Sunday, September 30, 2018

Enjoy Pumpkin-Themed Lesson Ideas

Would you like a quick-n-easy pumpkin-themed plan for a faith-based lesson?



Enjoy the ideas collated here, which were ones I had initially whipped up a couple years ago for a friend who offered to sub - last minute - for an under 5 class at our then co-op, and, which, I have since adapted for another friend in need lesson ideas.

Feel free to pick and chose ideas to borrow as your own family, co-op, or class would enjoy!

Greeting


Welcome all the children.  Talk about what season it is and what we often see as decorations during this season. Comment on how awesome it is that God makes so many beautiful fall colors for us.  Then, segue into an icon of all - pumpkins.

Hide and Guess Pumpkin Game - Matthew 5:15


For a fun ice breaker, adapt the traditional game, Doggy, Doggy, Where's Your Bone to Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Where Did You Go.

Give the children a small toy pumpkin.  Have them secretly pass it behind their backs while you turn your back and say, "Pumpkin, pumpkin, where did you go?  Hmmm... Let me see.  I think I know!"  Then, point to a child who you think has the pumpkin.  Have the child pull his hands out from behind his back and show you them.  If you guessed right and the child has the pumpkin, that child becomes the guesser and you join the passers.  If the child does not have the pumpkin, take two more guesses.

Then, play another round.  Play for 10 minutes or so, or until the children seem to be tiring of the game.

Then, talk briefly about how we were hiding our pumpkin, but there is one thing we should never hide.  Does anyone know what it is?  Our faith!

In Matthew 5:15, it says, "Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house."


Unpack this verse in simple terms with the children.

The Wonder Pumpkin - Pass God's Love and Light Along


Then, talk about how we are to pass our faith (our light, our love) around.  As quickly as we receive love from others, we should pass it along!  How could we do this?

Chat with children about times when they have felt loved and times when they have shared it.  Offer examples of how they can shine with Christ's light.

Ask if they can think of a seasonal decoration that shines with literal light: Jack-o-Lanterns!  Then, for fun, play a game a bit like the Wonder Ball, but with a stuffed or small, real Jack-o-Lantern.

To play, sit in a circle and pass the pumpkin singing the following song.  Whoever holds the pumpkin  lasts sits in the middle of the circle for one round before rejoining the game.


The wonder pumpkin, goes round and round.  To pass it quickly, you are bound.  Don't be one, to hold it light. Passing it along, is what it right. P-A-S-S - PASS!


Story - The Pumpkin Patch Parable


Source: Amazon


Read and chat about The Pumpkin Patch Parable - keying into some of the verse written on each page.  (If you cannot get ahold of the book, search on Youtube for  video clips of people reading it aloud.)

Song - Shine  With God's Light


To reinforce the idea of shining with God's lift, sing the following song (created by Martianne Stanger) the tune of I'm a Little Teapot.



I'm a little pumpkin plump and round.  (Put arms out in round curves.) I once grew upon the ground.  (Bend low as if on the ground.) Farmer sliced me open and cleaned me right.  (Mike slicing and cleaning a pumpkin.) Now I shine with love and light. (Put hand on heart on "love" and then out in jazz hands by a smiling face on light".)


After singing, chat with children about how they - as themselves, not as pumpkins - might shine with God's love and light.

Pin the Face on the Pumpkin - See God's Face in Others; Be God's Face for Others



Chat about how we are called to see the face of God in others and, in turn, to let them see the face of God in us. 

Then, for fun, play Pin the Face on the Pumpkin, much like Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

To play, hang a large picture of a pumpkin on the wall.  Blindfold children and give them cut outs in the shapes of pumpkin eyes and mouth.  Have them try to put these on the pumpkin.

Guided Drawing


Give children paper and coloring pencils, crayons, or markers and have them complete a simple guided drawing of a pumpkin or Jack-o-Lantern.

If you don't know how to do this, check out this pumpkin directed drawing, this how to draw a pumpkin, or this drawing a pumpkin image.

Of course, reiterate the ideas from The Pumpkin Patch Parable to keep the faith-based thread going.


Additional Games (Choose One or All of Them)

As fun fillers or movement breaks, using a real or stuffed pumpkin, play Over and Under - maybe even relay race style. 

Play Pumpkin Says (like Simon Says) using a stuffed or real pumpkin and a character voice as the "Simon".

Play Hide-n-Seek Pumpkin by having all the children close their eyes while you hide a pumpkin and, then, having children look to find it.

