A Net in Time

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Bee Scared

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Bee Scared) through Ascot Media.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Bees are in trouble!   Richard Faith tries to alert young readers to their plight in his new picture book Bee Scared.  Through careful story telling and potential problem solving, Mr. Faith hopes to encourage young people to help be part of the solution.  How can we help these small members of our world thrive again? 

Bee Scared

What I am Reviewing

Bee Scared, is an Old Doc Turtle adventure from author Richard Faith.   This picture book follows the Queen and her community of family and friends as they try to find a solution to a rather scary problem.   They come up with a rather creative solution, but I have to admit, it didn’t really seem like a solution to me. 🙂   Makes me wonder if young children reading it will think of it as a solution or realize that more work needs to be done. 

Can your young reader think of any ways to help Auntie Bee save the honeybees?   Will their eyes be opened up to the need to protect the vulnerable insects among us?

I was supposed to get a paperback copy sent to me but that somehow disappeared so I’ll be reviewing a PDF copy of this softcover picture book.  Bee Scared is the first in a series Old Doc Turtle Adventures.  29 pages of full colour illustrated by Todd Hobin. It brought to mind the bumble bees I dealt with this summer. 

Digging Deeper

You’ll find the text has been helpfully placed on a screen of white to make it easier to read.  The lyrics are provided in rhyming meter.  The rhyme is not consistent, sometimes being alternative lines and other times being rhyming couplets.    Either way, it makes for easy reading for all ages. 

Artist Todd Hobin provides not quite realistic bee hives, going for the cartoon model rather than the more natural bee hives in trees or in man-made hives.   I love how he filled each page with colour while providing white space for the text.  The natural colours throughout fit well into the lives of bees and their world. 

A solution was provided….the flight of the bumblebee dance… which I’m not quite sure was a good solution.  And I’m not so sure the message was clear that MORE and BETTER solutions need to be found for the honey bee crisis.   But I did find the solution funny to think of the dance being used. 🙂   Would be a great way to introduce this music to young children though, don’t you think? 

I love this closing page with old Mr. Turtle’s call to action.  Can we find ways to help the honey bees?   How can we (young and old) make the honey bees safe again?   We need these pollinators so we musn’t let them disappear! 

Bee Scared, should you get it?

I think Mr. Faith makes a decent stab at helping to alert young readers to the honey bee crisis.  Is Bee Scared the complete answer?  Of course not, it’s a picture book for children!  But it will help. 

The pictures fit the story.  The bees recognize the problem, and they want to live safely.  I love the closing where he calls young readers to action.  Save the bees!  Think on ways to help these tiny creatures if you can. 

in my hour of trial

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I saw the word trial as the word prompt this week and immediately in my hour of trial popped into mind.  If you don’t know the song, I’ve embedded a youtube video for you.  Isn’t it a nice hymn to listen to?   Does it make you think of how Jesus constantly minds us through our whole life?  How he helps us remember his action on our behalf? And the workings of the Holy Spirit within us to call to mind his providence in providing all that happens in our lives?  

in my hour of trial

in my hour of trial
Christ reminded me
of all that he had suffered
at gethsemane

my trials might
not seem much
but they were real
to me

lost in my mind
working a job
frustrating
just wanting a way out

loss of a pup
a dear loved companion
so much a part of
who i was

miscarriage,
not one but two
fired from a job
that annoyed deeply

watching a man
working hard
fighting a battle
that time would end

seeing determination
and then overwhelming pain
as that same man
works a job ill-suited for

watching a boy
determined that
he can make it all
on his own

no need for
spiritual aid
a mockery it seems
of things taught

yet through it all
a thread constantly
appears, a thread
speaking hope

none of this is a surprise
through it all
lessons will be learned
hope renewed

because after the day
the night of rest
after the rest
a new dawn

just around the corner
where i can’t quite see
is a new dawn
with hope, glory, eternity

an end to trials
along with an end to pain
an end to suffering
and no more reminders needed

because in that eternity
a forever God-glory
will shine with rivers,
jewels, and gold

all around
10,000 upon 10,000
will be praising
the one who sustains all.

so in my hour of trial
jesus pray for me
remind me constantly
of hope not quite yet seen

in my hour of trial

God’s Word Speaks

Psalm 119:114
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

Psalm 130:7
“O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.”

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Romans 5:3–5
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.”

