God Gave Us Love {children's lit review}

"Choosing love is always right."

God Gave Us Love is a sweet board book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren, with illustrations by Laura J. Bryant. It's less a story than a conversation between a polar bear grandfather and his granddaughter about the nature of  Christian love.

"I think this is God bringing out the best in us," whispered Little Cub.  "I think God is giving us love right now."


It touches on faith and family and choosing love even when we are frustrated.  The narrative lacks, but the teaching is good, and it opens the door to a worthy conversation with preschoolers about what it means to demonstrate God's love to the people around us.

"Grampa, could we ever do something to make God not love us?"
"Nope.  He always hopes for the best in us.  He sees a bit of himself in us.  And that bit is love.


I like that explanation of the imago dei in child-like terms and its reassurance of our worth as God's beloved.  What a fabulous lesson to set in young hearts.

The pictures are playful and appeal to little eyes.  The text engages my four year old, but even a baby would appreciate the animals, and the study board pages will stand up to many reads.


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Review copy provided by WaterBrook Multnomah.

When God Created My Toes {children's lit review}

The painted illustrations in When God Created My Toes  are beautiful and the rhymes sweet.  The family in the book appear to be multi-racial, perhaps Asian, which I found to be a welcome departure from the white faces that are standard in much children's media.  The young dad with the hipster-looking glasses was fresh type, too.

The book is appropriate for very young preschoolers.  There is no narrative and the pictures are simple.  The family's home is also simple, which I appreciated.  The rhymes reinforce the idea that God created each of us, and the little girl imagines God delighting in creating each part of her:

When God created my hand
Did my fingers snap?
Did he help me clap?
Did we cheer for angel bands when God created my hands?

It does entertain the apocryphal idea that children originate in heaven, which I found a little off-putting.  I probably wouldn't purchase a copy myself, but my kids are enjoying it.  It is a sweet little story that reminds kids that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a creative God who loves them.


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I received a copy from from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group but was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Review: Couples Who Pray {Rushnell / DuArt}

I knew that Couples Who Pray was not the book for me from its very first sentences claiming that prayer is the key to achieving what men and women desire most of all:  great sex and meaningful communication, respectively.

Those kind of gender stereotypes make me crazy.  Can we please stop reinforcing the idea (especially in Christian circles) that women are not as into sex as men?  Not only it it not true, but it has a way of making women feel like really enjoying sex is somehow unfeminine or wrong, which is not what God designed for us at all.

The final promise on page one for those who follow their 40 Day Prayer Challenge set off more red flags:  "your gauge of happiness will absolutely soar!"  Isn't prayer firstly about growing in intimacy with God, not the benefits returned to the pray-er, especially ones as fleeting as happiness?  In scripture, God's promises of blessing and joy are rarely the same as those our culture defines as happy.

The authors, Louise Duart and Squire Rushnell, married in 2000, just two years before Jim and I, and we hardly feel qualified to write a book on marriage!  Theirs is also a second--and third--marriage, and while I don't mean to come down on divorcees, I do think their writing a marriage primer is a bit premature and presumptuous.  It is based on a speaking series they did called Everything I Know About Wrecking Relationships I Learned in My Last Marriage, and while I get their angle, they didn't sell it for me. 

They use the acronym LAUGH (laughter, appreciation, understanding, God, honor, support) to demonstrate their Six Steps To A Happy Marriage.  None of the steps are from scripture or have anything to do with love, sacrifice, or humility.  The book read more like spiritual self-help than anything truly rooted in biblical principles.  I'm trying to remember if Jesus was even mentioned at all.

The authors have an entertainment background.  Rushnell was an ABC exec and Duart is a comedienne who now speaks for Women of Faith.  The book follows the 40 Day Prayer Challenge experiences of nearly two dozen couples, most of whom work in the entertainment industry or Christian publishing, including famous names like Denzel Washington, Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford, and Rick Warren.