Play Hot and Cold with a small pumpkin figurine, a stuffed pumpkin, a gourd, or a pumpkin.


We'd love to hear how any or all of these go with your children and would also love to hear your pumpkin-themed ideas!  Please do come back to share.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Two More Weeks to Answer the Call

Two weeks.

There are just two weeks to respond to a call to action.

A call to prayer.

A call to encircle our nations in protection strength through prayer.

On October 7 - the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, anniversary of the Miracle of Lepanto, and the close of the 54 Day for Our Nation -  Americans will join International brothers and sisters to pray for our respective nations. 

Will you be among those praying? Will you answer the call to be a part of the 
Rosary Coast to Coast?

Source: Rosary Coast to Coast


To do so, see if there is already a prayer location planned near you or create your own event in order to answer the clarion call of the Holy Spirit through Our Lady - a call trumpeted at Fatima, LaSalette, Akita, and Quito.

I look forward to praying with you - side-by-side if you're local to me and in spirit if you are not.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Rescue Me - A Comic Book with a Christian Message {A Review}

Since our family likes focusing on faith, and my oldest son enjoys reading comic book style stories, we opted to take advantage of an opportunity for him to review Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith from The Captain Sun Adventures.




A Comic Book for Christians and Other Who Love Comics

Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith is a slim paperback of 30+ glossy pages that is part comic book and part devotional.  It encourages readers to become superheroes themselves through their faith in Jesus Christ.

In each chapter, panels showcase the adventures of the story's superhero Captain Sun as he fights the bad guy Black Out.




At the end of each chapter a newspaper-like devotional includes Scripture references and points readers to faith.  




The book concludes with questions to think about and discuss...




... and a page of "fan art".  (There is more fan art online, too.)




The Story



In Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith, Captain Sun - whose secret identity is a human named Derek Duke - is a visitor from another world who was sent to our world to defend the weak, help the oppressed, and uphold justice.

Captain Sun is pitted against Black Out, a villain who is blinding and darkening an entire city.  As Captain Sun fights Black Out, the age old theme of lightness vs. darkness plays out and examples of Christian thought and action do, too.

Author Bryce Morgan does an excellent job capturing the fun of comic books and pointing readers towards faith, while illustrator Mich Martin keeps things visually bright, clean, and interesting.



My Son's Thoughts



My 12-year old son was the one who asked to do this review.  He said:


Rescue Me! What Superheroes Can Teach Us About the Power of Faith is a good book.  I liked the villains and heroes and the plot, but I would have liked longer battles scenes and a more developed story.  It felt like 30-something pages was too short.

In the story, Black Out invades Capital City (which could use a better name) and Captain Sun stops him and locks him in jail, but, then, Black Out breaks out and goes to a power plant sort of thing and into an energy lab where he gets more power. 
Because Black Out has more power, Captain Sun needs help.  So, his friends from the Heroes Defense League join him, but they are still not powerful enough.  They break the darkness, but not enough. 
Electro Lad, the electricity guy, says he needs a bigger conductor to get enough light, so Captain Sun flies over everyone and tells them all to hold hands. Then, Electro Lad sends an electric jolt through all the people.  It is so bright that it knocks away all the darkness. 
Light wins for the moment, but we don't know if Black Out will be back. 
Between the chapters are newspapers.  They teach you stuff about God, but I find them a little weird, because they reveal Captain Sun's secret identity, and the people writing the news in Capital City would not know that.  So, the newspapers are good for teaching readers, but aren't good for the story. I think the author should change them to something else.  Maybe a mission paper from Captain Sun and the world he is from. 
Overall, the story was pretty good.  I would read more in the series and recommend this book to people who like comic books, but I think future books need the changes I mentioned: 
(1) to be longer and more in depth
(2) to present devotionals in a different way  
I am glad  I did this review. 

Now that my oldest has reviewed the book, my youngest (age 8) has absconded with it to read it.  So, I would say the book is appealing!


Learn More

Read the reviews.

View samples of this comic book online.

Find related coloring pages and other fun stuff online.

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Hashtags: #hsreviews, #CaptainSun, #itsCaptainSun




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Sunday, September 16, 2018

An Open Letter to Discouraged Mamas

Dear Mama,

Have you had a difficult day?  A challenging night?

Have you wondered why God gifted you a husband and children, when you are apparently are ill-equipped to effectively fill your calling as wife and mom?

So much undone, right?  So many people and things needing your attention...  So little energy or patience left for any of it.

Yep, I've been there.

Are you tired? Worn?  Depleted? Discouraged?

Perhaps even frustrated and a bit angry?

Have you ever felt that there is too much to do and too little day to do it in?  Too many things and people needing your attention and not enough of you to go around? Much less enough of you to do so and to get a sound portion of sleep.

Do you ever just feel like, I simply cannot do all this by myself anymore?

Well... you're right.  You cannot.

And you don't need to.  The Lord God is your help.

Pause. 

Pray. 

Cry if you need to, but as you do, cry out to Him. Ask Him to help.

Give everything over to Him, confident that in your distress and sorrow you can call upon His name.  He is gracious and merciful and is there waiting for you.

Mama, trust me on this.  You are not alone.  I've been in a similar spot as you and I can attest: He is there - even amidst the mayhem of motherhood.

Perhaps especially amidst it.

He is wise and loving.

He knows everything you need, and, sometimes, all you need is a deep breath and a reset.

So, go on.  B-r-ea-the. 

Again.

Ask Him to fill you with grace and strength.

B-r-ea-the.

Again.

Thank Him for loving you and entrusting you with so much.

B-r-ea-the.

Again.

Ask Him to cast evil away from you and to restore you.

Thank Him for all the blessings in your life... For all the things vying for your attention... For all the people you are surrounded by daily.  Especially those you may be most exasperated with...

Thank Him for the very things you are discouraged about, frustrated by, feeling hopeless about... 

He puts nothing and no one in your life without equipping you to deal with it - and to do so with supernatural strength.

That's right, Mama.  Supernatural.  Not Super Mama strength.

Count on it.

And br-ea-the.

Again.

Pray.  Ask to be filled with His strength.

Recognize joy does not always equate to outward happiness and that even when carrying crosses, joy can exist.

Tap into that joy again, Mama.

Let it permeate you. Let it seep past every bit of negativity you may still be feeling and fill you.

Be filled with gratitude. With grace. With giving things over and offering them up.

Then, if there still remains a proverbial cross is in front of you, just pick it up.  Take it and Follow Him. 

That may be all you can do today, and it is enough. It is a path to holiness. 

Yes, embracing your cross of the day as you follow Him.  THAT is enough.

Just to trust.  Just to share in His love.  Just to depend on his mercy.  Just to take a step forward.

It's enough.

Oh, Mama, you may want to, but you simply can't do everything.  But you can can do one thing - follow Him.

Choose to do that in this moment.

Christ will strengthen you.  I know this to be true. 

Br-ea-the.  Trust.  Love.

With love and prayers, 

A Mama Who's Been There
(maybe like five minutes ago)

Enjoy Family Fun at King Richard's Faire

Huzzah!  King Richard's Faire is in it's 37th season and offers such fun for families! 




We were able to go again this year with thanks to complimentary promotional tickets, and, again, came away from our day in Carvershire happily tired. 

My children look forward to the live, interactive entertainment at King Richard's Faire each year- especially the jousts!  In fact, this year, my youngest was so eager to 
escape into the woods at King Richard's Faire that he was literally doing his own voluntary mental math several times a week from the day he saw our tickets come in to the day we actually went to the Faire.  Witnessing his countdown anticipation was fun.

Of course, even more fun was actually going to the Faire and - surprise- having him be selected as an audience volunteer.  The entertainer he helped had such wonderful humor and rapport.


Fun for All!




Having been to the Faire for a number of years, our family has come to know and love specific performers.  A couple of those were missing this year, but there were new ones guests could enjoy including the Royal Musicians Accordion Tom, Music the Gathering, and Three Pints Shy and Up In Arms, an acrobatic/juggling performer.

Enjoy we did!

My husband said: 

"Our family is fortunate to have a Renaissance Faire with such a long tradition so close to our home. Jacques the Whipper is a perennial favorite of ours along with the joust to the death."


My oldest son (12) said:

"I really like King Richard's Faire.  One of my favorite things is the jousts.  We watch every single one each year.  This year, I go to be a squire holding something for a knight.  I was happy.

I was kind of sad that Daniel Duke of Danger was missing, but happy that Jaques the Whipper was still there. 


I also liked the guy my brother volunteered with."



My daughter (11) said :

"I enjoyed King Richard's Faire again this year.  Some of my favorite shows were Jacques the Whipper and the joust. 



I hope Daniel Duke of Danger comes back next year! I like the acrobat they had this year, too. 

I also liked the fries." 



My youngest (8) said:
"I like King Richard's Faire.  One of my favorite things is the jousts.  I like how they brought Sir Geoffrey back this year!