Hedgehog’s Home for Winter

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Hedgehog’s Home for Winter) through Ascot Media Group.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Oh my…. I like this book!  🙂   Hedgehog’s Home for Winter is a look into seasonal change and how animals live through the winter. So if you are looking for a way to help your littles (or even introduce some olders) understand how animals survive the winter… this book will help.  Hedgehog has much to learn, and so we can learn with him! 

hedgehog's home for winter

Learning about Hedgehog’s Home for Winter

Clever Publishing has put together this lovely book entitled Hedgehog’s Home for Winter.  This hardcover book was written by Elena Ulyeva.   And boy, it’s a cute book, while being educational!   You’ll find the animals are rather anthropomorphized but it suits the style of the book.  It provides talking points, at least it would for me, asking children if they really thought wild mice slept in bed like people.  🙂 

The Illustrations are provided by Daria Parkhaeva, she has illustrated both of the Hedgehog books.  You’ll find lots of colours, with about 1/2 the 32 pages done in full colour.  The other half make good use of white space, showing action as Hedgehog moves from friend to friend. Children up to grade two will enjoy the excellent depiction of the various animals and the natural use of colour. 

I love hedgehog’s heart desire.  He wants to help his friends!   Birds, fish, bear, squirrel and more.   He takes the time to check in on all them.  Itsn’t that thoughtfulness a wonderful thing to see? 

You’ll find the font a great size to read sitting down in a comfy couch with child at your side, or reading with a large group of children gathered round.  There are authomatic stopping points as you walk with hedgehog checking on his friends.  Who might he go to next, what might he find?   Do you think he’ll check on a toad or a bird next?   Why don’t we find out together? 

Should it be yours?

Learning about how animals make it through the winter is an important part of nature studies.  Hedgehog’s home for winter is a good introductory book into learning about their survival skills.   Since Hedgehog is the main character it makes me think this is European based (no wild hedgehogs in Canada at least!)  🙂  So it might also be a good introduction to learning a bit about European wildlife.   I never knew that hedgehogs hiberate! 

This is a wonderfully illustrated book with tons of talking points, and a hedgehog showing compassion to others. Well worth reading whether looking at animal survival skills or character development.  It’s must have been hard for a hibernating hedgehog to stay awake and then run all over the forest checking in on his friends.   But because he cared… we got to learn about how his friends manage the cold.  A good premise for a book yes? 

Mr. Sunnyside – Imagination!

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Mr. Sunnyside – Imagination!) through Ascot Media Group.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Do your children complain about being bored? Would you like them to learn the power of imagination?  CK Gregory’s book Mr. Sunnyside – Imagination might be just what they need. 

Mr. Sunnyside Imagination

What I am Reviewing

CK Gregory’s family is Canadian hailing from Quebec and Ontario.   In Mr. Sunnyside, Imagination Mr. Gregory encourages children to explore their imagination.  Published by Gatekeeper press, this review copy was forwarded by Ascot Media Group. This picture book is geared toward young children up to 11 years of age (though I think it’s better suited to up to about 5).  34 pages long with illustrator Stephanie Richoll bringing CK Gregory’s imagination to life. 

Looking Deeper in the Mr. Sunnyside, Imagination

Stephanie Richoll does an excellent job of bringing Mr. Sunnyside – Imagination! to life.  She starts this 34 page book off in grey scale.  It fits because the day has a rather blah start to it.  A boy with nothing to do after recovering from illness.  Mom says No to outside play in the rain. 

As the story progresses you’ll see the greyscale turn to full colour.   It was rather neat to see the progression.

The text is large and easy to read, written conversationally. Easy to follow, at times a bit repetitive.  It didn’t always sound realistic, but more like an adult trying to sound like a child. 

Should it be on your shelves

  Mr. Sunnyside Imagination just doesn’t have enough to it to be a store purchase.  It would be one to happily pick up from the library or a yard sale. 

Why?  It just doesn’t have enough to it.   We get a lad who has plenty of toys to play with but doesn’t want to.  An ‘egg’ shows up that says “toys are meant to be played with” and “use your imagination” and that’s the summation of the story. 

We don’t see him really using his imagination beyond that he can see an egg that no one else can and pretends to go flying for just a moment.  The lack of depth had me wondering what the point of this book was.  I guess I just wanted more and there are books out there that give the more. 

The Necessity of Possibilities

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It’s funny, I saw Miss Kate’s word prompt just before I went to bed last night.  I was tempted to stay up and see if I could write a post but I was falling asleep so it seemed a bit pointless.  ANYWAYS, as soon as I saw the word, this song for the Jungle Book movie came to mind.

It was still in my mind when I awoke this morning, and all through morning chores, so I wonder if I can find a way to make the two fit together?   

