Minecrafters Bible

• This Bible has not left my son's side all day. I knew it would be difficult to track this Bible down once he got a hold of it!

I was very hesitant at first to request to review this Bible because I'm not one to mix hobbies with the Bible. I'm not sure why I don't particularly like it, but it's just not something I typically do. So when I saw Minecraft on a Bible, I wasn't certain whether to go for it or not. However, knowing my son's love of Minecraft, I decided to get it to see if it was something I'd let him have.

I'll be honest. I had my review written in my head a few days ago. My mind was pretty much made up and I had even told my husband what I intended to write in my review. However, once I got the Bible, held it in my hands, and looked at it, my review completely changed. The reason I was so certain my review wouldn't be glorious is because it had said it came with gaming pages inside. I wasn't all for that. In my head, I guess I was picturing gaming pages of things that had nothing to do with the Bible. Oh, did they have a surprise for me!

Having read this particular version before, I didn't spend too much time going over the Scripture because I knew I'd obviously approve of that part of it. I searched out the gaming sections first. I mean I really flipped through each one and I got more and more excited to give this to my 7-year-old. I knew he'd be so excited.

The gaming instructions are beautifully done in a way that leaves the boys (and girls) wanting to hop on Minecraft and build the tabernacle, or the Garden from Genesis. I loved how they brought these stories to life in a way where they can read it, build it, and it sticks with them. This is another way that I can get involved in discipling them. I'm not much of a Minecraft person, but I can definitely talk about the Bible with them as they create the scenes from here. 

So from a sceptic, well-done. I should get bonus points for sneaking this out of his room after he fell asleep just so I could write this review. In fact, I've never had a review written as quickly as this one!

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I received this book free from Zondervan Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this Bible.

The Berenstain Bears' Country Cookbook by Mike Berenstain

My kids were really excited to get this cookbook. Our family enjoys reading Berenstain Bears books, having read them ourselves when we were little kids. In fact, those books were some of the few my husband and I kept from childhood to share with our children.

Since our children enjoy cooking and baking, I was excited to have child-friend cookbook where we could do an easy recipe, but still create fun memories into the kitchen. As soon as my daughter opened the book, she started making a list of recipes for us to make together. Some of her favorites were the Bear-y Delicious Scones and the Banana Pops.

This cookbook has a wide range of recipes, including breakfast, lunch, main dishes, desserts, and snacks. The photos are very eye-appealing. The recipes are easy and include less than 10 ingredients. I also like that it uses a lot of fresh ingredients and not a lot of pre-packaged items. It's the perfect book to encourage healthy eating.

I'm looking forward to cooking many things in this book as we try out all of these recipes. This cookbook has already become a favorite among my children. I'm thankful for a book that will encourage family time in the kitchen and will give me many opportunities to spend meaningful time with my children.

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I received this book free from Zonderkidz through the Booklook Program in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Berenstain Bears Keep the Faith by Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears are a family favorite in our household.  I like how they teach the children real truths from a fiction standpoint.  My kids like them and I like that they teach about sharing, strangers, and other topics and character qualities.

I was curious as to how they would handle the topic of faith and how they would explain it at such a child-like level.  I liked how they brought in science and how we can appreciate science and still believe in the resurrected Jesus.  I also like their definition of faith: "Trusting in God's love."

We read this book and before I even put it down, my kids asked if we could read it again.  I'm putting this book on my shelf to be read over and over again, along with the other Berenstain Bears books.

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I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Pirates on the Farm by Denette Fretz and Gene Barretta

This is such a cute kids book!  My son loves cowboys so I knew this book was one that we HAD to read together.  It has already become a family favorite for us.  The illustrations in this book are really pretty and definitely eye-catching for the young kids. 

The storyline itself is just as good.  As I was reading it, I knew there was a message so I immediately began looking for it.  I really liked how the Dad showed love to the pirates even when they were a bit different than the rest of the people he normally interacted with.  This was a powerful book that hit home with us as we've been talking a lot about loving and respecting people even if they treat us badly.  I like how the Dad never disrespected them, but kept reaching out to them.  It was a perfect lesson for us to talk to about with our kids on a level they understood.

I like the hardback book because it won't be easily damaged, which is good because I plan to keep it!  The back has a definitions page called "Stretch's Totally True Seadog Definition."  It has all of the "pirate speak" defined. 

Overall, this would make a great Christmas present for any child.  My oldest, my son, is 5-years-old and loves pirates.  My daughter is 3 and was engaged through the whole book.  It says on the book that it is geared for ages 4-8.  It is also a part of the new series, The Next Door Series.  Excited to read the next one in February.  For any young pirate-lover, this book is a must!

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I received this book free from Zondervan Publishers and Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.