We are thrilled to take part in the One Big Canvas Awareness Book Tour. One Big Canvas: The Masterpieceis a delightful and insightful book that uses colorful paintbrush characters to help children understand what autism is. The book never mentions autism verbatim, instead it talks about the different ways someone with autism might act. This makes it seem not so scary or odd for kids and helps them to accept other’s differences. It is reassuring that all is okay even though some behavior is different.
I think this book is a great resource to use with your own children or in a school setting. Tolerance and understanding is what we need to impress on kids when dealing with everyone’s uniqueness. Helping children understand and accept that not everyone is the same and that is okay, can help them embrace these differences instead of being afraid or annoyed by them.
The other book I was sent, One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay dives a little deeper into how to interact with kindness and understanding. The paintbrushes are excited for their new friend Clay’s visit. They go about preparing a banner to welcome him. However, when Clay arrives, his loud voice is too much for Paul who covered his ears and rolled up in a ball. Clay asks the other brushes what’s wrong with Paul who kept repeating it was too loud. Reese steps up to tell Clay that loud sounds bother Paul and that they try to speak low.
Clay learns that Estelle will stop humming when she is ready and that Jerry loves boats and ships so much he talks about them over and over. When Clay gets annoyed, Reece steps in again and reminds him of the importance to be caring and kind. When Clay thinks it over, he comes back in the shape of a ship. He explains it’s for Jerry to have a fun trip. Clay does not forget to let Paul know that they will quietly float on the blue painted waves. All the brushes jump onboard and show kindness and compassion is the way.
I think both of these books help convey the message that everyone is unique and the things we may at first think are annoying may be something more. Instead of responding with anger or frustration, it can help children understand that there may be other reasons why someone hums low or says the same thing over and over.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
Written by Jay Miletsky
Illustrated by Luis Peres
Ages 3-9 | 24 Pages
Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382
Publisher’s Synopsis: Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece.
When some of the brushes don’t cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving…or is there another reason entirely? In this story, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their autistic peers.
Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.
They worked through the day, then stopped and admired,
the wisdom their now-painted canvas inspired:
their painting was perfect, It all meshed just fine,
with its colorful circles, and angry green line.
It was a true masterpiece, not one thing was wrong,
Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382
Publisher’s Synopsis: The brushes are back! Join Reese, Estelle and the rest of the gang in the art studio in another adventure as they learn the value of kindness and understanding.
When Clay comes to visit from the other side of the art studio, the brushes are excited to welcome their friend. But when a few of the brushes start acting differently, Clay needs to be reminded that it’s important to be accepting:
“Some brushes are different, so we like to remind,
it’s kind to be caring, so take care to be kind.”
Will Clay leave the brushes in frustration, or will he learn to mold his thinking as he comes to understand and accept that brushes have different abilities and challenges? Without ever mentioning autism or any particular disability, The Molding of Clay helps introduce children to the behavioral differences of their autistic peers, creating an opportunity for discussion. It helps teachers and parents impress upon them the importance of understanding, acceptance and kindness, through a fun, lighthearted story with quirky and colorful characters.
The REED Foundation for Autism is committed to providing individuals with autism the opportunity to learn, live, work and thrive at every stage of their lives. For more information, please visit https://www.reedfoundationforautism.org.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a ‘One Big Canvas’ book series prize pack!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay
A $50 Amazon gift card
Two (2) winners receive:
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay
The giveaway begins April 23, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT, and ends May 23, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
I have partnered with The Children’s Book Review and the REED Foundation for Autism in this book tour. While I received the books to facilitate my review, all opinions and views are 100% my own.
I don’t know who loves the Llama Llama books more, me or my kids. They have been staples in our home since my kids were born. Well, there is a brand new book out that is just as great as you would expect. Anna Dewdney does it again with Llam Llama Mess, Mess Mess. This book tackles the problem most of us face as parents, getting our kids to clean up. This book shows just what happens when you don’t do anything to tidy up. It is not pretty, but with teamwork, Mama and Llama Llama get everything in order. The benefit of tidying up means Mama and Llama have lot’s of room to play and do things together.Check out the book here in our video:
Mama Llama teaches Llama Llama a humorous lesson in cleaning up in Anna Dewdney’s bestselling Llama Llama series.Time to pick up all your toys! Why is Mama making noise? Mama says it’s cleaning day. Llama only wants to play.
Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama is growing up, but he still loves to play with all his toys! When Mama Llama says it’s time to clean up, Llama responds like any child more interested in playing than cleaning . . . by ignoring her! But Mama has an imaginative response of her own. What if she never cleaned? What would happen then? Well, Llama Llama is going to find out! Here is a truly funny take on a childhood chore that all children will relate to and laugh at! And it is sure to be helpful to get kids cleaning up!
Giveaway:
Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One Lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess! Thank you to the publisher for sponsoring this blog tour and giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. I was sent a review book to facilitate my review. Giveaway is open to US Residents.
Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review. My words and views are 100% my own as always.
Movies like, Yours, Mine and Ours, and shows like, The Brady Bunch showed blended families. The Brady Bunch certainly did not focus much on the blended part of the family. Never did I see an episode with the kids being shuffled to another parent’s house. In fact, we really never learned where Carol’s first husband was. It was assumed both ex-spouses died. That certainly sanitized things for the show right? Well, blended families are becoming more the norm now, and the merging of families is certainly not sanitized as many parents and step-parents know.
If only there was a guide-book. Well, there is, Living in the Family Blender is filled with inspiration and insight. If you are struggling with this, this book can be a valuable resource to help you navigate through what could be a tumultuous journey.
Living in the Family Blender is a great book that tackles the stress and sticky situations blended families face. This book is filled with real-life, personal accounts that make it easy for other to relate with. Finally, find out you are not alone in what you feel and see. Learn strategies and get advice from a wonderful couple who understand the challenges you are facing. You can have harmony, well, at least some of the time.
You can purchase Living in the Family Blender: 10 Principles of a Successful Blended Family at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite major retailer.
Blended Family Insiders:
Seven Things No One Tells You About Blended Family Life
By Clark Rich and Leah Dee Burbidge
Fourteen years in the family blender has brought us a nearly non-stop series of insights, challenges, shocks, joy and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful nearly from scratch. Six of our most valuable, but frequently unspoken, learnings are listed below.
Keep in mind that a lot of the challenges of blended family life will sound familiar. But they play out with different dynamics because blended families and individuals have perspective, experience and insight that gives them a fragile mix of volatility, skepticism and wisdom. Respecting these dynamics dramatically increases the probability of success. Ignoring them nearly always spirals the family into soul crushing train wrecks.
Nobody Talks About It. Our dating and marriage experience revealed shockingly little available blended family ‘How To’ guidance. Pop culture, literature, movies and media produced a wasteland of mostly useless stereotypes. Family and friends seemed uncomfortable discussing the reality we faced. The elephant was in the room, but the conversation always tended to migrate toward the reasons people find themselves suddenly single. Divorce, death and abandonment are uncomfortable topics. We found taking the lead in turning the conversation toward positive aspects allowed more constructive interactions.
First Steps Determine Results. Success in the family blender is most often determined by how a couple structures their personal relationship and their interaction with the children from the beginning. Casual, careless, loosely committed and primarily physically driven relationships almost never have sufficient strength to withstand the blender. Children won’t buy-in if they think it’s going to lead to another let-down. Blended family life requires an undeniably higher standard and level of commitment. Children get this, parent must also.
Blended Families Done Right Save Souls. We have devoted an entire chapter in our book to the statistical benefits for children by being part of a two-parent family (blended or otherwise). There is no question that such children have dramatically better chances of building a healthy foundation enabling them to be successful in life. Lower rates of poverty, drug abuse, problems with the law or in school, unemployment, depression and general acting out behaviors are well researched. That is not to say there aren’t successful single parents, but it pays to play the odds where you can.
Start Where Your Child Is. Parents cannot start with a child where they are supposed to be or where you think they are but ARE NOT. This dooms your efforts to unrealistic expectations, falling short and builds a culture of regular failure and disappointment. Parents must ‘listen to understand’ and patiently respect what they learn. You will come to appreciate where they believe they are in life and in the family. Once you know where they are then every step is automatically a success because it is a re-enforcing step forward.
The Bio-Compass. There is an especially deep and natural relationship that exists between the bio-parent and their child. This is okay. The non-bio parent will, over time, be allowed to earn their way into that space. However, there will be moments when only the bio-parent can address the child’s needs, trauma or struggle. The non-bio parent must patiently step back, but remain in the picture and supportive, and allow their spouse to take the lead. This is why prideful or selfish attitudes struggle with blended parenthood. It absolutely demands selflessness. Respecting this relationship always wins in the long-term.
You Are Not Alone. Because it is not a social topic of conversation does not mean it isn’t common. Research illustrates that a sizable majority of Americans are touched by blended family life in one way or another. They understand you are not broken. This is especially true of single parents. Rest assured there is an individual out there with a healthy, kind outlook who can understand your complex family situation and love you and your children unconditionally. Both single and blended parents can experience happier more fulfilling lives.
It Is Worth It. Blended family life can be rewarding, exciting and fulfilling. Seeing these tender souls, who were once so wounded, blossom with love and kindness in their own increasingly productive lives is worth every struggle, every late night, every heartfelt conversation, every tear and every prayer. Most of all know that you are good enough to be successful.
About the Authors
Clark and Leah live in the high mountain valleys of the Rockies where they enjoy their ever-expanding blended family of ten children and seven grandchildren. They enjoy travel, hiking, road and mountain biking, and serving in their community and church. Clark received a BS in Finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from the University of Southern California and spent 35 years traveling the world as a banker, investment banker and Chief Financial Officer. Leah earned an Associate Degree from Ricks College and what arguably could be considered a doctoral-level real-life education in blended families. Clark and Leah treasure their blended wild ride of 14 years together, firmly believing that any challenge is manageable when you have someone you love to walk beside.
Living in the Family Blender is Clark and Leah’s first book together, but Clark has been writing for years with 9 books in different genres including Middle Reader, Teen and YA fiction, adult non-fiction and a beautiful Christmas/Easter Family read together storybook.
2019 Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medal Winner
Blended family issues impact the vast majority of Americans. Yet, society often sidesteps the topic, while literature leaves a bleak landscape nearly void of practical advice from those who have lived in the trenches. With over 68 combined years of direct blended family experience, including 14 years with their own family of 10children, authors Clark and Leah Burbidge are uniquely qualified to fill this void. Their combined autobiographical/how-to guidebook weaves a humorous, tender, uplifting, and critically insightful fabric of 10foundational principles upon which any family may confidently build. Every blended family can have happier, more fulfilling lives where disruption, disorientation, and contention are replaced by teamwork, progress, and overcoming-oriented achievement. Living in the Family Blender also provides practical guidance upon which any family may build better relationships and a life filled with joy and purpose. Join them on their personal journey and discover glorious possibilities in your own family.
Overwhelmed is a word that many mothers are well acquainted with. There was a time when I would utter that word daily to express how I was feeling. However, our society makes us feel that we should not be feeling that way. It tells us we should be able to have it all and tie it up in a bow. That just is not reality, and leaves many moms feeling that they are alone and failing. The most important thing to know, is that you are not alone and you are a great mom.
When life seems to be coming at you faster than you can handle, there is a way to reset your spiritual and emotional health. More for Mom will encourage women to stop believing the lie that more is needed from them, and start living with the truth that more is available for them.
With real-life talk, humor and convicting biblical truths, Kristin Funston helps hard-working mamas to look at each day and each facet of their life to discover what happens when they believe God has more for them than what they think the world needs from them.
And what He has available is a whole and holy life, just waiting to be claimed–a salvation and day-to-day reality complete just as it is. The pieces of each mom’s life–the work life, mom life, social life, etc.–are mended together through Christ to complete her one whole life, set apart because of Him.
This book is a stepping stone to help working mothers reset their spiritual and emotional health, habits, and relationship with God. There are performance pressures at work, home, and mind-sets that affect a mom’s ability to feel complete and live more closely aligned with God. This book includes the beginning steps for moms to walk in wholeness and holiness by asking God for more.
About the Author
With a passion for writing, Kristin Funston encourages women in a way that is relatable and practical, with a healthy dose of humor. She is a member and employee of Hope Presbyterian Church and works as the Marriage and Family Coordinator and a leader in the women’s ministry. She is also a regular contributor to multiple blogs including The Better Mom, City Moms Blog, TODAY Parenting, and Scary Mommy. Funston resides outside of Memphis, TN with her husband and three daughters. She has a master’s degree in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University. You can find out more about her at KristinFunston.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
This post is sponsored by Harvest House Publishers. As always, my words and views are 100% my own.
Motherhood Requires Grit and Grace
New devotional book offers moms of young children encouragement and spiritual nourishment
If you’re a mom, you have probably felt like you were failing at some point or another in your parenting life. I think we can all relate to days that almost everything seems to be going wrong. When your toddler has a major meltdown in the middle of a store, when you are running on empty and still have a full list of things to do or when you compare yourself to the supermoms who seem to have it all together, it is easy to think we have failed. However, the truth is, you are good enough and you are doing the best you can. If you need encouragement and support, there is a book called Grit & Grace and it is full of devotions for warrior moms like ourselves.
This refreshing collection of 90 daily devotions comes from two moms who’ve found themselves face-to-the-floor in need of encouragement and now offer it to you. Through humor and vulnerability, these short messages of truth remove the filters of perfection clouding your vision and bring clarity to your purpose as a mom. As you read the Scripture and prayer that accompany each day’s message, you’ll discover more fully who you are in Christ and how to raise your children to reflect His love to the world.
The book is filled with chapters written by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin and Gretta Kennedy that will relate to many aspects of your life as a mom. When you are feeling low, picking up the book and finding out you are not alone is very comforting as is reading the prayer at the end of the chapter. It gives e the ability to forgive myself and start anew. It is a beautiful thing to know we can always do better with God’s Grace.
Hang in There, Mama!
For those moments when you think you’ll never live up to the Supermoms around you—when you’re elbow deep in the grind of diapers and laundry and peanut butter sandwiches—you need a good dose ofGrit and Grace. In giving yourself grace, you will find you have even more grace to give from the One who is present in your life right now and in every moment.
Q: How did the two of you team up to write Grit & Grace?
Suzanne Hadley Gosselin (SHG): I was in the throes of raising three young children who were 5, 3 and 18-months old, and it occurred to me one day that I was depleted in every way, but especially spiritually. I found that ironic, since my husband is a pastor and I’m a Christian writer. I had many spiritual resources easily accessible to me, and yet I was still struggling. I also realized that it wasn’t good because in this season of raising young children I really needed Jesus, arguably more than ever.
Around that same time, I had a conversation with my 3-year-old daughter about how I could no longer fit into my “fanciest dress” (my wedding dress) because I had gotten bigger when I had babies. Her reaction floored me. Her eyes sparkled and she said, “Was I one of the babies in your tummy that made you get bigger?” My daughter could see the beauty in something that I had allowed to make me feel like a failure. I realized, then, that God uses these years to teach mamas so many wonderful truths through their children.
Meanwhile, God was laying it on Gretta’s heart to encourage moms of young children. Gretta studied women’s ministry at Multnomah where we met and were college roommates and had a knack for connecting with women and meeting them where they’re at. We were talking on the phone one day and realized that God had given us the exact same vision to provide digestible devotions for moms of young children to encourage and strengthen them in their role as mothers. That’s when the idea of Grit & Grace was born. Q: Who did you write Grit & Grace for? What stage of motherhood will get the most encouragement from reading your book?
SHG: We wrote Grit & Grace for moms of young children. We’re looking at the season that encompasses babies, toddlers and early elementary school. Many times, if they have multiple children, mamas are navigating all of these stages at once. While the stories focus on the young children years, the truths from God’s Word apply to mamas (and even grandmas) at all stages. We have had Grandmas comment that they feel encouraged to show greater intentionality toward their grandchildren. Q: What does it mean to you to have grit and grace?
Gretta Kennedy (GK): Having grit is pushing through the hard stuff of motherhood with determination and laser-focus on the end goal of raising children who love and serve Jesus. Having grace means realizing that God offers you peace, rest and help in this season and as well as being kind to your children and especially yourself! Q: Can you describe the format of the book? How much time does each devotional take to read?
SHG:Grit & Grace is a 90-Day devotional, and our concept was to provide quick-read nuggets of truth for busy mamas. These devos should take no longer than five minutes to get through, and the Scripture passage is included so you don’t even have to go find your Bible. The idea is that these can be read in the tiny spaces in a mama’s day—while the kids are napping or she’s nursing the baby. Each daily devotion includes a true story of motherhood and delves into a spiritual truth that was learned through the experience. Each devotion also includes a prayer to allow busy moms to respond the devotion in the moment. Q: When is the best time for you to do your own devotions? Early in the morning, during nap time or after the kids are in bed? GK: The few times I was able to sit down and actually read my Bible when the kids were little, I found that naptime worked best for me. I was never awake enough in the morning, then I’d be completely exhausted at night. During the time my kids were tiny, I often felt like a failure in this department. That’s when I learned my devotional time needed to be throughout the day. I wrote verses on notecards and put them up in the kitchen cupboards. I played worship music all day long. I wrote messages on my bathroom mirror. Those were the ways I found I could consistently have my quiet time. Mommy brain is pretty mushy, so I took it in little spurts. I recited the same verse over and over and eventually, those were the sweetest messages I got from God.
SHG: I do best when I have devotional time interspersed throughout the day. I like to pray and listen to worship music while I’m loading the dishwasher. When I want to go a little deeper, I usually dig in after the kids have gone to bed. Like Gretta, I have often felt like a failure in this area. I want to be an amazing mommy, but I neglect the One who can help me. One of the reasons I wanted to write a devotional like this was to help exhausted moms like me, who couldn’t seem to find the time and space for daily devotional time.
Gretta Kennedy
Q: Before you had children, what did you expect motherhood to be like? What surprised you most when you became a mother? GK: I did a lot of babysitting as a kid and young adult, so I at least knew that kids aren’t perfect, and taking care of them can be pretty tiring. But the thing that surprised me the most was the huge responsibility of motherhood. I was the one who needed to be the expert on my child. No one else would know her like I did. Also, being a mother is totally different from being the babysitter! I was responsible for everything…not just this little person. The house, the food, the everything…oh yeah, and the children.
SHG: I have worked with kids since I was a teen. In fact, I met my husband when he struck up a conversation with me about children’s ministry. I always assumed I’d take to motherhood like a fish to water. I was wrong. The stress of being a mom revealed many of my weaknesses, such as being unskilled at managing our home and all the little demands of motherhood. It also revealed my selfishness as I was pushed to put others before myself again and again.
Q: What was one of the biggest pressures you felt as a new mom? In what ways did you feel insecure? GK: I wanted to do everything right and have the perfect child. I wanted to be super mom. I wanted to be super wife. And I think that pressure came from within me, not so much from outside influences. I quickly learned that I was human and couldn’t do it all…especially maintain a clean home, serve a healthy dinner on time, and be everything my husband needed as well. It was impossible. I had to find a different and new rhythm and realistic expectations.
SHG: I struggled with not feeling cut out for motherhood. I was awkward interacting in mom circles, and I didn’t feel as knowledgeable as other moms. I kind of bumbled through the daily mechanics of caring for children. In my 10-year career as an editor at a major Christian organization, I had felt competent every day and received steady praise for my contributions. For the first time in my life, I felt like I wasn’t “good” at my job and though my babies were adorable, they didn’t offer me the kudos for my work I’d received in the workplace. I compared myself to the super-moms around me and saw myself coming up so short. As a perfectionist, it was an adjustment to find that, in some ways, I wasn’t a natural at being a mom. God had to take me on a very specific journey of accepting who He made me to be and realizing that He had teamed me up with my kids, with both my strengths and weaknesses in mind. That was powerful.
Q: Suzanne, you write that your spiritual life took a hit after you became a mom. In what ways?
SHG: Spiritual disciplines have always been an area of weakness for me. Even before kids, I struggled to meet with the Lord at a consistent time each day. However, I did find time to get in the Word daily and received consistent spiritual input through working at a Christian organization, being plugged in at church and attending multiple Bible studies during my single years. I had my first child a year and a half after I got married and decided to stay home. I quickly became isolated and overwhelmed and struggled to find time to even crack open the Bible. I felt too tired to pray. I realized many of the struggles I was experiencing, such as a negative view on life, conflicts with my husband and anger toward my children were the bad fruit of a life that wasn’t connected to the True Vine. But it was more difficult than it ever had been to sit at Jesus’ feet and be refreshed by Him. Q: Gretta, you write about losing your identity when you became a mom. Was it something you realized all at once or was it gradual? What would you like readers to realize about their true identity? GK: I had quite the cool job before I became a mom, and I loved what I did. A young newlywed and capable and trusted in an outdoor adventure-based ministry, I found great fulfillment in my marriage and career. When our daughter was born, my life was consumed with her. Being a good mom and knowing my daughter’s every need became my top priority, and I genuinely loved it. But around the 6-month mark, it dawned on me that every conversation I had with others always revolved around mom life. It no longer mattered what I did prior to becoming a mother, and no one really cared anymore about my relationship with my husband. It was all about my daughter. I had become just a mom.
I really struggled with that because I felt there was so much more to me, but none of that mattered anymore. “Mom” was it for me from here on out. Then God reminded me very clearly that titles are not my true identity. My identity needs to be found in him alone because that will never change. So truths like “daughter of the King” and “chosen” and “forgiven” became the identities I tried to focus on. This is so important for moms to remember. The little children years are so demanding that we can forget how God sees us. We are so much more than moms. We are redeemed! We are gifted! We are loved! If we can keep our identity centered as God sees us, then as we go through changes in life, our foundation won’t be shaken and we will be more free to live as God truly intended.
Q: What are some of the topics you cover in the devotionals?
SHG: We talk about perfectionism, comparison, joy, gratefulness, fear, rejection, weariness, calling, tenacity (grit) and hope (grace). Our subtitle is Devotions for Warrior Moms, and that is how we view mamas. They are on the front lines guiding their children to God’s truth and aiming them at the target—Jesus. Grit & Grace talks about the gamut of emotions mothers of young children face, both good and bad. Q: Do either of you have a favorite devotional in the book?
SHG: My favorite devotional is titled “(Gingerbread) Man Down.” I talk about how my daughter accidentally broke two gingerbread men ornaments that had been a gift from a coworker. They had sentimental value, and I yelled at her when she broke them. A few weeks later, she presented me with a new gingerbread man ornament. It was gaudy and glittery and painted with bold colors. She told me, “Mommy, this gingerbread man is even more beautiful than the ones I broke.” In the devotion, I talk about how that is what God does for us. He fixes our broken places and gives us something more beautiful than what we started with. Q: As your kids have started to grow up, what are some of the things you miss about having kids at the youngest stages? GK: I miss the simplicity of sitting on the couch and reading stories, the chair in the kitchen while they help mix ingredients, and the funny ways the kids pronounced words and phrases!
SHG: Mine are still pretty young, but with the older ones, I miss their absolute need and dependence on me…just wanting to be with me every second for no apparent reason. Isn’t that a picture of my Heavenly Father and me? I am absolutely dependent on Him and should crave to be with Him every day. And I miss all the kisses and hugs. My 2-year-old is still the best at those!
Q: If moms only take away one thing from reading Grit & Grace, what do you hope they learn?
SHG: We hope they will feel encouraged and empowered that God has chosen them for their specific children. They are called to this. There are so many sweet moments that come along with the difficult ones. As one pre-reader said, “Grit & Grace is helping me treasure hunt for grace in the challenging moments of motherhood and remember to savor the sweet moments I want to be etched deep into my heart forever.” Yes. That.
So excited to share with you a book that is perfect for reading with your kids this time of year or for them to read themselves. The Christmasaurus is all about the power of believing.
Once upon a time—long, long ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth—an egg rolled away from its mother and landed in the ocean, where it froze solid and stayed peacefully for thousands of years. Then one day Santa and his elves discover the frozen egg, and Santa sits on it to see if it will hatch. But he can’t guess what’s inside. . . . A dinosaur!
Meanwhile, a young boy named William Trundle has only ever wished for one thing for Christmas: a dinosaur! So whenSanta accidentally gives William the real Christmasaurus instead of a stuffed replica, it’s the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! Until an evil man known as the Hunter decides a dinosaur will be the perfect addition to his collection.
Written by McFly band member, YouTuber, and UK celebrity TOM FLETCHER, THE CHRISTMASAURUS is sure to become an instant Christmas classic.
Check out our video of the book below:
Giveaway
Penguin Random is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of The Christmasaurus! Thank you to Penguin Random for the review book and for sponsoring this dinomite giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US Residents.
The Christmasaurus Hardcover Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Did you know that chipmunks love to stay up past their bedtime? Or that dragons cry at happy endings? I bet you’d never have guessed that iguanas sometimes get homesick at sleepovers.
In Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets, author SARAO’LEARY and illustrator JACOB GRANT pull back the curtain on the animal world and give us an absolutely charming little one-line”fact” about one animal for each letter of the alphabet.
Kids will love to see their own quirks reflected in these adorably rendered creatures,and perhaps will be comforted to know that—just like them—narwhals can be perfectly happy all on their own and quail also get tired of being told to be quiet. This is more than just an alphabet book.
Owls Are Good At Keeping Secrets is a charming, hilarious, and touching look at the diversity of personalities in the world—worth many, many rereads. Check out the adorable book trailer here.
Let me know what you think of this wise new picture book. We think it’s a hoot!
If you have a child that loves animals, you probably have your own zoo in your house. I know I am finding animals everywhere in my house. Whether they are plush, hard figures or drawings, there is a menagerie of creatures everywhere I look. In the new picture book, There’s an Elephant in my Bathtub by Connie Bowman, a Dad finds and rounds up all kinds of animals and escorts them to his son’s room.
Later, when the son returns from school, he finds that his dad has gathered all his animals together for a safari party in his room. This is a delightful book that will have kids grinning from ear to ear as they see a gorilla on the kitchen counter and a bear eating the last of the breakfast cereal in the pantry. The illustrator of this book is Kelly O’Neill.
The Children’s Book Review and Connie Bowman are sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Thank you to Connie Bowman and The Children’s Book Review for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.
Enter to win a copy of There’s an Elephant in My Bathtub by Connie Bowman, and a menagerie of stuffed animals!
One (1) winner receives:
An autographed copy of There’s an Elephant in My Bathtub
A menagerie of stuffed animals, as featured in the prize image
Nine (9) winners will receive:
An autographed copy of There’s an Elephant in My Bathtub
Giveaway begins December 1, 2018, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends December 31, 2018, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Giveaway open to residents of Canada and the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older.
Connie Bowman is responsible for prize fulfillment.
Have you ever wanted to do something, but just could not due to your fear? I am sure like me, most of you can relate to at least one time, your fear held you back from doing something. For author Lauren Gaskill, it was on a family vacation when everyone but her, plunged off a boat into the ocean to go snorkeling. Lauren, an accomplished swimmer, could not get over her fear that there might be sharks in the water, and remained on the boat.
Years later, standing on a pier, Lauren felt that same fear as she was being cheered on to dive into the waves below. This time, she did not let that fear hold her back, and dove right into that deep blue ocean water.
Starting in high school Lauren had intense anxiety, panic attacks at night that continued into college. These attacks made her wonder why God was not helping her, why did it feel like she was drowning in a sea of despair. Lauren was lost in sea of anxiety, depression and chronic pain due to a health condition that continued to worsen.
Lauren began to lose her faith in God. She stopped believing God had a plan or his ability to save her. After graduating from College, Lauren found a Christian counselor and she was able to get out of the undertow and begin swimming with Jesus.
As I read this book, I could relate so well to the anxiety that Lauren faced in high school and college. I remember that in my own life, and I was hooked from that first chapter. If you want examples and tools to take your faith to the next level and help you control your reactions to overwhelming situations, you should read this book.
If you are ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy, check out Into the Deep. You can also find this book on Mommy Ramblings’ 2018 Holiday Gift Guide.
You can see more in my video below:
Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters.Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!
Giveaway
Audra Jennings PR is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky reader will win their own copy of Into the Deep! Thank you to Audra Jennings PR for the review book and for sponsoring this inspirational giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.
Into the Deep Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!
If you are looking for a fun picture book, How Do You Take A Bath?,really fits the bill. You will smile and laugh as you follow elephants, pigs, monkeys, hippos, and more in this charming read-aloud from veteran author Kate McMullan. Perfect for fans of Five Little Monkeys Jump in the Bath, How Do You Take A Bath?is a fun and educational picture book that brings together adorable baby animals and bath time.
How does a pig take a bath? It sinks in the mud! What about a chicken? It thrashes about in dust! And a cat? Why, it licks itself clean, of course! Sydney Hanson’s adorable illustrations toggle neatly between animals in nature grooming themselves and humorous depictions of children attempting the animals’ bathing tactics. By the end of the book, the child finally makes his way to the bathtub, no mud baths or lick baths about it!
Check out my video review of this book:
The book’s fun, rhyming prose makes it perfect for storytime and provides the facts to back it up for science discussions. With How Do You Take a Bath?, teachers looking for a classroom read-aloud and parents searching for a new book about bath time need look no further!
Giveaway:
Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of How Do You Take A Bath?! Thank you Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.
How Do You Take A Bath? Hardcover Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget. Good Luck!!!
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
