Learn and Spell Puzzle Book of Learning

Learn and Spell / Puzzle Book of Learning by Frank N. and Dotsie J., is a workbook designed to teach preschoolers their alphabet and numbers.

The pages of this workbook are bright and colorful. As children are learning the alphabet, they are also being taught a little rhyme about Jesus.

As the children are introduced to a number, because each letter is equated to a number. As the children learn these combinations of letters and numbers ("A is letter number 1"), they are given activities and games which combine the letters and their "partner" numbers.

What I Like: I like that a lot of thought has been put into the designing of this book. Rather than children being taught the traditional "A is for apple," words that children would use in their daily vocabulary are used instead. "A is for and."As children are being taught the alphabet, they will notice that vowels have a shadow behind them in order to teach them that these sounds are different from all of the others.

I also like that where most preschool learning books children are usually taught to count to the numbers 10 or 15, in this book they are taught to count up to 26 because of the number of alphabet in the English language.

What I Dislike: I personally have a hard time equating a letter to a number. All of the games use the letter/number relationship which is somewhat difficult for preschoolers to do, and the games are extremely difficult, in my opinion.

Although I know that a lot of thought and time has gone into the making of this book, I think it is a bit expensive.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-6 years.

Publisher Info: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013; ISBN: 978-1482701753; paperback, 48 pgs., $10.53

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.53

David and Goliath Dry-Erase Activity Tablet

Moms know dry erase is better than sliced bread. Kids love dry erase, dry erase products can be used over and over again, and if you use dry erase crayons (as opposed to pens), you don't have to worry about kids getting pen stains all over the house. Knowing these things, Dr. Mary Manz Simon has created David and Goliath, a dry erase booklet (or "tablet," as the publisher calls it), specially designed for pre-K learning.

The 14-page booklet tells the Bible story of David and Goliath, giving children something to draw on every page. For example, when David talks to King Saul, children are asked to draw the king's crown - and when David collects five stones, children are asked to draw them into the picture. After the story, there are several pages of educational activities, including alike and different pages, matching shapes, things that don't belong, and things that start with the letter D. The last page of the book has a short prayer, plus a Bible verse to memorize.

This book also has a go-with item, which, while it's not a book and must be purchased separately, is important to mention: It's a set of 24 double sided dry erase cards that really up the level of learning the booklet offers. The cards include activities for recognizing different sizes, clapping out syllables, counting, recognizing letters, same and different, shapes, and more.

What I Like: My children (including my 9 year old, who is much too old for pre-K learning!) LOVED this set! They literally spent most of the day working with it. And I know that not only did the booklet and cards reinforce their knowledge about a Bible story, but they had educational value beyond that, too. I really can't recommend this set enough for the pre-K crowd.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: about 4 - 6.


Publishing Info: Dayspring, 2014; UPC # 081983551550; wire binding, 14 pgs., $5.99 (dry erase cards $4.99)

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Buy the dry erase activity cards for $4.99 

Special Info:  Read our reviews of other books by Dr. Mary Manz Simon.

Good Grades Educational Workbook: Shapes and Colors

Good Grades Educational Workbook: Shapes and  Colors (Pre-K) (Monkey Cover; 2012) is a smaller sized workbook designed to teach specifically about shapes and colors. As written on the front cover of this workbook, this workbook is designed to "help prepare children for kindergarten."

The book is put together in two sections- shapes first and then colors. In each section, children are taught to recognize the different shapes and colors, how to write the name of the shape or color, and then given practice in matching using the shapes and colors learned about.

This book is designed for preschoolers. As the mother of a toddler who will begin an at home K3 program in the fall with my son, I think this book is too advanced for him to use at three years old which is the age the workbook makers have suggested as the starting age for using this book. Because 27 pages of the book involve writing out the names of the shapes and colors, children who have not yet learned to write their letters will have a hard time with those pages.

What I Like: I really like how professionally put together this workbook is. The colors are crisp and the pages are clean and simple. I also like the way each "lesson" fits a pattern. The shape or color is introduced, the child is taught how to write the name of the shape or color, there is an activity for the child (finish drawing the shape or circle the items that are "this color"), and then a final activity.

What I Dislike: I find this workbook to be rather expensive. On Amazon it is listed at $2.91, but shipping is $5.61. That is a total of $8.52 for a workbook that is similar to what can be found at the Dollar Store or in the $1 bin at Target.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 4-6 years old

Publisher Info: The Clever Factory, Inc., 2012; ISBN: 80600866513 ; paperback, 64 pgs., $2.91


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The Girl's Guide to Your Dream Room

Decorating your bedroom and becoming a girl of God - Sherry Kyle makes the two come together in The Girl's Guide to your Dream Room. Written in an informal, friendly style, Kyle's focus is on "crafts, activities, quizzes, and tips that will help you on your way to make changes inside and out...[Learn] how to redecorate your room...and how to discover a new you!"

Each chapter in this guide begins with a Bible verse, then a short, fictional story about a girl redecorating her room or dealing with a related personal issue. For example, the first chapter quotes Ephesians 2:10 ("For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.") and tells a story about a girl who asks her Mom if she can have a garage sale in order to revamp her bedroom into a less "little girl" style. This is followed by a journaling page, which includes questions like "Have you outgrown your bedroom? How does that make you feel?" There are also quick tips on decorating, "Did You Know?" sections, quizzes, and similar fun things. Each chapter then ends with a devotional, devotional journallng page, memory verses, and a short prayer.

Examples of activities include writing letters to God, making a bedroom diorama, whipping up a no-sew valance, making a bed canopy, creating a pillow, making a blanket and rag rug, and creating other items that easily change the look of items already in a room.

The book comes with a purple cross key chain.
 
What I Like: The Girl's Guide to Your Dream Room is a really informative decorating guide for girls. The author delves into topics like the color wheel and types of art, in addition to how to lay out a room on graph paper and refurbish items like lamps and boxes. The stories and devotionals delve far beyond decorating, covering important topics like choosing whether to be Martha or Mary, being truthful and humble, sacrificing for others, letting your light shine, being cheerful, and more.

What I Dislike: In the beginning of the book, the switch from talking about decorating to talking about God is a bit jarring, seeming not to go together at all. But as the book progresses, the tie-ins between the two topics make more sense.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Tweens and young teens.

Publishing Info: Legacy Press; 2013; ISBN: 978-1584111436; paperback, 192 pgs., $10.99

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Cracking the Covenant Code for Kids

Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt have written Cracking the Covenant Code For Kids to give eight to twelve-year-old readers a chance to study the Bible inductively. Arthur explains, "That word inductive means you go straight to the Bible yourself to investigate what the Bible shows you about our awesome God, our amazing Savior, and the blessings of being in covenant with God through Jesus. In inductive Bible study, your 'discover 4 yourself' what the Bible says and means."

Arthur and Arndt use the backdrop of two children's visit with their uncle in Israel to guide readers through studying both Old Testament and New Testament covenants. Max and Molly have exciting adventures at various Israeli historical sites as they discover clues and crack codes meant to teach them about what the Bible says about covenant. Arthur and Arndt detail beliefs necessary to become a Christian, and emphasize the wonderful gift God's covenant is to Christians.

Each chapter contains multiple puzzles to be solved with codes, ciphers, diagrams, and symbolic alphabets.

What I Like: Arthur and Arndt are clearly excited about the good news of Christ. They want readers to enter into a life-changing, covenantal relationship with Jesus. They show readers how to read each word in a particular verse, and consider why individual words are important.

I loved learning more about Israeli life, customs and the Hebrew language.

The puzzles are clever and entertaining for readers of an analytical mindset.

What I Dislike:  Not being particularly analytical myself, I found the puzzles somewhat tedious and was often tempted to skip them, or guess at the correct answers.  If you enjoy crosswords, sudoku, word finds, and the like, you will probably enjoy this book.  However, if you like stories better, you may get frustrated with the constant interruptions to the narrative. 

Also, there is an elaborate system of  color-coding words in your Bible. (For example, draw a yellow box around the word "covenant" and color it red, double-underline the word "land" when it refers to the land of Canaan, with green and color it brown, and so on. . ..) I am sure adults who have completed Kay Arthur's Bible studies in the past would understand the rationale for all the color-coding, but the reason is never given in this book.

Third, I am concerned about the way Arthur and Arndt present salvation. In chapter three, they list thirteen items you must believe to be a Christian, but they emphasize the requirements more than the joy of being saved. Then, in the last chapter, they take readers through a list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control) and ask readers to identify ways they fall short. One question reads, "Do you argue or get along with others? Do you lose your temper? Do you stir up trouble? If you do any of these things, write them down."  After a two-and-a-half page list of similar questions, Arthur concludes, "These characteristics show whether the Holy Spirit is living in you. Remember, in the New Covenant you have the power to do what God says is right because you have the Holy Spirit living in you! If there is no power, then you aren't saved."

