A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Reviews

Superhero vs School

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First time school jitters are real!  Facing the fears of first day school blues, Superhero vs School, will help children see the potential of school instead of the alternatives. Building upon the idea of heros, villains, first day fears, and new friends. 

Superhero vs school

Learning about Superhero vs School

Ethan Long with Bloomsbury Children’s books, uses humour to help children adjust to the new reality of school. Bright images with a bit of a comic book feel fill the pages of this 32-page picture book.  Geared to young children in preschool through grade one. The imagination of a young child runs rampant throughout. 

From the cover: 

In the darkest of nights, when all else is lost, Scotty is ready to vanquish any foe. After all, that’s what a superhero does.

But this hero is about to come face-to-face with his greatest fear, his only weakness: the first day of school!

But just when Scotty thinks all hope is lost, he realizes that school is no match for a whole team of heroes – his new friends.

My review is on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

As I read this story I was thinking two things. First, the frustration of a mom trying to get a child ready for school maybe without knowing everything going on in her little man’s mind. Second, the imagination of a child is both a wonderful and sometimes scary thing. 

Young Scotty was having quite the adventure going on in his head.  School, a scary monsterous place.  The vivid illustrations of Ethan Long bring his fears to light.  

This would be a fun book to read with a group of children BEFORE they head off to school. The font is an excellent size for reading to a group. Gather them around and read them the story, stopping mid-way through to ask if they have any concerns about starting school.  Taking the time to discuss their feelings and concerns.  Then reading on and seeing what Scotty discovered… he’s not in this alone!

Should you get Ethan Long’s book?

I wish Scotty had discovered more than just friends to help him through the day.  I wish he had discovered a fun teacher, and helpful staff along the way, and realized his parent’s concern for him well-being.  My delight in Superhero vs school, Scotty wasn’t left in his fear, but instead was able to look beyond to the people around him. 

Review: Julie Naturally

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DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW NOR WAS I COMPENSATED IN ANY OTHER WAY.

Romans and Philippians are excellent books to study don’t you think?   At Julie Naturally, you will find bible studies suited to individual as well as small group endeavors. Julie Naturally focuses on homeschooling & unschooling, holy living and wholistic health.  Come along as we learn more about her faith journey bible studies. 

Julie Naturally Review

What I am Reviewing

Julie Naturally, produced by Julie Polanco, comprises the two studies that we are reviewing today.  They are Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Romans bundle which continues video and PDF studies and Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Philippians which just has PDF lessons. Romans is an 8-week study, Philippians is four weeks.  

Both studies are promoted as  appropriate for more mature believing moms.  Hard-working mom can, over the course of a week, complete each lesson. Each daily exercise contains 3-5 questions each day.  

What do you get?

The Romans study comes with video along with the bible study that comes as a PDF file.  The Philippians study, though it mentions video, at this time only comes as a PDF bible study. 

Program highlights include

Bible verses that are dated per week, and set up to be cut for easy placement in a wallet or elsewhere for putting God’s word deeper into your heart.  The verses are short and easy enough to memorize. 

At the end of each week in both studies, a colouring page is provided.  Romans used words, Philippians hearts. 

Each week is broken into six days.  Each day has scriptures that must be read. Often there is a brief explanation that highlights key details.  Following the explanation are questions that require you to not only think about the verses but to apply them in our lives.   You can do the studies as expected (six days per week) or complete them all in one sitting. Each day’s work does not take long to complete. 

The Romans study also provides videos to go with each weekly lesson.  The videos are about 10 minutes each.  The video for week four was missing for me.  Occasionally it seemed like something was missing from the video.  

You can purchase the Philippians for $8.49 as a digital download. The study is 45 pages long. Romans costs $24.99, and is 97 pages long. 

How did I use Julie Naturally?

I predominately used the Romans Study, listening to the video as I was sat on my stationary bike. 

Then over the course of the week I would work on the bible study. I loved that I didn’t have to print it off and could write my answers directly on the computer.  It made it so easy to take 5 or 10 minutes to learn something more about God’s word. 

My Thoughts

I LOVE that the PDF’s are fully editable.  This means I don’t have to print out the study in order to use it.  I would need to do so if using for a group bible study but on my own, just being able to type in my thoughts, gold!

