The Inventions of God (and Eva) by Dave Connis and illustrated by Amy Domingo

 I love how this book teaches that we are all created in God's image and that we are his sons and daughters.  And although Eva's creations that she loves to invent aren't quite as those of God's, it shows that we can all do things of value and things that bring joy to ourselves and others.  And sometimes as humans we need to try and try again to make things just a little better each time.  And sometimes the things she/we invent are not all that great.  But not to give up! We are still OK!  

I think this book shares and teaches lots of good values.  And not to give up if we are not perfect on the first try.  Just keep trying and that God is there for us!

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook and Multnomah and was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Anna's Prayer by Karl Beckstrand

This is the fourth story of Karl's Beckstrand's non fiction children's book that I have read. They have all been stories of faith and love of God by these young immigrants.  The stories especially touch my heart because I was also a young immigrant girl.

Anna was the sister of Ida and as they separated to go to either a relative or a job, Anna is expecting to be picked up by an aunt at the train station.  It's late and no one arrives.  It's a beautiful tale of the faith of a young girl.  It brought some tears to my eyes as I read it. It's a gentle reminder of who we should always rely on.

I received an ebook copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Ida's Witness by Karl Beckstrand

I was lucky enough to read Ida's witness, a biography of the author's great-grandmother.  It was a sweet and heart-warming story of his immigrant great-grandmother as she struggled through many hardships in her youth.  As she finds the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she shares of her conversion and her testimony of her new found religion.

The story is very sweet and children will learn of the struggles of the earlier generations and how they are both different and similar to those of the struggles we deal with today. And how despite their hardships, made a good life for their families and descendants.

It's a beautiful story and full of faith and trust in God.

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Samuel Sailing: The True Story of an Immigrant Boy by Karl Beckstrand

Loved this book of Samuel, an immigrant boy and his early life, his travels to America and the story of his family and their love for one another.  The book shows beautiful historical photos and even some interesting documents!  All of this was loved by the professional genealogist in me.  I think it is so important for children to learn of their ancestors and the struggles that they dealt with to help their families enjoy a better life, serving their Church and God as they desire.

This is a great teaching book for children and even enjoyable for adults.

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.
 

Agnes's Rescue: The True Story of an Immigrant Girl by Karl Beckstrand

 Little Agnes is from Glasgow, Scotland and finds herself coming to America to join a group of religious refugees as they travel west to what eventually becomes the state of Utah.  

Being a modern-day immigrant and a genealogist, I just loved this children's story as it told a story that is dear to my heart, finding a path to what is hoped as a better future, although the going isn't easy.  In fact, things were very difficult.  

I loved the art work in this book which is richly and beautifully illustrated.  It is an enjoyable read even for an adult!  Loved it.

I received an ebook copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Gopher Golf A Wordless Picture Book by Karl Beckstrand

This is a fun book for kids.  It's hilarious, even though there are no words.  You totally can see what the mischievous gophers are up to.  Children and parents, both, can make up a fun story to tell along with the very cute illustrations.  The illustrations, themselves, tell a very cute and fun story.  Young children will really love this book.

I received a free ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.
 

It Came From Under the Highchair by Karl Beckstrand

This is a cute children's book with both Spanish and English words making it possible to learn a few new words in either language.  The story is fun and a bit of a "mystery" to find out what is under the highchair and what will it do next???  

This is a cutely illustrated book that will draw a child's attention and bring some laughs, as well.

I received a free e-book copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Polar Bear Bowler A Story Without Words by Karl Beckstrand

This children's book by Karl Beckstrand was pure fun.  If I was a kid I would want to have this book on my shelf!  It allows both children and parents to use their own imaginations as they perhaps tell one another this cute story.  The illustrations on their own are excellent and lend easier to a fun verbal story to increase the story-telling abilities of both parent and child.

Just fun and cute pictures.  Kids will love this.

I received a free ebook version from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Grow! How We Get Food From Our Garden by Karl Beckstrand

Every now and then I get the opportunity to read and review a children's book.  I loved this book.  If I were a child  I know that I would absolutely love to read and re-read this fun, beautifully illustrated book.  The text is in rhyme and and tells a tale from seed to harvest.  

The pictures are all so appealing to young minds. They are colorful and bright which easily will draw their attention.  It touches on all the phases of plants, sunshine, rain, all in a delightful way.  This will certainly give children an increased interest in  what grows in the garden and that those wonderful garden plants are edible or beautiful to look at.  I am sure this will give children new and fun insights into the back yard garden.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

My Breakfast With Jesus by Tina Cho Illustrated by Guy Wolek

This is a beautiful and charming book for younger readers.   It has stories and illustrations of children from different countries and cultures and how they have breakfast and give thanks and having the breakfast which might be customarily made in their family homes combined with the Spirit of Jesus in their homes as they start their days.

