Home Grown Hearts Academy Homeschool Blog: book review

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Sunday, May 29, 2016

Wise Guys by Kent Evans - Book Review #WiseGuys #FlyBy

WISE GUYS:

For guys, more than ever, it’s a confusing world. Your GPS doesn’t offer any maps showing how to get to the point of wisdom — and who likes asking for directions anyway?

But there are ways to get that guidance you need. The answers may be all around you, in the form of guys you already know. Wise guys. More experienced guys. Better-traveled guys. Could there be ways to tap into their invaluable knowledge without enduring dull lectures or taking pages of notes?

Kent Evans has surrounded himself with these wise guys. They have shown him all the back roads on the way to wisdom. With a great deal of humor and an endless supply of stories, he wants to show you how to gather life-enriching truth from the guys in your own circle.

Chapter lessons include-

Figure Yourself Out

Encourage Relentlessly

Always Be Asking

Correct Gently

Learn from Action

Follow the Sprinters

Welcome Kindly

Exercise Tangible Grace

Finish Strong

Ditch the Cynicism (My favorite chapter!)

Ask Artfully

Know When to Let Go

Pray Spontaneously

Tap Shoulders

Command Calmly

Sign Up, Pitch In

Simply Excel

I love how each chapter includes questions to consider and tips. This book would be a great gift for any man in your life. It is encouraging and very well written.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KENT EVANS is the board chairman and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps fathers and mentors build the next generation of godly men. Kent has personally experienced how the guidance of godly men can change the course of a life. Today he is blessed with a solid 20-year marriage, four wonderful sons and a fulfilling life – largely because of what he’s learned from other men. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and can be found on Twitter @manhoodjourney.

~ SOCIAL – CORNER ~

Official Website - : https://www.manhoodjourney.org/wise-guys

Amazon - : http://www.amazon.com/Wise-Guys-Unlocking-Hidden-Wisdom/dp/193962228X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460165778&sr=8-1&keywords=Wise+Guys+Kent+Evans

Twitter - @manhoodjourney

Want to Win a Copy?

~~To win simply comment below and I will draw a name~~

~~at random on June 6, 2016.~~

Good luck!

The Winner is: Sherri J

Congrats!

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Monday, April 11, 2016

8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids ~ Review

If you're looking for a new parenting book to read, 8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids is an excellent one! I don't know about you friends, but I could use all the tools and help I can get when it comes to raising my children. Let child psychologist and father Todd Cartmell walk you through the nuts and bolts of healthy, effective parenting.

Using examples from his home and 20 years of professional practice, Todd gives eight essential and practical tools to help you:

Maintain a healthy relationship with your child
Develop a nurturing home culture
Correct behavior in lasting ways

Designed for busy parents, 8 Simple Tools breaks each tool into five short chapters that include a summary tip and application questions. Use even half of the tools in your parenting, and your family dynamics will thrive. Your relationship with your child will be built on love and trust, providing you with fertile ground for planting God’s wisdom in their heart, and ultimately, seeing them flourish.

I loved reading all of the different examples that are included with the different tools and tips. The short chapters were perfect for me as well. I could easily read a few chapters a night, when I had the time, and I really feel like I learned some very useful and important tools that will ultimately help me grow as a parent and person in general.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the Summary of Tips that is included in the back and the notes section. The notes section provides a bible verse for each tool. I enjoyed looking up the verses and comparing them to what I was learning.

Do I recommend this book? YES, yes, yes! I absolutely loved this book.

50% Discount Code - GREATKIDS16

Free access to the

HEARTS AT HOME "ESSENTIAL WORKSHOP COLLECTION FOR PARENTS" with every purchase:

http://www.8simpletools.com/purchase-with-offer

SOCIAL – CORNER

Official Website:

www.8simpletools.com

Dr. Todd Cartmell's FB:

https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Todd-Cartmell-193405444025914/

Monday, March 21, 2016

Glimmer Girls Review & Giveaway #GlimmerGirls #FlyBy

This review is on a two-book fiction series for 9-12 year old girls from award winning singer Natalie Grant. I have listened to and loved Natalie Grant for many years and was very excited to be able to read her books with my three daughters. These books have been such blessings to us.

Grant says: "Glimmer Girls is a fiction series that I have created with my daughters. The storyline is about three girls who go on tour with their singing mom. I have no idea where I came up with that plot! It’s fun for my little girls to help with the content because they actually live that life. Glimmer is the last name of the family, but it also has a special meaning. It is a light that is never extinguished. Sometimes it may glimmer a little bit brighter, sometimes it may glimmer a little bit dimmer, but it never goes out. I felt like that was such a perfect description for all of us. We all have a light on the inside and depending on the day, sometimes it’s bright and sometimes it’s dim. That is the message I wanted girls to get from this book. You don’t always have to be shining bright, some days are going to be more difficult than others, but Jesus has put a light in you that will never go out.”

