Freddie's Fast-Cash Getaway

TITLE: Freddie's Fast-Cash Getaway The Parable of the Prodigal Son
AUTHOR: Bill Myers
ILLUSTRATOR: Andy J. Smith
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

Freddie is an ant who heads to the city with money from his Dad. He realizes the city-life isn't all he'd hoped because once the money is gone he has no "friends." He learns his lesson and returns to his family. Primary through elementary aged children will enjoy this book and the funny cartoon-style illustrations.

I enjoyed this retelling of the parable of the prodigal son. I noticed many modern-day shops in the story on the illustrations of the city, like "Bugs & Noble."

The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors

TITLE: The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Jan & Mike Berenstain
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

As the Bear family is on the way to a festival, they have car trouble. The family learns a valuable lesson about being a good neighbor when they are helped in their time of need. Primary and elementary aged children will enjoy this story similar to the Good Samaritan story of the Bible.

My son and I have enjoyed reading this book.

Natalie School's First Day of Me

TITLE: Natalie School's First Day of Me
AUTHOR: Dandi Daley Mackall
ILLUSTRATOR: Lys Blakeslee
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

This is the newest book in the "That's Nat!" series by Dandi Daley Mackall. Natalie is getting ready for kindergarten and her mind is filled with "what ifs" about the first day. This book is appropriate for early readers and young primary aged children will enjoy this story.

I found this book very appropriate for myself to read also as the mother of a boy who is heading to kindergarten. It made me see things through his eyes and the "what ifs" he may have about the first day. I would recommend this book for parents to read with their children who are going to kindergarten.

The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule

TITLE: The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Stan & Jan Berenstain with Mike Berenstain
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2008

Sister Bear receives a new locket that has the Golden Rule engraved inside. Sister begins to understand the true meaning of the Golden Rule when a new bear arrives at school and is left out at recess and on the bus ride home. Primary and elementary aged children will enjoy this story and will be able to relate the story to make application in their own lives.

My son and I enjoyed the lesson taught in this book.

God Is with Me through the Night

TITLE: God Is with Me through the Night
AUTHOR: Julie Cantrell
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

This book is a wonderful reminder to a young child that God is with you even in the darkness. The photos are beautiful in this book. It would make a nice companion to God is with me through the Day.

My son and I enjoyed the book and the photographs.

Bee & Me

TITLE: Bee & Me
AUTHOR: Elle J. McGuinness
ILLUSTRATOR: Heather Brown
PUBLISHER: Accord Publishing
COPYRIGHT: 2008


Bee is sad everyone is afraid of her and explains to the boy all the benefits of bees. The reader will enjoy turning the pages to watch Bee fly through this book with its special visual effects. The illustrations are bright and beautiful. Preschool through primary aged children will enjoy this book. It would make a fun addition to a classroom or home library and would be great to read during a lesson on insects or spring flower gardens.


My son and I enjoyed this book together.

Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star

TITLE: Natalie Really Very Much Wants to Be a Star
AUTHOR: Dandi Daley Mackall
ILLUSTRATOR: Lys Blakeslee
PUBLISHER: Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT: 2009

In this second book about Natlie, she finds out her Sunday School class will be performing a Christmas play. She desperately wants the part of Mary. What will Natalie's attitude be when she doesn't receive the part?

I enjoyed this book. One part I did have a problem with though, which was Natalie's use of the word "stupidhead." I can see the author is trying to make her a realistic little girl who has a bad attitude about things sometimes. What I didn't like though was that the "stupidhead" was something she mumbled under her breath and she knows no one else hears her when she says it...like she knows she isn't supposed to say it but says it anyway. I just didn't like that attitude of Natalie. This is a cute story about Christmas and the true meaning of the holiday. Young girls who are early readers will enjoy this book.