Tag Archives: God

Rocky’s Courageous Rescue by Michelle Krumenacher (Book Review)

Do you want to encourage your kids to be bold, brave, and courageous?

In Rocky’s Courageous Rescue, a small rock hyrax named Rocky is called on to help with an important task that only a small hyrax could complete. Read along as Rocky learns what matters most to God and how even a small hyrax can accomplish great things for God.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Have you ever heard of a rock hyrax? The rock hyrax, a unique and fascinating small mammal native to Africa and the Middle East, takes center stage in the captivating tale of Rocky’s Courageous Rescue.

In this beautifully illustrated children’s book, we meet Rocky, a rock hyrax who wishes he could jump as far as his friends. But his short legs, which have failed him more than once, make him doubt his abilities. With the help of a friend, he finds the courage to leap off a rock. Rocky didn’t have the most graceful landing, causing him to feel emotions many of us feel when we fail in front of others: humiliation and embarrassment. This incident leads Rocky to question if he will always be the smallest hyrax. His mother’s response incorporates her/the author’s faith: “God doesn’t look at the outside; He looks at the heart.” Whether you believe in God or not, the underlying message applies to all. Size has no relevance to who you are; your heart and actions are what truly define you. During one rainy night, Rocky demonstrated he had a kind and generous heart.

Rocky displayed courage in this sweet, inspiring, and faith-infused children’s book. When fear surfaced, he turned to God, a common response among many people during times of difficulty or distress. Did God guide him across the gap to a friend in a precarious predicament? Those of faith would agree that someone was watching over the small but mighty rock hyrax, watching over all the animals.

Everyone has that one thing they’d love to change, including Rocky, the adorable gerbil-looking hero. In Rocky’s Courageous Rescue, kids learn that we are perfect just the way we are. Rocky hated being the smallest, but his short stature turned out to be the ideal fit for the touch job, saving Boulder’s life.

Rocky’s Courageous Rescue encourages us to love ourselves and embrace our uniqueness. For Christians, it reminds readers to lean on God in both good and troubled times. Whether you’re religious or not, Rocky’s Courageous Rescue is an uplifting and inspiring story about finding your courage and believing in yourself; it’s a tale that can resonate with a broad audience.

Amazon has the book set for children aged 3 to 8 years. Some words might be too advanced for pre-k listeners, but they will still enjoy the story and its darling illustrations. I recommend sharing Rocky’s journey with your kids and reading What is the Rock Hyrax?” In this informative section, we learn that these cute, gerbil-looking animals have roots in the Bible, they have a very interesting body structure, an unforgettable alarm sound, and much more.

Rocky’s Courageous Rescue is a remarkable story featuring an adorable and rarely utilized animal in a children’s book, the rock hyrax. Share this book with your kids or students and learn more about this fascinating creature. Watch as Rocky pushes his doubts and fears aside to become the story’s hero!

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Michelle Krumenacher is an up-and-coming author. Her first book is a children’s book entitled Rocky’s Courageous Rescue. Michelle was inspired by her safari trip in Kenya to write a story about the not-so-well-known rock hyraxes, which her family fell in love with.

Michelle is married to the man of her dreams, and they homeschool their 3 boys. Michelle is passionate about Jesus, orphans, travel, and her family. Michelle and her family work with an organization called World Renewal Burundi. You can find out more HERE.

Goodreads Link
Website Link
Instagram Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Molly and Potato by Dr Kelly Curtin and Molly Hallinan (Book Review)

Molly wished for a dog. But her mom; busy, tired, and not a “dog person,” always said no. Then came the cancer. As Molly’s mom begins her treatment and healing journey, Molly learns just how brave she can be. And when a scruffy shelter pup named Potato comes into their lives, everything begins to change.

Told in two voices—Molly & Potato: A (Human) Love Story and Potato & Molly: A (Canine) Love Tail—this heartfelt children’s book explores how love, loss, and rescue go both ways. Both Molly and Potato wrestle with confusing feelings: guilt over finding joy after hardship, and the realization that sadness and happiness can exist together.

Co-written by pediatrician and cancer survivor Dr. Kelly Curtin and her daughter Molly Hallinan, these mirrored stories gently show young readers that healing doesn’t mean pretending, and that it’s okay to be happy, sad, and everything in between. Through their love and support for each other, Molly and Potato learn that a sad past doesn’t stop them from finding happiness in the present.

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Molly and Potato is a touching story, narrated first through the eyes of a little girl in A (Human) Love Story and then from the perspective of a sweet shelter dog in A (Canine) Love Tail. These moving tales are inspired by a real family and their real rescue pup during a time when the little girl was overwhelmed with feelings centering around her mother’s cancer diagnosis and the pup who longed for a home/family.

