New Children's Book "Forest Magic for Kids" Sparks Imagination with Fairy Hunts, Secret Forts, and Enchanted Outdoor Adventures!
Publisher: Gibbs Smith Hardcover | $19.99 ISBN: 978-1423665533 Age 5-9 Years
My thoughts: This is a delightfully charming non-fiction book that is designed to invoke a desire to learn about the natural world of the forest. While the idea of "magic," wee-folk, fairies, and such conjure a world of make-believe, this book conversely takes them into the real world of life in the forest from the majesty of the trees to the pure delight of the tiniest creatures and smallest flowers.
The book is heavy on text so will necessitate adult guidance and reading. The book is a grand addition to science class or school libraries, and perfect for families that love nature.
Whilst the book introduces the child to aspects of the real world of the forest, it doesn't shun the tales and folklore shared through the ages. There are activities and projects both educational plus some that are fun and fanciful.
A charming educational tool to have on hand and a perfect gift for the upcoming spring and summer days.
About the book: Your enchanted guide to 50+ magical activities for everything from finding hidden flower fairies in your own backyard and making a special wizard staff to creating a tiny woodland village and making your own forest potions.
Come discover the wild magic tucked into the nooks and crannies of forests, thickets, and meadows. Search for fairy dusted glow-in-the-dark mushrooms. Find secret worlds hidden in trees and uncover the tunnels, trails, and dens of gnomes and trolls, and mice and moles. Learn to listen to the forest, make sun-warmed pine tea, and wear an evergreen crown to an elf picnic.
Look inside to learn how to:
Keep a secret notebook filled with maps, notes, and pockets for all your discoveries
Go on a quest for wild treasures
Follow a queen bumblebee to her castle
Make your own forest teas and potions
Become best friends with a tree
Create tiny gnomes and build cozy gnome homes
Seek where mushrooms grow after a fairy dance
Carve a walking stick wizard staff
Build your own hidden forest fort
A delightful outdoor handbook to ignite curiosity and a passion for nature, this is a great resource for nature units as well as hands-on activities to bring a creative writing program to life. -- School Library Journal
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Susie Spikol is a naturalist at the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. A lifelong animal lover, Susie now helps people of all ages connect with the natural world. She is the author of The Animal Adventurer’s Guide (Roost Books, 2002). Secret word: nature. You can find her at www.susiespikol.com.
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 shipped/mailed directly to the winner by publicist, publisher, or author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
This may seem bizarre to some and even repulsive to those who don't like mayonnaise on a sandwich. However, bear with me and hear me out...... With eggs and butter (even oils) so costly at the grocery store, you can still make a little cake without breaking the budget.
Mayonnaise - yes, mayonnaise.
Full-fat, real mayonnaise has eggs and it has oil. It has what you need to make a cake.
But you say, "Isn't mayonnaise expensive, too????" And yes, it can be. It can also be cheaper than eggs and butter or oil for baking. You can use high end or store brand as long as it's real mayonnaise and not "light," "fat-free," or made with "olive oil."
You can economize by purchasing it when it's on sale and also use a coupon. You can also use more economical "store brand" and get just as good results.
Example: This particular week, Mid-March 2025, at the Food Lion grocery store their 30 oz jar of real mayonnaise is $2.69 and there is a digital coupon of $.95. So if you use 1 cup of this mayonnaise your cost is $.41 for the oil and eggs in your cake! This week a single white/large store brand egg is $.47 each!
So whether you're trying to economize or simply have just run out of eggs and/or oil at home, give it a try. (NOTE: You can use mayonnaise with cake mix also with great success.)
Basic vanilla "mayonnaise cake" recipe:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup cold water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sift dry ingredients together 2 or 3 times. Set it aside. Thoroughly blend together mayonnaise and sugar. Alternate adding sifted dry ingredients and water to the mayo/sugar mixture. Begin and end with flour. Blend in vanilla.
Check out my post on Chocolate Pumpkin "Mayonnaise" Cake - click here
As we approach Spring time, we as Christians especially look forward to our most sacred season of remembrance. That is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We would be remiss in our personal responsibility to our beloved children if we did not teach them faithfully the reason we have a special remembrance at this time. It is because our Lord lives; and because He lives, we have eternal life.
So I wish to share a very special Zonderkidz "Easter" store where you can find the following Resurrection themed books for children and even more titles. Click here....
My thoughts: 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, relatableand 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.
The Easter Lamb: Jesus, Passover, and God’s Amazing Plan to Rescue Us
My thoughts: I think this is a bit unusual for an "Easter Lamb" story book. It has a deeper theological meaning though it isn't actually spoken. The story book shows the Biblical story from the early days in Bible times when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. The lamb is pictured there as a little lamb on the pages. Present, sad, sorrowful. He travels out of Egypt with the people.
