Friday, January 17, 2025

THE UNBREAKABLE BOY is releasing in theaters on February 21 [trailer]

I'm looking forward to seeing this new movie. The boy is simply exuberant and filled with life!

Synopsis: From Kingdom Story Company, the team behind JESUS REVOLUTION and THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, and Lionsgate, the studio behind WONDER, comes THE UNBREAKABLE BOY.

When his parents, Scott (Zachary Levi) and Teresa (Meghann Fahy), learn that Austin is both autistic and has brittle bone disease, they initially worry for their son’s future. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, they become “unbreakable,” finding joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times — an extraordinary true story about a father and son learning together that every day can be the best day of your life!


Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy star in the #UnbreakableBoy.

#UnbreakableBoyMIN #UnbreakableBoy @Lionsgate @KingdomStoryCompany @TheUnbreakableBoy 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Let's Celebrate Korean New Year! by Michelle W. Park & illustrated by Hyewon Yum [Review & Giveaway]


새해 복 많이 받으세요 Saehae bok mani badeuseyo!


Hardcover $14.95 | Ages 4-8
ISBN: 978-0593567302
Random House Books

My thoughts:
  Often we are so wrapped up in our own lives, holidays, and cultural activities that we don't think about those that folks in other lands experience. As Americans we celebrate Christmas and New Year's, but so do the peoples in other lands. However, many do celebrate New Year's differently and often at a slightly different time than that which I am accustomed to celebrating. This delightful story shows us a bit about how Korea celebrates New Year's as seen from the view point of a couple of young girls in a  Korean family.

As with families world wide, these two sisters go about their day with sisterly companionship, smiles, frowns, and shared duties. Beautifully told, we can feel the vibe of this sweet family relationship. The girls awaken on the special day, dress in traditional attire, and go about helping mother prepare foods, table settings, etc. for the occasion. They eat and play games.

I absolutely love this sweet story and so much is shared about this Korean observance on the back pages. There is even a recipe for Korean dumplings.


About the book: Madeleine and Eloise are getting ready for their family's Lunar New Year party, and there's so much to do before the guests arrive! From putting on colorful outfits called hanboks and making Korean dumplings called mandoo, to setting up yutnori, a traditional board game, Madeleine shows her younger sister how to prepare for the holiday. But when Madeleine forgets to write a poem to share with the family, Eloise offers to help—and the girls realize that although each tradition is special, what matters most is spending the day together.


While there are many books about the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, there are very few stories spotlighting the Korean traditions celebrated by millions of Korean American families. Secret word: Lunar - Hailed as "a cozy celebration brimming with traditions and sisterly love" by Kirkus, Let's Celebrate Korean New Year! fills the gap in the market with its beautifully-illustrated, necessary story of Madeleine and Eloise as they celebrate important Korean New Year traditions with their family. The book also features back matter that includes a glossary of Korean terms, the author's own mandoo recipe, and a fun, educational craft activity to create your very own charae-sang tablescape!

Korean Lunar New Year celebrations begin on January 29, 2025

GIVEAWAY
Begins January 14
Ends February 14 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by Publicity Prose on behalf of author and publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Monday, January 13, 2025

C is for Christian: An A-Z Treasury of Who We Are in Christ by Alistair Begg & illustrated by Emma Skerratt [Review & Giveaway]


ISBN: 9781802541069
Hardcover $17.99
(significant bulk pricing available)
Buy Here

My thoughts:
  This is such a treasure of a book. Each alphabet page is beautifully illustrated and will entice children to visually explore the details facilitating impacting their mind with items and ideas that use that specific letter of the English alphabet. Liberal use of deeper pastel shades of the color wheel are artistically splashed across the pages.

This unique ABC book provides guidance and opportunity for parents to assist their young children to comprehend big ideas and deeper theological understanding to young minds. 

I love this beautiful book and encourage families to make sure they have and use it with their children. I purchased a copy and gifted it to a young family and they love it.

About the book: Excite kids about how great it is to be a Christian with this beautifully illustrated treasury of theological truths. 

Going from A to Z, kids will learn about the amazing things that are true of us if we know Christ. For example:
  • A is for Adoption - we are children of God, part of his beloved family.
  • B is for Branch - we are connected to Jesus, the vine, and he gives us life and all we need.
  • C is for Citizen - we have a place in heaven, which is where we are heading.
Each letter teaches children about an aspect of our identity in Christ using Bible verses and clear engaging teaching by Alistair Begg. Reflection questions and prayers are included, making it possible to use this resource devotionally, such as for bedtime devotions or morning baskets. It can also be used as a kind of catechism, summarizing some of the Bible's truths about being a Christian. The alphabet format makes these theological truths easy to remember. Can be read to kids 4+ or read by kids 7+.

