Book Review: A Brave Face

I am not sure if it was the writing style or the story itself, but I had a really hard time getting into this book. The main character wasn't able to have children of her own, so she felt drawn to Teeba when she read an article about her in the newspaper. A Brave Face is about their journey together. I did like that they have a few pages of photos from their story. It's not a hard book to read in the sense of writing itself, but I found it emotionally difficult to read. Seeing the truth of the impact on the kids was just too heart breaking.

Book Review: Put on Your PJs Piggies!

Put on Your PJs Piggies! is an adorably illustrated book about 3 little pigs that are getting ready for bed. My 3 and 5 year old both loved the illustrations and were just loved the touch and feel glittered pjs on the cover! This board book is a good size for toddlers and preschoolers. It's a quick bedtime read. My 3 year old's response while reading the book was "I love sheep... and horses... and cows." Considering my 3 year old's obsession with farm animals, this was a good pick.

I also found the following page funny... because we all know, toddlers and preschoolers are notorious for stalling bedtime tactics.

"He's hogging space!" a piggy pouts.

"I need to potty!" one cries out. 

Daddy turns the night light on -

"It's time to sing our bedtime song!"

I would recommend this book as a gift for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and early reader. Enjoy a cute bedtime book. 

* I received this book for review from Booklook Bloggers. 

Book Review: Memory Making Mom

I grew up in a home that had very few traditions... besides my grandmother sending our family a huge box of Christmas cookies each winter, there weren't many traditions I can honestly recall. Having grown up in this type of environment, I have adopted many of my husband's family traditions and implemented many from examples of families I've encountered in my life.

Jessica Smartt's Memory Making Mom has a plethora of examples of traditions you can adopt as a family if you'd like. However, I found the book itself quite slow. I feel like I would have much preferred the content in multiple blog posts and bullet points, instead of an actual book. I think my expectations for the book were lists and ideas, instead of narration of her traditions. I think with as many posts and pinterest ideas for fun traditions, I would recommend busy moms to skip the book and just pinterest some ideas for each season/holidays/or just for fun activities with kids.

The main takeaway I got from the book was something I'm already doing... make memories with your kids... always. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but by doing it consistently, it'll become tradition. Keep in mind, Smartt is a Christian writer/blogger and home schooler as well.

*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers. 

Book Review Rewired

What can I say?? I literally could not put the book Rewired b Dr. Seth down!! This is the true story of Melissa Loomis, a lady who was bit by a raccoon and got a terrible infection which could not be cleared. After multiple days in ICU, she ended up needing her arm amputated. There were too many coincidences in the story! From her "willing" her fever to go away for 4 days, so a smart phone accidentally showing an agenda for conference session on Advancements in Amputations and Prosthetics, and just people after people coming into both these people's lives to make this story possible.

This book was captivating from the first page. It was an easy and quick read. This book gives hope that our creator is watching over us and it will inspire you to push the boundaries to do things out of our comfort zone to make a real difference. I loved Melissa's attitude and seeing Dr. Seth's heart as a doctor, a father, and a scientist wanting to advance science to improve people's lives.

This book has made me look at my life, and first be grateful for all my limbs, and to ask myself, how am I going to push the boundaries of science?

*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers. 

Book Review: Jelly Bean Blessings

Jelly Bean Blessings is a cute spring time board book.

"They're colorful and fun.
Let's eat them one by one.
We'll smile 'til we're done!
YUM, YUM, YUM.
Let's Share some jelly beans!"

Jelly beans, flowers, rain, garden, kites, bikes, hikes, spring cleaning and more are all the things that we are thankful for in this book. This board book has fun illustrations and great colors. The alligator, fox and pig are so cute throughout the book! This book ends with "Thank God for Springtime Blessings".

This would be a great addition to Easter baskets for preschoolers, toddlers, and early readers.


*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers. 

Book Review: Don't Close Your Eyes

Don't Close Your Eyes is really "a silly bedtime story", which tells you not to close your eyes. Little ones will love the adorable illustrations, and silly story of trying to stay awake.

"You know that if you close your eyes, 

You'll never stay awake.

So keep those peepers open wide.

Don't blink, for goodness' sake!"

This book is a thick padded board book, with sturdy pages. Great size for toddlers and preschoolers. The story itself it not great, but the illustrations make up for the lack of "story". It's still a good quick bedtime read.

*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers. 

Book Review: An Easter Prayer

My kids are obsessed with Touch-and-Feel books. This is the perfect addition to our collection, and an Easter Basket filler! An Easter Prayer board book has a fluffy bunny, smooth egg shell, soft chick, grass, and more touch and feel items throughout the book!

"Thank you, God for Easter and The Brand-new life of spring!"

I would recommend this for preschoolers and toddlers. They'll love reading about all the wonderful aspects of spring and if they are like my littles, they'll love the fluffy animals!


*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers. 

Book Review: You're My Little Sweet Pea

You're My Little Sweet Pea is a padded board book with adorable illustrations of mommy and baby animals.

"Little Sweet Pea, I love you, 

from button nose to baby cool.

Squishy cheeks and sparkly eyes, 

pure delight and perfect size."

This books is 8.25"x 8.25", thick cover and sturdy board book pages. I think it may stand the test of toddlers! It's a great size for toddlers and preschoolers. My little ones immediately were drawn to the adorable illustrations. The other perk is that this is a quick read for bedtime routines! I'd recommend this book for toddlers and preschoolers. This would also be a great gift to add to a baby shower basket.


*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers. 

Book Review: I love you, Funny Bunny

I love you, Funny Bunny by Sean Julian is the sweetest little book about why a mother loves her little bunny. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. This hard covered picture book is a quick read for bedtime.

"I love you, Funny Bunny, 

from your whiskers to our toes.

...

And no one in this great big world 

can match your sense of style.

...

I love it when you hold m hand 

and talk about your day..."

This is great for toddlers and preschoolers. It would be a great Easter basket stuffer!


*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers.

Book Review: Dinosaur Devotions

Dinosaur Devotions is a neat devotional geared towards 8-9 year olds. This hard covered devotional includes 75 devotions, each covering a different dinosaur, Bible Excavation (Bible reference), Dino Stats (family, height, length, weight, diet of the dinosaur), message, questions for "Digging Deeper", thoughts for "Jurassic Journaling", and a "Did you know...". The illustrations of the dinosaurs are adorable and the devotionals are great. My preschoolers are a bit too young to really appreciate the content, but we still enjoy learning about the dinosaurs. If you have a dinosaur lover in the family, this would be a great gift idea!



*I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers.