Title- Field of Peace

Author – Joyce Meyer

Illustrator - Mary Sullivan

Publisher - Zondervan / Zonderkidz

ISBN - 978-0-310-72318-9

USD - $15.99

Rating :  * * * * *      



Here are a few verses regarding peace -

Psalm 29:11 - The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

When you find yourself doing the right thing, it makes you feel good inside; at peace with your decision.  My 6 year old son, Caleb, has been taught at a very early age, to always make sure to do the right thing even when your friends are not.  Having peace in your life is so very important.

In Field of Peace, Joyce has a lot of the same comical characters as in her previous book – Every Which Way to Pray.  Boyd the giraffe, Arnold the armadillo, and the Umpire are the new characters.  Boyd really enjoys playing baseball and really wants to win the championship, but there is one problem… during one of their games, Arnold the armadillo had a bee on his nose and missed hitting the ball.  He got scared and rolled himself into a ball, and they lost the game. Boyd the giraffe was upset at the loss. The final game was coming up and Boyd showed up early to the field. Coach moved the game someplace else and told Boyd to stay here and tell the others, so he did.  But…Boyd left early on purpose, choosing not to tell Arnold so they could win the game. How do you think Boyd was feeling inside?  Do you think he made the wrong decision?  Do you think he was feeling peaceful inside? or miserable?  You’re right, miserable! Boyd knew he didn’t make the right decision and confessed it to his team. Boyd was so upset with himself he ran off the field to go and get Arnold. Well, Arnold was now up to bat and the ball came whizzing by and he got scared again.  What do you think Arnold did?  Yup, he rolled into a ball. But…as he was rolling into a ball, he actually hit the ball and rolled himself right to the home plate where he was safe!  Yay, for Arnold!  The Wilds won the championship!  I am so glad that Boyd made the right decision for himself and the team.

It pays to always do the right thing no matter what!  It’s a win, win.

This book was written for children ages 4-7.  I recommend this delightful book because of the important lesson it teaches.  Peace!

This is my own honest opinion and I received no monetary compensation of any kind for my review.



Blessings,

Melissa Staehli ~

My books – I Love You to the Moon & Charlie’s Gingerbread House

VeggieTales Bible NIrV

Title:  The VeggieTales Bible, NIrV

Publisher:  Zondervan / Zonderkidz

ISBN:  9780310722540

USD:  $27.99

Rating:  * * * * *

The VeggieTales Bible, NIrV is a good quality Bible for young readers ages 6-9.  Having said that, I feel that kids who are 6 may need a little guidance from their parents, and kids older than age 9 would really enjoy this bible as well.

The cover of this Bible is very vibrant with colors of red, green, blue and white.  Very appealing to the eye. Inside you will find:

*VeggieTales Stories - There are 32 colorful pages that tell 8 different VeggieTales stories, such as:  Babysitter in DeNile; The Ballad of Little Joe; David and the Giant Pickle; Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen; Rack, Shack and Benny; The Story of Jonah; The Story of Flibber-O-Loo; and An Easter Carol.  Stories told VeggieTale style.

*Book Introduction - I like this idea because it gives the kids an idea of what they will be learning in that particular book of the Bible.

*Index to Veggie Values - There are 39 'Veggie Values' for kids to look up that are in the back of this Bible on page 1307.  To name a few - Be a good friend, Trust God, God made you special.  All of these Veggie Values also have 3-6 scripture verses so the kids can learn more on how to be patient, or how to be kind etc...

*Remember This -  Is specifically designed for the kids to be able to learn over 100 verses and commit them to memory and keep in their hearts.  I like that.

*Dictionary -  Starts on page 1313 and goes from A-Z.  The kids will find words like - Covenant, Faithful, Cherubim or Anointed - that will help them understand the word and what it means.  This is a great tool.


This VeggieTales Bible, NIrV is a perfect way to start and end each, and every day.


This is my own honest opinion and I received no monetary compensation of any kind for my review.


