Friday, December 2, 2011

Review/Giveaway: Benny’s Angel

Esmé loves books, loves stories where animals can “REALLY” talk, and loves books about God, so I figured Benny’s Angel by Laura Allen Nonemaker would be right up her alley.  And it certainly has led to interesting conversations with our little theologian…

Title:  Benny’s Angel:  A God’s Secret Garden Adventure
Genre:  Religious children’s fiction picture book
image 
Synopsis:
Who stole the flowers in God’s Secret Garden?
When Ella Eagle discovers that the flowers in God’s Secret Garden have wilted, she alerts Mayor Benny Bunny. The main suspect in the case is evil Count Slime, who is jealous of the joy the animals have in the garden. Mayor Benny calls in Oliver Owl, the captain of the Owl Force Wisdom Watchers, but the owls have not seen Count Slime during their patrols of the garden. Mayor Benny suggests the animals pray for an answer. God hears their prayer and sends Marietta the angel to help them solve the mystery.
This delightful tale uses animals, nature, and a visit from an angel to teach children the importance of prayer and the value of trusting God.
About the Author:
Laura Allen Nonemaker’s desire to write took root as a child in Bermuda. Since then, Laura has written in a variety of genres and her work has appeared in Essence Treasury: Celebrating the Season, Alive! and Kentucky Monthly Magazine.
Laura has been involved in short-term missions, including trips to Russia, Poland, and the University of the Nations in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Three years ago, her interest in the arts motivated her to join the planning team for Artful Missions, which conducts juried art shows and donates to outreaches in the U.S. and India to rescue women and children from human trafficking.
Author’s Blog:  Digging in God’s Garden
List Price:  $8.99
To Purchase: Tate Publishing
For More Info (and some fun kids' materials):   http://godsgarden.tateauthor.com/

4yo Esmé’s Synopsis:

How come we can’t see angels?  All the animals could see Marietta!

Why did Marietta [the angel] have to pray?  She could just talk to God!

How does Count Slime know where God’s secret garden is when it’s a SECRET garden?

I know!  The Secret Garden is everywhere – in the fields, our yard, our house, everything that’s gardeny-like!  It’s a secret to humans, but not to princesses or children of God.  If you’re trustworthy, then you’re God’s little child…

[The lesson]  If they acted happy, then they would start to feel happy.  And Count Slime would leave because he saw his tricks were not good enough.

[Starts to sing]  “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.”

The part I liked most was when the animals were being joyful even though the flowers were dead.  That’s what we should do, too.

What Mom Liked:
  • Unique introduction to theology.  Esmé had scads of questions as she tried to differentiate between fact and fiction.  Lots of similarities to the serpent and the garden of Eden, but lots of differences, too.  We discussed the concept of an allegory and I think she was satisfied with her conclusions at the end, though I had to reign them in a little to keep them from getting too far out there.  For a kid who is constantly trying to put puzzle pieces together in her picture of God, this was a uniquely fresh conversation starter.
  • Interaction between God and angels.  The respectful interaction between God and His angels was one of my favorite sections of this book.
  • Fun read-aloud.  With lots of animal parts, this is a fun book to adopt pitches and accents for each character through the book.
  • Cute animal characters.  As I mentioned, talking animals are always a big plus for Esmé.  Count Slime (aka the serpent) is an object of fascination for her, and the book did a good job balancing the relationships between the snake, the animals, and the angel.
  • Bright illustrations.  Colorful pictures keep your child engaged throughout the story.
imageGrand Prize Giveaway!!!!
  • 1 Vivitar Camcorder with Camera and 2X Zoom
  • 1 Benny's Angel Picture Book
  • 1 Benny's Angel 3-D Book
  • 1 Benny's Angel Coloring Book
  • 1 Benny's Angel Audio Book
  • 1 Benny's Angel T Shirt
  • 1 Benny Christmas Ornament
  • 1 Marietta Christmas Ornament
  • 1 96-Count Crayola Crayons
To enter, leave a comment on this post.  If you are a follower or subscriber, leave a second comment for a second entry.

US addresses only.  One entry from this post will be randomly selected on December 8 and sent to the giveaway host for winner selection. 
---------------
Thanks to Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for coordinating a review copy of this book for us.  We are not being paid for this review, and all opinions are our own.

54 comments:

Annette W. said...