I found their focus on fame to be a little strange.  Some of the couples had never prayed together, and part of the book is focused on why we should pray, presumably to convince the uninitiated.  The target audience can't be Christian couples looking to grow, since it doesn't have the depth to encourage or strengthen believers.  Prayer is always framed as an intimate way to grow closer to your spouse.  While marital intimacy is important, the authors misrepresent prayer as something of a utilitarian exchange rather than a spiritual discipline designed to change our hearts and draw us closer to God's.

Certainly, couples should pray together, and I applaud the authors for trying to encourage couples to strengthen their marriages through the prayer, but I cannot recommend this book.  Its themes are ultimately rooted in self-help and vague religiosity instead of core gospel truths and scripture.

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I received a review copy from Book Sneeze and was not otherwise compensated.

the happiest mom & parenting magazine {giveaway}

***contest closed. congrats to courtney!*** 

meagan francis, blogger at the happiest mom, released a book of the same name: The Happiest Mom: 10 Secrets to Enjoying Motherhood.  she sent me a copy to check out, and i am pleased to pass my copy along to you (if you don't mind a few peanut butter smudges!)

the book is a light-hearted and quick read, pleasantly arranged with cheery artwork.  the chapters are short and to the point, each exploring one tip, like "take the easy way out," "trust your gut," "look out for #1," and "love your love life."

the advice is friendly and practical, a welcome reprieve that distinguishes itself from the pack of parenting tomes written by "experts"--the kind that have a way of whipping new moms into an exhausting and idolatrous pursuit of The Right Answer.  francis' approach is much more low-key. sisterly, even.  bonus: the book comes with a tear-our card for a free year of Parenting Early Years.  i planned to use this myself until i remembered that i don't even read the magazines i already subscribe to--so it's a twofer giveaway for you:)

there is nothing groundbreaking here, but i suspect there are a million moms who need this kind of permission to discover what works over what's "right."  it would be a good read for a brand new mom or the worrying type in hot pursuit of perfection and feeling shamed to be coming up short.

want a copy?  just leave a comment saying what makes you a happy mom (or what steals your happy.)  if you aren't a mom and still want to read/give, say something else. i'm not picky:) make sure i have a way to get in touch with you if you win.  entries close wednesday, may 18 at 11:59 PM, and random.org will chose a winner from among comments.  good luck!

if you're visiting {so much reviews} for the first time, welcome.  you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter, on facebook, and twitter.  i hope you'll follow this blog or subscribe: i'd love to keep in touch:)

Life to the Full: {DaySpring Giveaway}

**this giveaway is closed.  congrats to comment #8, bitterroot mama!**

DaySpring is not the crunchy business i typically feature here, but as their blog (in)courage is a tremendous ministry and community for women, i am more than happy to share them with you--and offer a fun giveaway:)

 

when i went the the relevant conference last fall, (in)courage sponsored a hospitality lounge, and that's where i was introduced to DaySpring's Life To The Full Collection.  i was more than a little smitten with the cheerful colors and hopeful scripture messages.  i even got to go home with the water pitcher i won in a giveaway:






the scripture comes from john 10:10,

 "I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full."

what a promise to be reminded of each time we share a meal together!  (in)courage sent me a matching place setting to review at the just the right time:  our wedding dishes are slowly chipping and breaking, and i knew these four plates would be fun to mix and match.

they are truly beautiful, as well as sturdy and microwave/dishwasher safe.  my kids use them without incident (so far:)  i think i like the breakfast plate best of all.  so elegant:





my only complaint is that the dinner plate is a little too big; at 12 inches it won't fit inside my cupboard!





the regular price for the Life Collection - 4 Piece Place Setting ($48.96) is more than a bit out of our budget.  however, it is on sale now for $40, and they're offering an additional 30% off the entire Life Collection with the coupon code LIFE30, which makes a four piece place setting a far more doable $25.67.

i'm not running out to buy service for eight--i am still a green blogger!--but i did spring for one matching setting.  (see, i liked it enough to pay, too;)  an early birthday present in anticipation of winter's end and the return of color.

