JanineThrossel.com

One of the best things about children's picture books is their illustrations, and when What a Bragger!  by Lee Ann Mancini arrived in the mail, its artwork certainly caught my eye! Dan Sharp's under-the-sea images are creative, colorful, whimsical. I wondered if the book's text would hold up to the lovely outside cover, but Mancini's story is engaging, relevant and well-told. In this book in the "Adventures of the Sea Kids" series, Melissa the blowfish starts bragging about things she supposedly has at home. However, she is suspected very quickly of lying. How the situation is resolved in the end is realistic and compassionate, and subtly teaches little listeners a way to handle this part of growing up. I think children would love this book. It has cute characters and a theme that they can both relate to and learn from. I also love the attention to detail in the book. Sharp's artwork includes more than a dozen icthus fish, hidden on the pages for r...

This book is misnamed .   This short, eight-week study aims to provide a "light," "fun" Bible study option, giving Biblical perspectives on topics important to women. Since I've been asked by girlfriends for a Bible study program without homework, I was excited about this one, marketed right to them. The author organized her book into nice, easy-to-follow sections and I love the pretty, inviting cover. I received the book (ISBN 9781482083910) directly from her, and she even autographed it and wrote a personal note. Tate seems sweet and genuinely concerned for other women. That's one reason this review is so painful to write. I can't recommend her book. I think her title is a misnomer. The No-Homework Women's Bible Study: Group Hug doesn't seem "no-homework" or "Bible Study." True, no chapter analysis is required as homework. However, there are plenty of suggested optional tasks, from organizing to exercise,...

A BOOK THAT HAS STAYED WITH ME FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS I was so happy to be able to review No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches , by Jeff Davidson (currently available at http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Peanut-Butter-Sandwiches/dp/1633570010 ). This book is an honest story from a dad whose son was born with special needs.  Jeff Davidson was expecting a healthy boy with whom he could play basketball and teach to drive a car.  But his precious son, Jon Alex, was born with cerebral palsy and autism.  He is nonverbal and needs help to eat and dress. This book is meant to benefit other parents of special needs children, and especially to encourage dads to care for their wives and participate in their children's lives.  I didn't really know what to expect as I began this book, but I grew so much in my understanding of special needs individuals and their families.  There were so many things that I didn't know or hadn't thought about, and I feel very inspired and ...