Then the pictures show the birth of the Christ child, His growth, His perfection. The story proceedes with Christ ministering to the people. And then the little lamb looks on as the darkest day happened. Jesus' death. But it wasn't over, Christ rose.
The deeper thought for me is that this picture book pictures Christ as the sacrificial lamb. And though Christ had not yet come, He always existed and He has always been the lamb of promise.
The angel in the empty tomb.
About the book: In The Easter Lamb, the traditional Easter story takes on new significance as Jesus’s death and resurrection are explored through the events of Passover. Through child-friendly text and engaging illustrations that meaningfully connect these two important events, young readers will see how God has always cared for his children and that he had a plan for our salvation from the start.
On the night he was arrested, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples during what we now call the Last Supper. Jesus knew he would soon have to die like the lambs who were sacrificed in place of the firstborn Israelites so that all of God’s children might live.
John Greco masterfully tells these two stories—Passover and Easter—in The Easter Lamb, weaving together their biblical symbolism and significance. You may have heard the Easter story before, but this unique take will deepen you and your child’s understanding of the holiday and explain how important the image of Christ as a lamb truly is.
The Easter Lamb is ideal for:
Introducing children 4 and up to the Passover and Easter stories
Sharing together as a family as a read-aloud or as part of a new Easter tradition
Helping young children better understand the Bible and how God’s redemptive plan connects throughout Scripture
Easter Sunday school lessons, family devotions, and gift giving
My thoughts: A cute Berenstain Bears paperback that takes the bear kiddies through the Easter day preparations, church service, and questions. Delightful and sweet in a cute way.
The children question having chicks, eggs, candy, etc. at this special time in the Christian church life. The explanation is that there is no connection except the time of remembrance the Resurrection of Christ happens to take place in the Spring when there is lots of new-ness in animals, flowers, trees. And that, too, candy is always a welcome treat.
A budget-friendly way to get a children's book that focuses on the joy of Christ's Resurrection.
About the book: Young readers will understand the true meaning behind the celebration of Easter in this addition to the Living Lights™ series of Berenstain Bears books. Join Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey as they go to church services, have an Easter treasure hunt, and learn about Easter.
Join the Berenstain Bears as they explore the real reason of Easter and learn about Jesus’s death and resurrection. Children will discover the joy in sharing God’s goodness in Zonderkidz The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series of books with over 13 million copies sold since 2008.
The Berenstain Bears' Easter Sunday:
Encourages age appropriate discussions about the true meaning behind the celebration of Easter
Is perfect for back-to-school or summer reading, birthday gifts, and holiday?gift-giving
Is great for early reader ages 4-8, reading out loud at home, in church small groups, or in a classroom
The Berenstain Bears' Easter Sunday is written and illustrated by Mike Berenstain Features the hand-drawn artwork of the Berenstain family and continues in the much-loved footsteps of Stan and Jan Berenstain as part of the Berenstain Bears series of books. It is part of one of the bestselling children’s book series ever created, with more than 250 books published and nearly 300 million copies sold to date.
Hey-O! Stories of the Bible
ISBN: 9780310159254 Hardcover $12.50 Amazon Prime Purchase Here
My thoughts: I remember the Bible story book that my parents bought us when I was young. That was just after WWII, and while quite accurate, it seemed geared toward older readers and listeners. I am so thankful that in today's market Christian publishing has a varied and abundant assortment of many levels of Bible story books from which parents may select. The Hey-O Stories of the Bible is for the youngster that can sit for a bit longer read-aloud-session with a mite more detail than toddlers need or for young readers who have mastered reading but still need or want a shorter version to read and an abundance of bold illustrations.
The Hey-O book has a QR code that also enables the reader (i.e. parents enabled) to see an animated version of the stories in the book on their device (iPad, etc.). I am quite impressed with the stories covering Genesis through New Testament times with Paul and Silas in jail. (Note: Revelation seems to be omitted, which is probably best for this age group.)
A wonderful gift for a child you care about or just a perfect book to have on the child or children's book shelves in a Christian home.
About the book: Through accessible storytelling and innovative video integration, Hey-O! Stories of the Bible is a storybook Bible unlike any other! Already reaching over half a million children through its animated stories on YouTube, Hey-O! Stories of the Bible combines nearly 70 beloved Old and New Testament stories into one beautiful collection, with a QR code that links to corresponding animated videos for each story.
Developed by Saddleback Church, Hey-O! Stories of the Bible is a fully integrated collection of printed stories and animated videos, making it the perfect tool for parents, teachers, and children’s ministry leaders. With videos that have garnered millions of views on YouTube, this storybook Bible brings nearly 70 Bible story favorites—such as Creation, Noah and the Ark, Moses, Ruth and Naomi, the Resurrection, and more—together into one whimsical and biblically accurate collection that will resonate with readers of all levels and abilities.