(as of last week, they were still running a site-wide 25% coupon code: LOVE25.  you can only use one code at a time, and i do not know if it is still current, but it's worth a try:)

DaySpring and (in)courage are generously offering a $35 gift code to a lucky {so much reviews} reader.  just leave a comment [with contact info] telling how you make meal times special or incorporate scripture into your home, or what you'd buy at DaySpring if you won.

that's it.  easy peasy:)

entries will close friday, march 18 at 11:59 PM, and random.org will chose a winner from among comments.  good luck!

if you're visiting {so much reviews} for the first time, welcome!  you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter, on facebook, and twitter.  i hope you'll follow this blog or subscribe: i'd love to keep in touch:)

DaySpring provided me with one place setting, and I was not otherwise compensated to write this review.  as always, opinions and content are mine alone.  this post contains affiliate links.

hazelwood necklaces: natural eczema relief

My preschooler and toddler wear jewelry.  We're not making a fashion statement; believe it or not, their necklaces are medicinal.

Bear with me, I promise we're not crazy-town!

James went through a biting phase at around seven months, which made breastfeeding extremely frustrating--until i bought a baltic amber teething necklace from Inspired by Finn.  He stopped biting right away, and teething never seemed to bother him again.  We didn't even notice that his molars had come in!

Babies do not chew on the necklaces.  Instead, the succinic acid in the amber supposedly is absorbed transdermally as skin warms, and its analgesic properties help to numb local teething pain.

I know--it sounds like voodoo.  And I don't care because it works on my kid.

I actually just bought one for myself to wear when I have headaches or mouth pain.  I haven't tested it out yet, but it is pretty:)

When I read that Inspired by Finn also makes hazelwood necklaces for eczema relief, I figured it was worth a shot, too.  Dry winter heat made Dylan's eczema come back, and her little wrists were scaly and itchy.

The hazelwood is supposed to neutralize acidity in the body, and they claim that they can improve reflux, heartburn, and ulcers as well as skin problems, including eczema, acne, and rashes.  They even suggest that they help with morning sickness in pregnancy--something I definitely will keep in mind for the future.

We ordered the necklace, it came in the mail--quickly--and I put in around Dylan's neck.

I kid you not, within 24 hours the skin on her wrists had almost completely cleared. 

She didn't itch or anything.  Seriously, this thing was like magic.

Granted, her eczema outbreak was on the milder side.  It was localized and not bleeding, but it was still very uncomfortable for her, and she's usually pretty tough about pain.  The necklace seemed to clear it up as well as prevent further breakouts or worsening.  Our home is still heated daily yet her skin remains healthy.

Dylan has been wearing her necklace for almost two months.  It fell off once, and she didn't wear it for about two weeks, and sure enough, her wrists began to dry again with those tell-tale patches.

It should be worn in the bath, because getting the wooden beads wet is supposed to hasten the body's absorption.  It should not be worn in the pool, which we've forgotten at least once.

Unlike the amber necklaces, whose benefits last forever, the hazelwood necklaces eventually expire, in 4-12 months, depending upon the body's acidity, according to the website.  I would definitely buy another should her eczema return.

Plus, they're pretty cute.  My hippie babes:

If your child is teething or suffers from eczema--or if you want a necklace for for adult-sized troubles--Inspired by Finn is offering the coupon code POST for 15% off orders; just enter it at check out.

I purchased all my necklaces myself, the hazelwood one at a discount available to reviewers.  The opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.  I just love sharing natural remedies that actual work (and supporting handmade, natural businesses.)

FREE SHIPPING at Ten Thousand Villages {fair trade}

i love when this deal comes up--now just in time for valentine's day.  you can get free shipping on beautiful goods like jewelry, housewares, textiles, and even toys made by artisans across the world who were paid a fair wage for their work.   amazingly, you'll pay less for the fair trade real deal at Ten Thousand Villages than for knock-off imitation imports (or rather chinese imports made to look like they were made by african artisan) carried elsewhere.

the coupon code GROVE is good for free shipping on online orders and expires 2/1/11. 

this is not an affiliate link.  i just love this store (which is actually a non-profit organization) and wanted to share the love.  happy shopping:)