When our girls were growing up, I can remember working hard at teaching them the difference between teasing and bullying. Our motto was, “If it isn’t fun for everyone then it’s not fun!” With bullying being such an epidemic among children, they all need to know which is which, and when they are crossing the line.
The characters are very unusual as most books go; they are all a number “One”. What makes them different is the various colors except for “one”. (pardon the pun) He distinguished from the others by many colors and designs. His name is “One of a Kind.” Pretty catchy huh? The emphasis of course is how very unique he is compared to his peers.
He shares funny little characteristics about himself that make him special. Just as with anyone that isn’t like everyone else, he is teased a lot. To make it even worse is best friend teases him! One returns home from school after a particularly hard day and feels awful! He rushes into the house and tells is very wise Mom all that has happened.
She explains that teasing is just a part of life but there is a difference someone being playful or just mean. She also cautions him to look at himself and see what kind of kidding around he does. Mom shares coping skills with One to help him better respond to others. The next day he applies these each time he is teased or bullied. The day turns out great!
To a young child both activities are painful. This colorful book with funny characters is written rhyme which makes it even more appealing. It truly equips children to emotionally, mentally and verbally deal with teasing and bullying. At the end of the book are tips for adults to help children further. I love these books!! Go to http://www.juliacookonline.com to see more of the author’s books!

Parents and teachers struggle frequently with children lying and it seems to be a hard habit to help them break. Look no further! This fun, entertaining book has just what kids need to see the error of their ways!
Levi knows tells lie, all the way from Whoppers to little “white” lies. He finds it easier to tell an untruth than face the consequences of his actions. At least he thinks it is easier.
Sometimes his falsehoods do the trick but many of his friends, family, and teachers see right through most of them. That doesn’t stop Levi. One day a note is sent home from his teacher and unknown to him she gives his Mom the thumb up it is on the way. Of course Levi tries to tell a fib.
Mom, knowing the truth, explains to her so how damaging lying is, and one falsehood always leads to telling another, and another and another, …… She points out all the ways lying hurts Levi. No reason is big enough to make it okay to tell one.
Starting then and there he decides he will try telling the truth every time. He begins my fessing up to what REALLY happened to the teacher’s note.
The next day he goes to each person he has been dishonest with and admits his lies from the day before. That took courage! He is amazed at how good it made him feel and how forgiving everyone was.
At the end of the book are advice and 11 thoughts and ideas to foster honesty in children. As always with Ms. Cook’s books are entertaining, though provoking and present the material in a non-judgmental or threatening way to the child. If you work with kids you need this book! Go to http://www.juliacookonline.com to see more of the author’s books!

I know Ms. Cooks books are for children, but so many of them are perfect for adults too! Her straight forwardness, simplicity, and unique way of putting things in perspective can speak to all ages!
Too often we view planning and making priorities as taking too much effort and time. Why do that when we can just “get busy” and “do it”? Once again her two characters Cletus and Bocephus are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The fun cousins are back! Planning guru Bocephus is super organized with his time. He never faces the stress deadlines unprepared, forgotten items or dates with friends and more.
Poor fly by the seat of his pants Cletus lives in the “now’ and is constantly facing problems, difficulties and crisis’s due his LACK of planning.
By the hand of fate the two cousins are put together to work on a science project together. Bocephus of course has a grand plan to ensure their success and a good grade. Cletus is much too interested in all the interesting distractions coming his way. As you can probably guess there is a bit of disaster and some heated feelings as the work on the assignment together.
Both boys learn valuable lessons. Cletus learns the importance of setting priorities and having a plan. Bocephus discovers that while priorities are vital but being flexible, anticipating the unexpected, and being patient with others is just as important.
The end of the book has wonderful questions and tips to help children (and adults) learn how to plan and prioritize. Ms. Cook’s great illustrations and added humor add so much to the lesson and story. Another great book by Julia Cook!
Go to http://www.juliacookonline.com to see more of the author’s books!

Monks always seem so perfect and devoted to their beliefs and practices. As if they were naturally born to step into the role. Ms. Wilcock delves deeply into the emotions and experiences of 2 young men that believe they have received this calling. As they become more and more a part of the daily life of the monastery they feel they do not measure up to the older more experienced brothers. They begin to be overcome with uncertainties and misgivings about their ability to truly serve in this capacity.
As they observe and learn they see that all the brothers have faults and weaknesses and many of passed through the same doubts and troubles. The author shows that people are people with their own personalities and character flaws not matter who they are or what they do.
The descriptiveness and detail of the daily live in St.Alcuin’s is fascinating. No detail goes unnoticed. What I felt made it even more interesting was the setting of the story in the 15th century.
I did feel at times there was so much description that the story line was lost and bogged down. These sections were too wordy which made me have to push on to the next par.
A very interesting book.
I received this book from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

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With adult coloring books and journaling all the rage, this book is perfect for both!
It is super sturdy so I can carry it anywhere with me and not have to worry about pages or covers being bent or torn. It’s perfect!!
The pages vary. They might have a subject of gratitude to focus on, a prayer, or a scripture. The coloring pages also have bits of color already in them which I found very appealing. Some pages are very simple leaving an area for you to add your own drawing. Others are more detailed. All are creative and fun. This is a very unique book that will bless you in three ways, coloring, journaling, and God’s Word. I would have preferred the scriptures be in KJV instead of NLT but that is just my preference. When you are done you will have a beautiful keepsake of encouragement to look back on again and again.
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blogger Program for an honest review.