About Glimmer Girls

Readers will join twins Mia and Maddie, and their little sister, Lulu, as they travel the country finding adventure, mystery, and mischief along the way. Together with their father, famous mother, singer Gloria Glimmer, and their slightly wacky nanny, Miss Julia, the smart and sassy sisters learn lessons about being good friends, telling the truth, and a whole lot more.

Our Thoughts

I was very delighted to have the opportunity to share these books with my daughters. The life lessons that are included are great for any child and I felt like they were especially great for my three little girls. It was fun to listen to my daughters pick which girl was similar to them and live through the characters as the stories went along. I felt like not only were my daughters receiving entertainment but also learning very valuable character traits. We highly recommend these wonderful books!

~SOCIAL CORNER~

Website: http://www.faithgirlz.com/glimmer-girls/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Faithgirlz

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/zkidzfaithgirlz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zonderkidz_faithgirlz/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/zonderkidzfaithgirlz

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Monday, February 29, 2016

The Legend of the Easter Robin Review & Giveaway #EasterRobin #FlyBy

Easter is coming soon and my daughters are so excited! We recently received The Legend of the Easter Robin to review. It was a wonderful story and one that I was grateful to be able to share with my girls. They had never heard the story before so that was a fun extra as well.

About the book:

In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest. “Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?” “We’ll have to leave that one to the Creator,” Gran said. Robins have built a nest on the window ledge at Grandmother’s house! Tressa is thrilled―and concerned. What will happen to the sky-blue egg laid by the mother robin? As more eggs appear, Tressa witnesses the daily drama of the robins’ nest and learns how God cares for all creatures. Besides watching the birds, there are Easter eggs to color. And there is a very special story to hear―a tale of long ago about one small bird with a very big heart. How did the robin get its red breast? Tressa is about to find out as Gran tells her the story of the Easter robin. Brought to life with colorful, tender illustrations, The Legend of the Easter Robin will captivate and teach your child about compassion and faith.

Age Range: 4-8 years

Hardcover; 32 pages

Publish Date: January 26, 2016

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SOCIAL • CORNER

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Enter Below to win a copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification."

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids Review & Giveaway #JesusTodayKids #FlyBy

We like to do devotions as a family so I’m all about finding new devotionals, but it’s kind of hard to find something that my daughters all like. We were recently blessed with the opportunity to review Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids. This is one that all three of my daughters have enjoyed and continue to enjoy. I love how easy it has been for them to understand what they are reading. I also love how each devotion is based on Scripture and is written as though Jesus is speaking directly toward them.

Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids is not only filled with wonderful devotions, but is also filled with great Bible verses and wonderful thought provoking quotes. There is nothing better than watching my children grow in their walk with Jesus and this devotional is helping indeed.

About Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids

Jesus is the Friend who is always with you. Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids will pour this powerful truth into your children's hearts as they learn that He knows everything about them and loves them more than they can imagine. Each devotion is based on Scripture and is written as though Jesus is speaking directly to you, assuring that He is in control, that He is good, and that an amazing future awaits all who put their hope in Him. Adapted from the ECPA 2013 Christian Book of the Year-winner Jesus Today, this devotional has the same themes as the adult version, as well as written-out scriptures. It is a great choice for families to read and discuss during devotional time together.

Hardcover: 368 pages
Age Range: 6-10 years

About Sarah Young:

Sarah Young's devotional writings are personal reflections from her daily quiet time of Bible reading, praying and writing in prayer journals. With sales of more than 14 million books worldwide, Jesus Calling has appeared on all major bestseller lists. Sarah's writings include Jesus Calling, Jesus Today, Jesus Lives, Dear Jesus, Jesus Calling for Little Ones, Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids, and Peace in His Presence -- each encouraging readers in their journey toward intimacy with Christ. Sarah and her husband were missionaries in Japan and Australia for many years. They currently live in the United States.

Connect With Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids

Official Website - http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0718038053/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1452613533&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=jesus+today+for+kids

Book Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl-Qnlr5Rls&feature=youtu.be

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling?lang=en

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/

Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+Jesuscallingbook/posts

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/

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Monday, January 11, 2016

The Plans I Have For You Devotional & Journal Review & Giveaway #PlansIHave #FLYBY

About The Plans I Have For You Devotional:

The devotional is an illustrated 90-day devotional written by bestselling children's book author Amy Parker and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, teaching and inspiring kids to dream about their future, to focus on faith, love, and joy, and recognize that God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us.