Blessings,

Melissa Staehli ~

My books - I Love You to the Moon & Charlie's Gingerbread House

Springtime brings new life ~

Psalm 104:12 - The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

Song of Solomon 2:12 - The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Matthew 6:26 - Look at the birds.  They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.  And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

Springtime is just around the corner!  I am already hearing the birds chirping and playing in the rain puddles.  I love this time of year because new life will be arriving all around us.  The trees will have their colorful leaves displaying their beauty among the heavens.  Flowers of red, yellow, pink and white will be ready to display their fresh, fragrant scent, of absolute delight.  New life is so beautiful!

Caleb and I love all the little critters that live outside in nature, especially the squirrels and the birds!  We enjoy making treats for them, so we thought we would share our simple critter recipes with you. 

Bird recipe - Grab a carrot or 1 celery stalk and cover it evenly with crunchy or smooth peanut butter.  Roll it in bird seed. Add some fruit or veggies too! Yum!

Squirrel recipe -  Gather some pine cones and attach strings for hanging. Mix two cups of peanut butter (warm it in the microwave to soften it) with two cups of birdseed; smear the mixture onto the pine cones.  Hang the pine cones where the squirrels can reach them.  They will love it!

Sit back and enjoy watching them eat their sweet treat ~


Blessings,

Melissa ~

My book (s) - I Love You to the Moon   &  Charlie's Gingerbread House

Visit - Christian Children's Authors

Book Review ~

Book – Every Which Way to Pray

Author – Joyce Meyer

Illustrator – Mary Sullivan

Publisher – Zondervan / Zonderkidz

ISBN – 978-0-310-72317-2

USD – $15.99

Rating –  :) :) :) :) :)    



Here are just a few verses regarding prayer:

1 Chronicles 16:11- Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Psalms 145:18 – The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.


Have you ever wondered how people can feel close to God?  Do you have to be a rainbow in the sky or a bird flying by to be close to God?  The answer is absolutely, NO!  Prayer is not as hard as you may think it is.

Every Which Way to Pray is a delightful book that simply explains to children how easy it is to pray to God from anywhere you are.  Hayley and Harley are the adorable hippos that are trying to figure out how to pray.  They think there are rules to praying, but comical friends of theirs – Miss Bimble the sheep Librarian and a pelican named Pouch (along with many other cute characters) are helping the hippos understand that you can pray from anywhere you are, and it’s just fine with God.  You can pray on a playground; on a bus; in a car; in a tree; or on a train.  You can pray while kneeling, standing or dancing!  God can hear you wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  You can say your prayer in your head or loud and proud, so to speak!  God just wants to hear from you (us).  Joyce puts it very clearly – You talk.  You listen.  You praise.  You thank.  Just like you would with a friend.

This is a great book for children ages 4-7.  Very cute an colorful pictures with adorable comical characters that your child will love!  I highly recommend this book for young readers.


This is my own honest opinion and I received no monetary compensation of any kind for my review.

Blessings,

Melissa Staehli ~

Visit me at – Christian Children's Authors (website)

My books - I Love You to the Moon / Charlie's Gingerbread House

Book review – Faithgirlz! Whatever.
Posted on January 8, 2013 by Melissa Staehli

Faithgirlz!  Whatever:  Livin’ the True, Noble and Totally Excellent Life

Author:  Allia Zobel Nolan

ISBN:  978-0-310-72534-3

USD:  6.99

Reviewed By:  Melissa Staehli

Rating: * * * * *      



In a day and age where every girl is rolling their eyes and saying this one word we all have heard a million times before…whatever!  The author, Allia, takes that sarcastic word and turns it into a word that you will want your girls to become.  A girl (s) who is ready to live a life that’s more than…whatever!

This book is based on the scripture Philipians 4:8-13 - Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy; think about such things.

I really love this book!  It’s a 90 day devotional for girls 9 and up.  I actually have been reading this book to my young 6 year old son, Caleb, because I believe he can learn from the stories and lessons talked about in this book as well.  It may be a bit over his head, but I try and pull out the important things that I think he will remember.  Caleb has already memorized Philipians 4:8-13.  All of us could benefit by applying this scripture into our everyday living.

I took this ‘Whatever’ book to my sons private school and began reading it to some young girls in the aftercare program.  One little girl in particular became very interested in every chapter I would read to her and she would write down every bible verse that Allia spoke about.  This little girl is 8 years old, and is open to filling her head and heart with these everyday virtues taken straight from Philipians 4:8-13.

