Mostly What God Does Is Love You by Savannah Guthrie & ilustrated by Morgan Huff (ZonderKidz Publishing)

Share God's love at Easter time (Resurrection Sunday)

Mostly What God Does is Love You

ZonderKidz Publishing
Hardcover $19.99
Purchase Here

My thoughts:  As I look at these beautiful illustrations and read these gentle words, it leaves me, personally, as an adult in awe that God's love is in everything. And then to know that this book will teach a child how much God loves him, how infinite His love is, and how much above all else He is loving them in everything He does.

A beautifully illustrated and sweet look at the vastness of God and what He does. And yet, in all His greatness He focuses primarily on His love for you. On each of us.

In Mostly What God Does Is Love You an inkling of the significance of the individual, you, in the mind and heart of Almighty God is presented in the contemplative thought that He loves you. While doing all the huge, magnificent, and wondrous things He does in the World and Universe, He focuses His love on each of us.

About the book: What if we shared this simple, beautiful, Biblical truth with our children from the youngest of ages—how different would we be? How wonderfully could this shape our perspectives from childhood on, knowing that the God who made all the wonders in creation—who hung the stars in the sky, who tells the wind where to blow—knows your name and loves you oh so very much?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and TODAY show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, this beautifully illustrated picture book showcases the wonders of nature, the beauty of God’s creation, and most importantly, how very loved you are by God. Mostly What God Does is Love You reminds children (and adults) of God’s great love for them, how very cherished they are by the creator of the universe, and how in turn, they can share that same love by being kind and compassionate to others.

With its awe-inspiring and charming illustrations and a poetic, relatable and age-appropriate message, Mostly What God Does is Love You is the perfect way for adults reading Savannah’s bestselling book Mostly What God Does to share this all-important reminder with the children they love—that the vastness of God’s love is all for them and how they can share it with others as freely as God shares his love.

Mostly What God Does Is Love You:

• Reminds children that God is always with them, loving them unconditionally.
• Is perfect for family reading, bedtime story, school or daycare story time.
• Makes the perfect gift for birthdays, Easter, graduation, and other celebrations and gift-giving occasions
• This sweet, uplifting book is sure to leave a lasting impression on children and adults alike, reminding them of the most important thing in the world—God’s enormous love for us—and how we, too can spread love and kindness, just like God does.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone. 

#MWGD #Easter @savannahguthrie @zonderkidz 

Young children's Christian books: "The Jesus Storybook Bible" & "My Little Library of God’s Great Love: Loved, Found, Near, Known (4 books)"

Perfect for Easter gifting & remembering this Sacred Season

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Purchase Here

My thoughts:  Sally Lloyd Jones does such a good job presenting to children the stories from throughout the Bible. In The Jesus Storybook Bible she retells the well known stories from the Bible and how Jesus is in - even though in shadow - each of them. Sized for young hands, this thick book has pictures to interest and understandable text that can be read to the young child. As the child grows and learns to read, he or she will begin to read these simply retold stories for themselves.

Originally published in 2007, it's many editions attest to the dependability and trustworthiness of the storybook. This is a storybook and not intended to replace a Bible. There is no chapter/verse text. This is a retelling of the stories that are in the Biblical text.

Perfect as a gift for any occasion and truly memorable for the Easter season.

The women went to the tomb..... it was empty!

About the book: For over a decade, The Jesus Storybook Bible has been introducing children to God’s wonderful story, and the Savior at the center of that story. Trusted and treasured for over a decade, with over 3 million copies sold, The Jesus Storybook Bible is the quintessential book for parents, grandparents, pastors, and anyone else who wants to share God’s Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love with children.

What makes The Jesus Storybook Bible different from every other kids’ Bible?

While other kids’ Bibles contain stories from the Old and New Testaments, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible, pointing to Jesus as our Savior. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will clearly see that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation—and at the center of their story too.

The Jesus Storybook Bible:

• Is beautifully written by New York Times bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by award-winning artist Jago
• Contains 21 stories from the Old Testament and 23 stories from the New Testament
• Visually brings Scripture to life for children, sharing how Jesus is at the center of our story
• Presents the best-loved stories of the Bible in an easy-to-understand format
• Is the perfect kids’ Bible for any age up to 6th grade, as well as church ministry
• Makes an ideal gift for Christmas, Easter, and other gift-giving occasions

On this literary pilgrimage, let’s unwrap the layers of meaning, explore the hidden gems, and celebrate the One whose name echoes through eternity. Together, we’ll ignite curiosity, kindle faith, and breathe life into the ancient stories.

My Little Library of God’s Great Love: Loved, Found, Near, Known

Purchase Here

My thoughts: Loved: The Lord’s Prayer, Found: Psalm 23, Near: Psalm 139, and Known: Psalm 139 - Each of these sweet little board books teaches the very young child the truth of God's love and care for them. In this collection, the four books are beautifully packaged in a book-sleeve and makes a perfect gift. This storage sleeve will help the young child begin to learn the care of treasured books as they place them gently in their storage sleeve.

