"Be kind because everyone you meet could be fighting a hard battle you know nothing about. So I say... keep 'em laughing."
Couldn't have said it better "Be kind because everyone you meet could be fighting a hard battle you know nothing about. So I say... keep 'em laughing."
Couldn't have said it better James Patterson! I love this series and the message in them. Oh, and my son has loved them and we have laughed hysterically....more
I have mixed emotions about this children's book. My rating is 2.5 stars.
Let me start off with the positives - I love books that help teach us about oI have mixed emotions about this children's book. My rating is 2.5 stars.
Let me start off with the positives - I love books that help teach us about other cultures and ethnicities. I liked that it showed a side of life that many American kids don't have to struggle with - whether or not you're going to get an education. In this story, Asha's father sells toys so he can give her an education and better life than he had. Being married into an Indian family, I was especially excited to read this one. I think the illustrations are beautiful and bright. And I liked the overall theme of the book - "A timeless tale of the power of art and being brave enough to share your gifts" (as written by the author).
Here is my big problem with this story - there is a scene where Asha directly ignores her Papa's directions and instructions. Instead of doing what he asked of her, which was to study and do her homework, she decides to paint all of his toys after he told her not to. While in the end everything works out for the best, I feel this is sending the wrong message to young children - you can defy your parents and do whatever you want. I believe there were other ways this ending could have been written to still show the author's overall message without damaging the basic rules of parenting.
I purposely did not read this book with my son, which is a shame because he is half Indian and I love for him to read books about his culture. I chose not to because of my reasons above on the wrong message it sends.
With the right editing, the bones are there for this to have been a great book with a great message for kids. But it missed the mark.
My thanks to Sakshi Mangal, Kids Can Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
My son and I loved this book. The first in the series is still our favorite, but this one is super close. A great lesson that sometimes laughter is thMy son and I loved this book. The first in the series is still our favorite, but this one is super close. A great lesson that sometimes laughter is the best medicine! ...more
I want to start this review off by saying if you haven't had the pleasure of reading one of Charles Martin's books, please pick one up now!!!!
EverytiI want to start this review off by saying if you haven't had the pleasure of reading one of Charles Martin's books, please pick one up now!!!!
Everytime I read his books, I am in awe at how he can take tough, heart wrenching topics and write about them with the most delicate of hands. In addition to that, he comes up with simply the best stories that are not your run of the mill fiction or mystery.
"Scars are just the body's response to things that shouldn't be there. A reminder of the pain."
As with most of his novels, this one is a story within a story. You have Maybe Joe Sue (which let's be honest here - who would ever name their child that!), who is a broken woman with the biggest heart on the planet, but her ife is one big roller coaster ride. And all she wants is to have a baby and be loved. You have Pockets (which let's be honest here is just the coolest name ever!), who is her bodyguard, confidant, safe keeper and moral compass. I think we all could use a Pockets in our lives.
"We are all a mess. And no amount of money, and no amount of drugs, changes that. When you're broken, life is finding beauty in the mess. And then holding in for dear life."
The Last Exchange is about how their lives intersect and to what lengths one will go to for love. It's a story of friendship, commitment, love, forgiveness, intelligence, lots of heart and fight, and survival. Martin's writing is inspirational, beautiful, exciting, emotional and has some surprising mystery and twists built in.
Overall this is a hard to put down page turner, that is one awesome story with incredible characters that have multiple layers to them. And with all of his books, I feel like I've walked away learning something deeper about myself.
"A life laid down is better than one picked up.
Charles Martin is hands down my favorite author. But I promise you that did not influence this review. His book is just that good!
My thanks to Charles Martin, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
I really like it when a book totally surprises me. This is not a book I would normally pick up and this is not a genre I normally read. But I'm glad II really like it when a book totally surprises me. This is not a book I would normally pick up and this is not a genre I normally read. But I'm glad I did. It's a great story and by the end of the book I fell in love with quirky Cassandra....more
What a precious story to teach children about all the wonders of God's glory through nature's seasons.
"The sun rises "God's handiwork is everywhere."
What a precious story to teach children about all the wonders of God's glory through nature's seasons.
"The sun rises and sets...And in these quiet moments, we know God is still at work. God ever near."
It's never to young to teach children about the love of God and how you can see His handiwork in everything from the sun rising to the changing seasons to the flowers that bloom.
The illustrations are adorable. It warmed my heart to see a child in a wheelchair amongst the kids in the book. Often times disability isn't represented.
I read this book with my son, who enjoyed it as well. A darling story with a great message.
My thanks to Kara Lawler, InterVarsity Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Church is the one place we should all belong. As an adult with disabilities, I appreciate a book focused on how children with disabilities can belong Church is the one place we should all belong. As an adult with disabilities, I appreciate a book focused on how children with disabilities can belong and fit in. I love the message in this book - through the words and illustrations. It's a beautiful book that is a starting point for discussions about disabilities with families, children and churches on how we can do better to help people with disabilities feel loved, comfortable and welcome.
The author wrote at the end "Relationships grow not from the absence of difference but from the presence of what is shared. And it's okay to start small. Maybe just begin with just a smile - a smile that says When you come ti church, you belong." I believe she accomplished this in her story.
I read this book with my son who also enjoyed the message. It's beautiful and inspiring. I would recommend this book to all churches and children's ministries.
My thanks to the author, IVP Kids and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I may be slightly biased here because I absolutely love the Will Trent series, but holy cow this is one awesome book!!!! Karin Slaughter you absolutelI may be slightly biased here because I absolutely love the Will Trent series, but holy cow this is one awesome book!!!! Karin Slaughter you absolutely knocked it out of the park with this book!!!! This story really answers some questions about Sara's back story. The masterful way Slaughter weaves the past and present together to make this insane case that's like nothing you've ever seen on Criminal Minds is simply amazing! Curl up, grab some coffee because once you start this book you won't be able to put it down! ...more
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