Cancer is a disease that strikes fear in the hearts of those with the diagnosis and also their family members. It can be difficult for people, especially children, to understand how cancer will affect their loved ones. If they’ve already lost someone to cancer, another loved one getting the diagnosis can make them wonder if this person will meet the same fate. Molly’s story falls into the latter category. The darling little girl lost her aunt to cancer and now fears that cancer will take her mom away too. Molly’s sadness, anger, and fears over the unfortunate situation are valid, and her family did offer reassuring words. However, Molly’s mother realized that her worried daughter needed more help coping with the terrible situation, so they visited the animal shelter, where Molly met her adopted friend, Potato.

Like Molly, Potato is also navigating a world of big emotions. He grapples with the question of why no one wants to adopt him because of his broken teeth. Despite the kind words from the vet and shelter volunteers, Potato doesn’t feel beautiful. He feels a mix of sadness and anger until one day, a family walks into the shelter. Then, his doggie dreams come true. Molly and Potato share hugs when one of them is sad. They lend an ear when the other needs to talk. They also both question the reason why they entered into each other’s lives, stirring up more conflicting feelings. (Read the story for more information.)

Was it fate that brought Molly and Potato together? Perhaps. Whether you believe in fate or not, what all readers will agree on is that these two changed each other’s lives for the better. I recommend sharing this touching story with any child dealing with intense feelings surrounding a medical diagnosis, considering adopting an animal, or who needs a reason to smile. While the story touched my heart, the illustrations fell short. There were inconsistencies in the coloring of the pooch’s face, and certain scenes and images have an AI-generated feel to them. That said, Potato’s crying image made me say, “Aww,” and the framed photo of Molly dressed as a princess holding Potato, who was wearing a tuxedo, was adorable. Love the bowtie!

Whether your child is wrestling with big feelings regarding an illness in the family, considering adopting a pet, or simply in need of a heartwarming story about kindness and healing, I recommend reading Molly & Potato. My suggested target audience is 3-8-year-olds.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Molly and Potato was co-written by pediatrician and cancer survivor Dr. Kelly Curtin and her daughter Molly Hallinan. Scroll down to ‘meet’ Dr. Kelly Curtin.

Dr. Kelly Curtin, DO FAAP CHCQM is a pediatrician and writer whose work explores her illness, motherhood, and trauma. She brings clinical insight and personal experience to works that examine what it means to be heard, to survive, and to live without regret. She is a state and nationally recognized pediatrician for her work with children and oral health advocacy, as well as a mother to three amazing kids. She wrote this book to support kids facing Adverse Childhood Events, as she herself was one. Against all odds, she is a cancer survivor and she couldn’t feel more lucky.

Read her most recent essays “The Life You Save May Be Your Own” and “Luck of the Irish: A Parable of Inheritance, Illness, and Hope” on KevinMD.

Amazon Author Page Link

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

What If…? Venom (2024-) #1 and #2 by Jeremy Holt (2 Comic Book Spotlight)

BLACK BLANK VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE Years ago, in a familiar church tower, the Venom symbiote was spurned by Peter Parker and found a willing host in the vengeful and wrathful Eddie Brock! Or, at least, that’s the story you know! From rising stars JEREMY HOLT (MARVEL’S VOICES: SPIDER-VERSE) and JESÚS HERVÁS (MARVEL: UNLEASHED) comes an ALL-NEW look at what makes the Marvel Universe’s most sinister symbiote tick, with a journey that reimagines its earliest days bonded to a host with a rage and temper ENTIRELY different from those of Eddie Brock!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

THEY’RE THE BEST THERE IS AT WHAT THEY DO! And what they do is eat the hell out of your brain before slicing you to ribbons with six adamantium claws! WOLVERINE! VENOM! ‘Nuff said!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Jeremy Holt is a non-binary author whose most recent works include Before Houdini, After Houdini, and Skip to the End. An original art page from his book After Houdini was acquired by The Houdini Museum of NYC, where it now hangs in their permanent collection. When not writing, this Mac Genius is fixing computers and getting confused for his identical triplet brothers.

Amazon Author Page Link

 

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids by Durand Loy (Book Review)

Step into the timeless tales from both the Old and New Testaments in a way that captivates young hearts and minds. This enchanting children’s storybook is meticulously crafted to engage with little ones, making it the perfect tool for parents to introduce the richness of the Bible and the love of Jesus Christ to their family.

Within these pages, cherished narratives unfold with vibrant illustrations and accessible language, inviting children on a journey of faith and discovery. From the bravery of David facing Goliath to the miracles of Jesus calming the stormy seas, each story is presented with care and reverence, ensuring that young readers not only learn but also feel the profound messages of hope, courage, and love woven throughout the scriptures.

As parents turn the pages of The Stories of the Bible with their children, they’ll find themselves immersed in an experience that transcends generations, fostering a deep connection to the teachings of Christianity. Whether shared during bedtime, family gatherings, or quiet moments of reflection, this beautifully illustrated storybook is destined to become a cherished treasure—a timeless gift that ignites the spark of faith in young hearts and minds.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids by Durand Loy revisits some of the Bible’s most memorable stories. Like the Bible, it starts with creating animals, land, sea, and light. Readers met our world’s first humans, Adam and Eve, in the notorious Garden of Eden. Depending on your reader’s age, they might be familiar with some of the mini-stories such as “Noah’s Ark,” “The Birth of Jesus,” “The Three Wise Men,” and “David and Goliath.” There might be several new stories that kids are less familiar with: “Deborah the Prophet” and “The Mustard Seed.”

