"Secret Garden" book review

I bought this book recently after seeing it on Mary Corbet's blog Needle n Thread. I wasn't disappointed when it arrived.

So, what is this book? A colouring book! But it's more than that. It is a beautiful book of intricate and original designs. The author/ illustrator Johanna Basford has filled the pages with pictures inspired by the flora and fauna of her homeland, Scotland.

There are a few ways you could use the book. Firstly, as a special colouring book, secondly as a base for ideas for pictures of your own and thirdly, you could use it from a design perspective for things like embroidery, as Mary has done. If you take a moment to look at what Mary is doing you can see the potential for such wonderful designs!

To be honest, it is the sort of book that I am attracted to but would write off as a "too frivolous" buy.  At around $16.40 it isn't too extravagant, but unless you photocopy pages to use rather than colouring directly in the book, it is consumable.

My plan for the book is still a secret (at least from my children). It is sitting on top of a shelf as yet unseen by them. I will wait for the right moment - a day well spent, extra chores done or some other achievement and then allow a picture to be chosen to colour in with our best quality pencils. The picture can be dated and named. Gradually, the children will have these beautiful pictures to look back on and enjoy. (I think the little one will have to wait a while to have her turn ;) )

* If you purchase this book via this link you will be blessing me and my family with a small commission - a very valuable thing for a family of book lovers!

"I just can't take it anymore!" book review and giveaway

Anthony Destefano has a new book and it's a little different to his other works. Each page has a comical photo of children along with encouraging text for those feeling discouraged. It's a lighthearted look at life, it's problems and the way we deal with them. It's also a reminder that a good sense of humour, along with trust in God will go a long way when we experience conflict.

The book would make a great gift.

You can read more about the book here and the press release is here.

I have one copy to giveaway, unfortunately there is a small tear in one page, courtesy of my over enthusiastic toddler!

Sorry, this giveaway is open to Australian residents only :)

Just leave a comment to enter and I'll draw the winner on Tuesday.

The Invisible World

I love being asked to review books on my blog but I do have a strict policy that I adhere to: if I don't like the book then I don't review it - I would rather not complete the review than do the author the disservice of giving a bad review.

I was thrilled when Anthony Destefano sent me a copy of his latest book to review but also a little apprehensive because although I have read his marvellous children's literature I had not yet ventured into his adult books.

No fear - I loved the book. It is one of those hard to put down, "wish I had a free day or two to just read this" books.

                                                                                   Image from Amazon

To give an overview, Anthony writes about the unseen world around us - delving into angels, devils and spirits, but it goes much deeper than that. I found the book to be highly intelligent and multi angled.

 Anthony's writing style is personal, but in a brotherly way rather than a distant authoritarian way.
It is pointed, yet not heavy, so an excellent read for a busy Mum like me.

I found the content easy to understand - no new concepts for me but a reiteration of known and some forgotten facts.

The Invisible World would appeal to Christians of all denominations, but also those who are interested in Christianity, death and eternity.

What I have received from reading this book is a reignition of some areas of my faith that had been overlooked and perhaps gone a little cold over time. I've been reminded of invisible forces that shape who I am and what I do.

The final verdict - highly recommended!

Pocketful of Posies

                                                                 Image credit

Have you seen Salley Mavor's latest? Her artistry is just so beautiful - the detail of the stitching, the layout of the scenes - wonderful!

"Second Chance" book review

"Second Chance" by Sandra J Gerencher is a story based on the author's own family and involves the adoption of a new dog - "Chance". The tale is told through the eyes and perceptions of the Chance, who had been living in a shelter.

Chance has many adjustments to make to his new life. There are other dogs in the house and he also notices that there is something different about his owner, Ryan. As Chance learns more about his new family he finds that he and Ryan have a great deal in common.

"Second Chance" offers readers an interesting insight into both adoption and autism. The themes that really stand out in the book are love and hope.

Sandra Gerencher has extensive experience in special education and has also adopted a son who has autism and other special needs. Sandra has a personal mission to save dogs from high kill animal shelters through adoption. You can read more about Sandra here or at Tribute Books.

Red in the Flower Bed

"Red in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa is a touching and beautifully crafted children's book on the topic of interracial adoption.

The story follows a little seed from the beginning of it's journey of uncertainty to the end where it becomes a flower with positive nurturing and care. The seed is an analogy for the child who is to be adopted and gives a gentle explanation for the adoptive child who may wonder why.

The illustrations are very simple yet emotive. The book would suit not only an interracially adoptive family but any adoptive family.

I am a great supporter of adoption and I lament the fact that the adoption process is made so difficult  and sometimes inaccessible for so many. The author is an adoptive parent herself which is quite obvious as this is a book written from the heart.

You can learn more about Andrea Nepa or purchase her book here.

* I do not receive payment for reviews unless otherwise specified.

I may disappear for a few days...

My copy finally arrived in the mail today!! Can't wait to start reading but I have an agonising wait until the children are in bed, it's no fun trying to read with constant interruptions.

You can read about the author D.M. Cornish here.

In other news, I actually have a job interview on Monday! I'm more than a little apprehensive given that it's many years since my last interview.

I'll spare a few minutes sometime tomorrow to come back and draw the giveaway.

Care for Creation book review

I was at first a little skeptical when asked to review "Care for Creation" by Christy Baldwin, as I think the whole "environment thing" has been blown way out of proportion and terms like "climate change" or "globalisation" have been misused and misunderstood.

I'm glad to say this book takes a commonsense and, very importantly, a biblical approach to environmental care and every day living. Christy writes about caring for God's creation - reminding us that the world is not ours to own. 

The well illustrated book is a common sense guide for children (and perhaps parents?) and introduces ways to make a difference each day. Every page includes a bible reference. At the end of the book are suggested activities and discussion questions.

Christy is a stay at home Mum from Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Special Education.

You can also win a copy of the book here for a limited time.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway this week!

Little Star

                                                                Image courtesy of Amazon.com


I'm usually a little apprehensive when it comes to books written about "the Christmas story" as they can be a little fanciful and detract from the true beauty and meaning of the Nativity. Instead of believing the reality of the birth of Jesus, children can start to feel it is just another story that makes for good reading but without any real substance.

Not so with Anthony's book, "Little Star". Without giving too much of the story away and ruining the surprise for you, the book offers a look at the Nativity from a different angle without changing what actually happened. The book begins with a father speaking to his young son, so the child can instantly relate to the story. The writing is descriptive but not complicated. I must mention the illustrations also, which are artistic, beautiful and vibrant.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book (and it would make a great Christmas present).

Anthony DeStefano is a dedicated Christian and a lovely person to deal with. If you would like to find out more about him and his other books, Google offers a wide range of pages or you could start here.

Happy reading!

Please note: I do not receive cash payment for product reviews unless otherwise specified.

Poo, bum, wee - oh please!!

We love books. What we would do without good books I do not know. Which brings me to the library. What we would do without the library I do not know, but I feel a little excited each time I walk in there knowing I can borrow up to 60 items and not pay a cent.
We visit the library at least once a week and use our full quota (remember there are 6 of us!)

But something has been bothering me about an increasing trend in children's fictions. Many adult writers seem to feel that the dumber their books are the more they will sell. And I guess they must be right because a lot of these authors are very popular.

These books lack dignity. They belittle children. They force the child into a stereotypical box of giggles over obscenities and slang. They "dumb down" the child not to mention the parent or other adult who has obtained the book in the first place.

I have my own personal boycott against these authors and hope that others will do the same so that "toilet fiction" will eventually fizzle out altogether.

I have it on pre - order

So excited, can't wait!! Have to wait until November though :(

If you don't know what I'm talking about go here.

A lovely book

(Image from amazon.com)

I borrowed this book from the library and am really impressed. The story is arranged and written nicely, but it's the visual impact that I love. (It may have something to do with the fact that Goldilocks is a doll!)

The doll was made by R. John Wright out of felt. I've read about this technique before but haven't seen one that is so beautiful.
The set for the book was entirely handbuilt in miniature. Looking at it makes me want to start making tiny things!

If you haven't seen this book before, it's well worth a look, my girls in particular are very taken with it.

Books

My mother in law has loaned an excellent book to me, I can hardly put it down. It is about a Christian woman's journey through prison and labour camps under communist rule. I love to read these true stories as it teaches me so much about myself and my own life. It reminds me of how selfish and materialistic I am and that my faith needs to be so much stronger. My life is so easy and I take it for granted. The title of the book is "The Pastor's Wife" by Sabina Wurmbrand.

On the sewing front I made a nappy cover and notebook cover yesterday, both of which turned out nicely. Now I'm waiting on my next Winterwood delivery so I can start on some more dolls and fill up my sad little Etsy shop.

My husband has cruised the garage sales this morning and come home with a bunch of action figures (enter very happy son!) and some excellent big lattice screens for the garden. Our new water tank arrives on Monday, can't wait! Now all we need is some rain to fill it!

I hope you have a wonderful and productive weekend.
God bless.

Monster blood tattoo

Have you read these yet? I highly recommend that you do! These are the best fantasy novels I've read for a long time (so what if they're written for children, LOL) I'm impatiently awaiting the release of book 3 now. Have a look here if you're interested.

organisation!

I'm reading "A Mother's Rule of Life" by Holly Pierlot which has given me some food for thought, in particular about the state of our home. As we homeschool I don't get any time to clean and organise without children around. Holly gives some excellent suggestions about getting the children involved and delegating tasks. Who says Mum has to do everything!? She also suggests a "room analysis" which I will be undertaking and prompts every family to have a budget, which is something I've been trying to instigate for a few years. I've started with the living/ sewing/ play room (yes it has many functions!) which in truth should be known as the dumping space! I'm doing before and after photos, so watch this space!