My Home Can Be a Holy Place/Girls Who Choose God -- Reviews

My Home Can Be a Holy Place

Author: Kristen M. Oaks
Illustrated by: Dan Burr

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: Sept. 2015

ISBN13: 9781629720999

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Our homes can become holy places that prepare children to grow up in the Lord (D&C 109:15). This children s picture book tells the story of Lily, a young girl who is helping to make her home a holy place by the things she does each day. The engaging illustrations by LDS artist Dan Burr depict Lily s family in various settings that show how children can contribute to the spiritual environment in their home as they say their prayers, work together, read the scriptures, eat dinner as a family, make good decisions, observe the Sabbath day, participate in family home evening, share the gospel, and learn to love one another. Parents will find additional helps and resources to reinforce these concepts on the author s website. These resources are designed specifically to complement the themes presented in the book. 

My Review

I loved this book.  It is absolutely beautiful.  It follows Lily through many different church ordinances and church related activities.  From Family Home Evening, blessings, family prayer, temple worship, to eating dinner as a family.  The illustrations are lovely and perfectly depict the scene.  Some of the pages have scriptures or quotes.  I especially loved the top of each page that says a simple phrase for each page.   

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Website: Home Can Be a Holy Place

Girls Who Choose God: Stories of Strong Women from the Book of Mormon

Authors: McArthur Krishna, Bethany Brady Spalding
Illustrator: Kathleen Peterson

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: Oct. 2015

ISBN13: 9781629721019

Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Shining light on strong women from the Book of Mormon, this groundbreaking book shares well-known stories alongside others that may be less familiar. Come to better know and love Sariah, the heroic daughters from the land Zeniff, Nephi's wife, the maidservant spy, and other women from the Book of Mormon who chose God with all their might. These faith-filled women defended their families, protected their husbands, and risked their lives for others—providing powerful role models for us all.

With stunning illustrations, ten compelling narratives, and thought-provoking family discussion questions, this volume will give you a new perspective on the Book of Mormon. Reading and reflecting on these brave women's stories, girls and boys will learn that they too can be strong and choose God. 

My Review

I loved the first book in this series, Girls Who Choose God: Stories of Courageous Women from the Bible.  I loved the idea of stories of strong women who love and choose to serve God.  This book was especially wonderful as it is stories from the Book of Mormon.  From Sariah, to the mothers of the stripling warriors.  The illustrations are beautiful and perfectly describe the story from the Book of Mormon it is telling.  As with the first book, I love the questions at the end of each story and appreciate the scriptures references given too.  

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

One Little Match by Thomas S. Monson

One Little Match

President Thomas S. Monson

Illustrated by Dan Burr

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Excepted publication: March 3rd, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-868-3

Hardcover: 32 pages

Inside Book Jacket

Thomas S. Monson loved spending summers at his family's cabin in Utah's Vivian Park.  One summer day, he and his best friend, Danny, decided to clear a field so they could gather with their friends and have a campfire that night.  The tall, stubborn weeds would not pull easily.  So Tommy had the idea to burn them up instead.

He knew he shouldn't use matches without permission from his parents.  But he ignored the feeling that warned him of the danger and raided the matchbox in the cabin.  Back in the field, he lit one little match and prepared to set the parched June grass ablaze...

Readers of all ages will resonate with the wonderful true story that demonstrates the blessings of obedience and "the dangers that can come from something as small as one little match."

My Review

I loved this talk from Pres. Monson when he gave it at conference.  I also love that some stories from conference are later made into books that can be shared often.  The illustrations in this book are amazing and the beautifully drawn pages depict so well the story being told.  I love the story of the one little match, because I believe we all can relate to it.  Hopefully not with the setting of fires, but showing the fact how something in our lives could be set off so quickly by something small.  If we but stay obedient to gospel principles and listen to the words of the prophets, we will be blessed.

About the Author

President Thomas S. Monson has served as the sixteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints since 2008.  He was called as an Apostle in October 1963 at the age of thirty-six.  After serving as second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson and then President Howard W. Hunter, he served as first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 1995-2008.

Thomas Spencer Monson was born to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson on August 21st, 1927, in Salt Lake City.  Following his service in the U.S. Navy near the close of World War II, he graduated cum laude from the University of Utah and earned an MBA from Brigham Young University.  He had a distinguished career in the publishing industry.

He served as president of the Canadian Mission from 1959 to 1962 and was a member of several general Church committees before becoming an Apostle.

He married Francis Beverly Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple in 1948.  They are the parent of two sons and one daughter.  They have eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

About the Illustrator

Dan Burr earned his bachelor's degree in fine arts from the Utah State University and a master's degree from Syracuse University.  He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children and numerous farm animals on twelve acres of river-bottom land in Tetonia, Idaho.  Dan is a well-known Christian illustrator who also specializes in wildlife renderings.  A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of Wooden Shoes, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, and The Mansion. 

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

The Christmas Train: A True Story by Thomas S. Monson -- Spotlight

Tour Schedule

The Christmas Train

In this children’s picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that a train that operated through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was struggling. Although it was only a wind-up train, it had an beautiful oil tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy s mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor s home to deliver the gift. Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course, didn t notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did. What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart and home. Illustrated by renowned artist Dan Burr, The Christmas Train is sure to be a classic Christmas story and a beautiful addition to every Christmas library.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

Includes a QR code for a FREE download of President Monson’s narration of the story!

Winner of the 2012 Gold Medal Mom’s Choice Award!

I reviewed this book last year.  You're welcome to check out that review here. 

Download the new interactive Christmas Train app for your iPad!
The pages come alive with animations, sound effects, and narration by the author, Thomas S. Monson. Kids will love listening to a true Christmas story, read by a familiar voice, while navigating trains, turning Christmas lights on and off, and experiencing the importance of giving during the Christmas season.

Click Here to Learn More About the Author

President Thomas S. Monson was set apart as the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. He had previously served for twenty-two years in the First Presidency of the Church, after having been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since October1963. Five years after his call to the Twelve, he was given a special assignment for the work of the Church in Europe, requiring many visits with members behind the Iron Curtain. He was instrumental in the construction of the Freiberg Germany Temple and in advancing the Lord’s work in other eastern European countries that were part of the communist bloc. He also served as chairman of the Scriptures Publication Committee and supervised the process that resulted in the new editions of the scriptures. His ministry has been characterized by his compassion for the needs of individuals and his gift for one-on-one service. President Monson and his wife, Frances, are the parents of three children, grandparents of eight, and great-grandparents of eight.

About the Illustrator

Dan Burr earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree in illustration from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children in the Teton Valley of southeast Idaho, a setting that provides great artistic inspiration and fantastic fly fishing. Dan is a well-known illustrator, having been in the business for many years, most recently working as a children’s picture book illustrator. A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes; God Bless Your Way; A Christmas Journey; and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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