Hardcover; 160 pages

Age Range: 8-12 years

About The Plans I Have For You Journal:

The journal prompts creative thinking and exploration of the talents and personalities that make us special, and then helps explore how God may use our unique traits to spread love and joy and make the world a better place.

Stationery; 208 pages
Age Range: 11-14 years

Our Thoughts:

My 12 year old daughter fell in love with both the devotional and the journal the day they arrived at our doorstep. She has enjoyed reading each day in the The Plans I Have For You Devotional. She has also loved how creative she can be with the corresponding journal. She has been doing daily bible studies for a few years now, but this has helped her already in so many ways. For instance, she is now coming to me and telling me about bible stories she is learning about. In the past, I would find studies for her and we would go over them together. It's fun to see her learning about God's word and how he uses our unique traits for the good.

I'm excited for her to continue on through the devotional. It's also nice to know that I can purchase more journals for her two sisters. I know that it is something they will also enjoy and benefit from as well.

About author Amy Parker:

Amy Parker has sold more than thirty books for children, teens, and adults. She has also collaborated with authors ranging from New York Times bestsellers to her very own son. Two of these collaborations are recipients of Christian retailing's Best Awards, and she has also won three Mom's Choice Awards. But Amy's greatest reward is being a wife to Daniel and a mom to their amazing sons, Michael and Ethan.

About illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton:

Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator, doll maker, and crafter. Her passion for children's books began when she came across The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats as a child in the 1960s. Growing up in a musical family who love to sing, Vanessa's illustrations are as fun and whimsical as a beautiful melody. Vanessa currently makes her nest in Charlotte, NC with her husband of 20 years, their daughter, and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes.

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Want to Connect?

The Plans I Have For You Devotional Official Website

The Plans I Have For You Journal Official Website

ZonderKidz Facebook

ZonderKidz Twitter

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Sunday, November 22, 2015

I'm Happy for You (Sort Of...Not Really) Review & Giveaway #HydrateForTheHolidays #FLYBY

About I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really)

Our cultural obsession with comparison is undercutting relationships and sapping contentment. With disarming candor and humor, Kay Wills Wyma explores how to trade comparison for compassion and rediscover what life is all about.

It’s easy to get caught in the comparison games we play with our appearances, our kids, and our homes. Kay reminds exhausted families about tried and true remedies from the pressures of competitive living. In her warm, relatable style, Kay confronts the comparison epidemic raging in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our social-media feeds, offering remedies along the way.

I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really) explores the troubling effects of living in an excessively competitive culture—and reveals simple yet effective ways to escape the comparison trap.

My Thoughts

I'm very thankful to have had the opportunity to review I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really). As soon as I saw the cover to the book, I was sold. I couldn't quit reading it. Kay Wyma drew me in immediately with her honest and witty words.

I can't even count how many times I have fell into the comparison trap. Truth be told, we all find ourselves falling into it daily. Kay Wyma has managed to address the issue in a way that is good for the soul. In the book, she offers wise and helpful solutions. I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really) is simply fantastic! I think that everyone should read it.

I have three daughters and I can't wait for them to read it also. The comparison trap isn't only an adult problem. I see the struggles my daughters have faced with it and it has really bothered me. This book provides wonderful suggestions on how to mentally reboot and chose to be genuinely happy.

I absolutely loved the “Letting Go of Comparison” points at the end of each chapter. They summed up all the main points. Something else that I really enjoyed about I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really), is that in the back of the book there are pages devoted to discussion questions for each chapter. I also enjoyed the many wonderful quotes that are included.

About the Author

Kay Wills Wyma is a blogger, mother of five, and the author of Cleaning House through which she has appeared on The TODAY Show, CNN, Glenn Beck, The New York Times, Focus on the Family, and more. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, she held positions at the White House, the Staubach Company, and Bank of America. Kay lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Jon, and their family.

Thoughts from Kay...

Tired of performing? Feeling weighed down by the pressure to be Pinteresting? Does your friend’s wardrobe, body, marriage, paycheck, vacation plans, or photoshoot-worthy home décor leave you wishing your life looked more like that?

You’re not alone.

With its focus on smarter, faster, thinner, and ever-better, our cultural obsession with comparison is undercutting relationships and sapping contentment. Our friends become our audience (or judges), and our titles, activities, even kids become part of our brand. Factor in social media’s constant reminder of what everyone else is doing, and no wonder we feel drained, discontent, and isolated.