The Faith Journeys bible study in Romans or Philippians would be ideal for women looking for an introductory study. The mix of textual and personal questions will be edifying. The videos may be hit or miss, Julie had good information to share, but didn’t always organize her thoughts well. 

For middle or high school students, these studies would work quite well.  Helping these young women to dig deeper into their faith, learning to question their attitudes and actions, in the light of scripture. 

One thing that Ms. Polanco brings is a fresh perspective.  Every bible study a person engages in always brings something new to the table.  These studies are an affordable option for seeing something new in God’s Word. 

Julie Naturally Review

Where to Find Julie Naturally

Website: https://www.julienaturally.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julienaturally
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/julienaturally
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/successful.unschooler
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/julienaturally
Podcast: https://crunchychristianpodcast.com

40 members of the review crew took in the Romans-Philippians bundle from Julie Naturally.  Click on the image below to read them. 

We Believe in You

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Once in a while you run into a book that screams affirmation.  We believe in You is one such book.  With careful illustrations by Molly Idle, Beth Ferry’s words of belief flow easily from page to page. Tender images of animal families bring words to life.

we believe in you

About We Believe in You

Families of animals fill the 32pages of this picture book by Beth Ferry.  We Believe in You lists a variety of things that families consider important.   Some of these ideas are

  • peaceful living
  • being wowed
  • slow and steady
  • lots of hugging
we believe in you

Publisher is Roaring Brook Press, and I received an advanced reader’s copy from Raincoast books for my review. 

From the cover: Animals inspire their little ones to chase their dreams and reach for the stars in this modern classic-in-the-making.

Do you believe that dreams come true?
We believe it.
Absolutely!
Just like we believe in you.

Most of the pages have multiple “we believe” statements, and you’ll find occasional two-page spreads. 

Reading this lovely book with a circle of children would be easy as the font is a large, readable size.  I think it would be wonderful to sit down with children and start reading this book and then ask “what does your family believe in?”  I would hope that some might say “We believe in God.”  I found it sad that this book didn’t include any faith statements in it. But wow, lots of talking points throughout, a great way to help children understand what your family believes in and what you consider important. 

The colours have a soft-watercolour feel to them.  The images are fun, mostly quiet with some surprises, and filled with confidence. The animals families are well-varied and do not repeat.  Giraffes, woodpeckers, beavers, octopi, moles, butterflies, and even lions.  22 varieties in all. 

We believe statements are powerful things to make. You’ll find lots of examples here, so that you and your family can work on making your own.

Should You Get it?

We Believe in You is a good book to help families with children 3-6 years old to consider what statements they want their children to learn.  Statements that hold value to their particular family. 

Even though I can’t say I agree with all “we believe” statements, that’s not the point is it?  The point is to help children see what you believe, and how in the end, that parents believe also in their children’s potential. 

Let’s Get Sleepy!

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Want a fun book to read with your youngsters?  Let’s Get Sleepy is a rollicking ride with a bunch of kittens.   Getting sleepy is a tough thing to do when you are young.  Join these youngsters as they spend busy days trying to catch Sleepy.

let's get sleepy

The Particulars of Let’s Get Sleepy!

Let’s Get Sleepy! is a hardcover picture book produced by Imprint.  Tony Cliff wrote a rollicking, lyrical chase all about town.  Busy kitties have a whole lot of fun, while looking EVERYWHERE for Sleepy.  Can they find him?

From the cover: These cats are on an adventure to find that darn mouse named Sleepy.

But Sleepy is a sneaky mouse – he’s hard to find. The cats will have to look everywhere: all over town, out by the beach, up in space, and even back in time with the dinosaurs! Can the cats catch that mouse? Even if they don’t, at the end of the day, they may just get sleepy” after all.

In this wonderful book that I am reviewing on behalf of Raincoast Books, readers will have the delight of finding Sleepy on every page!

Some of the pages are quite simple, others will engage your child on quite the hunt!  🙂 

You will want to sit next to your child as you read this book together.  The font is geared for close quarters reading.  

I love how the colours changed throughout the 32 pages of this lovely picture book.  Starting all bright and sunny, and then as the day progresses, showing the falling of night.  The action gradually slows as well.  Little cats are starting to get tired…

Should you Get it?

YES!   It’s a fun hardcover picture book.  Kittens and a mouse, a chase, and with a fun seek and search element.   There is tons to see on each page, providing lots of talking points between reader and readee.  

Children from 3-6 years old (and possibly beyond) will find Let’s Get Sleepy an adorable book.  The lyrics flow easily from the lips. 

My Friendship Journal

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Are you looking at learning Spanish? Searching for a fun way to add organic learning opportunities?  Or perhaps you have a new Spanish friend and you want to explore each others cultures!   Enter in My Friendship Journal.  This is a bilingual guided journal, a simple way to increase your Spanish vocabulary. 

My Friendship Journal

The Details

Notebook Doodles My Friendship Journal/Mi Diario de Amistad: A Bilingual Guided Journal is a 128-page hardcover journal.  It’s part of the Notebook Doodles series put together by Jess Volinski.

From the Cover: Intentionally designed to build self-esteem in young girls, Notebook Doodles (R) Mi Diario de Amistad (My Friendship Journal) is a bilingual guided journal filled with fun activities and inspiring prompts. Each charming, middle-school-friendly activity features directions and questions in both English and Spanish, from completing sentence prompts, creating secret codes, and reflecting on what kids like best about their friends, to describing memories, designing fashion, and associating pictures with their personalities.

I love the bright colours found throughout.  You’ll find every colour of the rainbow contained within the pages of this hardcover journal. Flowers, banners, lined pages, and assortment of graphics. 

I love the options for journaling.  This is no ordinary journal filled with lines upon lines to fill.  Yes!  There are lines to fill, after all a journal must be written in right?  But the graphics add a fun touch don’t you think?

See the beauty in the banners?   See how easy it would be to practice your Spanish or English?  Or the joy of sharing thoughts with a good friend?

Quiet Fox Designs are the publishers of this lovely tome. I am reviewing for Fox Chapel Publishing. A pretty book that will build confidence in each journalist.  Helping them to dig deep into thoughts and memories.  I can well imagine the laughter that would come for 8-9 year olds completing it.  

Should You Get My Friendship Journal?

I like this journal.  The graphics are appealing, the font easy to read, and the prompts are appealing.  Primarily, I see My Friendship Journal as a girl’s journal. Predominately for use between two girls, but with room to include others as well. 

I love the mix of English and Spanish.  I could easily see someone using this journal simply to either practice their new skills in either language.  For many of the pages, it wouldn’t be hard to cover up the one you know.  Teachers might find it helpful to use some of the prompts in their ESL or Spanish classes. 

Bible Unearthed

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DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW NOR WAS I COMPENSATED IN ANY OTHER WAY.

Guess what I have for you today?  A new course by Dave Stotts called Bible Unearthed! Drive Thru History® Adventures has given us a biblical archaeology course that will delight and fascinate you and your family.  

Bible Unearthed

Bible Unearthed takes into the history of the Bible delving deep into the past. Using history to show truth laid out for us. I really appreciated the analysis of the writings of old comparing to them biblical records.  This is the newest, and yet unreleased course from Drive Thru History® Adventures.

drive through history adventures logo

The layout is similar to other Drive through History courses.  Video, with digging deeper articles, and PDF’s with questions to answer.  

Who leads the discussion?

The videos are somewhat different in that it’s not just Dave talking and driving around the countryside.  You’ll find a panel of three men talking with each other over the course of 12 episodes.  They are Dave Stotts, Titus Kennedy, and Randall Niles.  These episodes last about 15 minutes each. 

  1. What is Archaeology
  2. The impact of Archaeology
  3. Locating Archaeological sites
  4. The life of an archaeologist
  5. What being discovered today?
  6. Archaeological Mysteries
  7. Top discoveries in Bible Archaeology
  8. Getting involved in Archaeology
  9. Trends in Archaeology
  10. Weird Archaeology
  11. Accidental discoveries in Archaeology
  12. What is left to be discovered?

Dave Stotts and Randall Niles (both from Drive Thru History® Adventures) along with Dr. Titus Kennedy, a PhD. archaeologist, host each episode.  They engage in lively banter as they help us look deeper into artifacts found.

You’ll find the episodes are a round-table discussion. Each discussion is filled with pictures, slides, video clips on location, maps, and artifacts. The importance of understanding the subset of biblical archaeology is underscored throughout. 

