BIBLE INFOGRAPHICS FOR KIDS by Harvest House Bible Infographics Team. Illustrated by Brian Hurst Do you have kids that like to have pictures and charts to go along with their facts? Then let me introduce you to Bible Infographics for Kids created by the Harvest House Bible Infographics Team and Illustrated by Brian Hurst. This meaty picture book is not just for little kids. We have been using this book (and the second volume - review will be coming soon) in our family devotions, and the older ones at home have been enjoying the material alongside my younger one. Not only is this book good as a devotional, but it is also a great reference tool on several topics such as miracles, prophecies Jesus fulfilled, facts about the disciples, key numbers used in Revelation, etc. I will include a picture in the comments of this fantastic book, so you can have a look inside!

THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon Ariel Lawhon's The Frozen River is a masterful work of historical fiction. In 1789, Martha Ballard (a true historical figure) was a midwife in Maine. One night she attended to a woman who had been raped. The woman accused two men who were highly respected in the town. When one of those men is found dead, frozen in the ice of the Kennebec River, Ballard as a "medical professional" is called in to examine the body. She can draw no other conclusion but murder. The question becomes who is the murderer and does it somehow tie in to this accusation of rape. Ballard investigates, but she lives in a world that often chooses a man's word as truth over a woman's despite the evidence that is evident. Interspersed with the main story line is the fact that as town midwife, Ballard knows the secrets that are going on behind locked doors including babies born out of wedlock and the destruction that leads to for the mother but not the father. Understandably, she struggles with how to handle some of these situations. I am going to diverge for a moment and talk about our author. Ariel Lawhon is a Christian, however, her story is not what we would call Christian Historical Fiction. The book does reference scripture in multiple places, and redemption and righting wrongs are at the heart of the text. However... HEADS UP- The book deals with a lot of relationships behind closed doors. That being said there are no intimate details to encounters. Ballard, herself, enjoys a robust relationship with her husband, again with no intimate details. There is a very small sprinkle of curse words. There are also a couple of what I would call crass words.

EVERGREEN by Matthew Cordell Evergreen by Matthew Cordell is a super sweet picture book. Written and illustrated in a classic type style reminiscent of Maurice Sendak's writing/illustrations or Miriam Young's Miss Suzy, Evergreen is a timid little squirrel that needs to make a delivery for her mother of soup for a sick friend. What follows is a series of adventures where little Evergreen begins to gain confidence and know that she can do it! This darling book is a great fit for the child that loves animal stories, adventure stories, or is timid and needs a little help knowing that they can accomplish big things. I've got to take a minute and talk about the illustrations. Cordell is a Caldecott winning artist and reading through Evergreen it's easy to see why. His drawings are done in pen and watercolor and they are fabulous with lots of details.

SERAPHINA by Rachel Hartman YA read Seraphina by Rachel Hartman is an engaging fantasy read, but there are a few hiccups along the way that you need to be aware of. Seraphina is an impossibility. After all, she is half dragon and half human. Even though dragons can take on a human form and live among humans, reproduction was never a reality, but for a few it was. She is one of a handful whose true identity is hidden and must be protected at all costs. But Seraphina has contacts in both the dragon and human worlds and when humans end up dead and it looks like it is dragon induced, something must be done to protect the alliance between the two worlds. This fantasy read is quick to pull the reader in and leave them in awe of a dragon related tale, but it is not the easiest book to read. Hartman throws dragon terminology and names at the reader in rapid fire succession. However, as the reader passes deeper into the pages, links and understanding begin to emerge. For fantasy lovers this book is hard to break away from. HEADS UP- There are a few things to be aware of. One is a small spattering of language in the book. Second, we know that there is a male character who prefers males. No details are given about the relationship, but it is mentioned. Third, there is a love triangle that emerges. There is not a complete resolution at the end, but an understanding is formed. Seraphina is the first of a two book series. I will be reading the second book in the future.