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids is a beautifully illustrated book tailored for children but can reach and be loved by readers young and old. If you feel the Bible is too confusing or has too much to digest but still want to learn about biblical figures, I recommend you read the illustrated version first. It breaks down key moments in the oversized book into one-paragraph stories and offers the biblical location for further exploration. For example, “The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus” can be found in Mark 10:46-52.

Each story summarizes key events like “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” and “The Ten Commandments” pretty well. The passages do not go in-depth but leave room for open discussion. For instance, kids might ask what happened to Joseph after his brothers “sold him.” What was God’s plan for him? Depending on the audience’s age, they might inquire about the other commandments not listed in this book. A child might wonder if a whale can ingest a person, as portrayed in “Jonah and the Whale.” Due to a whale’s narrowness of their esophagus, many scientists say no. But ask your children or class their opinion on this matter. 

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids is a great first Bible for young readers. Its vibrant illustrations brought the stories to life. Every reader will have their favorite scene; mine features the whale spitting out Jonah. The sea animal appears to be wearing a toothy smile as if he enjoyed spitting the man out of its large mouth. 

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids would be an excellent addition to any Christian-based school or home. It would also benefit VBS (Vacation Bible School) and Sunday school classrooms. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Durand Loy is committed to crafting literary experiences for children of all ages. He draws inspiration from his Southern roots and as a devoted husband and father of two young boys. With a passion for instilling strong values in children, he specializes in creating faith-based children’s books.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

God’s Promises: Wildlife Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal by Stella Fanbosi (Book Review)

Enhance your spiritual growth and be inspired through meditation on Bible verses that feed the hungry soul, while adding color to illustrations of God’s beautiful creations. 20 amazing illustrations of wildlife nature in realistic, hand-drawn, gray-scale images, will capture your imagination and enlighten your spirit.

While coloring your favorite pages, meditate on inspirational Bible verses of God’s promises to His human family. Framed scriptural verses are located on the opposite page of the illustration for your convenience.

Use paint markers, gel pens, or colored pencils to bring the images to life with subjects such as animals, flowers, mountains, and waterfalls, all in gray-scale format and framed for a realistic finished masterpiece. Display your amazing finished works as home decor on your walls or on social media to show your skills to friends and family.

In addition to the adult coloring book features, journal pages are added for you to jot down your own thoughts, memoirs, or even drawings that leave a legacy to share for years to come. All journal pages are dotted for even spacing and guidance.

“God’s Promises: Wildlife in Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal” includes the following:

◆ 20 breathtaking illustrations in gray-scale format for realistic imagery

 Single-sided pages to avoid bleeding into another image

 20 timeless scriptural verses in a decorative font to uplift your spirit

◆ Increase your knowledge, faith, and wisdom through God’s infallible Word

 dotted journal pages for adding your own memoirs, thoughts, or drawings

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Coloring books are not just for children anymore. More and more adults are unwinding with coloring books. I see them all over the market, but none match the artistry level of Adeela Zahid (credited on the copyright page). Their realistic, hand-drawn, gray-scale images will amaze you, impress you, and you’ll almost hesitate to mark them with any color. That said, I’d be cautious when applying any color to the page. The artist creates textured images but, in the process, makes it difficult for the average person to “color” the pictures without certain focal points turning into a big blob. Mainly, I am speaking about the trees, stems, leaves, fields, and water. 

When I first glanced at the stunning drawings, I envisioned how to style these portraits. I’m not an artist, but I noticed enough white open areas allowing an amateur artist to add a pop of color to every picture—for instance, the bunny chewing on the leaves of a batch of wildflowers. Using a colored pencil, I could make the petals come to life. Same for the frog sitting on the lily pad. Depending on your skill level, you can shade in some or all of the coloring sheets. 

God’s Promises: Wildlife in Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal also includes uplifting bible scriptures and dotted pages to journal your thoughts and feelings. People of faith will love reading the bible verses. They’ll warm a reader’s heart as much as the lovely drawings. In addition to the above-mentioned components, Stella Fanbosi (author) breaks down “How to Become a Citizen of God’s Kingdom,” citing the bible in multiple locations. Customers will also learn a sinner’s prayer. Since no one is without sin, this prayer is worth reading and reciting daily. 

No matter your skill level, grab a colored pencil, gel pen, or paint marker and bring the wildlife images to life. “Display your amazing finished works as home decor on your walls or on social media to show your skills to friends and family.” 

God’s Promises: Wildlife in Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal would make an exceptional gift for any Christian. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

My love for art and spirituality began early in childhood. I remember my mother saying that if I wanted to live happily ever after, I should regard the Bible as sacred and learn from it. Here I share a simplified version of art & spirituality without the confines of religion or dogma. 

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized