Problems in Plymouth by Marianne Hering and Marshal Younger

Problems in Plymouth by Marianne Hering and Marshall Younger, Book 6 in the Imagination Station Series

Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Readers/Chapter Books

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Website to Visit: The Imagination Station

Age Appeal: 7 and up

Important Information: Paperback book, ISBN 978-1-58997-632-0, Copyright 2011, 117 pages

Price: $4.99

In this sixth book, eight-year-old cousins, Beth and Patrick, are at the Plymouth Colony in the year 1621.  Hugh, from the 1400’s, arrived there shortly before they have and Patrick and Beth are immediately worried about what trouble he could cause.  Squanto is captured and three Native Americans are injured, did Hugh cause these problems?  Beth and Patrick need to find Hugh and stop him before the Pilgrims and Native Americans go to war.

Will they succeed and finally get Hugh back to his home in 1450 England?   

Authors:

Marianne Hering has written more than 12 children’s book and is the former editor of Focus on the Family magazine. She lives in Colorado with her husband and children.

Marshal Younger has written over 100 episodes for the radio program, Adventures in Odyssey.  He is a freelance writer and lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children.

Illustrator: 

David Hohn lives in Portland, Oregon where he works in his studio on many different projects.

Our Experience:

B and C were very excited to receive Problems in Plymouth.  One of the favorite things the kids and I like to do together is read. This was one of the books we couldn’t put down.  The kids wanted to read it for our school time reading and our nighttime reading.

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was fun to read to the kids.  We spent some of our school days and some nights reading this book.  B didn’t want to read this book himself until we read it together.  I think he wanted to have the enjoyment of being surprised along with us.   I know this was a work of fiction, but I have never seen the Pilgrims portrayed as such kind and Christian people before.  I was very glad to see this portrayal. 

The only part of this book that I was not sure about was the illustration of the Native American village with teepees instead of wigwams.  I thought it was primarily just the Native Americans who lived on the plains that used teepees.

What B (boy, age seven, second grade) Liked and Disliked:

I liked everything about the book, except for Hugh.  Hugh is mean.  Beth and Patrick went to Plymouth in the Imagination Station.  In the end Hugh went back to his proper time in England. 

I think this book is good for kids my age to read to themselves or to have someone read to them.

What C (girl, age five, kindergarten) Liked and Disliked:

I liked it.  They didn’t fight very much.  Mr. Whittaker could not go into the Imagination Station, because Hugh had the ring.  I think Hugh was an old man.  Beth and Patrick got the ring back from Hugh. 

I liked everything.  It is good for kids my age.

Would I Recommend?:

I would highly recommend Problems in Plymouth. It should be in every public and school library.

Disclaimer:

I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Brock Eastman

Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Brock Eastman, Book 5 in the Imagination Station Series

Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Readers/Chapter Books

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Website to Visit: The Imagination Station

Age Appeal: 7 and up

Important Information: Paperback book, ISBN 978-1-58997-631-3, Copyright 2011, 117 pages

Price: $4.99

Mr. Whittaker has sent Beth and Patrick in the Imagination Station to the time of David and Goliath to find Hugh.  They need to get the Whittaker family ring and send Hugh back to his time. 

The kids will face an angry bear and Philistines and disgruntled Israelites.  Will they succeed and finally get Hugh back to his home in 1450 England?

Authors:

Marianne Hering has written more than 12 children’s book and is the former editor of Focus on the Family magazine.  She lives in Colorado with her husband and children.

Brock Eastman is Product Marketing Manager at Focus on the Family.  He enjoys writing, but he focuses even more on his family.  They live in Colorado, but enjoy visiting the Midwest during harvest.

Illustrator:

David Hohn lives in Portland, Oregon where he works in his studio on many different projects.

Our Experience:

B and C were very excited to receive Showdown with the Shepherd. One of the favorite things the kids and I like to do together is read.  It didn’t take us too many nights to finish this book.  The kids just wanted to keep reading and then we had to read it a second time.

My Thoughts:

I am always intrigued when authors have people go back in time and associate with people in living during that time.  The authors did an excellent job of melding Beth and Patrick into David’s life and the war between the Israelites and Philistines.

Huge was a very addition to this storyline.  He sure knows how to cause a lot of trouble.  I think that the addition of Hugh along with King Saul and his army with their lack of faith helped B and C how faith in God is truly important. 

What B (boy, age seven, second grade in the fall) Liked and Disliked:

I liked Showdown with the Shepherd.  This story is in the Bible!  My favorite part was when David killed Goliath, none of the other Israelites would do it, because they had no faith in God.  The part I didn’t like was when Hugh made the catapult and sent burning tar covered rocks. 

I think this book is good for kids my age to read to themselves or to have someone read to them.

What C (girl, age five, kindergarten) Liked and Disliked:

I liked the part when Goliath, because the Israelites won. 