Perfectly sized for their little hands and illustrated with simple illustrations, the limited text can be read to the child. They will begin to see how God, as their Heavenly Father, loves them unconditionally and with an everlasting love.

As usual, Sally Lloyd Jones brings God's Great Love to the child. 

About the book: These simply written board books remind little ones of God’s enduring love, his nearness, and his protection. From the author of the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, and award-winning illustrator Jago, bring you this 4-book boxed set of board books, which encourages young and old alike to remember that we are all loved in very special ways by God.

The Sally Lloyd-Jones Board Book Boxed Set is perfect for babies and infants ages 0-4 and features:

• 
  
  Lyrical text inspired by the loving Word of God and written by beloved author Sally Lloyd-Jones.
• Inspiring messages that remind kids of God’s ever-present love and blessings.
• A perfect size, exactly right for little hands.
• Beautiful illustrations that are a great gift for a new baby, Baptism, First Communion, birthday, or a read-aloud.

Books included in this collection are:

• Loved: The Lord’s Prayer
• Found: Psalm 23
• Near: Psalm 139
• Known: Psalm 139

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review of these books and also a small renumeration. Opinions are mine, alone and are original and unbiased. Giveaway is hosted by publicist, FrontGate Christian Media in conjunction with publisher and/or author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for prize selection, lost or misdirected prizes, or prize. #jesusstorybookbible #kidseastergift @jesus_storybook_bible  @sallylloydjones  @zonderkidz  #boardbooks #childrensbooks #christianbooks #kidseastergift

The Good for Nothing Puddle: Finding Hope When You're Stuck in Sadness by Jana Jackson & illustrated by Abby Jartos

On today's book market, there is a plethora of children's picture books that deal with a variety of emotions or social mores. I tend to veer away from them as we can sometimes create issues by addressing a problem that really doesn't exist in the mind and heart of the child. But this book is an interesting concept and presentation to handling grief. So if you and or your child are in the throes of a grief battle, perhaps this will benefit you. 

My thoughts:  As you open the book the illustrations stark line-drawings are the first to capture your interest. Somewhat different from the usual children's picture book. Lots of black lines and grey shadings. No background imagery to flesh-out the starkness. It isn't weird. It's just stark and devoid of happy colors and brightness of spirit.

The book is directed to the heart of the grief process and the depth and weightiness that a child can experience when faced with grief and loss. Pictured is probably an elementary age child. Longish legs, slender build. Definitely not toddler or preschooler. But not a teen.

So just how much "grief" and sense of "loss" does a child experience? I personally don't know and haven't had to deal with that for my own children. True, my children lost beloved grandparents through death and they were certainly sad. They loved and were loved by these dear ones. But I did not sense a depth of despair in their sadness. That is not to say that it doesn't happen. Loss of a parent or a sibling can probably wreck havoc on a child's spirits. So when it happens, those who care and tend the child need to have an arsenal from which to draw to uplift their spirits. 

In The Good For Nothing Puddle the child has deep seated pain from losing a loved one. She tries to push down her feelings of loss and get on with living, but it doesn't work and she begins to weep in despair. The result is a puddle - a good for nothing puddle.

Along come different personages that benefit from the properties of her little good for nothing puddle. She eventually realizes that the puddle does serve a good purpose.

I found the book enlightening as to the grief, or loss, experience of a child. I found, too, that our sad emotions give us lessons that may prove beneficial to someone else that comes along in our lives.

Therefore, I think this is a beneficial book. Perhaps your child has a friend that is sad. Reading this book to your child may help him or her understand their friend's sadness. Or perhaps you will find the book and gentle story beneficial in helping your own child to handle deep-seated loss and grief emotions.

I recommend.

About the book: The Good for Nothing Puddle is a powerful picture book that helps kids (and adults!) find hope when grief feels overwhelming. Through a touching story and beautiful illustrations, this book reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is near.

In this powerful picture book about a girl experiencing loss, The Good for Nothing Puddle helps children explore the nature of grief and loss and leads them to find hope and redemption from pain.

When a girl loses the thing she loves the most, her tears gather into a puddle around her feet that follows her everywhere she goes. At first, she tries her best to make it go away, but it is inescapable. She even cries out to God to take it away. 

Eventually, a puppy, a farmer, and an artist stumble upon the girl and her puddle. Each one finds the puddle extremely useful in their own way and slowly the girl begins to understand that her “good for nothing” puddle might just be good for something after all! As she learns to accept her grief, she begins to find happiness again. Filled with moments of sorrow and joy, The Good for Nothing Puddle is a powerful metaphor for dealing with difficult emotions and navigating grief while holding onto faith.

