Monday, September 30, 2013

Appletivities...and 2 Apple FREEBIES!


Last week was apple week, and if you know me, you know I LOVE planning some thematic activities about apples!  Such a fun time of year!  During writing workshop, I did a mini lesson on adjectives, and then we added adjectives to our smiley apple guy:



On Johnny Appleseed's birthday, we did one of my all-time absolute favorite craftivities-- GIANT apples!!!  Totally kid-created, and totally adorable and unique--(in this teacher's opinion)!  During the creation of these ginormous apples, my classroom was literally a sea of red paper.  It was slightly crazy in there, but it really was all kinds of fun! The kids created the coolest little apple cores I've ever seen.  I may never want to take this display down!!!


{They also added labels to show the parts of the apple, and we attached their apple booklets--for more information, see below!}


In reading, we have begun learning features of non-fiction text, so of course, I HAD to tie it into apples.     The kids each created a non-fiction features mini booklet--all about apples. 





You can download your own Apples non-fiction features mini book by clicking the cover page below:



We also had an apple tasting party, and we will graph our favorites this week using my Apple Tasting Party packet:



In math, the kids did apple word problems and completed a little apple basket math booklet to help them practice their fluency to 6.  You can download your apple basket math booklet by clicking the cover page below:



Happy fall, y'all!






My Top 11 All-Time Favorite Books



I am going to end this series on a more personal note - with my top favorite books and why I like them.
I read a lot - these are my top books. I LOVE them all and hope you do too!

    FAVORITE MEMOIR: Things We Couldn't Say by Diet Eman
    I included this in my 11 Christian Memoirs post and my Ten WWII Heroes series. I love Diet Eman's story - maybe even a little better than that of Corrie ten Boom. :) (But to give her credit, I was really young when I read Corrie's story) Diet Eman and her fiancé Hein were your average young Dutch couple madly in love when the Germans occupied Holland. Diet and Hein soon join the Dutch resistance. God's love shines very brightly as Diet faces trials, heartache, and ultimately God's amazing grace.


    FAVORITE BIOGRAPHY: Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
    I LOVE Louie Zamperini!! He is amazing!! Although not for young children, Zamperini's story is an inspiring story of faith for older readers. Although the majority of the book is about his life not as a Christian, how he comes to his faith and his tail of survival is incredible.


    FAVORITE CHILDREN'S NOVEL: I Am David by Anne Holm
    Despite being set in the 1950s, this is the novel that got me interested in WWII. How? I don't really remember. This is the amazing fictional story of a 12 year-old who escapes from a concentration camp and is on a mission to get to Denmark. Why? He doesn't know.
    I had no clue what Europe was at the time, and for some reason, I thought Denmark was near Colorado. (hey, I had just gotten out of public school - give me a break!)
    It's written in the third point of view, but every line is from David's view.
    I Am David isn't an adventure novel, it's kind of like a psychological novel. I am a very analytical thinker, so I LOVED David's thoughts throughout the novel. He has a uniquely high moral standard, and is incredibly wise and smart. The writing in this is eloquent and beautiful. For some quotes that really stuck out to me, see this link for some great quotes from the novel!
    I don't usually reread books, but I've read this four or five times and still pick it up and begin reading it every time I see it!!


    FAVORITE CHRISTIAN FICTION: Night Song and From Dust and Ashes by Tricia Goyer
    I can't choose which one I like better - that would be utterly cruel. This category didn't have much competition because I read very little Christian fiction. (I find a lot of it either slow or completely unrealistic) But, these two Goyer novels are some of my favorite novels of all time. Realistic characters, great message, enthralling plot, great writing.

    From Dust and Ashes
    Well-researched, well-written, and simply breathtaking - From Dust and Ashes is set in post-WWII. The book is divided into 3 parts, and although I don't even like romance, part two (which was mostly romance), kept me interested and wanting more.
    Tricia Goyer's novels are extremely realistic, but in this one in particular, her characters are just real. (Tricia says she gets this a lot in this novel. She says the protagonist, Helene, is so real because Helene is based on HER (Tricia) life.)

    Night Song
    After reading From Dust and Ashes, I just HAD to read Night Song. This one deals with the Holocaust, and I really admire Goyer for being one of the very few Christian fiction authors who tackles this subject - in a non-cheesy, non-romance, and realistic way.


    FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOVEL: Girls to the Rescue by Bruce Lansky
    I have read all the books in this series. When I was either in second or third grade, I fell in love with this series! They are great stories of courageous girls all around the world. Filled with legends, fables, fairytale-twists and true stories, these are great books that show female empowerment in a non-feminist way.


    My favorite cover of The Chosen
    FAVORITE FICTION NOVEL: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
    Chaim Potok may be one of my favorite authors. His writing is so simple - and his books are just so overly Jewish. This is one of those novels I would not recommend to everyone and I don't believe everyone will like. It's not an adventure novel, the biggest thing that happens is Israel becomes a country. But, despite all of the fiction I've read, this is my favorite.
    It's plot centers around two very different Jewish teens and how they become friends - despite their families having nothing (and I mean nothing) in common.
    Firstly there is the brilliant Danny, the Hasidic son of a very religious rabbi. Danny wants to be a psychologist but is pressured to take his father's place as rabbi.
    Then there is the narrator, Reuven Malter, an Orthodox Jew who wants to be a rabbi.
    What I liked best about The Chosen (besides it's Jewish-ness) was the characters. I thought it was so interesting how two people of the same religion can be SO different - how they can argue and disagree with each other yet respect each other so much.


    FAVORITE SEQUEL: The Promise by Chaim Potok
    This book covers Danny and Reuven as young men. In an ironic turn of events, Hasidic-turned-Orthodox Danny steals (and marries) Reuven's Orthodox-Conservative Jewish girlfriend, Rachel. 
    But, being a Jewish novel, this isn't a romance and the above sentences were just major spoilers. (sorry)
    In here, Danny goes on to balance modern America with Hasidism and pursue his career in psychology. He has a calm and persuasive personality which makes him fabulous at his job.
    In his final school year pursuing becoming a rabbi, Reuven clashes with his Talmud teacher, who was from one of the European concentration camps. Reuven uses a controversial method of studying Talmud that his father taught him. This causes much conflict throughout the novel. In the end, like in The Chosen, our characters still find a way to love and hate each other at the same time.


    FAVORITE INFORMATION BOOK: Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
    This book really spoke loudly to me. It had extremely powerful messages for today's young people. Not only does it preach against blindly following authority and fame, it shows German teenagers who stood up against Hitler. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.


    FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: Psalms and Deuteronomy
    I enjoy the book of Psalms because it is so comforting! My favorite psalms include psalm 121 and psalm 23. I love Deuteronomy, especially verse 6: I am definitely putting it on my doorpost someday. :)


    FAVORITE AUTHOR: Patricia Reilly Giff
    I have read many Patricia Reilly Giff books, and no matter what the subject, I haven't been disappointed. One of the books I really liked was set in the 1700s!!!! (and no, the characters weren't Jewish) Her plots, characters, and writing are believable and exciting!


    These are my top 11 favorite novels/authors. What are yours and why do you like them?

    Challenge 20 - Myth & Magic

    Welcome to the latest challenge, this time sponsored by Bugaboo Digi Stamps.



    Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps: A Short Essay
    As if raising five children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the world of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago. Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects. Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!
    If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps stamps at Totally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug


    To enter, we need to see your magical creations and the winner gets 7 free digis.  We are a bit thin on the ground with our Design Team this week, for a variety of reasons.  I just thought I'd take this opportunity to say thankyou to them all for their hard work and reliability.  I appreciate each and every one of you.

    Now let's see what we have to inspire you:






    Now that your ideas are spinning, here are the rules:
    1. Your card must be for a man or a boy.
    2. Your card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme set.
    3. Your post must mention Cards for Men and contain a link back to this challenge.
    4. You may combine our challenge with others up to a maximum of 10.

    The challenge will run from now until midnight BST (British Summer Time) on  13 October 2013.  Leave a link to your card (not just your blog) in the link list below.  If it's not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll enter you in before the draw.  Good luck


    Friday, September 27, 2013

    11 WWI and Great Depression Novels



      War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
      Most people know War Horse from the Steven Spielberg movie. (I loved the movie!) Albert and his colt Joey have been inseparable ever since Albert's father bought Joey at an auction. When Albert goes to fight (in WWI), Joey is right alongside him. I didn't find the book is graphic (nor as interesting) as the PG-13 movie, but still great book and movie.