My second favorite thing was the food! The hotdogs are big and mine was wrapped in bacon!"

 



As always, I enjoyed the performers, but, more so, relished witnessing my children have such a delightful day in Carvershire.  Giggles, grins, rapt attention, outdoor time, and exercise walking around soaking in the fun are all part and parcel of a fabulous time at the Faire, and I appreciate it all!



Our family had fun watching performers...




... savoring some food, and taking in the atmosphere of the glen with all the games, ridesartisans...



...musicians, and merriment. 




Indeed, there is plenty of merriment at the Faire! At every turn, there is fantasy, fun, and wonder as you encounter the King Richard X and Queen Anne III and their court, nobles, and not-so-noble  subjects...


minstrels and musicians...



 acrobats, stilt walkers, giant puppets...


wenches, muddy beggars, and more



With admission, you can freely visit any of the eight stages of live entertainment and the jousts, where a few hundred actors, singers, dancers, stage combat pros, acrobats, and puppeteers sweep you away into the (planned) mayhem and merriment of Carvershire.

In between, you can also enjoy games and rides, shopping in the artisan areas, or having a bite to eat.  For, while the entertainment is the main focus of the Faire, undoubtedly, many love the giant pickles and turkey legs, mead and cocktails, strong man tests axe throwing, handcrafted items and more.  





Plan Your Visit


Fall always seems to get busy, so is it sure is fun to "escape your reality at THE New England Renaissance Faire" as the King Richard's Faire folks say.


The 2018 season runs through October 21 on weekends and Monday holidays from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., tucked away on 80 acres of enchanted forest at 235 Main Street (Rt. 58) in Carver, Mass. 02330

Tickets are $32 for adults (12+) and $16 for children ages 4-11 and can be 
purchased online or at the gate.  Children under 4 are free, and there is free parking.

Discounts can be given to groups of 25 adults or more and private parties can be accommodated (birthdays, vow renewal ceremonies, weddings). Groups may make reservations by emailing info@kingrichardsfaire.net

Costumes are welcome and appreciated. In fact, costumed guests tend to be in the majority, not the minority, of the crowd.

Our family did
 not opt to wear costumes this year, but have in the past, and you can, too.  Wear one there or rent costumes for all ages and sizes right inside the front gate at Seams Like A Dream. And, remember, this is a Fantasy Faire not a medieval/renaissance re-enactment so...anything goes! Be prepared to see it all -  from Monty Python, to Harry Potter, to Game of Thrones, to DC/Marvel superheroes, to all kinds of cosplay.  The flavor of history mixes with the fun of present day creativity at King Richard's Faire!
Visit King Richard’s Faire on  social media on 
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheKingRichardsFair, on Twitter and Instagram @KRFaire, and on Pinterest as well.  You can also reach call 508-866-5391 or email info@kingrichardsfaire.net

Be sure to note the
special contests and events which take place every Saturday (and some Sundays) which add to the fun! 

Also note, there is no outside food or beverage allowed in the Faire unless cleared by the office first, so eat a big breakfast before arrival and have some cash on hand for food in case you get hungry at the Faire.  (There are GF/V/LF options available.)

Finally, in case you did not notice in our pictures, King Richard's Faire takes place in the woods, and, although Carvershire is well maintained for safe and enjoyable Renaissance fantasy fun,  there are tree roots and weather to contend with, and the bathrooms are porto-potties (ones with running water!) So, dress and plan accordingly. 



Disclaimer:We received free promotional tickets in exchange for this honest review.  We were not required to write a positive review nor were we compensated in any other way.  All opinions we have expressed are our own family's.  We are disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.


Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Learn the Classical Art of Persuasive Speech {Review}

Wow!  Sometimes timing is everything!


{Affiliate links may follow.}

Shortly after my family and I joined a local Christian speech and debate club, I was offered a chance to review Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric (complete program) by Roman Roads Media.


At that time, I had not previously heard of Roman Roads Media, which also offers two subscription programs that other Crew Review families have been usingPicta Dicta Natural World or Picta Dicta Vocabulary Builder.  However, immediately upon perusing the Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric page on their website, I knew Roman Roads Media was a company I wanted more familiarity with.  Their curriculum on persuasive speech from a Christian lens was just what I needed to enhance my own learning.

Yes, I did just say "I".  


Although Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric is meant for high school students, I wanted to review it for my own edification and so that I could better assist with our local speech and debate club.  For, although I have a strong background in drama and education - and even made a living as a public speaker at one point  - I have little background in logic and debate and felt Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric would help me step up my game.