Every chapter of this wonderful devotional book starts out with a different scripture that goes along with the story and lesson.  The chapters are only a page and a half long, and at the end of every chapter Allia has a little recap for the girls – Food for Thought, Second Thoughts, Divine Thoughts  ~

Allia has really done an outstanding job with this book!  It’s simple, yet very impactful. Every youth group would benefit from having this book in their church.  I couldn’t put it down!

This is my own honest opinion and I received no monetary compensation of any kind for my review.

Melissa Staehli ~

Author of – I Love You to the Moon / Charlie’s Gingerbread House

Title:  Hugs & Kisses, God

Author: Allia Zobel Nolan

ISBN: 978-0-310-72263-2

SRP: $6.99

Rating: :) :) :) :) :)

I really enjoy reading this book to my son, Caleb.  It reminds me of what Caleb and I do on a daily basis, and that is...to be thankful for all that God gives us in this life to enjoy. When we go on walks together, we like to point out Gods beauty that we see around us like...leaves on the trees that are turning a beautiful shade of red, orange or yellow. Looking up at the sky and seeing that the sun has turned a lovely orange-pink with a hint of yellow.  Seeing the squirrels hurry around gathering their nuts and enjoying the day.  Or birds singing sweet songs of praise as the fly so elegantly across the sky.  All of these things make my heart smile, and Caleb's too.  That's why I like 'Hugs & Kisses, God' so much.

This book is a Lift-The-Flap Book.  Fun for kids ages 3 & up.  The children in this book are children from all over the world who are learning and understanding how to be thankful for everyday gifts that God gives them.  Saying your prayers in the morning before you do anything else - is showing God you love him.  Being thankful for the food you eat - is showing God you love him.  Smelling fragrant flowers along the way - is showing God you love him.  Helping a friend and showing that you care - is showing God you love him.  Blowing bubbles and catching fireflies, along with sparkling stars that light up the sky...are all ways that children say - Thank you God for this day.  Learning about God's word - is showing God you love him.  These children are giving Hugs & Kisses up to the Lord for all that He has done.

I highly recommend this book for all young readers.

Reviewed by: Melissa Staehli 

Hi everyone!

I have just returned home from a wonderful 2 week long vacation with my family. We had a blast together!! We went to so many different places.  First we went to Hershey, PA to visit some of my husband's family and then went to the chocolate factory, which was really fun.  From there we headed to Atlantic City, NJ to take a dolphin cruise and play by the ocean.  This was our son's first time seeing the ocean.  Caleb loved seeing the ocean and playing in the sand.  It was priceless!  We stayed there for a few days then headed to Maryland to visit some more of my husband's family.  After that...we drove to Washington DC to spend the night and tour around the next day.  What a fun day, though!  We took awesome pictures of everything we could before we left at 3:00 to drive halfway to Cape Cod.  I'm tired just telling you everything we did.  We finally made it to Cape Cod on Sunday evening, September 16th. We spent the entire week there at Jared's uncle's motel. Some of my family met us there.  All of us had the opportunity to go to Martha's Vineyard for a day.  It was awesome!  Beautiful sunny weather with a slight breeze.  Just lovely!  Our boys - Jared, Ken, Caleb & Gabe were able to go fishing with Jared's cousin, Troy one evening.  They caught many a fish!  We even ate the one Ken caught - Sea Bass.  It was pretty good.  We went to see Plymouth Rock of 1620 and the Mayflower.  Barnstable had a whale watching cruise we were able to go on before we started heading back home to Ohio.  It was awesome!  We made great memories on this trip.  I feel so blessed & thankful that I had time like this to share in, with my nearest and dearest - Jared & Caleb.

Some good news to share with all of you...my second book 'Charlie's Gingerbread House' will be here in November, just in time for the holidays!  I am very excited!  Children ages 6 & under will LOVE this fun & colorful book.  If you would like to pre order this children's book please let me know.  Jared & I will be getting the website up next week and it will be set up to take paypal.  Feel free to email me at - melissakay1968@gmail.com  Thank you so much!