Book Review: The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire

I was given the opportunity to review a children’s book, and since I have a four year old grandson, I opted in. This is not a paid review. The book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review posted on my blog and on my social media accounts.

Christmas is now right around the corner, and the month of December will fly by as we add in the sweet sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the season. I have always been a fan of Christmas media in the form of books and movies. I have a bin in my house that is just filled with holiday books, including Halloween, and Easter, but mostly Christmas.

The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire is a beautiful book revolving around the birth of Jesus. Andy doesn’t just tell the typical Christmas story, he includes all sorts of interesting details about the culture and the times surrounding Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of the Son of God.

Throughout the book, the author includes short paragraphs inset on the picturesque story pages that give information about the Hebrew and Roman culture of the time, as well as interesting facts about words used in the Biblical text, and details about materials used by the Romans to build roads and cities.

Andy McGuire’s book includes beautiful pictures, illustrated by Andy himself, readable text, interesting historical facts, a map, and a bibliography of the sources he used for his details.

“Andy McGuire is the author and/or illustrator of eighteen books ranging from picture books to middle grade fiction....his nature illustrations have been included in The World Book Student Encyclopedia....”

— Author flap on book jacket - The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire

The Wonders of the First Christmas is the perfect Advent/Christmas book addition for families with young children ages 4-8. This is also great for grandparents to read to their grandchildren during the Christmas season. This book could also be used by churches in their children’s ministry programs.

If you are interested in adding this beautiful, Biblically based, easy to read book to your children’s Christmas story collection just click on the link to purchase.

Have a great day!

Book Review: The Good for Nothing Puddle

This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review and posting on my blog and social media. No money exchanged hands for this book.

The Good for Nothing Puddle by Jana Jackson, and illustrated by Abby Jartos is a story of loss, the subsequent grief over that loss and the lessons learned through that loss. It is written for children ages 4 to 8, although I found it quite apropos for adults as well.

I thought it would be fun to take a few pictures of my three year old grandson and I reading the book together, but he would not stand for it…he wouldn’t sit for it either! Ha, ha. However, I did read the book to him and he seemed quite engaged, especially since the girl in the story looses her balloon, one of my grandson’s favorite things. In fact, he has his own story of a lost balloon that he and I experienced together on a very windy day, so I am pretty sure he could relate, even at that young age to the loss the girl feels. In addition, my grandson experienced the loss of a dearly loved pet, a large dog named Beatrice, just this past year.

This is a lovely book, with beautiful illustrations and short, easy to read sentences that will hold a young child’s attention. The content is easily understood, especially by children who are a little older, and the pictures perfectly illustrate the emotions that surround a loss, whether it be a balloon, a toy, a pet or a person. I love the facial expressions and body language that Abby Jartos uses to help convey feelings associated with grief.

In a realistic way Jana Jackson leads us through the stages associated with grief, and includes how we often try to hide it by throwing ourselves into activities, or by disguising it behind a happy facade.

In addition, she shows how in our grief we try to bargain with God to make the pain go away.

Through well positioned words, easily understood sentences and beautiful illustrations Jana and Abby convey the difficult reality of grief, but as the story unfolds we are led through three encounters the girl has with a puppy, a farmer and another child who benefit from her “good for nothing puddle.”

I love how this simple children’s book relates the heaviness of loss, but leaves us with an undeniable feeling of hope. We all want to know that our pain counts for something and this shows how something as difficult as grief can be a help to others along the way. It also reminds us that over time, grief will lessen in intensity and from it beautiful things can bloom.

I would definitely recommend The Good for Nothing Puddle for any parent, grandparent, therapist, or church library. It is well written, beautifully illustrated and brings light into the darkness of loss.

If you are interested in hearing more from the author and the illustrator here is an interview with them both - Carrie On with Jana Jackson and Abby Jartos.