That it doing!  So far, I'm only partially into 
Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric's 30 lessons and already thoroughly impressed with what an informative, robust, yet digestible rhetoric curriculum it is!  Moreover, I love that it takes an unashamedly Christian worldview.

The complete curriculum surely s helping me hone my understanding  of how to be informative in truth, powerful through moving others towards goodness and virtue, and elegant by using delightful verbal beauty.  Surely, this understanding will help me help the students in our local speech and debate club, too.

They Aren't Kidding When They Say "Complete Program"


Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric (complete program) is just that - complete!



The program came to me  packaged with its very own sturdy tote bag - a touch that I appreciated and one that made me think how Roman Roads Media takes its teaching to heart - ensuring even its products - which teach truth and beauty - are packaged beautifully and can stay organized and neat at home or on the go.

It consisted of:




  •  a thick hardcover textbook:  This meaty text is close to 400 pages with 30 lessons, spread over 7 units with introductory materials, an appendix of speech texts, an appendix of speeches within the Bible, a Glossary-Index, and Works Cited included.  That may seem almost too hefty, but trust me, it the layout is user-friendly and the content excellent!


Wide margins with images, Key Concepts, Famous Orator highlights, etc. make the text visually appealing.  Sections in each chapter for "Thinking deeper", "Developing Memory", "Reading Further", and "Notes" encourage depth.  And, well-written, clear, and relatively concise text explains everything you need to understand Rhetoric.



  • a spiral bound, soft-cover workbook: Details.  Details.  Details.  Not only does the workbook help you hone into details with clear though and no fill-in-the-blank filler, but the design of the workbook includes two favorite details I appreciate in such materials: spiral-binding and plenty of white space!  As you write out answers to each exercise, you do not have to fuss with trying to keep the workbook open since it is spiral bounce and lays flat beautifully.  You also have plenty of lined spaces for writing answers and wide margins for any notes you might want to add. The workbook also includes speech judging sheets.

  • a regular bound softcover answer key: This contains optional one-and two-year course schedules, answers to all the exercises in the student workbook, and answers to the exams. It also stands above many other answer keys I have seen, because it provides ideal answers for every question from the workbook.  There are no "answers will vary" - just good, solid, complete-sentence answer examples!
  • a shrink-wrapped exam-pack:  This handy stack of nine pre-preprinted loose 3-hole punched exams would come in handy for anyone taking thi course for credit that does not want to deal with printing and punching papers
  • a 4-disc video course: Clear, crisp video with eloquent presenters make this 18-hour video course an appealing component that compliments the text and workbook.  There are tow videos for each lesson from the text - one "lesson" and one "application video", like this:


There are also nine pre-exam videos to ad with studying.  It is recommended that student watch the video lessons before reading text lessons.  I found it worked well for me either way around.  I could read the text while out and about and view videos when I had quiet time, with one reinforcing the other no matter which order I was able to use them in.

Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric

It is also recommended that you keep a commonplace book of quotes.



 Roman Roads Media
Roman Roads Media


Traditional in its approach, thoughtful in its design, and wholly pointing to what is true and beautiful, Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric truly is a complete program!

Would I Recommend It?  You Bet!

Roman Roads Media


My elementary and middle-school aged children are not yet ready to to glean all the benefits of this Rhetoric program, but as I make my way through the classical art it teaches, I cannot wait until they are old enough to learn directly from the program.  Until then, I a happy to be learning myself, so I can sprinkle bits of knowledge here and practical tips there.  I have no doubt that going through the program materials myself will help me be a better speech and debate mom!  I also have already found myself recommending the program to local parents of high school students.

By the time you finish the program, you will have prepared and delivered 5 speeches:

  1. one designed to produce a particular emotion in listeners
  2. a forensic speech of accusation or defense
  3. a political speech urging hearers to do or not to do a course of action
  4. a speech of praise
  5. a free choice final topic

You will also develop a comprehensive and practical understanding of rhetoric, having studied examples from some of the greatest speeches in history and Scripture and focused on theory, imitation, and practice of persuasive speech.  Further, you will do all this from the a Christian worldview, grounding yourself in truth and beauty as you practice a timeless art that you can use to affect change.

Roman Roads Media


Without question, I consider Fitting Words Classical RhetoricI  I would also be interested in checking out more of the Classical curricula they offer as highlighted here:





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Monday, September 10, 2018

Dig Deeper with These 2 Bible Biographies {A Review}

Have you been searching for easy chapter books that engage children in Biblical biographies, challenge them to apply lessons to their own lives, and easily support learning activities such as mapping, timelining, copywork, memory work, and more?  