The Good for Nothing Puddle:

• Is for children who have experienced loss of any kind, big or small
• Was reviewed and endorsed by a Christian counselor specializing in child therapy
• Teaches children as well as adults how to find hope in darkness
• Is filled with lively and dramatic illustrations
• Is great for families as well as Sunday school classes and church libraries, and anyone struggling to find God amid sadness

Purchase Your Copy - Click Here

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Giveaway is hosted by FrontGate Media and publisher or author. Prize is provided by host. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Support domestic violence survivors - Share joy

 MY DAUGHTER IS A MARY KAY CONSULTANT. 
Please reach out and support this endeavor to help women in need of support. 

Please join me in helping ladies who are walking in and through domestic abuse.  We often think it looks like bruises and violence- and it can and does- but it often is the emotional and mental abuse that is hidden in plain site.  I am partnering with several other pink consultant sisters and raising funds for a skin care product for each gift bag the 400 ladies will receive at the retreat happening May1-4 in our beautiful mountains.  How many ladies can you bless today?  Thank you with all my heart!!💜

Ref: calledtopeace.org

Donate with Venmo @PSmithMK

Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose by Demi-Leigh Tebow & illustrated by Olga Ivanov & Aleksey Ivanov [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781400249503
Hardcover | $19.99 USA
Tommy Nelson®

My thoughts: While this is a publication from Christian publishing, Tommy Nelson, there is no direct reference to Scripture or Biblical story. However, the "Princess" is indicative of a Child of the King. The king is the "Lion King." Christians are consider to be a child of the King and the Lion King is representative of the King of Kings, Lord Jesus Christ. 

The story involves a crew of delightfully drawn dogs living in the palace. The Princess is a dalmatian and is protected by her security team, a Lab/Retriever and a Border Collie. As the Princess goes on a visit to the Royal Savanna animals a monkey snatches her sparkly crown. While her security team is chasing the monkey to retrieve the crown, the Princess goes about meeting several different species of animals.

Eventually the crown is retrieved but alas it is now broken. The Princess' visit to the savanna animals has ended and she reports back to her father, the king. He praises her for her kindness to the animals she met, and hence she discovers her purpose - kindness.

A sweet lesson in overcoming personal disappointment while learning to be kind to others as a way of life. Also, a good lesson in the more value to place on being good and kind rather than place value in objects.

I especially like the happy, bright and colorful illustrations and felt that they make the story really engaging to read.

About the book: Anti-trafficking advocate and former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Tebow encourages young readers to find their purpose and help others in need in her first children’s book about a princess who loses her crown, starring Demi’s real-life dog Paris the dalmatian.

When her crown is stolen, Princess Paris fears she’ll never get it back. How can she represent her king without her crown? She doesn’t feel much like a princess and worries all the animals on the Royal Savanna won’t take her seriously without it. But as each animal Paris meets faces a unique problem, she discovers that being a princess requires more than wearing a shiny crown. Secret word: royal

This adventurous story is paw-fect for ages 4 to 8,focuses on finding your purpose and being kind, is a creative conversation starter between parents and children about helping others, and is a perfect choice for a nursery display or a baby shower or birthday gift. Take your children on this adventurous African safari with Paris, Kobe, and Chunk (the whole Tebow Pack!) and show them that helping others is the greatest purpose of all.

GIVEAWAY

"Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose"

Begins March 29

Ends April 29 @ 12:00 Midnight EDT

Open to USA addresses only

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Note-worthy MIT Press Kid's picture books from 2025 (STEM EDUCATION)

The Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist by Patricia Daniele & Illustrated by Junyi Wu

My thoughts:  A well done biographic picture book about a woman who, when it wasn't considered desired or appropriate for women, pursued an education. As she grew and learned all that was available for her to learn, her parents recognized her capabilities and sold all and relocated where she could be mentally engaged and equipped to expand her mind.

A bit more wordy than the average "picture book," but written in a forthright and engaging manner, this is a perfect introduction into reading non-fiction to the young child and reader. The illustrations readily depict a simple young woman (appropriately hair styled and dressed for the time) excitedly pursuing books and scientific equipage as she wonders, experiments, discovers, and further pursues knowledge.

As the first woman to study at MIT, she opened doors for more intelligent and inquisitive women to further their scientific and technological education. But not only did she open doors for women to have access to higher education, she actually achieved scientific successes and make the world a better place in which to live. I believe we have Ellen Swallow to thank for cleaner and safer water and food.

I love that the illustrations are soft yet highly detailed and show the world that Ellen Swallow lived and learned in. I really like how this young readers biography while telling the story of this fantastic trail-blazing woman makes for really good reading, but also how the book is formatted like an "official" biography with author's note, source material, bibliography, and other interesting material at the back. A fine introduction to non-fiction biographic reading.

