Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Sunday Thoughts

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Book Share: My Tender Heart Prayer Book by Laura Sassi

My Tender Heart Prayer Book

Written by Laura Sassi

Illustrated by Sandra Eide

Paraclete Press, 2023

Thanks to Susanna Hill and her blog, Picture Book Builders, I was introduced to Laura Sassi’s new book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book. Thank you, Susanna and Laura, for sending me a copy of this beautiful book!

My Tender Heart Prayer Book is a beautifully illustrated board book. Which means it is sturdy enough to last through repeated readings, accidental food and drink spills, trips in the car, and the myriad of other life experiences of a book living with a child.

This book is filled with easy to read one page prayer prompts. The prayers are all related to things that naturally occur throughout the day of a young child. A title on each page lets the adult reader know the theme of the prayer. Next, the Bible verse(s) is listed. This is followed by a short rhyming prayer, perfect for young children. To finish each page, Laura has included a Heart Moment. This idea is a way for the reader to personally connect with the prayer theme. Some of the Heart Moments include encouraging a child to think of his or her favorite breakfast food and thank Jesus for each one, asking how a child can show love to their family that day, and naming ways God loves them.

My Tender Heart Prayer Book is just right.

Congratulations, Laura and Sandra!


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Sunday Inspiration

photo by Angie Quantrell

Bush Pioneer County Park, Bay Center, WA

Sunflowers For Ukraine

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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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Sunday Inspiration

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Photo by Angie Quantrell (I don’t know how to get that Canva circle off of MY photo…).