Children will be invited to praise, thank, and worship Jesus as they grow more excited about all the incredible blessings that come with being his friend. Secret word: study

Free downloads on website (including alphabet sheets: click here).


GIVEAWAY
Begins January 13
Ends February 12 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and is mailed or shipped directly to them  by The Good Book Company. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Between Borders (movie) in theaters January 26-28

 


In a crumbling Soviet Union, the Petrosyan family finds themselves as outcasts—wherever they go. Their Armenian heritage marks them for discrimination, first in their home country of Azerbaijan and then in Russia. After finding their eternal hope through a church planted by American missionaries, the hostility of everyday life pushes them to seek refuge in the United States. Secret word: Safe - In the shadow of exile, hope became their home. 

Based on a riveting true story of faith and hope set amidst great oppression, BETWEEN BORDERS is only in theaters January 26-28, 2025.

Chat With Vera's  review 

It is difficult for Americans to view and comprehend the horror and distress experienced in countries where ethnicity causes untold oppression and danger. While the movie, "Between Borders," doesn't picture enactments of actual violence toward them, the Armenian family in this story lived in constant fear as citizens and multigenerational residents of Azerbaijan. Eventually, this fear led them to emigrate to Russia. The mother is a Communist and feels that Russia would be a good choice for the family to emigrate to in order to flee their oppression in Azerbaijan.

Their settling into life in Russia doesn't go well at all, and they are reduced to living in penury in contrast to their lives in Azerbaijan where both mother and father were professionals and held prestigious jobs. Eventually befriended by individuals from a church started as a missionary effort by an American church community, they begin to live better and they eventually find a new life in Christ.

Alas, they continue to be persecuted in Russia ("you are not white, you are not black") and they eventually seek asylum in America. The movie portrays scenes from a reenactment of an American court hearing on their permission to remain in America.

The movie is moving and causes the viewer to contemplate their own blessing of living in a country where they are not persecuted and to feel more compassionate toward those seeking a safe place from fear of persecution. 

The movie is well done. Acting is very good. The courtroom scenes, though, seemed to be missing something. The story is one to take to heart and well worth spending the time to watch as a family.

For more information,
 Click here (Betweenbordersmovie.com)

Buy tickets (click here)




GIVEAWAY
$10 Amazon Gift E-Card
Begins January 10
Ends January 28 @ 12:00 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. I was provided an incentive to review this movie. Contest winner's prize is provided by publicist Momentum on behalf of movie promotional program. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. 
#BetweenBordersMovie #BetweenBorders #Fathom #Storylightproductions #Family #Faith

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Some of Candlewick Press' best read-aloud picture books for 2024 for ages 3-7 {Reviews & Giveaway]

 Lonely Bird's Dream by Ruth Whiting 


ISBN: 9781536226195

My thoughts:
  Ruth Whiting, author/illustrator of the Lonely Bird stories, has out-shone herself in Lonely Bird's Dream. It is even more enjoyable and lovely than the first of Lonely Bird's stories (click for my review).

As this lonely bit of a paper bird imaginatively  and quite by his lonesome self dreams of how to acquire his ability to fly and be as real birds, he does his research and discovery, designs or records his plan to accomplish his task, and assembles his materials. He then creates and tests.

Along the way he is befriended and given an assist to help him along his dream plan. A sweet story of inquisitiveness, creativity, achievement, failure, assistance, and contentment. I recommend.

About the book: Longing to fly, a near-wingless paper bird puts her creativity to work in this visually stunning follow-up to Lonely Bird.

One night, Lonely Bird has a dream.
She wakes with the memory of riding the wind.
There must be a way.


If Lonely Bird is a bird, why doesn’t she have feathers and wings like the birds she sees through the windows of her home? Why can’t she fly? A curious and inventive soul, Lonely Bird studies drawings of old-fashioned flying machines, conducts delicate experiments with feathers, and constructs her own little marvels as she pursues her elusive goal. Will the inevitable bumps and perils along the way ground her for good, or will she rise up to try again? In Lonely Bird’s second adventure, author-illustrator Ruth Whiting launches her artistic heroine on a tenacious exploration of identity, set in an enchanting miniature world that may just exist on the edge of our own.


Aisha's Colors by Nabila Adani  


ISBN: 9781536235401

My thoughts:
 This beautiful and colorful story focuses on young Aisha as he and his parents travel for their vacation trip to see his grandmother. He is wishful and discontent because his friends are vacationing in snowy or beachy places so much different from his family's trip to see a relative. A trip often taken with nothing new and different to experience. 