UNDONE: A MODERN RENDERING OF JOHN DONNE'S DEVOTIONS by Philip Yancey Sometimes in life suffering, sickness, and death happen, and we can't understand why. 400 years ago, a man named John Donne was living through the bubonic plague. Coming down with the sickness himself, he lived under the constant tolling of the bells ringing out for each life that was cut short by the plague. As he listened to the sound, he penned a series of devotions where he cried out to God, wondering where he was in the midst of such a great crisis. Fast forward to 2020 and COVID. Having already formed a love for Donne's book, author Philip Yancey revisited it during the pandemic. He then took the devotional and tried to convert it into a more reader friendly version to help a world that was facing a new pandemic find answers. As the book went to the editor, Yancey received word from his doctor that he had Parkinson's Disease. What came into existence was a book that helps us walk through the uncertainty of sickness and death. I have read this book twice and still feel that I have barely scratched the surface of its depth and wisdom.

THE POWER OF SNOW by Bob Raczka. illustrated by Bryony Clarkson I am smiling as I write this post today. Oh, the irony of Ohio's weather! Sunshine streaming in the windows this morning and forecasted snow this afternoon. I am good with it. Ohio's temperamental weather is one of the traits that make it endearing to me. It reminds me a bit of a toddler - one minute showing affectionate love and the next having a tantrum on the ground! It keeps you on your toes! I read The Power of Snow by Bob Raczka this morning to my kids knowing that snow is coming. This beautiful picture book depicts snow perfectly in math terms with the use of powers. Snow begins with just a couple of drifting flakes (2 to the first power). Before you know it, it's doubled (2 to the second power) and so on. In just a few short pages you work yourself up to 16,384 flakes (or 2 to the fourteenth power). It's a fun way to experience math. (Be sure to see the author's notes at the end!) But this book won't just appeal to math kids. This book is written in verse form. Descriptive rhyming words for the falling snow are fun to read. Then there's the artwork. Illustrator Bryony Clarkson's illustrations are marvelous. In her Illustrator's Notes at the end she tells us that every two page spread contains the exact amount of snowflakes equal to the exponent. Her artwork is filled with precious creatures and as the snowflakes multiply the pictures become more dense with the falling snow. Absolutely delightful!

15 SECRETS TO SURVIVAL by Natalie D. Richards Ohio author Natalie D. Richards has penned an intriguing, squeaky-clean adventure story in 15 Secrets to Survival that will delight the middle grade audience! Baxter, Abigail, Turner, and Emerson have a problem. Their parents are best friends, but they can't stand each other. When they are put together on a trivia competition team and things don't go as planned, they turn on each other and break the rule of being respectful to each other. Their "punishment" is to be taken out in the snowy, mountain wilderness with a guide and learn how to work together as a team. When the guide turns up missing it will take all four of them to work together to have any chance of survival. Filled with exciting twists and turns, 15 Secrets to Survival does a fantastic job of keeping you hooked until the end.