Excellent Customer Service

They are wonderful at providing support.  From comment boxes, email and even a facebook group. Drive Thru History® Adventures wants you to get the most out of their courses.  Did you know they even train you on how their courses are set up so you can get the most out of them?  Pretty neat eh?  Not only that, this course is completely self-paced!

You’ll find scripture included in each lesson, dig deeper articles and occasionally an optional extra activity.  Dig deeper articles come as PDF you can either view on-screen or print off.   One thing I wish they had included were questions to ask with the dig deeper articles. 

Each lesson follows a predictable format.

Video, Generic information about the video topic, technical information, scripture reading, optional activity (if included), followed by dig deeper articles.   You’ll find course materials (questions to answer, and answer key) under the video in the right hand column.

You get lifetime access, and students 10 and up will enjoy it.  If you complete the extra assignments and read through the dig deeper articles, it is a full curriculum for high schoolers.  

How Did We use Bible Unearthed?

Even though it wasn’t required, I purchased Unearthing the Bible. This is an excellent read and a great companion to the course.  101 archaeological discoveries that bring life to the bible.  You’ll find images on every page, and explanations of those images which show the truth of historical aspects of the bible.  From proof that King David existed to temple of Artemis in Acts 19.  Archaeological finds showing biblical truth. 

The lad and I shared our reading time of this interesting book.  It gave us more to think about.  Seeing how archaeological finds support biblical truth is always a good thing, isn’t it?

Besides reading from Unearthing the Bible we also watched the videos as a family and read through the various articles.   We did not complete any of the optional assignments.  We used the course materials as a discussion platform.  You could choose to print the PDF’s off and use for written work.  I opened them up on my computer and we chatted about them.

One of the things I love about learning history is the artifacts you get to see.  Bible Unearthed is filled with images of artifacts and other helpful illustrations. 

A couple of videos didn’t play well when I cast them to the TV, so we looked for the course on RightNow Media.  The episodes don’t all have the same name going from Drive Thru History to RightNow Media, but the content seems to be the same. 

Should you Get it?

Most middle school students will enjoy Drive through History: bible unearthed.   They’ll see how history connects with the bible.  Seeing how history outside of the bible shows the truth of the bible is fascinating. 

The conversational style of the dialogue and the interesting reading material (you’ll find a sample here) means engaged students.  It’s a unique course unlike other Drive Thru History courses.  I found the change refreshing. Light-hearted banter while opening eyes to biblical truth found in the world around us. Such an interesting course to take. 

Go on, enlighten your heart and mind.  See how the bible is brought to life through history. 

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84 members of the Homeschool Review Crew took part in this review.  I invite you to click the image below to see what others had to say. 

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One Year at Ellsmere

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Oh, what a pleasant surprise!   One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks caught me off-guard with how much I enjoyed it.   I have got to tell you all about this First-Second books, graphic novel.  It might be just the thing for your early teenage daughters!

One Year at Ellsmere

About One Year at Ellsmere

Faith Erin Hicks has put together a beautifully inked 176-page graphic novel.  Published by Firstsecondbooks, this is a wonderful middle school read, about a scholarship girl ending up at a prestigious academy for girls. 

You’ll find competition, bullying, real friendship, a mystery, and girls learning to stand for what is right. 

 

From the cover: Was boarding school supposed to be this hard?

When studious thirteen-year-old Juniper wins a scholarship to the prestigious Ellsmere Academy, she expects to find a scholastic utopia. But living at Ellsmere is far from ideal: She is labeled a special project,” Ellsmere’s queen bee is out to destroy her, and it’s rumored that a mythical beast roams the forest next to the school.

I loved watching friendship bloom between two outcasts, but I particulary enjoyed Jun’s refusal to be bullied.  Her attitude is one that I wished I had possessed as a teenager, it would have made life so much better!  🙂 

Should you get it?

I thoroughly enjoyed this illustrated novel, I found it well-written albeit a bit predictable. The characters were well-developed and very recognizable. 

There is some magic involved for those who are concerned about such things. It helps to resolve an issue.  One year at Ellsmere, overall, is a good book for middle school students.  I see it as more geared to girls than boys, but think boys could learn a few things as well!  🙂 

If you are doing a unit on bullying and want to have a discussion about how to handle it, the themes within could easily provide a spring board.