As they travel Aisha speaks of a different friend's place to visit and what they'll experience and then Aisha realizes that he, too, will experience much the same colorful and visual joy as his friends.

But in the end he realizes that his most joyful (noted as the joyful color yellow) place is at the side of his Grandmother. The story is about an Indonesian family but could apply to a family anywhere.

A lovely story of joy in family.

About the book: Why can’t Aisha go on colorful, faraway vacations like her friends? A bighearted, universal story about living in the moment and seeing the beauty on your own doorstep.

Every year on vacation, Aisha and her parents take the same trip from their home in Jakarta to Grandma’s village in the countryside. This year, Aisha wants to see something different! Like the crunchy white snow her friend Jennie will explore (sort of like that white frozen treat Aisha enjoys on the road). Or the blue swimming pool that Dismas is floating in (almost as blue as the sparkling sea that Aisha can see out her window). And those tropical fish her neighbor saw at the aquarium—were they like the rainbow kites Aisha sees soaring in the sky? In both words and light, airy illustrations, first-time author Nabila Adani brings home an appreciation of the simple beauties around us—and the special warmth of family that welcomes you with open arms. 


Eli and the Uncles by Jehan Madhani & illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh 


ISBN: 9781536228113

My thoughts:
  This is an unusual story where a bunch of uncles (assuming they are all one family) are taking care of young Eli who has been left in the care of the Uncles by his mother. An unusual story of an unusual care group.

The story points out the varied beard styles of the assorted uncles and how they are all different in personality as well as appearance. 

The story is repetitive and ends rather abruptly with a sleepy Eli and his Mom driving off at end of day. The story is that of an Arabic culture but can embrace any other culture or people group equally as well.

About the book: Young Eli gets to spend a whole day with his eight adoring uncles—each one bigger and taller than the last, and each with an outsized personality to match, from Aman the dancer to Riz the joke teller. Even better, every one of the uncles sports his own unique set of whiskers! Short or long, curly or straight, bristly or soft, whatever the style or texture, every especially elegant beard is a sight to behold (and a sleepy-time aid for Eli as he says his good-nights one by one). With delightful warmth and whimsy, author Jehan Madhani and award-winning illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh present a hilarious, hirsute countdown to bedtime that will have young readers and listeners dreaming of woolly beards instead of woolly sheep. 


Pavlo Gets the Grumps by Natalia Shaloshvili 


ISBN: 9781536235548

My thoughts:
  A pouty, grumpy kitten is down in the dumps and mama cat tries to sooth Pavlo out of the grumps. The illustrations are cute and capture the grumpy emotions of Pavlo.

This is such a cheerful book of pulling someone despairing in the grumps (or depression) out of those dark, grumpy feelings and getting out and about and finding the joy in being and doing.

A sweet, good book.

About the book: For those days when everything feels blah, a picture-book-shaped hug offered with humor and tenderness by a gifted Ukrainian artist.

Pavlo does not feel like going to the park. Not today. He does not want to go swimming. He even says no to the movies. What’s going on, Pavlo?

Pavlo has the grumps. Though Mama suggests one fun activity after another, Pavlo doesn’t want to do any of them. Can anything cheer him up on this down day? Capturing a range of emotions through nuanced expressions and a simple text, Natalia Shaloshvili’s comforting picture book looks at familiar childhood feelings, suggesting that grumpy days, sadness, and even anger happen to everyone. But that’s OK—good friends and family will love you anyway. And who knows what might happen if you decide to give that big slide a try after all? 


GIVEAWAY
2 books: Lonely Bird's Dream & Eli & the Uncles
Begins January 8
Ends February 7 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Secret word: Dream - Winner's prize books are provided and sent directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Some of 2024's Best Kid's books from Candlewick Press [Reviews & Giveaway]


The Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker




ISBN: 9781536227680

My thoughts:
  Aaron Becker is the "pro" or "go-to" wordless book author and an artist whose work is always a delight to gaze upon and peruse its intricate detail. In The Last Zookeeper he delves into a futuristic world where the Earth is inundated by flood waters with humanity and the animal kingdom at peril of extinction.

To the rescue is NOA (a futuristic nod to the Biblical account of Noah and the world wide flood) a huge robot who seems to have its power from wind turbines and solar panels. A story told by highly detailed, beautifully drawn and colored pictures relates a world seemingly inhabited only with animals and only a single huge robot - and not a single human - remaining as the world floods. Kind hearted NOA builds a boat (an ark?) and helps the animals onto it. A further storm causes more problems. As they become shipwrecked, a sweet ending emerges in the story and a bright future awaits.