BUNGO STRAY DOGS by Kafka Asagiri. Illustrated by Sango Harukawa I have read my first Manga book. I don't feel that by reading one book I have suddenly become knowledgeable about this genre, especially since it is a genre that is very near and dear to some kids' hearts, but I am willing to share some thoughts. How did I end up reading a Manga book when it is way outside my typical genre trenches? I have a high school lit class I teach. 3 days a week I give the students reading assignments, 1 day a week we gather together for discussion, and 1 day I give them a free read day. When we gather together we share what we've read on our free read day, and Manga was something that was popping up often. Manga is not something that I naturally gravitate too, but I do love reading alongside kids and having discussions with them. I asked for a recommendation, and Bungo Stray Dogs was it. So let's talk for a minute about my preconceived notions about Manga. Hearing others talk about it, I gathered it was dark, full of sexual situations, language, etc. I assume that this varies from series to series. Manga takes a little bit of getting used to. After all you read it back to front, right to left, and honestly as I read through this book I would lose the story line from time to time. I'm sure part of that has to do with not having a good understanding of Asian culture. In spite of all of this, I was able to grasp the jist of the story It's easy to see why some kids gravitate to Manga. The art form is very appealing to certain kids, but past that, in Bungo Stray Dogs, we are dealing with super powers and an undercover detective agency - two very attractive elements to kids. So specifically in Bungo Stray Dogs what are my concerns? First of all, there is a character that is obsessed with suicide. I understand that in the Asian culture suicide is looked on differently than how it is in the US, but as a Christian we are taught that life is precious and valuable. It is difficult to see it treated so flippantly. Second, the antagonist of the book has a super power that is a black spirit type thing that eats anything and everything in its space. I can't really tell you if the black spirit is an "evil spirit" or not. The book doesn't really explain it. My guess is that as the series continues we would be given more information. Third, there is a bit of language. So what's my recommendation on Manga? Read it with your child/teen until you feel like you have a good handle on the series they are interested in. Make sure it fits what you are trying to allow in your home.

CUPIG by Claire Tattersfield. Illustrated by Rob Sayegh, Jr. Cupig: The Valentine's Day pig by Claire Tattersfield is about as adorable as they come! Cupig is the sweetest little Cupid you can imagine. She loves spreading love around, but sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. Sometimes her arrows end up being blown off course which can cause a little bit of havoc. After one such day peanut butter and jelly are no longer a pair. Salt and Pepper have broken up. Needle and Thread have gone their separate ways. Cupig has got to make things right! Told in rhyming verse, this lovely book will have you giggling and cheering when things get put back to right!

A CUP OF LOVE by Michael Todd. Illustrated by Joel Santana This book is not necessarily a Valentine book, but it does talk about relationships, and it does talk about love. When Daddy and Mommy are going out on a date night, one of their kids is sad because she can't go. Daddy sits her down and with a neat demonstration, begins to show his daughter the importance of having relationships in order. That order includes his relationship with Christ first and next the relationship between him and mom. This book helps us remember that "I love you" is much more than a series of words. It is a valuing of people and our actions should show that! This is one of my 2024 TOP PICKS, because rarely do we see books that celebrate the dad and mom working on keeping their relationship special. This is so important!

CHINESE MENU: THE HISTORY, MYTHS, AND LEGENDS BEHIND YOUR FAVORITE FOODS by Grace Lin When visiting my local bookstore (local in the country type of meaning ), I found this gem of a book in time for the Chinese New Year. Now, I can't recommend it officially yet, because I haven't read it. However, this book looks absolutely delightful and the New Year is around the corner! Author Grace Lin takes us on a journey of Chinese food and legends in her book, Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods. This book is 270 pages of Chinese foods that you may be familiar with and some not so much and the stories of how or why these popular meals came into existence. The stories include dragons, emperors, mountains, gold, and many other intriguing elements. If you are interested in the Chinese New Year, food is a big part of that, or if you have children that are interested in tales from other cultures, this book will satisfy either! Grace Lin, the author and illustrator, has received both a Caldecott and Newberry Honor Award for previous books. She is quite a distinguished individual!

ROSES ARE PINK, YOUR FEET REALLY STINK by Diane deGroat Do you need a humorous book for Valentine's Day that still slides in a bit of a lesson for each of us? Check out Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diana deGroat. This book will remind you of the original Arthur books by Marc Brown if you are familiar with those. Gilbert's class is preparing for Valentine's Day and each student is supposed to make their own valentines for their classmates. Gilbert has no problem writing up most of the valentines topped off with a poem he personalized for each friend. However, there are two students in the class that he really doesn't like, so he creates poems that are not very nice and signs them with someone else's name. What happens next can only be marked with "uh-oh!" The title may cause each of us to grin a little, but the heart of this story really is that our words matter. This is a lesson that each of us needs to hear probably on a daily basis!