      My Brother's Shadow by Monika Schröder
      Told from the perspective of a German youth towards the end of WWI, My Brother's Shadow tells the fictional story of 16 year old Moritz. With a disabled brother who just got back from war, a Jewish (girl)friend, and a fanatic-socialist mother, Moritz's life is chaos.

      Sergeant York: An American Hero by David Lee
      This is a biography of a great Christian WWI hero, Alvin York. York was the most decorated soldier during WWI. He received the Medal of Honor for a certain heroic feat, including capturing 132 Germans and 32 machine guns.

      The Night Flyers by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
      Pam is a twelve year-old girl growing up in North Carolina with her mother during World War I. Before her father went off to war, he gave her a loft of homing pigeons. When a man with a foreign accent comes to town, everyone in the town fears the worst. Is he a foreign spy? Fast paced and filled with adventure, I enjoyed this book simply because of the writing, it was interesting, and it had a little known plot. Homing pigeons were one of the most valuable animals during both WWI and WWII.

      Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
      Told in first-person free verse poetry, this Newbery winner is told from the view of a young girl in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. When her mother dies, Billie Jo is stuck with her ill-tempered father just trying to make ends meet. I'm not a big poetry person and this didn't take me long to read, but it truly wasn't bad.

      The Kit Series by American Girl
      Welcome to Kit's World
      Not only is there the six standard Kit Kittredge books, Kit has a few mysteries, and a "Welcome to Kit's World", which includes more about the Great Depression.

      Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
      This Newbery winner tells the adventures of a ten year-old orphan with nothing more than an old suitcase and some flyers.
      have not read yet!

      Christmas After All by Kathryn Lasky (A Dear America book)
      During the Depression in Indiana, 12 year-old Minnie Swift's family has been hit as hard as everyone else. Told over the span of one month (December). A young girl comes and stays with the Swift's, helping them with their struggles, highs, and lows as they help her with hers.
      have not read yet!

      Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
      Grandma Dowdel's back! She's just as feisty and terrifying and goodhearted as she was in Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago, and every bit as funny. In the first book, a Newbery Honor winner, Grandma's rampages were seen through the eyes of her grandson Joey, who, with his sister, Mary Alice, was sent down from Chicago for a week every summer to visit. But now it's 1937 and Joey has gone off to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps, while 15-year-old Mary Alice has to go stay with Grandma alone--for a whole year, maybe longer. From the very first moment when she arrives at the
      depot clutching her Philco portable radio and her cat, Bootsie, Mary Alice knows it won't be easy. And it's not. She has to sleep alone in the attic, attend a hick town school where in spite of her worn-out coat she's "the rich girl from Chicago," and be an accomplice in Grandma's outrageous schemes to run the town her own way--and do good while nobody's looking. But being Grandma's sidekick is always interesting, and by the end of the year, Mary Alice has grown to see the formidable love in the heart of her formidable Grandma. --Patty Campbell from Amazon --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
      have not read yet!

      When Christmas Comes Again: The WWI Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine (A Dear America Book)
      It's April 1917, and Simone's brother just got shipped off to war. Like most books in the Dear America series, this one explores a little known aspect of WWI - the American French-speaking Hello Girls.
      have not read yet!


      For a list of more juvenile WWI, see this list with age ranges and short summaries.

      What are some of your favorite juvenile novels about WWI and the Great Depression?

      Thursday, September 26, 2013

      Winner & Top 3 for challenge 17

      So we had lots of wonderful entries to our 'Funny Birthday' challenge.  Our current challenge  is still open and can be found here.

      Without further ado, the winner chosen by random.org was #23 - Lisa Lynn.  Congratulations, Lisa, email me on cardsformen@donnasden.co.uk with your choice of 5 digistamps from QKR Stampede and I'll pass your details on to the sponsor.

      Our top 3 in no particular order are:





      Congratulations to you all, grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.

      Winner & Top 3 for challenge 16

      So we had lots of wonderful entries to our Heavy Metal challenge.  Our current challenge  is still open and can be found here.

      Without further ado, the winner chosen by random.org was #40 - Debs.  Congratulations, Debs, email me on cardsformen@donnasden.co.uk with your choice of 4 images from Kenny K and I'll pass your details on to the sponsor.

      Our top 3 in no particular order are:





      Congratulations to you all, grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.