This is a super nice, compact, hardcover book! It contains 101 questions and answers about God’s promises, the church, and the future. All the questions and answers is one page long. At the end of each ne is a scripture pertaining to what was discussed. I found this very helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the decorative layout of the pages.
The questions covered many topics Christians wonder about, especially new believers. I found all of them very clear, concise, and easy to understand. I could tell the answers were well thought out by the author, as they contained a lot of information in just a few words.
There are 3 parts to the book:
1. About God’s Promises
2. God’s Church
3. About Your Future and the Future of the World
I did not agree with some of the author’s doctrine, but the vast majority of information was scripturally accurate. This is a wonderful carry with you devotional book. I think it is the perfect gift for a new Christian, even late elementary age. I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blogger Program for an honest review.

Linda Znachko never dreamed of what God’s plans were when He touched her heart through a news story about a baby’s body found in a dumpster. Beyond reasonable explanation she we moved to claim this precious, unnamed forgotten baby and give him a proper burial. That was just the beginning. Like a stone thrown into a pond, the far, far reaching ripples of compassion, love, and service, the Lord led her to minister into many lives, touching them deeply.
The author’s sensitive, obedient spirit that answered God’s call turned into an extraordinary ministry, one of a kind! She not only learned about herself in ways she could not fathom, but the desperate needs of others that go unnoticed,
The Lord also opened her eyes to loving all people unconditionally and not prejudging them based on circumstances or media reports. Ms. Znachko has been used in incredible ways by God, and it all started with a discard baby on an evening news report and a heart that held nothing back from God.! I am so thankful she shared the journey the Lord has taken her on. Beautifully written and heartwarming. I received this book from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my now.

Babies being mixed up at the hospital and sent home with the wrong family are found on news stories here and there all the time. All sorts of complications arise from such a mistake. Ms. Woodsmall turned this type of occurrence into a very interesting book that brings all sorts of thoughts and questions to mind. An English and Amish baby switched at birth! Even more intriguing is that is it not revealed until 20 years later when they are grown and their lifestyles are very deeply ingrained. How complicated can it get!
Ariana Brenneman and Skylar Nash were accidentally swapped at the birthing center their mothers both were at. Ariana is adheres 100% to her Amish beliefs, and Skylar is very much a part of the modern culture and world.
Ariana’s birth father, Nicholas, doesn’t want to leave it there. He wants to get to know the daughter he lost. Threatening to sue the now elderly midwife, both girls are forced to go live with their birth families for one year. He is no longer married to Ariana’s mom which adds even more difficulties to the arrangement. Being an atheist he wants her to change everything and become an Englisher. He makes her a list of things he wants her to try, and most go against all her beliefs and many are even sinful. Trying to be an obedient daughter she agrees but it tears at the heart of who she is.
Skylar is told she can go to a drug rehab for her addiction or go live with her Amish biological parents. She chooses the later as the lesser of two evils in her eyes but still very much against her will.
Will each girl change to fit the family they now live with? This isn’t just an Amish culture vs. modern culture story. It digs deep inside of how seriously Christian beliefs or lack of them guide and direct the lives of believers. Each characters feelings, perceptions, and experiences were vividly portrayed, giving me the opportunity to really look at the differences. The girls learned a great deal about themselves of course. Not only they but the reader are faced with the realization who we are runs much deeper than how we dress or where we live but also the need to examine those beliefs and see if they are truly of God. A great book. I can’t wait to read the next one and see what Ariana chooses! I received a copy this book from Blogging for Books and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Making your own household cleaners is all the rage right now and rightfully so. The benefits include protecting the environment, your family’s health from harsh chemicals, and financial savings. I have definitely hopped on this band wagon! All across the internet are recipes for every type of cleaner imaginable. I have been faithfully copying, pasting, and saving the recipes in my documents. And there they sit, to be edited, re-fonted and printed to put in a special binder. You guessed it I haven’t done it yet. The thought of all that work stops me cold. I was excited to see this book! Now I have all the recipes in one book and easy to access!
They have thought of everything you can imagine and some you haven’t! The recipes cover every room in the house, laundry, yard, outdoors, and more. I was impressed with how few ingredients you need to mix so many different cleaners and most you will have on hand or can easily find. A great book!
I received this book free from Ulysses Press Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

I strongly believe a child is never too young to be introduced to reading and books. It will create a life time love of both and open the door to so many adventures and opportunities to learn. Not just any books are acceptable, but wholesome, quality ones. This book is perfect! It is a sturdy, washable board book that a little one can call their own and hold up to budding bookworms.
Today even the youngest children are made to feel self-conscious about themselves and it only grows worse as they get older. Through media, friends, and even unintentional examples of parents and older siblings, they begin to struggle with self-acceptance. I very much liked how this book focuses on the fact that God is our basis of self-worth. As the title says, He made us “just right”.
The sweet story covers all the bases; ability, size, physical features, aptitude, sense of humor, creativeness, and uniqueness in every area!
Illustrations are excellent, depicting activities children participate in and enjoy. I love the way the author sums it all up with the most important point of all, “You may not be like other kids- that’s not your job at all.” An encouraging and uplifting book for little hearts!
I received this book free from Worthy Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.