Category: book review

June 2, 2015

Kika The Upside-Down Girl

It is okay to be different! Join Kika The Upside-Down Girl as she discovers how special it is to be different.

About Kika the Upside-Down Girl

Kika always seems to accomplish things differently than others and tends to get in trouble for it. Kika reminds us that it is okay to be different and finding others to share in her journey makes her heart feel huge especially when it involves flips, vaults, kips and somersaults! Join Kika, a girl who loves living upside-down in a right-side up world, on her unique journey to a fliptastic world.

My Thoughts

As children, it is normal for us to want to jump, flip and twirl. Somewhere along the line we stop doing this as we feel this is not the norm. But it is so important for children to know that being different is perfect! We are born to be different and it is important to encourage this in our children. I love how Kika The Upside-Down Girl supports the dream to follow your heart. As parents, it is so important to support our children, letting them know it is okay to be different and to go about life differently.

I loved the illustrations and so did our boys! They bring the book alive and draw you in to the story. You can feel her joy from the illustrations as she moves through her life upside-down. You laugh, are surprised and are sad when she is sad.

Many children will be able to easily relate to this story and Kika. My favourite part of the book comes when Kika asks why people don’t understand how being upside-down is so much fun. Just because something is different, does not mean it is wrong!

This is the perfect, feel good and fun story for you to enjoy with your child. You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Chapters Indigo and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Jessica Tudos is an Olympic athlete turned author, motivational speaker and educator who is on a mission to empower youth, kids and adults to develop confidence and resilience to lead active, healthy and creative lives. Jessica empowers through engaging stories, reflections and insights into her own lives. You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 1, 2015

Hutterite Diaries by Linda Maendel

What would it be like to share all of your belongings and live in a Christian group?

About Hutterite Diaries

In Hutterite Diaries, Linda Maendel offers a rare glimpse into the daily routines and communal faith of her people, the Hutterian Brethren. From stories of working together to laugh out loud tales of sisterly love, Maendel invites readers into her colony situated in the prairies of Western Canada. Here children and adults work, play, eat and worship together,crafting a community of goods and living an alternative life of consumerism in today’s society.

The Hutterites are a plain Christian community, related to the Amish and Mennonites. Maendel invites readers into a deeper understanding of this community of faith.

My Thoughts

The Hutterite Diaries reads as a collection of thoughts and stories, that jumps from one time period to another. While at first confusing, this works to the advantage of the reader as you are able to see the whole picture of a very faith oriented and dedicated community. Linda shares her own stories for the most part with some of those in the community.

I love learning about new religions and different cultures around the world. For me, this book was something new as I was never aware of the Hutterite colony in Western Canada. Here was a faith-based community in my own country that I was clueless about. I love how they work together as a community and share the material items between themselves (even though I know this is something hard for me to understand and picture). They share chores and meals as a large family would (except in this case an extremely large family!). Linda does an excellent job in sharing her communal lifestyle and fostering understanding and respect.

A great read for all Canadians, young and old to foster respect and understanding for all faith groups that have travelled to Canada. In the Hutterite case, it was heart breaking to read of the persecution they faced and how many lost their lives because others did not understand their faith and communal living.

You can find more about the Hutterite Diaries on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Linda Maendel is an author, blogger and educator living in Elm River, just outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this request. All opinions expressed are my own.

May 27, 2015

Cynthia Ruchti’s As Waters Gone By Summer of Fun $100 Giveaway

Can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls? Find out in Cynthia Ruchti’s new book, As Waters Gone By. Emmalyn and Max Ross may have to endure the fight of their lives to mend the tattered fabric of their marriage. His actions ensured she could never be a mother and put him in prison, giving their relationship a court-mandated five-year time-out.

Cynthia is celebrating the release of As Waters Gone By by giving away a summer of fun to one lucky reader!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A $100 cash card to put toward your trip to Madeline Island (discover the beauty of the setting of As Waters Gone By) or your summer vacation destination
A book-club set (10 copies of As Waters Gone By and a downloadable starter kit) so you can start your own summer book club

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 10th. The winner will be announced June 11th on Cynthia’s blog.

Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia’s mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you’ll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200). That includes:

The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring
A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse
A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal
Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction

May 27, 2015

The Proposal at Siesta Key

In the Proposal at Siesta Key, a young Amish woman yearning for more freedom crosses the path with a young, handsome Mennonite man. Both are led down a path of self-discovery in this novel.

About The Proposal at Siesta Key

Penny never disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, her parents have only wanted to keep her safe. Even if this means never letting her leave the house.

But now she is breaking the rules in order to see Michael Knoxx in person. Michael is a famous member of the Knoxx Family Singers. He also lost his leg after a terrible accident. He uses this experience to inspire others around him. For the first time ever, Penny disobeys her parents to see him speak.

Though he speaks to living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to learn to take his own advice. Life on the road is gruelling and Michael wants to slow down. When a twist of fate sees him staying longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path.

But new friendships can’t stop time. Michael knows he will have a choice to make. Penny has never been happier but will she be able to follow her heart.

My Thoughts

A wonderful, wonderful novel that leaves you thinking about your own choices and living life to the fullest. Both Michael and Penny live the perfect lives from the view of an outsider, but in their hearts they are both wishing for more and to follow their own hearts. Due to circumstances beyond their control, their paths have been almost pre-determined for them even though this is not a choice they would have made.

It was lovely to see Penny break out of her shell and follow her heart. Her choices are not wild and we are able to witness her struggles as she tries to combine her parents wishes and her own. You keep holding your breath and crossing your fingers for her, that she will finally realize her dreams and break free from her current path.

Michael is a man who has known pain and with his charismatic personality, he is always trying to inspire and guide people. He is not the best at taking his own medicine though. A lesson that is hard for us all to learn.

The ending just leaves you craving for more!! A very beautiful story to treasure for years to come.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Shelley Sheppard Gray is a two-time New York Times best seller, a two-time USA Today bestseller and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes and can be found on the trails with her dogs. You can connect with her online, Twitter and Facebook.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

May 25, 2015

Never Say No: Raising Big Picture Kids

Mark and Jan Foreman are frequently asked how did you raise your kids and their answer? Never Say No!

About Never Say No: Raising Big Picture Kids

Mark and Jan Foreman’s sons, Jon and Tim Foreman, have influenced their world not only with a successful music career but also through their positive impact in communities around the world. The Foreman parents instilled in their boys a belief that they can make a difference by living beyond themselves.

This book gives readers an inside look into how to do this. This process begins with both parent and child identifying themselves in God. It then explores practical ways to encourage holistic learning while cultivating gifts, nurturing creativity and balancing structure. Parents will find encouragement and strength.

My Thoughts

Do not let the title of this book fool you! It is so much more than what you first assume, I honestly thought it would be about letting the child run the home and freedom,etc. I could not have been more wrong!

This is a different parenting guide to ones I have read in the past and reads more like a tool to be put into practice immediately. It is a guide, tool, self-reflection and memoir all rolled into one. They let us into their own lives to show what works and what doesn’t. I love how the book opens with the story of changing how often we say no to our kids when they want our attention. Without meaning to, I was doing this to my own children because I had to get dinner on the table or clean up a mess. It helped me to take a step back and see this from my children’s eyes and it was very eye-opening for me.

I love how they share that our children take their cues from us and are constantly watching what we do. We need to show them and model for them the right behaviour. We need to live the lifestyle we want our child to life.

This is a fantastic resource for all parents, not only those who may be currently struggling in their role. It is a book to come back to, underline and memorize over and over again.

You can find more reviews of Never Say No on the Litfuse blog tour page here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Authors

Jan and Mark live in the San Diego area, where Mark is the lead pastor at their parish. Together they love surfing, teaching, sailing, traveling and being with their families.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.