      Wednesday, September 25, 2013

      Winner & Top 3 for Challenge 15

      Back to catching up with the admin.  So we had lots of wonderful entries to our 'Christmas in July' challenge.  Our current challenge  is still open and can be found here.

      Without further ado, the winner chosen by random.org was #4 - Lorraine A.  Congratulations, Lorraine, email me on cardsformen@donnasden.co.uk with your choice of 4 images from Meljens Designs and I'll pass it on to the sponsor.

      Our top 3 in no particular order are:





      Congratulations to you all, grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.

      Monday, September 23, 2013

      11 Little-Known Event Books


      This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books. I have read all books unless otherwise noted.



      Coal mines and the Lattimer Massacre - September 1897
      A Coal Miner's Bride by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

      Until reading this book, I had never heard of the Lattimer Massacre. On September 10, 1897, about 300-400 coal miners (mostly immigrants) protested against unfair wages and treatment. 19 miners died, and several other were injured.

      This book, A Coal Miner's Bride, tells the story of the fictional Anetka, a young Polish teenager who moves to America after her father arranges a marriage to a widower with three girls. A Coal Miner's Bride is a great story about immigration, coal mines, strikes, and true love.


      The Ireland Potato Famine - 1845-1852
      Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff

      Approximately one million Irishmen died of starvation after a potato disease killed Ireland's large potato crop. Another million immigrated to America, and this is one of those stories.
      The fictional Nory Ryan and her family have lived in Ireland for decades, but life is not easy. The story of this young girl's resilience is amazing!
      To top it off, Patricia Reilly Giff is a very talent writer. Nory Ryan's Song's sequel is Maggie's Door. Both novels are great and an excellent look at historical fiction.

      Anti-Semitism in America - 1862
      The War Within by Carol Matas

      In 1862, Ulysses Grant issued General Order #11, expelling all Jews from Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The Jews in these areas had 24 hours to pack their stuff and move.
      Growing up proper Southern in Mississippi, 13 year-old Hannah's life is changed from these events and more. As she moves up north with her family, her views began to slowly change as she matures over the course of the American Civil War.


      The Newsie Strike - July-August 1899
      The Journal of Finn Reardon: a Newsie by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

      OK, you may have heard of the Newsie strike thanks to the Christian Bale movie. Ironically, a few of the characters in the Disney movie were real; except the main characters. Kid Blink (with the eyepatch) and Racetrack (who sang "King of New York" were two real people.
      In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, newspaper costs increased. The newsies had to buy the papers for 60 cents instead of 50 cents. They would sell the newspapers for one cent each, originally making 50 cents. After the war, all the newspapers lowered their prices; except the New York World and the New York Morning Journal.
      The REAL Newsie strike was from July 20th to August 2 and the leader was Kid Blink. Although the movie shows the strike as a huge success, it actually was a partial failure. The only thing that changed was both papers agreed to buy back any unsold papers the newsies had.
      The Journal of Finn Reardon is part of the series My Name is America. My Name is America is the "boy" version of the "girl" series Dear America. Although Finn Reardon is fictional, many characters in the book are real.


      Jewish persecution in Russia - late 1800s and early 1900s
      Sworn Enemies by Carol Matas

      I had heard of Jewish persecution in Russia, but I never really realized how bad it was until I read Sworn Enemies. The Russian government was kidnapping young Jewish boys (as young as age 8) for the Russian army. Ultimately, the goal was forced conversion to Christianity.
      This book is told from the views of two Jewish teens who have both been spared from the czars army for different reasons; Zev who is spared from because of his job as a chapter (he is the one who actually does the kidnapping) and the scholarly Aaron, whose father is paying the government not to arrest him. 
      In a twist of fate, both Zev and Aaron are both arrested and soon meet up with each other. Will they set their differences aside to work together? {A twist ending!}

      SPOILER: I found this ending really incomplete, as Aaron and Zev still hate each other as the final pages close.


      Armenian Genocide - 1915
      Not Even My Name by Thea Halo

      During and after WWI, 1.5 million Armenians and Greeks were senselessly murdered. In this memoir told by her daughter Thea, Sano describes life as a little girl growing up in Turkey and facing horrible persecution. At age fifteen, Sano is brought to America and continues her everyday struggles, including marrying a 40-something year-old man. I really enjoyed this memoir, but it was very heart-breaking to read at times. It was well-written and kept me intrigued.


