Amazing Animals by Design

I was recently given the opportunity to review Amazing Animals by Design. This children's book is an adorable yet educational story by homeschooling mom Debra Haagen.  Debra is a military wife and mom of 4 and fellow TOS crew member!

This story follows children John and Sarah and their parents as they visit the zoo.  This is not just about  typical zoo animals with  elephants, giraffes and zebras. It also has other animals you may have never even heard of.  (Visit Debra's website for actual pictures of the animals used in the story.) Amazing Animals by Design includes lots of facts about each of the animals and how they are designed.  For instance, we learn why an elephant has a trunk, why a zebra has stripes and much more.

Do you know what animal this is?

Sarah

John

The illustrations in Amazing Animals by Design are soft and inviting. They seem well suited to younger children (pre-school to maybe 4th grade depending on your child.)








It is refreshing to have a book about animals that acknowledges that God is the creator and designer of animals and that he also made us (in His image.) While the book introduces the idea of intelligent design, it clearly points the reader to God as the creator. 

I received the pdf version of this book to review.  We read it on a laptop and an iPod Touch.  I think we would prefer a "real" book because the text and animal illustrations are not on the same page therefore when I was reading it the kids, they couldn't see the picture the text was referring to. (Maybe there is a way to do that but I couldn't figure it out.)

You can purchase Amazing Animals by Design at Tate Publishing as a paperback for $8.99 or a digital version for $7.99.

 I received the pdf version of this book to review.  We read it on a laptop and an iPod Touch.  I think we would prefer the actual book because the text and animal illustrations are not on the same page so when I was reading it, the kids couldn't see the picture the text was referring to (maybe there was a way to do that but I couldn't figure it out.) There is a way!  If you purchase the digital version you can view the book in a two page format by clicking on view and choosing that as an option. (Thanks Debra for the tip!)

author Debra Haagen

You can find Debra on the web, on facebook, on her blog or her review blog.

Read what others are saying about Amazing Animals by Design on the TOS crew blog.

disclaimer: I received a free pdf copy of Amazing Animals by Design in exchange for an honest review.

Lots & Lots of Fire Trucks DVD and Book Review

Lots and Lots of Fire Safety Songs DVD and Fire Truck Book Combo

First the DVD: Lots and Lots of Fire Songs & Safety Tips

The menu allows you to pick and choose segments and songs or you can play them all.  Various award winning instructional and musical segments performed by Award-winning music of family musician, James Coffey.

Songs include:
Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks
Call 911
Fireman Jim's Safety Tips 
Stop, Drop and Roll
Your Home Safety Plan
It's An Emergency
Heroes Brave and Tall
Great Big Fire Trucks
Fire Trucks in Action

My younger kids (under 12) really like the songs and the videos that go with them. My almost 12 year old knows the words to all of the songs which are included in the book.  Some of the video segments seem a bit outdated but the information is still really good. For instance it talks about using a payphone to call 911.  I don't even know if there are pay phones anymore.  I think the hospital might be the only place I've seen one.

Also, we have a 42 inch TV and some of the videos are a tiny bit fuzzy.  I don't notice it much and probably wouldn't have thought anything of it, but it bothers my 11 year old son. (Note that it isn't on the whole video, just some of the segments.)

Here is a video sample:


Next: Lots & Lots of Firetrucks and Firefighters Book

This is a really nice soft cover book with glossy pages. It is great for the whole family from the younger child that just wants to look at the colorful pictures to teens and adults who want to read about firefighting.  Our family really enjoys this book.

Ellie (3+ "reading")

This giant, 128 page full color book is loaded with lots of exciting color photos of fire trucks and firefighters in action, interesting facts, fire science, safety tips, history, recipes, trivia, and just about everything you’d ever want to know about the world of fire fighting.

Topics include:

Meet Meet the Firefighter
A Firefighter's Tools and Equipment
All Kinds of Rescue Vehicles
Fire Fighting Facts
Fire Science Basics
Fire Prevention Week
Safety Tips
Firefighters in Action
Tributes to Firefighters
Old Time Firefighter's Alphabet
Classic Fire House Traditions
History of Fire Trucks 7 Firefighting
Antique Fire Trucks
Greatest Fires in History
Firefighting Time Line
Fire House Museums
Fire Related Websites and more!


Video overview of the book:

When I was growing up, I remember having fire safety assemblies at school.  This book/DVD combo is a great way to give homeschooled kids the fire safety information they need in an enjoyable format. I rarely find a product that the older and younger kids both enjoy. This one really fits the bill with the book and DVD combo. (I will admit my 14 and 17 year olds weren't thrilled with the video but my 15 year old liked it. My 14 and 15 year olds are interested in EMS and they both like the book.)  

Marshall Publishing & Promotions is offering my readers a discount over the normal price of $49.90 (currently on sale on the website for $29.95).  The sale price is $19.95 (plus S&H) by entering Promo Code: TOSF1 at checkout. Order by calling Toll Free at 888-300-3455 between 10 am and 8 pm EST or online at www.marshallpub.com or www.firesafetysongs.com Visit the website to see this set and other DVDs such as Lots & Lots of Trains, Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks, Lots & Lots of Penguins and all sorts of educational videos. (Book and video can also be purchased separately.)

You can see what others on the crew are saying about Lots and Lots of Fire Safety Songs DVD and Fire Truck Book Combo on the TOS crew blog. Also read my review of George Washington Carver, another Marshall Publications video.




disclaimer: I was given 1 copy of Lots and Lots of Fire Safety Songs DVD and Fire Truck Book Combo in exchange for an honest review.

Warrior Prayers

I recently read the book Warrior Prayers:  Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most on my Kindle.  This is an eBook designed to help you in the pursuit of reaching for the hearts of your sons and raising godly men.  In it you will find scripture prayers listed by category such as anger, fear, joy, love, purity, humility, integrity, lying and more. I really enjoyed this book and will use it often in the future.  

Brooke McGlothlin has written this wonderful e-book which is available for $4.99 at Amazon. You can read about her 21 Days of Prayer Challenge or the available leader's guide if you would like to use this book with a group.


I really want to pray for my boys (and girls) and this book makes it so easy to do. I also enjoyed the easy to read style and the peek into the life of the author's family.