon

3 pounds raisins use some currants, some yellow, and some sultanas. The more 
    variety in fruits, the better the pudding. 

8 ounces candied cherries or natural dried cherries

24 ounces bread crumbs

12 ounces candied peel (candied pineapple chunks, citron, mixed peel)

1 pint of Guinness
5 tablespoons of hard liquor 

1 pound butter or finely minced suet if preferred

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Rub the raisins and other fruits with the flour and spices. The flour adheres to the stickiness of the fruits and gives the pud a nice even texture.

Cut the butter into fine pieces and mix well with the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl mix the liquid ingredients. When the liquids have been well stirred, add them to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix all together very well.

The batter should be a bit loose, a little thicker than a cake mix. If it’s dry like bread dough, add more Guinness.

My mother would grease a big square of unbleached muslin and pour the pudding into this, tying off the top with string. In these modern times, heat-proof bowls are an acceptable substitute for the cloth bag method...and much easier.

Line the bowl with parchment paper; fill to within an inch of the top of the bowl. Cover the batter with parchment paper and use a lid for steaming. Sealing the top of the bowl with foil will work if there is no self-lid for the bowl. Fill the pot in which you are steaming the pudding to just below the top of the pudding bowl and gently boil for at least 12 hours. I use the slow cooker for this and it works very well. Depending on the size of the bowls used, you may get about three puddings from this recipe. I triple it and get at least a dozen quart-sized puddings. (Big family!)

When the pudding has cooled, remove it from the bowl, dribble brandy (or any other whiskey-type stuff) over the top of it, letting as much sink in as possible. Seal the puddings in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. (Don’t let the aluminum touch the pudding as there is a reaction that dulls the foil and I suspect this is not good for the pud or the people eating it.)

Let it sit for as long as possible before serving. Three or four months is not too long. Occasionally dribble the pudding with a shot of the spirit of your choice: brandy, whiskey, bourbon, etc.

Traditionally, the pudding was steamed again for an hour before serving. There are two possible methods: Remove the wrapping, return the pudding to the original bowl, and steam again for an hour.

Turn it out on a heat-proof serving plate and proceed to the lighting process that follows the brandy butter recipe---or---unwrap the pudding, place it on the serving platter, and microwave for 10 minutes at 50 percent power. The microwave method, though obviously not traditional, works exceptionally well, and has become traditional in my family!

Brandy Butter (Hard Sauce)

1 cup butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar

1/2 cup brandy (or whiskey, Irish or otherwise)

Soften butter. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until it’s fluffy. Slowly add an equal amount or more of confectioner’s sugar. You will see that the mixture changes texture. 
Slowly add the brandy after this textural change in the sugar/butter blend. Beat further until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Spoon the brandy butter into serving dishes and chill until firm. When turning the mixture into the serving dish, finish off the top by swirling it into a circular pattern with the bottom of the spoon for a decorative effect.

Garnish everything with Holly in berry if you have it.

To light the plum pudding, pour a generous cup of Christian Brothers Brandy (none other!) on top. There’ll be a little puddle on the plate. That should light pretty easily and the blue flames will creep up the sides.

Douse the lights in the dining room to bring in the pudding to the acclaim of all at the table. Don’t be disappointed if the flame is out quickly. That’s how it goes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cindy Thomson is a writer and an avid genealogy enthusiast. Her love of history and her Scots-Irish heritage have inspired much of her writing, including her new Ellis Island series with Tyndale House Publishers. Cindy is also the author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom: Treasures from Ireland, and is co-author of the baseball biography Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story. In addition to books, Cindy has written on a regular basis for numerous online and print publications and is a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Cindy and her husband have three grown sons and live in central Ohio. 

Visit her online at www.cindyswriting.com or on Twitter: @cindyswriting.


1.23.2014

The Big Book of Laugh Out-Loud Jokes for Kids ~ Review

The Big Book of Laugh Out-Loud 
Jokes for Kids
A 3-in-1 Collection
By Rob Elliot

The Big Book of Laugh Out-Loud Jokes for Kids  is 180 pages of jokes and Knock-knock humor that will amuse and entertain your children for hours.  These jokes won't make you blush from embarrassment when you hear your children repeat them.  Clean fun, though some of the jokes are a little lame.