Thankfully, we don’t have to live this way!

Stay Connected

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

AMAZON

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaways are only valid in the US & Canada

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Friday, November 06, 2015

Ann McCallum - Eat Your Math Homework - Review

My daughters and I were recently blessed to review Eat Your Math Homework from Ann McCallum Books. This was such a fun review for my daughters and even myself. I enjoyed watching them read and interact with each other to complete all the fun math activities that are included in it.

What is Eat Your Math Homework?

Eat Your Math Homework is a 48 page book written by Ann McCallum. Math and cooking have always gone hand-in-hand, but Ann McCallum takes it to a whole new level in this wonderful book. The book is filled with wonderful hands-on cooking activities that are not only fun but explore a ton of great math concepts. We really enjoyed the book and thought that it was well written and easy to follow along with.

Each section includes fun math facts and an edible math project. The recipes include Fibonacci snack sticks based on the famous sequence of numbers, fraction chips made from cut-up tortillas, tessellating two-color brownies, milk and tangram cookies, variable pizza pi and probability trail mix. Also, each section includes a math "appeteaser." These were fun math questions that my daughters enjoyed trying to solve.

How My Daughters Used Eat Your Math Homework

We sat down and read this book together as a family. It's a fairly short book, so reading through it was quite simple. My daughters loved it and they couldn't wait to start trying out the fun kitchen activities.

A couple years ago, my oldest daughter received some tangram puzzle cards. She loved them so much and spent hours playing with them. When she saw that there was a lesson on tangram cookies she leaped with joy. It was the first one she wanted to do. She appreciated that each lesson includes the tools needed as well as an ingredient list and instructions. She quickly checked to make sure we had everything that was needed. When she saw we did, she was even more thrilled. I enjoyed watching her as she read the instructions provided in the book and did each step. We were all pretty happy with the end results and she really enjoyed making a tangram scene.

When she was all done, we ate the cookies and they were delicious. My husband arrived home to find a piece for him as well and he said that he thought that the book was working out wonderful for our family. Perhaps, it's because he enjoyed the yummy treats or perhaps, it was because he knew his daughters were having fun and learning. I'll assume both.

My other two daughters favorite activity was the probability trail mix. The had a blast setting up the activity as well as learning about probability. They had fun recording the results and seeing how close they were to their predictions.

I loved this book so much and I know my daughters enjoyed it as well. I appreciated the fact that there is a math review that follows all the lessons and glossary for some of the harder words. My daughters did have trouble with some of the words and the glossary proved to be very helpful. Most of the harder words are in bold.

We haven't completed all of the activities, but I foresee them all done in the near future. I have a feeling this is a book that will be put to use over and over again.

How much is Eat Your Math Homework?

You can currently purchase Eat Your Math Homework for only $7.95.

That is a wonderful price in my opinion.

Click below to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Korie Robertson's Book Strong and Kind - Review & Giveaway

About Strong and Kind

The Details:

Hardcover; 240 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Christian Publishing

In Strong and Kind Korie Robertson—with the help of her mom, Chrys Howard, and with insights and stories from her husband, Willie—introduces nine character traits that children need in order to lead a successful life. And though there are no perfect parents or perfect children, Korie shares principles—based on biblical wisdom and time-tested practices—that will help you parent your own one-of-a-kind child.

Korie Robertson argues that developing good character in our children is the single most important thing we can do to help ensure they lead happy, healthy adult lives. I completely agree. Mrs. Robertson also explores key traits and what they truly look like in action. She asks readers to select the two traits that they hope to see most in their children and shares hands-on ways for nurturing strength of character.

You truly can't help but be drawn into "Strong and Kind". Korie Robertson's advice in the book not only follows Biblical teachings, but it is also how she and Willie have raised their children. She delivers sound advice and makes complete sense with her message. Her writing style makes me feel as if I'm having a heart to heart with a friend. I'm positive that anyone who reads this book will be encouraged and inspired by it.

About Korie Robertson:

Korie Robertson is a New York Times bestselling author, the wife of Duck Commander® CEO Willie Robertson and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty. A mother of five, Korie balances family life and her role at Duck Commander with several ventures of her own, including her retail store Duck & Dressing, overseeing licensing for the family’s brands and philanthropic work with a children’s home in the Dominican Republic, Help One Now and adoption and foster care advocacy in Louisiana. Her writing credits include Duck Commander Devotions for Kids, The Women of Duck Commander: Surprising Insights from the Women Behind the Beards About What Makes This Family Work, Faith Commander: Living Five Values from the Parables of Jesus and The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty.

Would you like to win a copy?

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Strong and Kind!