Inspiration Coloring Book

Color Inspiration Coloring Book

Suzy Toronto

The artist who designed this book is a self-proclaimed “wacky” person and revels in her uniqueness.  This book is all about inspiration, and you can definitely see the author’s quirkiness coming through in the coloring pages. The book begins with some thoughts from the author, a few of the pages she’s colored herself, and some instructions on how to make each page your own. She shares full color pages of how she colored each page. The coloring pages begin with the left side almost completely blank. There is a quote in light print and a few small lines should you want to write something. The right side is the color page. This book is smaller, an on-the-go size that will fit into a purse or bag.

I love the uniqueness of this book. It’s not like most of the adult coloring books out there and that is a good thing. I also really liked the quotes on every page and the space for writing should the mood strike. This book would make an excellent gift, but be sure to get yourself a copy as well.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Awkward

Awkward

The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome

Ty Tashiro

Everyone wants to belong and fit in. But for some of us, that is more difficult and awkward than the normal person. The author, a self-described awkward person, tells us about the science of being awkward and what it truly means to be awkward. He uses antidotes and personal stories to infuse the book with humor and interest. 

This was not really the book I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not really a science person, but the author was able to make it understandable and truly interesting. I learned a lot and walked away from the book with a smile on my face and a better understanding of how people work and how I can fit in with people who are not like me. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Animal Ark

Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World

Kwame Alexander and Joel Sartore

Sweet poetry about the wild animals that inhabit our planet is paired with amazing photography to make a one of a kind book. Each page is full color photography with the celebratory poem woven throughout the book.  The poem and pictures are a wonderful way of showing the children what the world around them is like and why it's so important to help protect it.

I love this book. It is so awesome that I had to donate a copy to my local school as well. My children (8 and 10 yrs old) initially thought it was a "baby" book, but I found them reading it several times and commenting on the pictures. This is definitely a book that you'll be proud to add to your library.

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

If You Were Me

If You Were Me and Lived in the Ancient Mali Empire

Carole P. Roman

This book is part of a series designed to introduce children to how other people live in different countries and during different time periods. Using a mixture of illustrations and photography, the author talks about children who lived the time of Ancient Mali Empire and what life might have been like if you were a little boy or girl who lived during that time. She talks about location, family, food, and fun. The difficult or unfamiliar words have a pronunciation beside them and are all included in a pronunciation guide at the back of the book.
 

My children really enjoy this series and look forward to each one. While the style of the book is laid out like a story, this is non-fiction and more informative. Children will learn quite a bit about the the history from the view point of other children around the world while having fun reading. I would recommend this book for family fun or for schools as an addition to curriculum.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

A Family for the Rancher

A Family for the Rancher

Louise M. Gouge

Edmund, a rancher, has been a loner his entire life. In his childhood, it was forced on him. But now he enjoys the solitude. But when he feels God nudging him to check on widow Lula May and her five children, he obeys. His obedience lands him right in the middle of a bustling family and all of the joys and problems that go with it. Edmund now needs to decide which is more important - solitude or love.

This was such a sweet story. The author did a great job of creating warmth, tension, or frustration as the scene warranted. There were a lot of characters, but each of them stood out and didn't blend into each other. I loved the interaction between the siblings and their mother. The suspense was just enough to make the story interesting, but didn't detract from the romance. The author did a great job of weaving faith and the importance of family into the story without it being preachy. I especially liked how she showed that family is who you choose to love, not the ones who share your genetics. Overall, this was a clean romantic story that readers of Christian fiction or historical romance will love.

Trusting Grace

Trusting Grace

Virtues and Vices of the Old West #3

Maggie Brendan

 Grace has always longed for children. But as a young widow, who is now managing her farm and taking care of her sick father, she knows it isn't likely to happen. 

Robert arrived in town with three bedraggled and dirty children. All of them, including Robert, are tired and resentful of the circumstances that forced them together. Robert takes a job as Grace's ranch hand, but doesn't let her know that he comes with three children. Both Grace and Robert must learn to trust again before they can be fully happy with the life God had blessed them with.

I loved this book. It checked all of the boxes for me. Sweet romance, likable characters, beautiful setting, just a small amount of drama, clean, faith filled plot, and some adorable children thrown in for extra fun. The author wove humor and provoking thoughts into what at first seemed a light story. I couldn't put the book down and am now eagerly waiting the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

If You Were Me

If You Were Me and Lived on Mars

Corole P. Roman

This book is part of a series designed to introduce children to how other people live in different countries, during different time periods, and in different places. Using a mixture of illustrations and photography, the author talks about children who might someday, in the future, live on Mars. She talks about the location, family, food, and fun. The difficult or unfamiliar words have a pronunciation beside them and are all included in a pronunciation guide at the back of the book.
 

My children really enjoy this series and look forward to each one. While the style of the book is laid out like a story, this is non-fiction and more informative. Children will learn quite a bit about the the history from the view point of other children around the world while having fun reading. I would recommend this book for family fun or for schools as an addition to curriculum.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.