My M asks tons of questions, too. This sounds like a good one for us, too!

Annette W. said...

I follow!

Rebecca Conduff Aguirre said...

This looks like a really cute book! I love hearing Esmé's opinions! :) Great giveaway!

Rebecca Conduff Aguirre said...

I follow your blog as well...I really enjoy it!

Leri said...

Looks great. WOuld love to win one of those things. Have a US address (my parents).

Leri said...

I follow and enjoy your blogs.

peg42 said...

This book sounds really wonderful.
Thanks so much. Great prize package.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

peg42 said...

I'm a subscriber.
Thanks
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

slb3334 said...

Looks interesting.

slb3334@gmail.com

huggr1960 said...

What a wonderful prize! What a great chance ! Happy Holidays

mar said...

Happy Holidays and that you for this fine giveaway!

LWons@HotMail.com

abfantom said...

Thanks for offering this awesome prize. I'd love to win this for my daughter.

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abfantom said...

I follow via GFC id: abfantom

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EMMAHORTON said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

THIS IS A NICE GIVEAWAY ... JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

EMMAHORTON said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

GFC FOLLOWER

julis55 said...

What a cute book.

Mary Calabrese said...

Sounds like a great book.

ighmeg at yahoo dot com

Mary Calabrese said...

I follow you via GFC.

ighmeg at yahoo dot com

Lisa P. said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
lafittelady at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

sounds like my grandson, he asks many many questions.
thanks for the chance to win this!
rjs682 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I subscribe and follow gfc
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kygirl said...

This sounds wonderful and would be great for the grandkids
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said...

follow gfc as charline
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I would love to win this set for my children.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I am already following via GFC as Jill Myrick (jsc123).

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

Erica C. said...

What a great set! This would be a lot of fun.
ericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com

KowgirlsRule said...

This sounds like an awesome book for my niece. I read to her every time she is at my house.
kowgirlsrule at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My son would love this!

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

erma said...

My kids would love this.
erma2167@sbcglobal.net

McKim said...

I would love to win this for my adorable little grandson.
kimkmc at yahoo dot com

McKim said...

I'm a follower via GFC.
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Unknown said...

This would make an excellent gift, thanks for the easy entry!

Unknown said...

Following via GFC (Angelacisco79)
angelacisco79 (at)yahoo(dot)com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

this is a great contest I would like to win it
vmkids3 at msn dot com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

GFC follow
Valerie Taylor Mabrey
vmkids3 at msn dot com

laurasloves said...

I love the cheerful and joyful tone to the book and the way it will help us answer questions our little ones ask about God.
laura dot hopelessromantic dot emerson at gmail dot com

laurasloves said...

I follow you on GFC-Laura Emerson
laura dot hopelessromantic dot emerson at gmail dot com

ryanac32 said...

This is a great giveaway! thanks for the chance
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ryanac32 said...

I follow and subscribe
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Denise Donaldson (MistySunrise) said...

Thank you for the giveaway! :)

itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

Denise Donaldson (MistySunrise) said...

follow on GFC as mistysunrise

itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

Unknown said...

This sounds like a wonderful book!
Thanks for the chance!
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Unknown said...

Following via GFC
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Mtlgrl4evr said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway! My kids would love this!

Tandt625 at hotmail dot com

Mtlgrl4evr said...

follower
Mtlgrl4evr

Tandt625 at hotmail dot com

bev said...

The Benny's angel book is really nice. Thanks for having this contest!

tmc480 said...

My 3yr old son's favorite word is "why??". He asks why? about everything!
thanks for the giveaway!
tmc480 at yahoo dot com

Michelle Hagewood said...

This is a great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

boylaneely at hotmail dot com

Michelle Hagewood said...

Follow on GFC under Just Married Mom of 3

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mail4rosey said...

Great visuals always aid in learning. I think putting the positive messages with the bright and vivid colors will work wonders in driving the lessons home.

msurosey@yahoo.com

mail4rosey said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.
msurosey@yahoo.com

LuckyTJG said...

My daughter and I would love to read this book.
LuckyTJG at cs dot com

~Laura Allen Nonemaker said...

Jane, I am a little late thanking you for carrying the Benny's Angel blog tour. What a precious review that gives your little one's perspective! I enjoyed reading all the comments. The prize is on its way to Grandma Carol B, but thank you to each person who participated. Have a blessed Christmas!