Monday, February 27, 2017

Book Review: Glimmer Girls Light Up New York

There is nothing quite as exciting as getting to read another adventure from the Glimmer Sisters, at least in the mind of my 10 year old.  She loves when I receive the latest novel by Natalie Grant in the mail to review.

The Glimmer Sisters are twins Mia and Maddie and their younger sister Lulu.  Together with their Nanny Miss Julia, they tour around the world with their singing mom Gloria Glimmer.  Along the way among the famous sites of the world they learn what it means to be followers of Jesus, a close family, and even great detectives!

This fourth book takes the girls to New York City to perform in a benefit concert to bring awareness to teen homelessness.  While the lessons learned from taking part in a big concert and production for such a worthy cause, perhaps the greater lesson is that of how to solve conflict within the family, be each other's best cheerleaders, and putting other's needs first (even little sisters!).  With the 'city that never sleeps' as an amazing backdrop, the girls learn firsthand what being unified as a family and as a body of Christ can do.

As always, the Glimmer family gives a healthy dose of reality in what family dynamics can often look like, but with fantastic opportunities for sharing Biblical responses to sibling rivalry, conflict, jealousy, and more.  With loving parents and attentive adults in their lives, the Glimmer Sisters always learn what it means to LIVE for Christ, not just call oneself a Christian.  My ten year old was delighted with this book and liked it better than London Art Chase, but not sure if it beats out the Dolphin Wish one.  Any of the four (self standing) novels would be a great gift for a young girl ages 8-12 and perhaps even into late middle school.  Thanks Natalie Grant for writing wholesome, real, and exciting adventure stories that girls can relate to!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Book Review: The Berenstain Bears Easter Fun Book

My girls (ages 4, 7, 10) love activity books.  They are great for travel, time fillers, quiet time, and even for learning that feels more like playing!  My youngest girls love the Berenstain Bears, so I jumped at the chance to receive and review the new Berenstain Bears Easter Fun Sticker and Activity Book!

This activity book (geared according the publisher for ages 4-8) is colorful and of high quality.  There is a great variety of things to do- color pages, word search, mazes, patterns, numbers, sticker matching, matching, find the difference, cross word, etc.  There are many that require reading, so a majority of this book will not be great for the average four year old without help.  I'd say its more for young readers up until age 8 or 10 depending on if they enjoy the characters still or not.

While the book is titled "Easter Fun", most of the pages are spring themed.  Out of the 32 pages, only 10 have to do with church or the true Easter Story.

This activity book would make a great addition to a youngster's Easter baskets.  I'm sure my 4 and 7 year old will love doing this book together and sharing the pages appropriate for each other.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review