      Hello Girls - WWI
      When Christmas Comes Again: The WWI Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine (A Dear America Book)
      In 1917, over 7,000 French-speaking American girls signed up for the job as a "hello girl" - a switchboard operator. Only 450 were chosen. General John Pershing "created" this job to improve communication on the Western Front.
      Although this is a fictional story, like most books in the Dear America series, it stays close to real-life.



      168 Allied airmen in Buchenwald - October 1944
      Behind Enemy Lines by Carol Matas

      This is probably the least-known event I'm featuring. The stories that came out of WWII never cease to amaze me. Some stories are bizarre beyond bizarre (like the cat who survived the sinking of three different ships) and some just show everyday men with an insane amount of courage (The Great Escape, Escape From Sobibor). This is one of those stories.

      For two months, 168 Allied (82 Americans, 48 Brits, 26 Canadians, 9 Australians, 2 New Zealanders and a Jamaican) airmen were held prisoner in Buchenwald concentration camp after crashing in France.
      This story, although fictional, is about a young Canadian pilot who goes through this.
      If you are interested, there is an amazing documentary (I was one of the lucky few who watched it on the Military Channel in November!) called The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald.


      The biggest medical relief in history - April 1945
      Remembering Belsen by Ben Flanagan

      The liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp is known as the biggest medical relief in history. Being said, all material on this subject is VERY graphic, but the liberation of Belsen is an AMAZING story. Out of all of the resources, I am featuring Remembering Belsen because it is written primarily through stories of survivors and liberators; the entire book is filled with testimonies, not words from the author.

      Recommended for ages 13+. 
      Other great books about the subject include: (I have read all)
      Letters From Belsen 1945 by Muriel Knox Doherty
      The Survivors: The Story of the Belsen Remnant by Leslie Hardman
      After Daybreak by Ben Shepherd
      Straight On by Robert Collis 



      The Minnesota Starvation Experiment - WWII
      The Great Starvation Experiment by Todd Tucker

      I have not read this book, but it looks very interesting. During WWII, (all?) young men were drafted. This was a problem for young pacifists, who didn't want to fight but wanted to do something important for the war effort.
      The pacifists had the bizarre jobs (like working in asylums - a whole other story) of the war that nobody really wanted. Voluntarily starving yourself to death for an experiment was one of those bizarre jobs.
      This tells the bizarre/fascinating WWII story of 36 pacifist men who volunteered for a starvation experiment. The experiment tested refeeding, the effects of starvation, and rehabilitating starvation victims in war-torn Europe.

      Anyone who's read this or knows more about it: Let me know what you think.


      Cambodian Genocide - 1975
      First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

      The Cambodian Genocide lasted from 1975-1979 and resulted in the death of two million Cambodian citizens. The genocide was after the Cambodia Civil War. The perpetrators were the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia's Communist party.
      This is the story of a young girl who survives against all odds. Despite the majority of her family not surviving, Loung does survive. I haven't read this yet, but it has pretty great reviews. Due to the nature, I would imagine this is best for grades 9+.


      What are some books that are part of the little-known and obscure events in history? I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!I love learning about history!!

      Friday, September 20, 2013

      11 Christian Picture Books



      This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books.

      This is a guest post by my sister Hannah, from her blog A Cowgirl and A Dream, where she blogs about books, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, and more. Check her out and give her a thanks!


      1. Veggietales Bible Storybook
      Featuring 21 Veggietales stories, this kid-friendly storybook Bible covers classic Veggietale stories such as David, Jonah, Daniel, Joshua, and Esther. The stories aren't that long, and have large text. With vivid pictures, great Bible verses for kids, and fun text, this storybook is appealing for all little kids.

      2. The Princess and the Three Nights by Karen Kingsbury
      A good book for any little girls you may have. The story tells us about a princess and her father the King. The princess must marry, so the king sends for all eligible knights. He puts them through various tests about their bravery, strength, kindness, courage and most of all, their faith in God. It comes down to three knights. This book has a wonderful "happily ever after" for little girls. It teaches girls how men should treat them and how they should value them.

      3. You Are Mine by Max Lucado
      If you've read any of Max Lucado's children's books, then you've probably heard of these books about little wooden people called "Wemmicks", made by their maker Eli, the wood-carver. In this one, the small Punchinello has finally wormed his way into the "good Wemmick" crowd. But not all is at peace in the little village called Wemmicksville. Every has started to collects boxes and balls by the hundreds! They think that whoever has the most boxes and balls is a "good" Wemmick. Now, in his fight to be in the "in-crowd", Punchinello decides to start following the crowd. He starts to go overboard just to get the mine for more boxes and balls. But when he stumbles into his maker Eli's shop, he is reminded how unimportant all those boxes and balls are, and how important he is- even if he isn't called a "good Wemmick".
      Note: this is a series!

      4. A Parable About the King by Beth Moore
      A princess who is the daughter of the King. What could be better? But when the King commands the princess to pick up her things, she is angry. She dresses in peasant clothes and decides that she is not a princess anymore. In the village, she learns how the village kids live. They play in the mud, they curse and they don't have to pick up after themselves. Her pleasure is short-lived, as she soon finds out that not everything is as wonderful as she thinks.

      5. All You Ever Need by Max Lucado
      Tobias the "Watermaster" and his son Julian are kind men who give water to everyone. When the Watermaster and Julian temporarily leave, they leave their precious well to the care of their servant Elzevir. All things are well, until Elzevir starts to give water only to the people who he thinks are fit and deserving of it. This is a wonderful book with a great lesson.

      6. Just The Way You Are by Max Lucado
      Just the Way You Are reassures children that no matter what - no matter if they can't sing, or can't dance, God will love them just the way they are. In this story, the king is coming, and everyone must prepare a gift. There is one little girl, however, with no special talent or gift. What will the king think of her?

      7. God Gave Us You by Lisa Bergren

      The questions always floats in a young childs head. "Where did I come from?" And that's exactly what a young polar bears asks her mother one night.

      8. Because I Love You by Max Lucado
      This is about a kind man named Shaddai, who loves and cares for all of the young children in the village. One day, he built a huge stone wall by hand. He explains to the children how on the other side of the wall, there is danger. Now, a young curious boy named Paladin spots a hole and quickly goes to Shaddai. Despite Shaddai's warnings about going through the hole, Paladin crawls through. This is a good book, a great example of God's love for us, His children.

      9. With You All The Way by Max Lucado
      Three knights. One princess. One song. A tale about three knights, all with different strengths, who are to journey to the King's castle to wed the princess. WARNING(s): On one page in the book, creatures called the "Hopenots" are illustrated. Kids may possibly get scared at the picture.

      10. A Blessing From Above by Patti Henderson
      Momma-Roo is a young kangaroo who wants a baby to hold and to have. She prays every night to God for one. She is imagining how it would be if she had a child of her own, when a baby blue bird falls into Momma-Roo's pouch from her nest. The mother bluebird knows that her nest is not big enough for all of her babies, so she lets the baby bluebird, in the book called "Little One", stay with Momma-Roo. A great book for little kids.

      11. Hermie: A Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado
      Hermie isn't special. He's just average. Why couldn't God have made him with spots, stripes, or just something not-average? This is a story that tells about God's love - and how God made each and everyone special.


      What are some of your favorite Christian picture books?

        Tuesday, September 17, 2013

        11 Christian Memoirs



        This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books.


        Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis
        Growing up in a decent family, Katie Davis had it better than most Americans, let alone in any other country. What caused her to move from her perfect family to Uganda and become the adopted mother of 14 kids? Jesus, of course! You can visit Katie on her blog: Kisses From Katie.

        "I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian." -Katie Davis


        Things We Couldn't Say by Diet Eman
        You may know Diet from my first series, Ten WWII Heroes. Diet's story is somewhat similar to that of Corrie ten Boom. Diet was a young Dutch Christian when WWII broke out. She hated seeing her Jewish friends persecuted, and she and her fiancĂ© were soon very active in the Dutch Resistance. Diet was arrested, and with God's help, she survived miraculously. Diet has been featured on Dr. Dobson, as well as Kathryn Atwood's book Women Heroes of World War II. Her story is unbelievably inspiring and shows what one person can do with God's help.


        Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
        Alright, I haven't read this one yet but I know Tim Tebow is an amazing Christian man - and football player. He's won numerous awards, made headlines for sticking up for his faith, and inspired millions across the globe.