About the book: Discover the eye-opening story of the first woman student at MIT—a pioneering environmental chemist sure to inspire the next generation of female trailblazers in science.

Ellen Swallow found a friend in nature and a lifelong love of science as a child exploring the woods around her family’s home. She was a voracious learner with an interest in chemistry, and continuing her education at the newly established Massachusetts Institute of Technology seemed a good fit. But in 1871, many believed that women belonged in the home, not in schools dedicated to the study of science. Ellen thought, why not both? She believed science could help solve the problems of everyday life, including the pollution she observed in Boston, so when offered the chance to study the city’s water systems, she seized it. What she found would change the way we think about clean water. In her lifetime, Ellen pioneered science education for women, advocated for a healthier environment, and helped develop the field of ecology. The Girl Who Tested the Waters, with engaging text and soft, inviting illustrations, portrays a woman ahead of her time and her tireless efforts to bring about change for good. Curious readers can find more in the back matter, including a time line, an author’s note, source notes, and a bibliography.

See an Excerpt 

Meena and the Microbiome by Dr. Majdi Osman & Illustrated by Teresa Martínez

My thoughts: An exceptionally sweet story of a conversation between mother and daughter that educates the child about the world within our world consisting of tiny organisms (wee little critters). The discover the scents around us are a byproduct of these wee little critters in the ground and all about and within us. About how our own health and functionality runs smoothly because of these little critters.

They are microbiome and they are everywhere.

Softly illustrated with lots of detail that engages the eye as the mind begins to be tickled with the fact of life in the micro world atop, within, and underneath. It is fascinating and so very well presented.

I highly recommend this MIT Kids Press book. 

About the book: Did you know there are more microbes on Earth than stars in the universe? That some five million microbes live on your hand? A child’s curiosity helps her understand why these tiny organisms make such a big difference in her life.

After the last drop of rain falls, Meena and her mom head outside to their garden, which is bursting with veggies and flowers. But it isn’t the produce that Meena is curious about. It’s the microbes in the soil (giving it that earthy smell), in the compost pile, in our bodies—everywhere!—that have Meena wondering. How do they live? What do they eat? Where did Meena’s own microbiome come from? Comparing microbe communities to a bustling city, where everyone has a job to do, Meena’s scientist mom answers her questions while they garden, gather vegetables for a neighbor, have a snack at the picnic table, and end the day with a sudsy bath. Physician-scientist Dr. Majdi Osman introduces the adorable Meena during a day of eye-opening exploration, while Teresa Martínez’s engaging illustrations capture the mother-daughter pair in perspectives ranging from microscopic to bird’s-eye view. Back matter includes a resource list and an author’s note on the far-reaching role that the microbiome plays in our health and development.

See an excerpt  

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Movie: Audrey’s Children: The True Story of Dr. Audrey Evans - In Theaters March 28

Only in theaters
March 28, 2025

AUDREY'S CHILDREN tells the untold true story of visionary British physician Dr. Audrey Evans, who burst onto the scene in 1969 as the first female Chief of Oncology at the world-renowned Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Battling sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers, Evans developed the first Neuroblastoma Staging System, co-founded the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients, and, ultimately, impacted the lives of millions of children and families around the world. 

When Dr. Evans started her work, only 10 % of children with cancer survived, now nearly 80% survive. Rated PG. https://www.audreyschildren.com/

Visit the Audrey’s Children website to learn more - click here

Visit Audrey’s Children on Facebook - click here

GET TICKETS - HERE

My review: As a young adult contemporary of the featured heroin, Audrey Evans, I can positively say that this film truthfully depicts that time when women were still considered inferior to men in position, intellect, power, and person and they were shuffled aside as unknowing and unwelcome. But Audrey persisted and plowed through the mores of the time using her determination, her intellect, her intuition, and her deeply caring spirit to persist in developing a methodology to cancer treatment that has generated wonderfully amazing results in survival rates.

As a pediatric oncology scientist and doctor she was been given the position as head of pediatric oncology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and yet she still is not respected quantitatively. But she persists. And in her love of her small patients and her unfailing desire to bring healing to them, she see a way through. But a new treatment plan must be rational and there must be reason behind changes. So she and a couple of others begin to piece the data together. This is done in an archaic method of sticky notes on the wall. But they do it and find the breakthrough.

So begins a two-drug treatment and five-level-staging to categorize the patients for treatment. And it's a winner.

This is an absolutely delightfully rewarding film about Audrey and her trail-blazing career. I found the acting excellent. The emotional portrayals are intense from co-worker's rebuttals to parental tears at a dying child's beside. And the portrayal of Audrey herself was that of a proper yet feisty, quirky yet traditional, intensely intellectual yet momentarily lacking in common sense driven individual. Superb filming with settings absolutely like 1960s and 1970s hospital corridors and basements. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to view this movie.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Blue Harbor Entertainment.