It's a very nice way to combine learning about others and understanding that Jesus is with all that invite him to their homes.

Very nice!

I received a copy of this book as a gift for a grandson.  All thoughts are my own.

Kingdom Files Who Was David? by Matt Koceich

This was such a nice way to introduce Biblical characters to children.  It is suggested from ages 8-12, but I am thinking younger children would enjoy their parents to read these simplified stories to help them grow their religious faith.

The stories are written in a way that children should be easily able to understand them. David was a very important character and portrays a strong role for young boys of all ages.  There were many things that in his later life were not exemplary and we see that even men of strong faith can fail when not living by God's commandments.  

Very good introduction for children.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Kingdom Files Who Was Esther? by Matt Koceich

This was such a nice way to introduce Biblical characters to children.  It is suggested from ages 8-12, but I am thinking younger children would enjoy their parents to read these simplified stories to help them grow their religious faith.

The stories are written in a way that children should be easily able to understand them.  Esther is a very important character and portrays a strong role for females of all ages to follow.

Very good introduction for children.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories Illustrated by Alessia Girasole

This beautifully illustrated Bible story book for children tells the wonderful stories of both the Old and New Testament in an easy to understand way for young people.  It's a great foundation for children to build their faith in God.

This book is a hard-cover book with many stories to choose from.

I am sure this book with be of great interest for children and those who tell them the stories.

I really enjoyed these stories and look forward to reading them to my grandson.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Muffy & Valor: A True Story by Karl Beckstrand

Karl Beckstrand writes children's books with heart.  This warm and sweet story about the author's actual pet, describe how his dog, having been injured by another dog, no longer wants to be around other dogs.  Yet, when the family finds and cares for a lost and injured pet whose owner is not known, Muffy becomes a caring and compassionate animal.

This book is a good lesson for children to learn from.   The illustrations are made by Brandon Rodriguez and just looking at the cover shows the pain that German Shepard is feeling.

We lost a dog in a similar fashion and it was hard for my kids to understand everything.  This book will help children understand some things that occur in life that are hard to cope with.

I received a free ebook version of this children's store from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

The Bridge of the Golden Wood by Karl Beckstrand

This book by Karl Beckstrand is geared for children about age 5 and up.  It is designed to help children learn about the value of work in their lives and how by working, you will receive a treasure in return.  I felt this was an especially good concept for children to learn.  There are some additional online resources and ideas for work that might help bring them a bit of treasure. 

I think children with like this parable of learning how to do service for others.

I enjoyed the writing and the colorful and attractive pictures in the book.  I think younger children will enjoy this book.

I received a free ebook from the author for my honest review.

Where Jesus Slept by Norma Lewis Illustrated by Katy Hudson

This is a beautiful book for children and explains the events of the Nativity in a very sweet way that will capture the attention of small children.  It was enjoyable and the illustrations were very engaging, especially to the eyes of a child.  I can't wait till my grandson comes over to read it to him!

If You Were Me And Lived In Elizabethan England by Carole P. Roman

I was lucky enough to win this for the grandkids.  This very interesting children's book takes you back in time when life was so different.  A time when royals were in control.  It tells how life would be if you were a young person living in this time and place.  The culture was so fascinating and there are amazing illustrations of people and places.  There are portraits and descriptions of people that were well known during this period and a glossary to teach new words to the reader.

This book is a part of a multi-part series of cultures, countries and people.  Very good for youth to begin to understand the world around them.

I think these are great!

The book I am reviewing today is a children's book.  I have read one of her books before.  This book is all about what your life would have been had you been born in another time and in a different place.  It's a great way for kids to learn about history, culture and all of the differences you might experience had you lived then or there.  There is a glossary in the back which teaches new terms to children.

The book is another in a wonderful collection of children's books.  I recommend it for your children!  And the illustrations are very nice!

You can find this book here!

Shadows in My Room & What's That Noise? by Linda Weaver Clarke

This was a cute Audible book that I recently listened to.  The stories last a total of about 18 minutes in length' and are stories of mother's comforting their girl's bedtime fears.  I read other reviews which mentioned that there were pictures, however, I only saw the cover picture in my Audible version, unless my phone app was not working properly, which is certainly possible.

The narrator was Heidi Allred.  It was a sweet book which I think that my grandkids would enjoy.  It is written for younger children and shows the trust between mother and child.  Very nice job.

Lorenzo the Bear: Encounter at Jellyfish Cove

Although I am not the target audience for this children's book, it was a cute story.  Had nice illustrations that a child might like to see.  It was about a bear who prepared for a confrontation with a pirate, which he had.  Children will probably enjoy an adventure on the seas.