I tried some of these out on my family and we all got some good laughs out of them and a few groans as well when the answer was revealed.

There are a few seasonal jokes to save for your favorite joking Uncle when he comes for his annual Christmas visit.  My personal favorite involved an umbrella and Bambi (and nope I'm not telling you the answer but it's found on page 84).  And there's a joke for when your dog eats your homework (page 77).

This book will be perfect for your next l-o-n-g trip.  It will keep everyone occupied while you have some good family time together.

I was provided a copy of this book by Revell in exchange for my honest opinion and review.


About the Book:
The gut-bustingest, knee-slappingest, guffaw-inducingest collection of clean jokes you can find!

All kids like to laugh, and The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids delivers! Combining his three bestselling joke books for kids, Rob Elliott will have you doubled over for days. You'll get jokes like

Q: Why did the invisible man turn down a job offer?
A: He just couldn't see himself doing it.

Q: What do you get if you mix a rabbit and a snake?
A: A jump rope.

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Cook.
Cook who?
Are you as crazy as you sound?


Great on car rides, at the dinner table, on the playground, and anywhere in between, this collection of wholesome hilarity will make you and those around you smile from ear to ear

12.11.2013

POP Art ~ Review

POP ART
Decorating and Shaping Custom Cake Pops
By Kris Galicia Brown

Are you tired of the same old cake when it comes time to entertain or throw a party?
Well, with Pop Art your entertaining problems are now a thing of the past!

You now have a excuse have your cake and eat it too!  These delightful, cute, and, even at times, elegant Custom Cake Pops will have friends and family asking "Where did you find these???"  Imagine their amazement when you modestly state "From my kitchen."  You can fist pump in your mind though.

The directions are straight forward and if you enjoyed forming clay as a child you have it made!  This will allow the inner artist a chance to flex her wings (or his).  You'll be able to create an array of pops from adorable animals to an elegant cup of tea to a Christmas - perfect for the season.

And before you whip together a cake to make an attempt be sure to read through the book so that you are sure to have all the necessary supplies on hand.  And then be prepared for an enjoyable and fun afternoon as you try your hand at POP ART.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.


You've never seen cake pops like these! Hot Air Balloons, Pineapples, Giraffes, and Easter Baskets--cake pop artist Kris Galicia Brown shows you how to shape, dip, and decorate over 40 amazing designs. Make your cake pops phenomenal with "Pop Art"!
Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, cake pop artist Kris Galicia Brown shows you how to shape, dip, and decorate over 40 amazing designs for any  holiday or event. Learn her personal techniques, tips, and tricks to create the most mouthwatering and beautiful cake pops. 
About Kris

With a love for sweets and a passion for design, Kris Galicia Brown is a light of inspiration in the cake pop industry. Kris skillfully crafts her sweets like works of fine art.

After graduating with a degree in advertising from the Art Institute of California-San Diego, she pursued a career in graphic design and worked as lead Creative for a local advertising and PR agency. After entering motherhood, Kris founded kCreative and began work as a freelance designer and ultimately stumbled upon the world of cake pops. Her background as a graphic designer has proved to be an excellent foundation for her newest venture.

Kris's originality, eye for detail, and addiction to precision sets her apart from other cake pop makers and has landed her a global audience. Kris lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and two daughters. In addition to running her business, Goods by kCreative, Kris also teaches cake pop classes and blogs regularly. Learn more about Kris Galicia Brown atwww.goodsbykcreative.com.

9.26.2013

Callie Grant ~ Author Interview and Book Review

Recently author Callie Grant spent some time to answer a few questions about her soon to be released books in the Knowing My God series.  Here is the resulting interview:

When you wrote the Knowing My God series, what need were you hoping to fill with this series?
This series started as a desire to share the actual words of Jesus with my infant daughter. While Bible translations for young children have a place in a new life, they lose much of the original meaning. So I made a little flip chart book for her with photographs and Jesus' words. I really believed her heart, as God's creation, would hear those words and recognize them. As Graham Blanchard started developing the idea into a series, we realized that a much larger connection could be made with the beautiful real-world photographs. The books evolved into the multi-level format that offers an experience baby, toddler, and young child.