Following this statement, Arthur tells readers to say their memory verse to an adult and the book ends two pages later. Arthur never reminds readers how to be saved, or reassures them salvation doesn't mean we will instantly be perfect. Certainly, our lives should show evidence of salvation, but I worry young people, who are much more black and white in their thinking than adults, would feel condemnation and guilt and would feel their own genuine commitments to Christ were not valid.

Overall Rating: Ho-hum.  Although I appreciate giving the 8-12 set a chance to do inductive Bible study, my concerns about the salvation message outweigh the positives. 
 
Age Appeal:  8-12

Publisher Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2012; ISBN: 978-0-7369-2595-2; Paperback, 222 pages, $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99

My Mini Dream Room

If you have a preteen daughter who loves the idea of decorating and still enjoys dollhouses, My Mini Dream Room by Karen H. Whiting is something she'll likely love. This unique book is part how to make dollhouse furniture and part devotional. The introduction begins:

"Hey Girlfriend! Have you ever thought, 'I'm so little, what can I do that will matter to God?' This book will help you discover that the littlest action does matter to God!"

Every few pages includes a "Pebble of Wisdom" (a Bible verse), a short devotional and suggested prayer, a place to write down thoughts, and several how to's.

For example, the first section talks about Martha getting dinner ready for Jesus; offers a prayer thanking God for listening; asks readers to think about what they'd talk to Jesus about, who they'd like to invite to their home, and what they might discuss; then gives several how-to's for mini furniture.

Projects include a chair; an area rug; an "exploding memory box;" dollhouse curtains; a flowerpot with flowers; a dressing table; a hairbrush; a lamp; a mini book, bookcase, and bookends; a skateboard; a "stained glass" window; a bed and comforter; and a wardrobe closet, among other things. Devotional topics include hospitality; God hearing our prayers; reading the Bible; and not worrying.

Throughout, colorful drawings by Dave Carleson give lively examples of the finished dollhouse furniture and generally make the book look fun.

What I Like: I love the simple projects in this book, which encourage creativity and skill, all while gently pointing to the Bible.

What I Dislike: This really isn't a dislike, but if you are expecting a strong devotional from this book, you'll probably be disappointed. Instead, think of this as a how-to book sprinkled liberally with simple advice about God and the Bible.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: about 7 to 12 or so. 

Publishing Info: Legacy; 2012; ISBN: 978-1584111320; spiral bound paperback, 56 pgs., $11.99

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My Very First Noah and the Ark Sticker Book

I don't know a young child who doesn't love sticker books. And a simple sticker book can not only offer some great craft time (working on fine motor skills and creativity), but can result in a book that's kept and read repeatedly. Such is the case with My Very First Noah and the Ark Sticker Book by Lois Rock.

This slim volume tells the popular biblical story in about 15 over-sized pages. Two pages of stickers are also included, and are designed to stick onto the "blanks" among the book's colorful pages. If desired, the stickers can be divided into 8 activities, each focusing on a specific part of the flood story, and each having questions to ponder or separate activities to do. (For example, one page asks "What kind of weather is it as Noah builds?", while another has a matching and counting fish activity.)

The last several pages of the book talk about the colors of the rainbow and the diversity of God's creation.

What I Like: Throughout, Alex Ayliffe's illustrations are bright and cartoonish, appealing strongly to the target age group. Also, the text is very simple, which is great for young children - or children who are eager to get to the "sticking."
 

What I Dislike: At the end of the book, the author writes, "'Look,' said God, 'there is my rainbow in the sky. It is a promise that I will keep the whole world safe forever.'" However, God never promised not to destroy the world again, but only to not destroy it with a flood (see Gen. 9:11).

Overall Rating: Very good, as long as you're willing to edit the above-mentioned error while reading to your child.

Age Appeal: I'd say 3 - 7

Publishing Info: Lion Books; 2012; ISBN: 978-0745961385; paperback, 16 pgs., $4.99.

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The Newborn King

It's a puzzle. It's a book. It's both. The Newborn King by Lori C. Froeb briefly tells the biblical Christmas story for young children - but what makes it stand out from the crowd is that each page features an easy puzzle piece for children to insert into the book.
The boardbook begins by explaining that an angel visits Mary, telling her she's going to have God's son. Then she and Joseph go on a "long journey." When the couple gets to Bethlehem there's no room in the inn so they sleep in the stable. That night, baby Jesus is born, and Mary places him in the animal's feeding trough. Angels appear to shepherds to tell them of Jesus' birth, and they go to the stable to worship the baby.

What I Like: This is an effective way to get young children more interested in the real meaning of Christmas. The illustrations by Pauline Stewart are colorful and friendly, and each page has a place for a single, large, thick puzzle piece to fit. It's easy for young children to tell which puzzle piece goes where - and moms need not fear the book will become useless if a puzzle piece gets lost - because the same image that's on each puzzle piece is also on the page. There is a convenient cardboard box attached to the back of the book, in which puzzle pieces may be stored, if desired.

What I Dislike: There is no mention of who Joseph is - so you'll need to explain to your child that he was Mary's fiance. Also, the book is very short for the price point.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: There is no recommendation, but I'd say baby to preschool.
Publishing Info: Kregel; 2011; ISBN: 978-0825455513; boardbook, 8 pgs., $9.99.Buy Now at Amazon for $9.99
OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $5.49

Special Info: Read our reviews for other Wipe Clean books.

Wipe Clean Christmas Story

For fun Christmas-related activities, Wipe Clean Christmas Story is a great addition to a family's collection. Designed to be used with separately purchased wipe clean pens or crayons, this thin book offers 14 different activities related to the first Christmas, including: connect the dot images, tracing, "find things that are different," coloring, hidden pictures, mazes, and putting pictures in order.

For example, there's a dot-to-dot of Mary, a nativity scene to color, hidden pictures in another nativity scene, and a maze to help the wise men find Jesus

What I Like: My 6 yr. old loves books like this for travel time and rainy days. And I love that she's remembering the reason for the season while she's having fun.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: There is no recommendation, but I'd say preschool through 1st grade or so.

Publishing Info: Candle; 2011; ISBN: 978-1859858912; paperback, 16 pgs., $5.99.

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Special Info: Read our reviews for other Wipe Clean books.

Bible Story Search: Seek and You Shall Find

If you are looking for a book that will keep your child engaged for a long period of time, Bible Story Search: Seek and You Shall Find,written by Tracy Harrast will do just that. The stories featured in this book are: God Saves Noah and the Animals, God Brings Good from Evil (Joseph), God Helps the Little Guy (David and Goliath), God with Us (Jesus' Birth), Jesus Chooses Twelve Helpers, Jesus Feeds More Than 5,000, Jesus Rides Like a King, and Jesus' Last Supper.

Each story is told simply, with detailed illustrations by Steve Cox. On the sidebar, there is a list of hidden pictures to find, with a number of how many of each picture there are in the scene. A plastic magnifying glass is included with this book to help little sleuths see the pictures even better.

What I Like: I love so many things about this book, but my favorite thing is that the book is truly kid-friendly. Some look and find books have the lists of hidden items written, and my beginning reader needs to keep asking me what she is supposed to find. In this book, words, numbers, and illustrations are used. My daughter is able to truly peruse this book all by herself!

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Concordia Pub House, 2011; ISBN:0758627289 ; Hardcover, 24 pgs., $14.99


 Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.69

Special Info: There are pictures of Jesus in this book. We have reviewed more books by this author.

Our Kids Review: The Case of the Missing Mountain

Since my ten-year-old daughter spent a lot of time in the car this summer working on this book, I thought I'd let her review it. She loves reading, writing plays, training animals, and helping people.

Do you want to solve cases of. . . a volcano that vanished? Ice and snow that exploded? A cliff full of secrets? A menacing mudslinger? A forest that floats? Canyon carvers? A green scene machine? And a bonus. . . finding the real treasure? You can do it all in this exciting activity book that's great for the car and makes you think. In The Case of the Missing Mountain, you discover how natural formations could have changed so quickly after Noah's flood.

In the book, Kim Jones teaches you some scientists' theories are wrong. She uses colored pictures and cartoon rangers to help you. Plot Spoiler Ahead: (Don't read if you want to solve mystery Number 5 on your own!) For example, the 20 different layers of trees in Yellowstone National Park were thought to be from 20 different forests, that existed at different times. They teach you that this could be caused by how fast things came back after Noah's flood. (Mom's Note: Jones uses clues from the eruption of Mount Saint Helen to show the layers could have been caused by mudflows carrying forests different places to be buried.)

There are different codes, mazes and crossword puzzles to solve. At the back of the book, there are fun jokes and missions (projects). There's also a website, where you can get prizes if you complete certain things (seven mysteries, two missions, and two "Rockin' Ranger Activities").

What I Like: I like how it teaches modern science and has activities to do.

What I Dislike: I don't like how you have to keep turning back to different pages to remember what the codes are.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Master Books, 2011; ISBN: 978-0-89051-593-8; Paperback, 80 pages, $14.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99

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