Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover


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Book Review: Always Remember to Pray by Robin McCall

Always Remember to Pray

Written and illustrated by Robin McCall

Woman’s Missionary Union, SBC; 2016

I was delighted to receive a copy of Always Remember to Pray from Woman’s Missionary Union and Joye Smith. Thank you!

Always Remember to Pray was written by Robin McCall, the preschool design editor for preschool resources at the time. With perfect simplicity and wonderful examples, Robin has crafted a preschool picture book that engages young readers with everyday situations and ways they can pray. Colorful, full-spread illustrations accompany the characters as they remember when and how to pray. From being scared, happy, going on a trip, or celebrating a birthday, readers can think of times to pray and read examples of sentence prayers-perfect for young ones learning about life, books, and praying!

If you are looking for a great prayer picture book resource for preschoolers, especially during these turbulent times, I recommend picking up a copy of Always Remember to Pray. This book also includes suggestions on how to use the book as you read it with preschoolers. I can’t wait to share it with my youngest grands.

Read more about Always Remember to Pray at https://www.wmustore.com/always-remember-to-pray.


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Haiku Moment: not happening

let go, pink monster

not happening, not ever

I will get you. hiss

not happening by Angie Quantrell

irritated cat: Monet


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Haiku Moment: before, after

before, snow blankets

snowfall melts under sun’s smile

after, window holes

before, after by Angie Quantrell

photos by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley


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Sunday Inspiration

Photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley


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Haiku From Two #Haikufromtwo by Amanda Davis

On Day 29 of Storystorm (https://taralazar.com/2021/01/29/storystorm-2021-day-29/), Amanda Davis shares a fun way to get your creative juices flowing. In the post “Amanda Davis Keeps Creative Juices Flowing with Haiku from Two,” she tells how she started a process of using two books she is currently reading, choosing one word from each, and then creating a haiku from those two words. The resulting haiku sometimes leads to new writing projects.

How fun! I love writing haiku, though I usually pair it with one of my photos. I was immediately on board with trying this creative idea. Thanks, Amanda (https://www.instagram.com/amandadavis_art/)!

First word: solitude

Book: The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, Why the World Needs YOU to BE YOU by Holley Gerth (Revell, 2020)

Second word: moonlight

Book: Lemonade Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word by Bob Raczka (Roaring Book Press, 2011)

What a fun creative writing exercise! Let me know if you decide to try this one. I’d love to read your haiku!


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Haiku Moment: shovel cats

heavy snow blanket,

mountains to build, but first it’s

time to shovel cats

shovel cats by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Sunday Inspiration

Photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley

Text from Hebrews


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Book Review: Sometimes I Am Afraid by Robin McCall and Joye Smith

Sometimes I Am Afraid

Written by Robin McCall and Joye Smith

Illustrated by Bill and Robin McCall

Woman’s Missionary Union, 2014

I was delighted to receive a copy of Sometimes I Am Afraid. Thank you, Joye Smith, Robin McCall, and Woman’s Missionary Union!

If ever there was a perfect time for reading Sometimes I Am Afraid, our current times are it! Though preschoolers may not be aware of the world situation or the political stresses of the world and nation, they can certainly feel the anxiety and fears of the adults and older family members around them. Preschoolers do know about the pandemic and they know life has changed, activities are limited, and if they go out, masks are required. Sometimes I Am Afraid is just what we need to share with the preschoolers in our lives. Truth be told, I also need to read it to myself, since adults are not exempt from fear.

Using examples of universal childhood fears, this story is told in an easy to read manner accompanied by colorful, soothing illustrations. A child encounters something scary (dog, doctor, storm), and then remembers how to deal with the fear-inducing incident, both with a suggestion of how to think about the scary event and how to recall what the Bible says and how God will care for us in scary times. Each situation is reinforced with an appropriate Bible thought. The overall feel of Sometimes I Am Afraid is one of encouragement, combined with gentle reminders to pray and trust God to be right beside us no matter what is happening.

If your child struggles with fearful situations, this lovely picture book is just what the doctor ordered!

Read more about Sometimes I Am Afraid at https://www.wmustore.com/sometimes-i-am-afraid.


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Haiku Moment: broken

a heart, a country

seems indestructible, yet

words wound deeply: heal

broken by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley


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Sunday Inspiration

Photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley

Text from Psalm 4