        The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
        The Hiding Place is one book every Christian should read (or watch) at least once. Corrie ten Boom and her family courageously rescued many Jews during WWII. Although Corrie was later arrested and sent to a concentration camp, every Jew she saved survived the war.
        Corrie and her entire family are worth remembering. They were all very courageous Christians who dedicated their life to serving others and worshipping Christ.

        In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham
        Soon after 9/11, a young missionary couple was taken hostage by terrorists associated with Osama bin Laden. Throughout a whole year of torture and loss of her husband, Gracia remained strong and unmoved with her faith. I haven't read this book, but my sister did and she loved it.

        God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew
        Although I haven't read this book yet, I've heard nothing but good things about it. (It is also a Sonlight book, and I like their book selections) This is the true story of a Dutch factory worker who smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain - to Communist countries.
        After wounding his ankle in battle, Brother Andrew relentlessly read his Bible during rehab. In July 1955, he dedicated his life to telling others about Jesus and continued to do it until the fall of Communism in Europe. Still then, Brother Andrew began evangelizing to Islamic countries, specifically Lebanon.

        The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun
        This amazing autobiography is about one Christian's persecution in China. We as Christians should be aware that there are Christians today being persecuted for their faith.
        I have only read part of this book, and it was about 4 years ago.

        Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic
        Part autobiography part self-help, Life Without Limits talks about one man's faith - despite having no arms and no legs!

        Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton
        I haven't read this yet, but I have heard great feedback from this amazing woman of God. When she was just a young teenager, surfer Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a shark. The shark bit her entire
        left arm off, but that didn't stop Bethany from pursuing her love and passion for surfing. Now Bethany has surfed professionally, won countless awards including Nationals, and appeared on numerous television shows and magazines - all with one arm.

        Devil At My Heels by Louie Zamperini
        After reading Laura Hillenbrand's amazing biography Unbroken, I knew I had to hear Louie's story from his own words. Louie Zamperini was a juvenile delinquent as a young child. His brother Pete urged him to try a sport, like running. Louie quickly picked up the sport, setting records and shaking hands with Hitler at the 5000 meters in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Louie enlisted in the army, and while on a rescue mission, crashed in the Pacific Ocean. For 47 days, he and two friends were stranded in the Pacific Ocean with sharks - and Japanese bullets. Louie landed on Japanese territory, and for two years suffered at the hands of Japanese soldiers. After the war, Louie became an alcoholic, angry at everybody. On the brink of his divorce, his wife Cynthia went to a sermon of young Billy Graham - and got saved. After much persuasion, Louie went to one of Billy's lectures and accepted Christ into his heart. Louie went back and forgave all the Japanese. He is still alive and continues to lecture young people about his incredible faith journey.

        Other memoirs I have not read but I know are Christian:

        • Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of WWII by Darlene Rose
        • Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
        • Jumping Through Fires by David Nassar (Iranian story of a Muslim who turns to Christ)
        • SEAL of God by Chad Williams
        • Fearless by Eric Blehm (Navy SEAL story)
        • And There Was Light: Blind Hero of the French Resistance by Jacques Lusseyran (WWII)



        What are your favorite Christian memoirs?

        Monday, September 16, 2013

        Challenge 19 - String It Up

        Welcome to the latest challenge, this time sponsored by Digital Delights.



        Welcome to Digital Delights, a magical place filled with my little digi creations from all walks of life. We have a wide range of digital stamps which are delivered straight to your email 24/7!!http://digitaldelightsbyloubyloo.com/

        To enter, we need to see your string or twine ideas and the winner gets a $5 gift certificate.

        The design team have been working hard to provide the following inspiration:



        Casey goes Fishing - This is a old image now not availiable









        Joshua the Vampire - no longer available







        Fly, Fly Again 2013



        I'm sure you'll agree that we have a great design team and will be fully inspired and ready to join in.  Here are the rules:
        1. Your card must be for a man or a boy.
        2. Your card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme set.
        3. Your post must mention Cards for Men and contain a link back to this challenge.
        4. You may combine our challenge with others up to a maximum of 10.

        The challenge will run from now until midnight BST (British Summer Time) on 29 September 2013.  Leave a link to your card (not just your blog) in the link list below.  If it's not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll enter you in before the draw.  Good luck