5 Stars: The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country by Mike Berenstain

Title: The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country
Author: Mike Berenstain
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children, Christian, Picture
Release Date: April 7th 2015
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Purchase: Amazon

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14

In the newest Berenstain Bear Living Lights 8x8 title, the glorious fourth has arrived and the Bear family is busy decorating with flags and bunting. Brother, Sister and Honey are anticipating the big parade and all the fireworks but aren t really thinking about the true meaning of the day.

But Mama and Papa make sure the cubs know just how much Bear Country is blessed with a quick lesson about the first Fourth of July.

God Bless Our Country was a terrific new addition to The Berenstain Bears collection. This time they teach us about the importance of the Fourth of July and what it means to our country and the people in it. From coming to America to find freedom, to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to the parade's to celebrate. This is another must have for the Berenstain Bear collection in your home.

Savanna's Rating: Two patriotic thumbs up.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.

Visit the Berenstain Bears @ www.berenstainbears.com

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5 Star Review: The Berenstain Bears Country Cookbook by Mike Berenstain #cookbook #childrens #review

Title: The Berenstain Bears Country Cookbook
Author: Mike Berenstain, Ron Nickel
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children, Cookbook
Release Date: February 10th 2015
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Purchase: Amazon

It's The Berenstain Bears' Country Cookbook! Bear lovers everywhere are sure to find favorite recipes for fun food in this new kid-friendly, cookbook--ranging from Bear favorites that use honey and berries to pie, a delicious stew, and even some Berenstain favorites like Jan Berenstain's famous green lasagna.

Featuring breakfast, lunch, main meal, and dessert recipes as well as kid-friendly cooking tips such as food and measurement conversions, this is sure to become a go-to cookbook for delicious and fun recipes kids can cook with an adult.

What's not to love about The Berenstain Bears? Throw in a cookbook for kids and it just puts the cherry on top. With 40 kid-friendly recipes in 96 pages of fun, this is a must have for anyone's kitchen that has kids or grandchildren. When my daughter received this in the mail for review, she was absolutely thrilled because she loves helping me in the kitchen cooking. I know we can't wait to try some of the yummy recipes, especially Jan Berenstain's Green Noodle Lasagna and the Easy Enchilada's. 

Savanna's Rating: In the words of a 5 year old: This is a very nice book with pretty pictures. I like helping in the kitchen. I give it two thumbs up. 

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

 Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country. 

Visit the Berenstain Bears @ www.berenstainbears.com

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3 Star Review: Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles by Carole P. Roman #Giveaway #Review

Title: Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles
Author: Carole P. Roman
Publisher: Createspace
Genre: Children
Release Date: February 8th 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is another great voyage into problem solving and friendship, as well as an adventurous trip into the imagination.

Join the Captain No Beard and his friends as they learn the value of sharing our troubles with others and that help is always there when we need it.

**Review contains Spoilers**

I wasn't as thrilled with this book as I thought that I would be and to me, it was somewhat of a let-down. The ideal of the story was great. Teaching kids that being a big brother or sister is a good thing, however, the ending of this was not hitting it home for me. A little girl in it, states that she would love to be a big sister and at the end, her mom comes home with a brand new baby. The little girl acts surprised. To me, it's just not that realistic. However, for the importance of the story, I am giving this the rating of 3 stars.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born. It has followed with four more books to the series.Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.

She has just finished the first of six books in a groundbreaking new nonfiction series about culture around the world. "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us.

Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

Find Carole: Website | Twitter | Goodreads 

Giveaway is for 1 paperback copy of Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles.

Open to US entrants only. Winner has 48 hours to respond.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 Star Review: The Berenstain Bears: God Made You Special by Mike Berenstain #BookReview

Title: The Berenstain Bears God Made You Special
Author: Mike Berenstain
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children's, Christian
Release Date: December 23rd 2014
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Purchase: Amazon

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Matthew 5:8

In this newest 8x8 softcover title in the Berenstain Bears Living Lights collection, the Bruins join the Bear family for a cookout and bring their cousin Tommy along. It isn't long before the cubs start up a game of baseball and Sister soon notices that Tommy doesn't play like the rest of the group. When Sister asks about Tommy, Mama takes the opportunity to talk to Sister about how God makes each of us unique in our own way. And that we all have special gifts and talents to share with the folks around us.

Mike Berenstain hit this one out of the park again. I absolutely love The Berenstain Bears, and this is one of the top most recent books in the collection that I absolutely love.

This one teaches brother and sister bear that not everyone is the same, that we are all different in our own ways, but yet God still loves us no matter what. It teaches them that some people grow at their own pace but we should love them just the way they are, no matter what.

The Berenstain Bears is a must have for everyone's collection, whether it's the classic books or the newer released books. I can tell you that I am now in the search for the childhood ones that I read back in the 1980's with my grandmother, so I can share them with my little girl.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country. 

Visit the Berenstain Bears @ www.berenstainbears.com

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5 star review: God Bless My Boo Boo by Hannah C. Hall & Steve Whitlow #BookReview @hannahchall

Title: God Bless My Boo Boo
Author: Hannah C. Hall; Steve Whitlow
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Children's, Christian, Picture Book
Release Date: February 3rd 2015
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Purchase: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

God Bless My Boo Boo is the perfect remedy for healing little hurts with a healthy dose of love!

Even the smallest scratches, bumps, and scrapes can sometimes be traumatic for children. When simple injuries happen, God Bless My Boo Boo is like a warm hug that helps ease the pain. Comforting, sweet, and sometimes silly rhymes guide readers through adorable scenes of baby animals and their boo boos and remind children that God is there to help. Just like Mommy Zebra makes a scraped knee better or Mommy Walrus helps tend a toothache, real moms will be able to use this book to make their little ones’ boo boos all better too!

