Kids' NIV Visual Bible

I am always on the look out for things I can give my kids or future grandkids and for me, the one book I want for any child is a great Bible that is friendly, fun and filled with things that will keep them interested and wanting to read God's Word. I am so happy to review the Kids' NIV Visual Bible. While the font may not be what I would call "kid friendly" more suited for kids a little older from 8-13, it does contain amazing photos that illustrate the points being made on each chapter or section of the Bible. There are full color maps that show that places beginning talked about as you read so you can take your teaching even further than you thought possible before when comparing the places in the world today as to the places historically being referred to in the Bible.

Perhaps so of my favorite parts are the story of Noah and the Ark. There is a colorful picture that outlines how long Noah was really on the ark and how each of those time periods is broken down, from the 7 days Noah enters the ark a week before the flood; 40 days of the rain surging on the land; 150 days the water recedes and rests on Mount Ararat, and finally the 178 days for the water to continue to recede and the releasing of the birds until Noah finally leaves the ark.

For me, as a teacher, kids respond well to visuals and this Kids' NIV visual Bible offers more than 700 images to take your child not only into learning more about the Bible but more importantly retaining what they have seen and heard. There is even an image showing how large the Ark was in comparison to a football field or a modern day house so kids can really understand the magnitude of what Noah accomplished without modern tools or electricity. There are some great questions to engage your child with as well, such as why  was an olive leaf special? Why does the Bible include lists of names? Why did Abram lie about his wife? It even includes important information about why woman and men are made differently and what God's plans were for them. I absolutely love the simple illustrations that help me understand things better like the age of our early ancestors, how some lived to be almost 1000 years and who were they? What the differences were in the staff that Moses used and Aaron used; a great visual on the differences between biblical calendars and current modern day calendars that your child can use to tell what the months are in Old Testament chapters.

I received the Kids' NIV Visual Bible compliments of ZonderKidz, a division of Zondervan Publishing and Handlebar Central. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. There are so many things that I know parents would love in getting this for a child they know. It would make a great children's study Bible as well using the New International Version to help children understand the meanings of what is being said and it helps them to stay engaged. There is a presentation page that makes this a perfect Bible to give any child as a gift, a table of contents to help them find their way to specific books of the Bible, an infographics index in the back to show the locations of all illustrations in case you're looking for a particular one for your child, and a maps section. There are simply too many great things to list, but rest assured, it will be one for your child to love and growth with. I would give this a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and it even includes a ribbon marker to keep track of where your child is!

For more information about the Kids' NIV Visual Bible, or where you can pick one up today, please click on the links below:

The Kids' NIV Visual Bible by ZonderKidz

You can pick this up at any retail location or online like Amazon by clicking here.

Alone, Yet Not Alone - Review and Giveaway

What does it really mean to have faith even when you fear God has turned His back on you? Is it possible to hold onto the thing you were taught as a child in order to endure a future you never thought possible? Such are the questions author Tracy Leininger Craven hopes to stir in the reader's soul in her novel Alone, Yet Not Alone based on the true story accounts from Tracy's family.

Just as the Leininger family had begun a new start in life in Pennsylvania during 1755 after leaving behind the persecution in Germany, all they knew is that faith had gotten them through the worst of times. What they now had was their faith in God, freedom and a chance to begin to establish new traditions and raising their family in belief of God's promises. As Barbara and Regina, 12 and 9, were watching over lunch preparations on their family farm, two Indians showed up unannounced in their small cabin. Believing that no violence would be necessary, Barbara's father sends the two girls to the stream for fresh water, while hoping the Indians will just take the tobacco offered and leave.

Little did Barbara and Regina know but their father and older brother would be killed, the cabin burned to the ground, and they would be carted off to join countless other white woman and young children as Indian captives during the French-Indian War. Believing their father's promised to never lose sight of God in any situation, they encourage one another through the words of Barbara's favorite song, Alone, Yet Not Alone. She inspires this kind of courage and faith in her younger sister that no matter what God will never leave them alone and that one day, they would be reunited with their mother and brother who had gone to town that day and escaped the family's brutal murder.

The one thing Barbara could never imagine is having her sister Regina, taken from her and being carted off to another Indian tribe. Now all she could do was pray for their safety and for a way to escape when the time came. Her only ally was a childhood friend, Marie, whom she grew up with as a neighbor and between the two found solace in encouraging one another in their prayers and faith. Barbara was fortunate that her Indian captor seemed to have a kindness and gentleness about him that provided her with a safety net of sorts as she was taught the warriors ways of living, including dyeing their faces, wearing warrior clothes and adopting the Allegheny ways of worship. But could she give up the belief her family raised her to know about the one true God?

I received Alone, Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven compliments of Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan Publishers and Media Connect for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This novel is coming to  movie theater soon based on the events captured in this novel based on true events. Tracy Leininger Craven emphasizes that it was that faith in God that kept Barbara and Regina together when they were miles apart, and that some hope that stayed within their hearts long after they finally escaped to freedom. This is the story that will strike a cord in those that feel deserted and through this story you will find living proof that the power of God's love withstands the test of time in any situation. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and am looking forward to seeing this in the movies.

Now for the best part, thanks to the generosity of Media Connect and ZonderKidz, they are providing a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart. Here are the details to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog Reviews From The Heart. 

2. Be a resident of the US or have a US mailing address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner of the giveaway by email when it ends on May 2nd. 

For more information about Alone Yet Not Alone, Tracy Leininger Craven or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven

You can also find out more about the movie adaption of the book on Facebook. 

You can also find out more about the upcoming movie by visiting Alone Yet Not Alone's website. 

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