Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Review/Giveaway: God Is With Me books

Esmé's Mommy here, reviewing two of Esmé's books, since she stole my computer and wrote a review of MY book on Winning Readings today...

We were privileged to receive two titles by Julie Cantrell: God Is With Me Through the Day, and God Is With Me Through the Night. These 32-page hardcover picture books have a suggested age level of 4-7. They are available for $9.99 each through the Zonderkidz site.

Thanks to Zonderkidz for the review copies.

Here's what the publisher says about God Is With Me Through the Day:

"For a child, so many things can happen in one day. Sometimes the world outside is a scary place. There is so much to be discovered and understood and at times the adventure is simply overwhelming. This story reminds kids that God is always present. He is a protector who never stops caring for all children each day through. With comforting pictures of lovable critters that seem to have similar feelings and an engaging message, children will be assured that God is always near."

And about God Is With Me Through the Night:

"In this book, furry friends reveal that even the biggest and bravest of God’s creatures feel frightened sometimes. This comforting story allows parents to build stronger bonds with their children while reminding readers of all ages that fear, loneliness, and hopelessness can be alleviated when we put our trust in God. The story ends with an easy-to-remember Bible verse that teaches children about God’s love. 'Fear not, for I am with you.'"

Author Julie Cantrell is a speech-language pathologist who has worked with preschool kids. When her daughter was five and afraid of the dark, they worked together to create a story that incorporated her daughter's love of animals and reading and dealt with her fear. It also incorporated Julie's observations that young children prefer books with big pictures, simple text, and repetitive prose.

You can find lots of Thanksgiving ideas on Julie's blog: Julie's Journal. You can also join the God is with Me through the Day and Night Facebook group for more information.

Mommy's Notes

These books have a definite WOW factor as soon as you pull them out of the box. They are bright, picturesque, with creative font, and with LOTS of animals.

And the text is a beautiful, simple reminder that God is with each of us wherever we go. It leads perfectly to the culminating verse at the end of each book: "When I am afraid, I will trust in You," and "Do not fear, for I am with you." What better thoughts to leave my child with as we head out for the day or go to sleep at night?

These are definitely cuddle books - I love snuggling with Esmé as we read together. She's fascinated by the animal pictures, which, while they support the text amazingly, can result in stories and lessons of the own. For instance, we've spent lots of time debating which lion is the mommy and which is the daddy in one of the photos - since Esmé is convinced that the one with long hair is the mommy. We act out the expressions and make the animal sounds, too.

It's hard to describe these books adequately - I just want to share them with you! And I will, with two of you...

Giveaway

Thanks to the generosity of Zonderkidz, we've got one of each of these books to give away. And to spread the winning around, we'll pick two winners, one for each book.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post. Make sure we have a way to contact you if you win.

We'll randomly pick the winners on December 10th.

International readers welcome!

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36 comments:

The Activity Mom said...

I would love to win! B is scared of the dark right now and I think this would really help.

Annette W. said...

Not that I should judge by the covers...but these look great, and you make them sound great too!

Amber said...

Yea!! Thanks for the opportunity to win these - they look and sound great!

Bombtastic Belle said...

These are such cute books! Love the giveaway!

The girl who painted trees said...

We love to snuggle up and read here too:) It's one of our favorite activities throughout the day. Bear loves animals and these would be a great addition to our shelves. Thanks :)

juliecerdas at gmail dot com

Diana D said...

Would love to be your lucky winner. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

Jennifer said...

I know I'd like these and am pretty certain Charlotte would too.

Hayley said...

My 3 kiddos would love these! Thanks for the chance to win!

wmmahaney said...

I would love to share this book with my son. He would love it.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

plb8156 said...

These books look great. I think they would really help my son cope with his fears :)
plb8156@aol.com

Mozi Esme said...

LC on Facebook

Missybeez said...

I would love to read these to my kids!


honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Annie1 said...

These are beautiful books!


ty

nancyrobster@gmail.com

Jill said...

These look like beautiful books.

tutucuteforme(at)hotmail(dot)com

maweisberg said...

i would love to win this

Anonymous said...

I would love to win for my grand children. It would help them cope with their fears.

mjmeeks5@netscape.net

Reading said...

Please count me in. Thanks for the chance.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Melissa said...

I would love to win these for my kids.

melissamcnicol at yahoo dot com

Renee G said...

My boys would love these.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Bachuchay said...

Please count me in!

huggie0109(at)yahoo(dot)com

erma said...

I'd love to win this.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Would love to win this!!

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this to my kids.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Happy December!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

reddon30 said...

I would love to win and share with my 4 kids...thank you.

Hotsnotty2 said...

I would love to win this for my daughter, thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

cstironkat said...

I would love to read these books to my Sunday School class.

THE SWIFT HOUSE said...

these would be great to give my sister for childrens church that she teaches.

Maja said...

i would like to read it

doodlegirl said...

looks like some nice books to read to my daughter

SeahorseLady said...

This sounds like a good and comforting book for my 3 nieces.

SeahorseLady said...

I follow.

Jinxy and Me said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

cman said...

Please enter me :)

Linda Kish said...

These are wonderful. Please include me.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

memetu said...

God is with me through the night book maybe the best choice for both my tots since they don't want to go to bed.
metu AT hotmail DOT com