Then, check out Matt Koceich's Kingdom Files series from Barbour PublishingI have just read Who Was Jonah? and Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? and recommend them!


What is the Kingdom Files Series?




The 
Kingdom Files is a series of juvenile biographies written by Matt Koceich which are designed to introduce kids to heroes of the Bible.  Each book is set up in a similar fashion with:


  • a Fact File that lends itself nicely to exercises in mapping, outlining, timelining.



  • an Action File that offers a kid-friendly narrative in an easy-to-read font with plenty of white space and black-and-white illustrations.


  • gray Clues boxes throughout the narrative that highlight thought-provoking details.


  • a Power File that takes the familiar story of a Bible hero and extends it through highlighting specific lessons and suggesting ways we can apply the lessons to our own lives.  This section also offers Bible verses for memory.

All this is packaged neatly in a paperback of less than 100 pages.

Great for Developing Readers




My daughter with dyslexia typically struggles with chapter books, but happily made reading the narrative portion of Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? to me an August-September goal for herself.  So, whenever we have a few minutes to ourselves, we've been cuddling up and doing just that - having her read me the story.

It's been great!

My daughter is already quite familiar with Mary's story, but was curious how this particular book would tell it and has found the layout and content of the book to be at a "just right" level for her for her growing reading competency.  She's breezed through some of the text and surprised us both tackling big words on other pages.


We've also both enjoyed the Clues boxes as things I read to her as a break from her reading to me.  I especially appreciated how the ideas in these boxes inspire short conversations and highlight virtues, as well as, sometimes, Biblical parallels.

I also like how the Power-Up's at the end of the book extend the narrative story, challenging us to think more deeply and apply lessons from Bible heroes to our own lives  They make the book a biography, Bible study, devotional, and self-help book in one!  Love it.

My daughter liked the book as well, although she did ask me why so many parts of the story she knows as Mary's story are missing.  I explained to her that the Kingdom Files books focus just on what the Bible says about certain people, not on what has been handed down via Tradition.  Thus, this book sticks to Mary's journey through marriage, motherhood, the loss of her son, and his resurrection - telling Mary's story as found in the Bible.




When I asked my daughter what she thought of Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus?, she said:

The reason I like Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? is that you can just read the story, and the little clues can go on the side, so you don't have to read them until later. 
Or, if you want, you can just read the clue boxes to find out about some virtues and facts about Mary and how she trusts in God.  The Clue boxes are easy to find, because they are highlighted.
You can also read the Power Ups.  They tell you how to take Mary's story and incorporate it into your own life.  They also include memory verses.  I like how the memory verses are written out and are not just a short note of the Bible chapter and verse, like "Luke 1:46".  Instead, they have the whole verse written for you so you do not have to look it up.
I like the Action File part of the book the best.  Mommy likes the Power Ups the best.

My daughter is absolutely right about me liking the Power Ups!  In fact, I am thinking about using the ones from this book as family studies next May since it is a month dedicated to Mary.

Familiar Characters, Wonderful Lesson




My daughter has succeeded so well with 
Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? that I plan to encourage her to read Who Was Jonah? next.  Thus, I decided to keep the Jonah book as a special one for the two of us to read together before letting either of my son's read through it.   Of course, though, since I knew I would be reviewing the book before my daughter would have a chance to read it to me, I did quickly pre-read it myself.

In doing so, I was impressed by how 
Who Was Jonah? goes beyond the simple episodes of Jonah's life that most children find highlighted in Bible storybooks and dives a bit deeper into the full story of Jonah as told in the Bible and how it applies to our own lives.  It truly takes Jonah out of the whale's belly and into relevance for life today.




Both 
Who Was Jonah? and Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? are written so that an 8-12 year old can read, enjoy, and learn from them.  They are also written, I found, so that a parent reading along can be reminded of truths and pushed to live our callings better.  Yes, most certainly,the Spirit whispered to me, reminded me, convicted me, and pushed me more than once as I read these wonderful Christian biographies that I would recommend for any family seeking to deepen their understanding of how Bible heroes can illuminate everyday living.


Learn More


See what other Crew Review families thought about Who Was Jonah? and Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus?.

Read the reviews!


The Kingdom Files series currently includes 6 books about Bible heroes and the series website offers free printable game sheets and educator reosurces related to them.

Author Matt Koceich also writes Biblical fiction, which my family has enjoyed.


Imagine

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