With Jesus Shows Me and and Jesus Invites Me you focus on a scripture passage, what about these specific verses drew you?
The Jesus Invites Me passage of Matthew 11:28-30 is foundational, so much so that it is referred to as the Great Invitation. Here, Jesus pleads with a heart-rending love for the world to find comfort and life with Him. It was the passage I used for that first homemade book for my daughter. If she never heard another passage, I wanted her to know that one.


Jesus Shows Me based on John 15:9-14 reflects the primary plea of God with humankind: Love me and obey me. Do a Bible search on "If you love me…" and you will find that it runs the course of Bible—and human—history. It's fundamental. God made us to love Him. Everything good and beautiful and eternal flows from that. And Jesus came to earth to show us what that kind of life looks like.


In All of Me that You Can't See you focus on the spiritual self. Do you feel that there is a lack of this awareness in books for children?
It's a human tendency to focus on the physical side of life, especially where children are concerned with all their daily needs. But they do have spiritual lives that need nurturing, too. This is where we believe the "first five years" are most important—a child's spiritual life with Jesus. All of Me That You Can't See is an Absorb book in the Graham Blanchard Learn-Absorb-Praise collection. We plan for our Absorb books to help convey who God is and how He made us to be in a relationship with Him. But to facilitate that, we aren't creating a how-to manual. We focus on a child's enjoyment of a book—is it engaging, beautifully illustrated, memorable—as a way to honor God and give parents the latitude to start conversations with their children.


Mud Puddle Hunting Day takes a look at enjoying the simple joys in life, do you hope that children will take this lesson to heart and learn to enjoy the joys and beauty of the world around them?
Oh, I think children, especially in the years 0 to 7, are full of hope, wonder, and joy, and are always game for an adventure—the girl in this book will be a kindred spirit to them all. In some ways, Mud Puddle Hunting Day is more about bringing the adult into the child's world, and experiencing with the child the remarkable wonders of everyday life. But also, a child who plays in mud on a rainy day should know how pleasing that is to God! He, too, marvels at His creation. That's why this is a Praise book in our collection. That just means we remember God in all we do.

Did you have a book that you took greater pleasure in writing than the others?  If so which one was it and why?
All of these books have been in the works for a long time and had a strong network of people working on them. The illustrators were very involved in shaping the final outcome. This process isn't for every writer—it takes some detachment from the idea of being an author who has all the answers, and accepting a lot of input. I have greatly enjoyed this process, though, and seeing what God does along the way. Trying to say which one gave more pleasure would be like trying to choose a favorite child. They are all amazing to me in their own way and have taken on a life of their own.

Now we will take a closer look at Callie's books - 


-Jesus Shows Me is the first book in the “Knowing My God” series, which teaches young children about God’s love by explaining selected scripture through colorful photographs and supportive text. Each page of this board book illustrates a segment of John 15:9-14 with a photo of an animal parent caring for its young, which exemplifies how God loves people.  Illustrated by Jodie Stowe this is a delightful book that will capture your child's attention as they learn about the various aspects of a parents love as observed through the parent/child relationship of animals.

-Jesus Invites Me is the second book in the “Knowing My God” series, and explains Matthew 11:28-30, in which Jesus calls people to learn from him and to follow him.  With illustrations by Jodie Stowe a child learns that by accepting the invitation of Jesus they will experience life in a new way.  And Jesus is a loving guide that will never allow them to get lost.

-All of Me that You Can’t See is an illustrated rhyme that invites the child reader to become aware of his or her own spiritual self.   With illustrations by Jeremy Tugeau a child learns that what he or she sees on the outside is only a small portion of who they really are.  The inside hidden part needs to grow too and with the guidance of God and family the heart, mind, and soul can and will grow.

-Mud Puddle Hunting Day written follows a young girl’s splashy walk in the rain, as she discovers and celebrates some of life’s little joys.  With illustrations by Melanie Magee your child or grandchild can learn to enjoy the simple pleasures of the natural created world.  As the young girl and her dog enjoy their wet day they observe how different everything is on a day that they are searching for the perfect mud puddle in which to play.  

The photos and illustrations in all the above books should capture the attention of the youngest readers and listeners.  These books are perfect for afternoon and bedtime readings and together time with mom and dad.
As these books are board books they are sturdy and should withstand rough handling by young readers.

I was provided a copy of these titles by Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.