Hey-O! Stories of the Bible:
Was developed by the Kids team at Saddleback Church, a community of thousands with 17 campuses across the US and internationally
Includes nearly 70 illustrated Bible stories and a QR code linking to corresponding animated videos
Is biblically accurate and engaging for kids, with whimsical artwork and accessible, easy-to-read stories
Makes the perfect gift for any special time in a child’s life—baptisms, communion, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and more
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE - Lots of wonderful children's books by Zonderkidz at the Easter Store on Amazon
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of the books listed in this post. Opinions expressed are mine, alone and are freely given. Copies provided by Zonderkidz via FrontGateMedia. #easterbooks #heyostoriesofthebible #zonderkidz #berenstainbears #heyo #mostlywhatgoddoesisloveyou #easterlamb #ad #sponsored @Zonderkidz @savannahguthrie @johngrecowrites @berenstainbears @saddleback_kids (@zonderkidz
My thoughts: The soft artistry of the illustrations in The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheet shows a "modern" shepherd (I'd say sometime in the 1800s-2000s) and his quirky, troublesome fluffy sheep. It's cute. It's true to sheep behavior and shepherd care and attention. And in all of this, it tells the same story from God's Word, the Bible, of the "Good Shepherd" and God's Redemptive Love.
Sheep need a shepherd because they just get themselves into a real fix or jam. Example: sometimes they just fall down and end up on the back. They can't get up. They just simply can't. So there they stay until the wolf or something else endangers them. Unless the shepherd comes along and lifts them back onto their feet.
Sheep also have a way of wandering off and getting themself lost or stuck in places they can't get out of. Then the shepherd comes along and finds them.
In this delightful book, we see a stubborn sheep that get's himself into a real jam.
As in the Bible story, this retelling will help children understand how their good shepherd seeks them out and finds them. He rescues them and saves them.
I just love this sweet book for both the illustrations and story.
About the book: The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep is a humorous and heartwarming picture book about God's unconditional love. This story beautifully captures the essence of Psalm 23, showing the importance of trusting God, our Good Shepherd, with our lives.
Meet George, a silly and sometimes stubborn sheep living happily under the care of a Good Shepherd. But when shearing time comes, George decides it’s time to make a run for it, and soon finds himself on a journey full of unexpected disappointment, discomfort, and danger. Ultimately, he finds rescue and learns why he really does need a shepherd.
The Bible is full of references to sheep and shepherds, but what does it mean to be a good shepherd? And how are we like sheep? The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep uses an unforgettable character and riveting story to bring biblical truth to life for kids and illustrate the many comforting and loving attributes of God.
The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep is perfect for:
Children ages 4 and up
Family devotions and bedtime reading
Discussions about the meaning of Psalm 23, the parable of the lost sheep, and how God is always with us
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. #goodshepherd #zonderkidz #christianbookreview #ad @zonderkidz and @hannah_e_harrison
My thoughts: USA Today Bestselling Author, Vannetta Chapman, concludes her Kessler Effect Series with Veil of Stillness. This short book takes the reader through the barren destruction that exists across the southern Texas rivers, deserts, mountains. As people try to create a new existence in a devastated land, and with fear of individuals bent on destruction tempered by caution of those who have created and maintained a similitude of civility and life. Living is stark, indeed.
Although a small group of like-minded people from varied walks of life has settled with some semblance of normality, they realize that their health is struggling (human and animal) because of a lack of certain nutritious elements and other items. Particularly, their supply of salt has been depleted. So they send a party out in search of salt-flat-deposits that can be harvested and taken back to their town.
Their struggle is interesting and filled with bewildering details of life after a major Earth-wide catastrophe. As the title implies, there is a state of "stillness" that exists. But in this stillness, there is a harsh screaming of need, fear, necessity, hostility, cooperation. Much of the goodness and evil of the human heart is examined in this series as well as a sobering and thoughtful consideration of what dystopian life would entail.
About the book: What risks would you be willing to take to save your town?
Veil of Stillness is a gripping tale of one town’s fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Set in Alpine, Texas, nine months after all of the lower orbital satellites crashed to Earth, the story follows Logan Wright and Tanda Lopez on a perilous journey to the Rio Grande Valley in search of food.
In a world where communication is non-existent and resources are scarce, Logan and Tanda must rely on their instincts and ingenuity. As they traverse the dystopian landscape, they encounter dangers at every turn as well as possible allies. The trick will be in recognizing the difference.
Amidst the chaos, Logan and Tanda learn to rely on one another in ways they never thought possible. As they venture further into the unknown, they discover the true meaning of friendship, sacrifice, and hope.
With vivid descriptions of the rugged Texas terrain and heart-pumping action, Veil of Stillness is a thrilling page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Perfect for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction and survival stories, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking adventure.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided by the author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Secret word: scary CLICK HERE TO READ VERA'S REVIEWS OF OTHER "VEIL OF..." BOOKS IN THE SERIES.
My thoughts: I always delight when a new "Mary Connealy" book comes off the press. Her books are set in the mid to far west of the United States during the early years the area was being settled. Connealy has a terrific sense of infusing her stories with light-hearted wit that brightens the reader's day.
In the first book of the "Golden State Treasure" series, Whispers of Fortune recounts the heart breaking stories prevalent of the period when back East families fell into the throes of poverty, children orphaned and sent West by orphanages to settle with other families, and mean-hearted culprits intent on illegal means to gain riches.
In Whispers of Fortune, the author weaves well loved characters of a prior series into the background as supporting cast. They are connected family with the owners of the Hart Ranch where much of Whispers of Fortune takes place.
I love the characters in this story and they are well developed by the author fleshed out so that you feel you know them yourself. Strong minded, well educated Brody is searching for his two missing younger brothers. I found the two younger boys (older teens actually) loveable and admirable for their ability to make their way from East to West in pursuit of an old dream of their deceased father and grandfather.
I look forward to reading more in this series and following new characters Mary Connealy has deftly woven into this book.
About the book: In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at Two Hearts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he finds them thriving at the ranch's school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His own options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of the ranch's doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie, who's kept a steady eye on Brody's two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.
With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of the ranch.
In her exhilarating series starter, Mary Connealy weaves an exciting adventure of courage, danger, and love in the Wild West.
Maisy Loves Birds: A Maisy's Planet Book by Lucy Cousins
ISBN: 9781536236620 $9.99 US | Board Book
My thoughts: Maisy books are so cute. Bold line drawings in bright colors on sturdy board all prove to be winners when combined with Lucy Cousins' ideas that entertain and, yes, educate our wee little ones.
The Maisy Planet books introduce our little ones to the world around them beyond typical counting, ABC, and identity story lines. In Maisy Loves Birds: A Maisy Planet Book a slow and careful introduction to birds of the world are introduced. All designed to educate and make children aware of the variety and scope of those flitting, flying, singing creatures and how they fit into this world of ours. Set to engender an appreciation birds and their variety and purpose. A delightful little book.
About the book: Curiosity takes wing as the littlest nature lovers explore birds of all feathers in this bright and cheerful board book in the Maisy’s Planet series.
Investigate the world of birds with Maisy! Introduce the youngest listeners to their avian friends, from familiar garden species to swooping birds of prey, from soaring seabirds to birds that don’t fly at all. Toddlers can learn about nesting, feeding, and migrating through colorful illustrations and a simple text pitched for the youngest explorers and budding bird-watchers. In the Maisy’s Planet series, each sturdy board book celebrates a different feature of the natural world, with bold colors, clear language, and a fun spread to open out at the end. Kids love to love our planet with Maisy! (Check out the giveaway opportunity below!)
Maisy Loves Butterflies: A Maisy's Planet Book by Lucy Cousins &
Available May 2025 Boardbook $9.99
Who doesn’t love a butterfly? Set a little one’s heart aflutter with this exploration of the beautiful creatures, led by everyone’s favorite mouse.
Join Maisy as she learns all about gorgeous butterflies! This fifth book in the Maisy’s Planet series introduces children to both butterflies and moths, as it investigates everything from caterpillars to cocoons to the insects in flight. Find out about patterns, color, and camouflage, and open out the final scene to marvel at Maisy’s butterfly- and moth-friendly garden! Secret word: nature (Watch for Chat With Vera's review soon!)
One-osaurus, Two-osaurus by Kim Norman & illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby
ISBN: 9781536201796 $17.99 US | Hardcover
My thoughts: This is a delightful, rollicking counting book that has colorful, rip-roaring dinosaurs playing a game. Usually my preference is to introduce dinosaurs when the child is older, perhaps five-plus; but this cute book simply has imaginative "osaurs" playing. So no harm in that.
It is imaginatively cute with a bit of rhyme as the count goes from one to ten.
About the book: Part counting game, part dinosaur celebration, this energetic romp is a numbers concept book for the ages.
"One-osaurus, two-osaurus, three-osaurus, four!"
Look there, in a child’s bedroom, where some prehistoric pals are gathered in a counting game. Nine dinosaurs are playing a sing-song rendition of hide-and-seek—but something isn’t adding up. Where is number ten? Stomp, stomp, stomp! CHOMP, CHOMP, CHOMP! Ready or not, here he comes, and he sounds . . . big! With big, bold numerals, an array of dinosaurs in comical poses, and a humorous twist at the end, this tribute to a child’s imagination makes learning numbers a gigantic
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize book is provided and mailed or shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Publishing or its publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
