Simple Story, Big Message
598878
How Big Is Love? is a padded board book that is perfect for small children. I loved the message of this bookthat nothing (!!!) is bigger or more anything than God's love! What a great message to read to and with babies and young children.

The language is simple enough for toddlers, yet succinctly tells a bigger story. The illustrations are whimsical. And the construction of the book is perfect for little hands (thick pages definitely won't tear easily).

This is one of the best children's books that I've read recently, and I'll be watching for the rest of the series! [5 stars]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. However, all opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.
1381662
I love this book because the message and the pictures carry a simple yet important message for children as well as caregivers to take to heart. It gives hope and encouragement.
4357595
The theme is simple and explained very well and with humor (Gideon's drawings). Year's ago, someone else told me a similar story of his personal NO, NO, NO, YES that still resonates with me today. This book put the same smile on my face at the conclusion as the other story did. Now I have two strong examples of this simple and effective life lesson.
4512985
I started reading this book and in the first few pages I could already feel God's presence in my home. I felt that God used such a simple story to convey a powerful message through the author. It's not long, very easy to read, and will be one that you will return to often. To be reminded of God's love and the power to dream and dream again.
4870360
This is a simple story with a touching message.  This book with a Sophie Giraffe teether is a truly meaningful gift.
1515878
I read this book nearly six months ago, and I kept putting aside reviewing it because I initially struggled with its messages.  I still do.

The Penny Predicament is one of the most well-written and cleanly edited middle grade books I have read in a while, and while I have some philosophical issues with the messages being conveyed, other readers may have different interpretations and take-aways.  It is a good story with interesting characters and twists, and there are lots of life lessons to be learned with plenty of talking points (Christianity, parenting, consequences, and obedience to name a few.) Author Veola Vazquez definitely made me think.

Main character, twelve year old Jake, is a great kid, and he's realistically written. His heart is in the right place, and he shows empathy, sympathy, and a willingness to put others before himself. Like any kid his age, he sometimes strays from his core values and doesn't always make the best decisions.  Jake's parents are strict and don't seem particularly warm, loving, or even kind. Some of that is understandable given the tense situation with the father being unemployed, but the implication is that it's never been an overly loving house. Jake almost seems threatened (definitely intimidated) by  how his father interacts with him. There is a part where Jake sees his parents in an argument, and the father says to his wife that he is the leader of the house and he will make the decisions. . .  that didn't sit well with me and is not a marriage model that I would like children to have in reading a story. Happily, Jake has a wonderful grandfather, richly written and interesting, to counter the stringency of his parents' relationship and parenting strategy.

The pace is steady, then speeds up to the climax, and then the story ends abruptly. Though readers get a resolution to the "Penny Predicament," there is no resolution to Jake's father's situation; I feel children reading the book need that resolution (or some indicator a resolution is forthcoming) or it may be upsetting and unsettling. Also, given the message that God will take care of the faithful, the decision of what is done with the penny doesn't make sense to me. Maybe the penny was God's way of helping this family? Jesus would give it to the poor. . .

Despite my issues, there are some great models of behavior in the book from Jake and Jake's parents, grandfather, and best friend. And again, Jake is an awesome kid who like most kids sometimes doesn't think before he acts. But when he has missteps or failures, he picks himself up again and again -- and that's admirable. However, I feel like the lesson kids will learn is that they will be punished for trying to be helpful and for putting others before themselves, and that selfless acts and sacrifice aren't needed because God will take care of us if we sit around and wait for Him to do it.  Perhaps that is true, perhaps not.  I intend to read book one, The Nickel Nuisance, to see if it sheds some light on the aspects I found troubling in the book.  Stay tuned.

