Friday, December 26, 2014

The good Rat: Theo Tales of Little Overhill by Mike Joens & Illustrated by Len Simon {Review & Giveaway}

ISBN: 9789751312433
About the book: Theo's Tale of the Good Rat is the first book in the Tales of Little Overhill series. Inspired by the popular Theo animation series, The Good Rat retells The Parable of the Good Samaritan, with winsome storytelling and full-color illustrations that will both captivate and inspire young readers' imaginations.



My thoughts: Wonderful children's books of the past that have endured are those like Wind in the Willows and the Peter Rabbit books. The charm of story, language, and illustrations endears them to children of all ages. In the Theo books we see this charm brought to bear with a re-telling of the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan. You know how the story goes: a traveler was beset upon by robbers and hurt terribly and left by the side of the road. Some "do-gooders" passed him by but were too busy to stop and help. Finally, someone passed by and stopped to help - but he was not the one most would expect to render aid. The timeless story is told about a little Shrew who was "set upon" by the mean Weasels and left hurt by the side of the road.

Others came along but were too busy and engrossed in their own business to stop and help. But help did finally stop.

I recommend this delightfully charming book for families and libraries everywhere. Learn more about this series and DVDs of the stories here.
GIVEAWAY: Open to USA addresses only. Begins December 26 & ENDS January 13 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Prize for 1 of Chat With Vera's readers is a $10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Family Christian in exchange for a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review. The Family Christian certificate offered as a giveaway is provided directly to the winner by Family Christian.
at 5:03:00 PM
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25 comments:

  1. SonjaDecember 27, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    It would depend on the need, but I feel that I would determine from the best help to give. Maybe I would say a prayer to help know the best way to help a person. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

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  2. Denise Taylor-DennisDecember 27, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    I recently got a box of cereal from the top shelf of the store. The lady couldn't reach it. Even small acts of kindness can add up.

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  3. Connie Porter SaundersDecember 27, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    I would like to think that I would rise to the occasion and give the best help I could.
    Connie




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  4. JJDecember 28, 2014 at 8:11 AM

    Theo teaches sound doctrine in a fin and engaging way for kids. (Salvation)

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  5. Julie WaldronDecember 28, 2014 at 5:46 PM

    I learned that Theo is a kind English pastor.

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  6. Julie WaldronDecember 28, 2014 at 5:49 PM

    When my husband and I were dating, he was following me home on a snowy night. I turned the corner & went off the road & got stuck. Another vehicle stopped to help and HE ended up getting stuck. Thankfully both of us got our safely :)

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  7. RJDecember 28, 2014 at 6:33 PM

    I learned that the Theo series comes on DVD, has activity books, and church curriculum. I also found there are free coloring pages that can be printed out from the site.

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  8. RJDecember 28, 2014 at 6:47 PM

    Growing up one year my father had been laid off, and we had almost nothing to eat. I can recall having grits for many many meals. I remember waking up one morning to bags and bags of groceries that were left on our doorstep. We never found out who did this but it was such a blessing. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking of it. We might live in a broken world, but there are some nameless and faceless Samaritans among us that still do what is good and right.

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  9. Connie Porter SaundersDecember 29, 2014 at 8:25 AM

    I had the chance to help a family with Christmas dinner. I went grocery shopping and purchased what I would serve in my home and delivered it to them. Blessings for me!!!!!

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  10. BelindaDecember 29, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    I had a flat tire on the side of the road with 4 of my kids. A nice couple stopped and the man changed the tire for me. He was such a blessing!

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  11. KellyDecember 29, 2014 at 12:00 PM

    Family Christian has allowed me to take some post-abortion resources to our local crisis pregnancy center.

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  12. shirleyDecember 30, 2014 at 3:23 PM

    I learned Theo's Tale of the Good Rat is the first book in the Tales of Little Overhill series.

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  13. Anne D.December 30, 2014 at 7:08 PM

    I learned Bumper is a dog adopted by Theo.

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  14. BelindaDecember 30, 2014 at 7:38 PM

    I remember about 7 years ago, my husband lost his job and we had no income. It was a really stressful time. One day, we got a card in the mail with no return address that said God Bless and had $50 in it. I cried and thanked God for using an anonymous good Samaritan to bless us.

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  15. Literate For Life- Pamela HallJanuary 1, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    HI Vera,
    I hadn't heard of Theo's Tale of the Good Rat. It looks like a great book. I'll look into it. I came here via Booknificent Thursday link up. :) Have a wonderful day. Pamela Hall for Literate For Life

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  16. NancyJanuary 4, 2015 at 1:42 PM

    At Theo's website, I learned that they have a blog.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  17. NatalieJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:30 PM

    I learned that Theo Presents is a series dedicated to teaching children Godʼs Word, upon a pulpit of cartoon animation.

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  18. Angela SaverJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:59 PM

    I would be a good samaratain by praying for someone in need!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

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  19. Deanna StevensJanuary 6, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    When I was pregnant many years ago I was a clutz. I fell one day crossing a street and a very nice young man hurried across the street, helped me up and was so kind. Not hurt just humbled. lol....

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  20. karenJanuary 7, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    will have to see if they have this in our library! Thanks for another book to add to our list.

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  21. Michelle aka Naila MoonJanuary 7, 2015 at 6:49 PM

    What a sweet retelling of a familiar parable.

    Naila Moon from the Kid Lit Bog Hop
    http://readingauthors.blogspot.com/

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  22. Tina at Mommynificent.comJanuary 8, 2015 at 2:53 AM

    I haven't heard of this series before. Thanks for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday this week!
    Tina

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  23. Angela SaverJanuary 8, 2015 at 7:39 PM

    I learned the first series is available in six languages!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

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  24. LauraHixJanuary 13, 2015 at 2:45 PM

    yeah, thank you so very much!!!

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  25. LauraHixJanuary 13, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    aw, thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete

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