I didn’t like the catapult, because they threw the rocks right towards the Israelites camp.  The second time they had loaded a boulder the knots had slipped.  I also didn’t like the part with the bear, because it was rushing right at Beth and Patrick.

It is good for kids my age, except for the scary parts. 

Would I Recommend?:

I would highly recommend Showdown with the Shepherd.  I am going to tell my family, friends and librarians about this book and the rest in the series.  I hope these books will also be audio books.

Disclaimer:

I received Showdown with the Shepherd for free from Tyndale House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Three Trees by Elena Pasquali and Illustrated by Sophie Windham

Genre- Fiction/Christian/Christmas/Easter

The Three Tree: A Traditional Folktale by Elena Pasquali and Illustrated by Sophie Windham

Published by- Lion Children’s Books

Copyrighted- 2011

Number of pages- 32

Age Group- Young Children

Description of book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7459-6289-4

On a hill sit three trees.  They dream of become a royal throne, strong ship, and a tall strong tree.  They are cut down and their dreams seemed to come to an end.  Each tree is made into something special; a manger, fishing boat, and a rugged cross.  They have each had an important role to play.

Excerpt from the Book.

About the Author- Elena Pasquali has worked in children’s publishing and has enjoyed researching folk tales.  She enjoys learning different languages and cultures.  She grew up in South Wales.

About the Illustrator- Sophie Windham lives in Herefordshire with her husband, children, and many animals.  She was shortlisted for the Kate Greenway Medal and has illustrated many picture books.

My thoughts-

This is a remarkable book that we can use to celebrate all Christian seasons.  The folktale is wonderful and I could study the illustrations all day.

My kids really enjoyed reading this book.  It came in the mail when our supervising teacher was here and B took it right away and read it to her.  They both enjoyed the experience.

B, C, Dad and I enjoyed it again later as our bedtime story.  I plan on reading this story to my children for Christmas and Easter every single year.  And I will be saving this book for my grandchildren.

 What B (boy, age seven, second grade) Liked and Disliked:

I liked The Three Trees.  It was a good book.  My favorite part was when the first tree was made into a manger and when Jesus was put into it.  My second favorite part was when the second tree was made into a boat and it held Jesus.  My third favorite part was rather sad. It was when the third tree was made into a cross and Jesus died on that cross.  There were good illustrations. In one of the pictures there was even a rainbow.  There was even a picture of a boat in the book.  My favorite picture was when the innkeeper was putting hay into the manger and there were animals all around.

I think this book is good for kids my age.  I think younger kids would like it too.

What C (girl, age five, kindergarten) Liked and Disliked:

I liked the first picture of the trees.

There is a cat in one of the pictures.  I loved everything, but one part, when Jesus died on the cross. Joseph and Mary had baby Jesus.  The fisherman caught a lot of fish when they went out to fish.  Jesus came back to life.

It is good for kids my age and younger, like my two-year-old cousin.

Dad Says-

I enjoyed The Three Trees for several reasons.  That it's ok to dream; that it's ok to dream big; when things don't go as planned don't give up; patience is a necessity; God has the ability to fulfill your dreams according to His plan.  This is a book that can remind us and our children throughout the year to keep our hearts and thoughts on God while He lights the path before us.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Three Trees by Elena Pasquali and illustrated by Sophie Windham for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Genre- Christian Fiction/Vietnam War/Journalism

Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Catherine West

Published by- OakTara Publishing

Published- March 2011

Number of pages- 336

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $18.95, ISBN-13: 978-1-60290-278-7

Blurb from the Author: 

Vietnam, 1967.

Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father's memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother's wishes. Brilliant photographer Luke Maddox, silent and brooding, exudes mystery. Kristin is convinced he's hiding something. 

Willing to risk it all for what they believe in, Kristin and Luke engage in their own tumultuous battle until, in an unexpected twist, they’re forced to work together. Ambushed by love, they must decide whether or not to set aside their own private agendas for the hope of tomorrow that has captured their hearts.

 

 

About the Author-

 

A member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers, Catherine West, has studied in Bermuda, England and Canada.  She has an English degree from the University of Toronto.  She lives with her husband in Bermuda with her children and Border Collie.  She enjoys working on her next novel, walking, and caring for her roses.  Her next novel, Hidden in the Heart, will be available soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can reach her at:

• Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com
• Blog: http://www.catherinewestblog.blogspot.com

My thoughts- I have had teachers who served in the Vietnam War and I have read books about the war, but this book made me feel as if I was in Vietnam living with Kristin and Luke.  I laughed with them, cried with them, and felt their fears.

After Kristin returned to the states she suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).  This helped me realize what one of the latest families (husband served in Afghanistan) has been going through.

Catherine West did a tremendous writing Yesterday’s Tomorrow.  I highly recommend this book.  This book is for everyone and has danger, romance and heartbreak.  I want people to learn more about the Vietnam War and what the people went through.

I am going to tell my friends, family and librarians about this book. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Catherine West for free from the author as a pdf. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.