Thank you to the author for giving me a print copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give.  (Watch for book three in the series, The Quarter Question!)  If you like this review, visit my blog Hall Ways for book views, reviews, and news you can use - or not. kristinehallways.blogspot.com
2943814
The Right Words said at the right time have the ability to change a person's life.  The authors of the stories in this book are  ordinary citizens.  A simple word of thanks from a Burger King employee changed the attitude of a Navy sailor.  That simple word of thanks made him proud to serve in the military again.  Covering All the Bases is a story that contains the advice that it is important to pay attention to detail in everything we do in life.  I liked the cute story of the woman who found love with someone over the Internet.  The words that helped her connect with that person was a simple phrase from her childhood.  The Chemistry Test is another good story with the  message that anything is possible if you try hard enough.  The author of this story took a very  difficult chemistry test in high school.  He learned that he could accomplish any obstacle, because he passed chemistry so many years ago.  The story entitled Help is an excellent story submitted by a high school student named Jacqueline Sia.  It is about friendship and having compassion for people. Just Getting Started is a beautiful story about a man who taught the people around him to live life to the fullest and never quit on anything.  The Boy at Ground Zero is a very sad and touching story about how a man is affected by a little boy who lost his father on September 11th.  I loved the story entitled Forty.  The message of this story is that age is just a number,  and that our accomplishments don't always have to follow a pattern and timetable.  Within My Reach is an inspirational story about a man's determination to become a surgeon after losing one of his fingers in a car accident.  This book is filled with moving stories and good advice.  I enjoyed it very much.
1660629
One of our favorite new bedtime books is Thankful by Eileen Spinelli. It's a poetic children's book with whimsical illustrations. The purpose of the story is to make children aware that there's always something for which they can be thankful and it teaches them to find joy in life's day-to-day. It's a simple, rhythmic tale that continually reinforces its message so that toddlers and young children can begin to learn from it.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I want to start teaching my sons the true meaning of the holiday and I am using this book as a tool to help me do just that. The message is clear and concise so I don't have to worry about confusing my little ones. I do wish that there was more of an underlying theme of faith but God's Word is mentioned once and the concept of thankfulness is something that is well rooted in Scripture. The illustrations directly support the text and they keep things entertaining and fun for my toddler.

As a mom, as a reader, as a women trying to teach faithfulness and thankfulness to others, I would recommend this book.
3769277
I love the simplicity of this short story and the powerful lessons it shares.  This is an easy read, and a powerful reminder of what's truly important in life.
1144750
I really liked this simple story with engaging illustrations that brought the story to life. The lessons are clear, timeless and beautifully intertwined yet simply taught. Creativity, listening to the wisdom of others, adventure, service and hard work without forgetting the fun of life. A fun, simple and great story to teach timeless values.

I received this book from the author/publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are honest and entirely my own.
1481239
Nice illustration.

This is a very simple and easy to read children's book that tells the moving story of two young girls living in the same refugee camp but forced to come to terms with a different fate. It is deeply touching.

I find that there are many lessons that can be drawn from this story that can encourage young children to understand values that are hard to teach in this current landscape of technology and abundance.
1478730
My 3 and 2 year olds like this story, and so do I! It's simple, not too long and not too short, and it explores an experience that is familiar and interesting to most little ones. I love that the main character is a person of color; I want my kids to see more diversity in their books.
4279412
This short story eloquently shares a message that can resonate with both adults and children.
2699806
This short little story book only takes 5 minutes to read, but it still packs a punch. To anyone who has read it, it's obvious that the message has been emphasized, more than the story, but that's not to say it's a bad thing. It's the story of a young girl who likes to play dress-up and pretend she's a princess. When she goes to school, however, she's ridiculed and gets her feelings hurt. A ladybug army helps her remember who she really is, and why she should continue to be herself, and not let the bullies get to her. It's a story that all kids need to hear in some shape or form. This is a great, quick, fun way to teach your kids something that's important about life. Highly recommend this book.

I'm committed to leaving honest reviews so as to help my fellow buyers. As a long-time Amazon user myself, I heavily rely on the accuracy, honesty, and quality of reviews given by other Amazon members. Most of my reviews, in fact, are for items that I paid full price for, but this item in particular I received at a discounted price in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
202004
The book has a clear message embedded in the story.  It is one that seems to be embraced by young readers.  Looking forward to reading other books in the group.
14355
This was a story with a message. The pictures are cute and text was easy to read. The gist of the story is don't steal, work hard, help others. Not a favorite that I'll reread but definitely worth reading once.
Source: Kindle Unlimited
3162123
My children (8 & 5) enjoyed this book greatly.  They completely got the message about how one small good deed can make a huge difference.  They thought it was very cool that the good deed went full circle and came back around to Mary.  My older child appreciated the math at the end -- how many times would you multiply 1 by 5 until you reached the population of the earth?  (Each person is inspired to do a good deed for 5 other people.)  The powers of 5 are listed up until they reach over 6 billion.

My kids completely got the message of the story and thought it was very cool.  The only reason I feel this book is less than perfect is that the writing is not very fluent.  Some of the situations that characters were in, for example, a homeless person, I had to explain in my own words to my children because the writing didn't make sense to my kids.

It IS a nice story and I can see myself referring to the story throughout the raising of my children.