What I don't like about the book...... It is a "take" on a Biblical story that I hold dear as I do all of the Bible. The world seems to have no humans and only a robot can save the world. Question is who keeps the robot in repair, programed, etc. 

What I do like about the book..... As with other Aaron Becker books, this provides the child the opportunity to closely and in-depth peruse the illustrations to find the story and expand on the story to his or her heart's content. Also, I love Becker's illustrations and choices of colors.

About the book: A master of the wordless form imagines a futuristic Noah’s Ark in a luminous sci-fi parable for our changing world.

Look closely. NOA the robot is huge. He scoops up animals and lifts them
onto boats, islands, hot-air-balloons, rescuing them from the flood.

The Earth has flooded. The only signs of humankind are the waterlogged structures they left behind. Peeking out from the deluge are the remnants of a zoo, home to rare and endangered animals, survivors of long neglect. Tender-hearted NOA is a construction robot who’s found new purpose as the caretaker of the zoo’s beleaguered inhabitants. Bracing for the next storm, NOA builds an ark from the wreckage in search of new land and a new home, only to discover something even more profound. With boundless compassion and sweeping scenes of sea and sky punctuated by detailed wordless panels to pore over, Caldecott Honor–winning creator Aaron Becker delivers a timely and concrete message about the rewards of caring in even the most difficult of times that is sure to inspire the dreamers among us. Secret word: compassion

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom by Lesa Cline-Ransome & illustrated by James E. Ransome



ISBN: 9780763681555

My thoughts:
  An evocatively illustrated picture book that tells the sad, yet uplifting, story of a young slave who had learned to read while a companion of a young son of the Master's. Later when the son was sent to school and the slave a young man, the slave was allowed to use his reading and math skills while working in Master's store. But he was not permitted to read, write, and or do math outside the store without severe personal ramifications.

Nevertheless, he slipped around and found moments he could help by teaching his fellow slaves to read a little.

A sad story. An encouraging story. A story of seeking and finding a way to freedom. 

About the book: In this stirring and powerfully illustrated story, an enslaved young man uses his ability to read and write to educate others in the pursuit of freedom.

Back inside the store
I write up receipts
for Master’s deliveries
for Master’s orders
In ’tween
I write up a receipt
for her freedom

The young man known as Teach secretly learned to read, write, and use numbers growing up alongside the master’s son. And although on this Southern plantation these are skills he can never flaunt, Teach doesn’t keep them to himself: In the course of a week, he’ll teach little ones the alphabet in the corner stall of a stable and hold a moonlit session where men scratch letters in the dirt. He’ll decipher a discarded letter bearing news of Yankee soldiers and forge a pass for a woman hoping to buy precious time on a perilous journey north. And come Sunday, Teach will cross the swamp to a hidden cabin, reading aloud to the congregation God’s immortal words to the pharaoh: Let my people go. With a spare, moving first-person narration told in an era-appropriate dialect, complemented by stunning watercolor illustrations, the celebrated duo of Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome honor the bravery and generosity of spirit behind countless untold acts of resistance during the time of slavery. An author’s note highlights the vital role of literacy and education toward the securing of freedom, both historically and to the present day.

Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke & illustrated by Emily Hughes


ISBN: 9781536225181

My thoughts:
 This is a charming book that will bring joy just by looking at it. Just the right size book. Text is printed appropriately sized and spaced for ease of reading. And there is an abundant of sweet illustrations scattered throughout - some are small black and white while some are full page and in beautiful color. There is exquisite detail showing the woods with trees, plants, and flowers beautifully enveloping the little round house that Beti and her Mam, Tad, and baby sibling live in.

They seem to live quite a rustic life even keeping the milk cooling in the stream. A bit of an off-the-grid type of existence. 

The story is portioned into four chapters and each takes place in a season - Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. Beti's life on a day-to-day basis and encounters with her family, her friends, and mama Goat and baby goat, "Naughty," are very nicely told in middle-grade level understanding and vocabulary. Pleasant. Charming. Delightful.   

About the book: From beloved storyteller Atinuke comes an enchanting new collection of stories featuring an endearing new character.




Beti lives in a little round house in the green woods under the mountains with Mam, Tad, baby Jac, and her very own tiny goat named Naughty. Beti loves the little round house, where there is always the promise of adventure with Naughty, Jac, and her friends—whatever the season! With charming black-and-white and color illustrations throughout, this warm and lyrical collection is alive with themes of endurance, friendship, and the power of self-belief. It celebrates the gift of the seasons and the art of living simply and joyfully in nature.

GIVEAWAY
A copy of: The Last Zookeeper
Begins January 4, 2025
Ends February 4, 2025
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize book is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.