The Necessity of Possibilities

Jungle Bear tells us these words
yes it’s true,
These are from him,
not me to you.

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That’s why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life.

Brother Bear would also
say not to go around
looking for more than
you should.

And I’m not sure I agree
with him on that.
It’s our hopes and
dreams and the wonder.

Of possiblities that
add fuel to our life
and journey, whether
a beliver or no.

These possibilities
make us stretch and look
for something more.
As believers we find

that moreness in God
and he stretches our
possibilities to see
his glory in all things.

This week I read
these words in Mark 15
“Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!“

And as odd it is sounds
it showed me possibilities
even in death.
Jesus Died. A man saw truth.

It makes me wonder
What possibilities,
what necessities in life
am I overlooking?

What action can I take?
Are there events I am
not seeing
that might bring change?

Is there something
that can bring
the moreness of God
into the life of another?

The Necessity of Possibilities

The Moreness of God

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 17:20

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Genesis 22:24

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Now What?

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Now What?) through Ascot Media Group.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Oh, what a fun read!  A child who is bored and a question Now What?  and before you know it… the now what becomes so much with one event leading to another.  Come along for a day filled with surprises… that started with simple boredom.  Boredom isn’t a bad thing for a child especially with the question… What now? 

Now What?

What I am Reviewing

Ascot media group provided me with a hardcover review copy of Now What? 5-7 year olds, and possibly older, will find inspiration in the pages for when they are bored and need something more to do. 46 pages delightfully illustrated by Peter Trimarco, he brings the words of Brenda Faatz to life. Written in lyrical rhyme this is an easy to read aloud book. 

Digging Deeper into Now What?

Oh, this book made me smile.  I can just see Lizzy (of the Just So books) trying to figure out what to do with her day.  There’s nothing to do and yet…. just maybe, maybe something more can be found. 

Lizzy has such a day ahead of her only she doesn’t know it yet.  A day where one thing will lead to another with the helps of some friends along the way.   I love the use of colour and white space, making the progression in the story so clear.  Some of the pages are in full colour, and others have a good use of white. The farther you get into the story ,the more colour you see.  

Rhyming verse is used to tell the story, from the boring day start, to the life is better at the end.  The large font, the varies with the expressions and emotions of Lizzy, is clear and easy to read.  

The pup is cute.. oh m y word… those long ears and fuzzy tail!  He’s a good help to Lizzy as well, keeping at her side like a good pup should. The story is heart-warming and inspiring. 

Now What? To be on your shelves?

Now What?  Is such a sweet book.  Lizzy (not my cat) is such a nice little girl with a great imagination and a willingness to just do the next thing.  She does an excellent job of keeping herself busy and when meeting a new person instantly finds a way to connect.   It’s so fun to watch the progression in her day.  I would love to read this with a group of children and ask… what would YOU do next?  Just to see what they think might happen, or what potential things they might look for on a grey boring day.    Before you know it, she knows, together with a new friend (or two) the concept of living in the now. 

Determination is found

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So I wasn’t happy with how this was going so I let it sit…YES… I didn’t post on Thursday, Friday OR Saturday.  Thinking about determination didn’t go the way I had it planned in my head while feeding the bunnies!  Go figure!  Anyways, as I wrote this poem is was more about how Determination is found, rather than how it is sometimes shown. Determination comes in many forms don’t you think?  

I can’t say I’m completely delighted in how the lines seemed to come. But it says what it will, and trust that God has placed what he wills on this page.  🙂 

Determination is found

Determination is Found

Determination
how can I see?
Is it the way the
wind bends the tree?

I see it so clearly
in 16 year old son
the way every night
he goes out for a run.

The way that a man
determine to provide
Continues to work
a job wounding pride.

The way of a frown
as concentration deepens
The world of math
The effort won’t cheapen.

The lunge of a bunny
“Feed me first” she demands
Outdoing the cries
from all other lands.

Determination is found
in laundry and lunch
When things have been busy
and there’s nothing to munch.

Determination is found
in not backing down
When serving the Lord
is where confidence is found.

The awkward greeting,
“You new here I think?”
When introvert would
rather go home for a drink.

Extending oneself
at work and at home
One never really knows
how determination roams.

Can a child become
just what he dreams?
With enough determination
Success often gleams!

There’s always a way
if enough will is gathered.
No negative talk,
just willingness lathered.

God works sometimes
in mysterious ways
Do what he wills,
Trust him always.

There determination is found
in many small things
What will you make
of what this New Year brings?

Determination is found

What does the Lord say?

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.  Ruth 1:16-18

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2