Hey, friends. Thank you for stopping by. My writing journey has been a long one, and I'm thankful I stayed on the path where God has taken me. If you are a reader, thank you so much. As an author, I appreciate you more than I can say. If you're a writer and you've been penning words a long time or just a little while, trust God with your journey. He knows what's ahead.
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Monday, June 13, 2022
New Fiona Books
Fiona is back with two delightful stories for beginning readers. On the train, the animals get to travel through the zoo on their way to meet the baby red panda. In school, the animals get to teach each other about something important to them. With humor and comradery Cowdrey and Wu have created books kids will enjoy. The illustrations are colorful and appealing.
Fiona's Train Ride by Richard Cowdrey with Donald Wu
Fiona wants to visit the new baby red panda, but it is so far! What better way to get around the zoo than the fun and fast zoo train. Young readers will enjoy learning more about Fiona and her friends in this Level One I Can Read about the little hippo that has captured hearts around the world with her inspiring story and plucky personality.
Fiona and a few of her animal friends attend zoo school for the very first time and find out just how fun it is to learn new things in the classroom. Young readers will enjoy learning more about Fiona and her friends in this Level One I Can Read about the little hippo that has captured hearts around the world with her inspiring story and plucky personality.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Children's Picture Book Review: I'm Going to Give You a Polar Bear Hug by Caroline B. Cooney, Illustrated by Tim Warnes
Book
Description:
Let’s get ready to snuggle! This highly engaging sequel to the bestselling and
beloved I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug! imagines all the cozy, warm
hugs little ones love to receive on cold, blustery days.
The story
encourages parents and grandparents and their children and grandchildren to
giggle and play as they cozy up for their own celebration of the winter season.
Imagine who might stomp, sled, and swish through the snow to give a warm hug in
these whimsical rhymes and sweet, playful illustrations.
My Review:
As I read I'm Going to Give You a Polar Bear
Hug, the snow was falling outside my window. Winter is a magical time for
children, a let's build a snowman, make snow angels time. So why not be
creative and play polar bear hug in the winter wonderland of pretend with
"a shivery, quivery, forty below hug." Caroline B. Cooney, known for
her young adult novels, has created a lovely, rhyming story celebrating the
importance of hugs. In this fun story, the child is hugged by all kinds of
animals, at the end, the little one shares a hug with someone special. Tim
Warnes colorful illustrations show the story's whimsical words in bright,
energetic drawings. This is a great read for 4 to 8 year olds and would make a
wonderful holiday gift. Snuggle up with your little one and share a polar bear
hug. This book will delight children and adults. I received a complimentary
copy of this item. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Monday, October 26, 2020
Children's Devotional Review: Wonder & Wisdom: Everyday Reminders from Psalms & Proverbs by Joanna Rivard & Tim Penner
Book Description:
A highly engaging introduction to Old Testament Psalms and Proverbs for young children, each bite-sized reading draws on the timeless wisdom of these books to remind young ones who God made them to be and how to live their lives with him on a day-to-day basis. The lessons found in Psalms and Proverbs are enduring and key for understanding what it looks like to live a life of love and gratitude, make good choices, and ask helpful questions.
An ideal companion to The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible, Tiny Truths Wonder and Wisdom helps children ages 4 to 8 discover:
Who God is: the one who made everything and everyone
Who we are: his children, whom he loves unconditionally
What we were made for: to love God and everyone else
My Review:
Tiny Truths Wonder and Wisdom is
a beautifully written book for children. The illustrations are eye-catching and
fun, they remind me of the cute Funko Pop toys. Most important, they show how
God loves all people. The truths written out in a kid-friendly way are
timeless. Each story is paired with a verse from Psalm or Proverbs. The book
includes a table of contents, an introduction to Psalm and Proverbs, and more
to explore verses. Written in easy to read text, the wisdom and wonders will
delight little ones. This would be a perfect gift book for many occasions or a
great book to use in a class for children. I received a complimentary copy of
this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Friday, July 24, 2020
Children's Book Reveiw: Pugtato Finds a Thing by Sophie Corrigan
Pugtato is a delightful and fun read. Sophie Corrigans charming illustrations will make kids giggle. The vegetable/pet characters will stir a child's imagination and cause them to laugh out loud. Pugtato Finds a Thing would be great for children age 4-8. The rhyming text is spot on and easy to read aloud. And the ending is perfect for this little mystery. Preschool teachers could use this book to talk about different abilities and gifts and about friendship. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Monday, March 9, 2020
Children's Board Book Review: Nighty Night Narwhal by Victoria Saxson (Author), Irene Montano (Illustrator)

Who doesn't love a narwhal? Kids will enjoy this sweet bedtime story of a little narwhal (the unicorn of the ocean) who just can't settle down to sleep. Parents will relate to mom and dad narwhal as they try to help their little one resolve to stay in bed for the night. Irene Montano's illustrations will delight readers. Make sure to share the details in the artwork with the children, like the froggy alarm clock. They'll love it. This copy is a board book great for ages 2-4. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Monday, July 8, 2019
Children's Book Review: Seek and Explore Devotions for Kids by Yvonne H. Van Ee, PhD & Michael Williams, PhD

I like the premise of Seek and Explore. The illustrations are engaging and fun. The devotional activities are varied. I'm not convinced a six to eight-year old would be able to use this book to the full extent. But with an adult or as a family, this would be a great addition to devotion time. For independent use, nine to twelve might be a better target age. The activities look enjoyable and will help the child have a better understanding of the scripture. I especially like the devos that are more like a puzzle than the writing activities. I can also see this as a good home school tool to prompt Bible discussion. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zonderkidz. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Children's Book Review: Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Cee Biscoe
I am a big fan of Glenys Nellist's books. She writes lovely and engaging prayers and poetry. I enjoy them as an adult and highly recommend them for children. In Snuggle Time Psalms she shares a short verse then gives a rhyming prayer. The prayers talk about things a child might think about; fear in the night, being scared, love and friendship. This would be a great book for an early reader to keep by their bed. And it would be wonderful to read with your little one before they go to sleep. Cee Biscoe has created precious illustrations that make the book even more beautiful. Children will love her sweet rendition of animals and nature. If you are looking for a way to share God's love with a child, this is a great pick. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Children's Board Book Review: Counting Blessings by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Lee Holland
Children count along from 1 to 10, following the sweet rhyming text by beloved author Eileen Spinelli and the cute and cuddly illustrations by Lee Holland. Along with counting, this padded cover board book teaches children to see the blessings in life. With whimsy and joy, Counting Blessings captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness.
My Review:
I can count on Eileen Spinelli to deliver an enjoyable rhyming text that's fun to read to my grandchildren. In Counting Blessings, which is more than a counting book, she leads the child through numbers 1 to 10 then goes on to name many blessings like, "snow to dance in and songs to sing." My favorite blessing in the story is, "Six books beside your chair." What reviewer wouldn't love that. The bunny in the story is adorable thanks to Lee Holland's delightful illustrations. They're the kind of drawings that make me go ahhh— charming and colorful. The sturdy board book pages, simple text, and bright illustrations make this a perfect book for little ones. I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
Purchase a copy at Amazon.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Children's Book Review: Thank You, Lord, for Everything by P.J. Lyons, illustrated by Tim Warnes
This soft-cover board book is perfect for little hands and as a read aloud. The little bear in the story is so enthusiastic, his thankful attitude will rub off on the reader. They'll be repeating the thank you chorus along with the reader. What a positive example.
I received this book in exchange for a fair review.