This book was just too cute for words! My daughter and I absolutely fell in love with this adorable book about caring moms with the children and God. This was a simply delightful picture board book, with cute pictures and cute rhyming poetry. This is a must have for every child's book collection!

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Hannah Hall is a wife, a mom, a writer and a woman truly blessed. She daily thrives on a little quiet, a lot of family, moments with Jesus and multiple desserts.

Her future truly began to take shape on her first day of Kindergarten. Paired up to be in a reading group with a mischievous little redheaded boy, Hannah both realized her love of well-written story and met her future husband.

Her first book, God Bless You and Good Night, was released by Thomas Nelson in September 2013.  It has been on the ECPA juvenile bestseller list for eight months. God Bless Our Easter was released in January 2014 and God Bless Our Christmas in October 2014. God Bless My Boo Boo will release in early 2015 and God Bless Our Fall in late summer, 2015.  

Find Hannah: Website | Twitter | Facebook

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4 Star Review: Bunny's First Spring by Sally Lloyd-Jones & David McPhail

Title: Bunny's First Spring
Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones, David McPhail
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Children, Picture Book
Release Date: February 3rd 2015
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Purchase: Amazon

When a bunny is born in spring, he sees the world as green and new and full of hope. But as the seasons change, the bunny worries that the earth may be dying. In bestselling author's Sally Lloyd-Jones' latest picture book celebrating the Easter season and rebirth, nature speaks to the bunny, assuring him of something more. Award-winning artist David McPhail's whimsical illustrations reflect the beauty of the world around us as Lloyd-Jones' inspirational text prompts readers to celebrate the changing seasons and the miracle of nature's rebirth.

This was a very cute book that helps young readers understand the changing seasons. With spring there is new growth and with winter there is dying. But shows that everything is renewed come the following spring. My daughter loved this book with the cute illustrations and the wonderful meaning behind the story. We had to read it over and over again.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Sally Lloyd-Jones is a Brit who came to the US in 1989 "just for a year." She's still here.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, raised in East, and West Africa and at a boarding school in the New Forest, the first book she ever remembers reading all the way through was THE COMPLETE NONSENSE by Edward Lear. Things have not been the same since.

She lives in Manhattan and enjoys dividing her time between the front half of her apartment and the back.

Find Sally: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram

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5 Star Review: The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag by Mike Berenstain

Title: The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag
Author: Mike Berenstain
Publisher: ZonderKidz
Genre: Children
Release Date: December 23rd, 2014
Source: BookLook Bloggers
Purchase: Amazon 

In this newest Berenstain Bears Living Lights 8x8 book, The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag, Grizzly Gramps teaches Brother and Sister a valuable lesson about bragging and boasting.

When he happens to overhear the cubs bickering about who can see the most unusual cloud formations, Gramps puts a stop to the argument. He reminds them that being proud of a special talent from God is one thing, but bragging about it is foolish. Pride goeth before a fall! "

 I really love the Berenstain Bears. I have loved them ever since I was a little girl and my grandma would go out and buy me the newest book. We would sit together and read them, on rainy days, or when I didn't feel good, and even on days when everything was great. These were always the perfect bedtime/anytime book. Just a lot of great memories there, that is why I'm so glad that I can finally share this love with my little girl.

As always, the Berenstain's deliver. Not only was this as good as I remember the others, but I think this one had a little something extra to offer. Brother and Sister are up to no good again, but this time they are bragging about themselves to one another, trying to top the other. They soon realize what they are doing when Gramps points it out. This is a great book to teach your children that it's not alright to brag about your accomplishments, and it refers to the Bible as well (I don't remember the older ones doing that).

I can't wait to start buying more of these and even some of the classic ones for my daughter.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*

Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents, Stan and Jan, working together to write and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country. Visit the Berenstain Bears @ www.berenstainbears.com

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5 Star Children's Review: I Love You Near and Far by Marjorie Blain Parker

Title: I Love You Near and Far
Author: Marjorie Blain Parker
Publisher: Sterling Children's Books
Genre: Children
Release Date: January 6th 2015
Source: Night Owl Reviews
Purchase: Amazon 

I love you long distance, across all those miles. Sometimes parents divorce. Sometimes mom or dad is sent overseas to fight. And sometimes cherished members of the family—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins—live too far away to see every day. This sweet rhyming story, written from the child's point of view, is a love letter to those who may not be geographically near—but remain very close at heart.

This was a very delightful children's book that teaches you that no matter how far someone is from you that they are always in your heart and that you love them very much. It's perfect for children who have loved ones that are in the military or far away or just ones that don't get to see a loved one as much even if they are close by. I have read this to my daughter several times now and each time she smiles and loves it.

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Review: I Love You More...Than Chocolate by Melanie Milburn

Title: I Love You More...Than Chocolate

Author: Melanie Milburn

Publisher: InstantPublisher

Edition: Hardcover, 32 pages

Genre: Children's, Preschool

Release Date: December 6th 2010

Source: Author/Publisher

Summary (from Goodreads)

Every child wants to know they are loved, and this book conveys what parents want their children to know in a way that speaks clearly and impressively to the child's mind and heart.

My Review:
This was a very sweet children's book that teaches the child that a mother's love runs deeper than so many things, including chocolate. It also has a wonderful CD that comes with it with music and a song by the author to follow along with the book. My daughter (who's two) loves it and had me read it to her 4 times in a row.

Star Rating:  

  

 

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