Book Review: Math and Magic in Wonderland

Review: Math and Magic in Wonderland

*Disclosure: I was given a free book to review but all opinions are my own. 

Are you ready to go on a grand adventure?  A magical journey? Then you have to get this book!    It’s a fun expedition from beginning to end. In fact, you will have so much fun that you will not realize you are learning.  You are taken into this interactive book to help solve riddles, puzzles, and math problems; but, there is much more you can learn from this book.  There is also science, literature, and history.  The vocabulary used in this book is amazing. It is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s poetry, but there are references to other famous books, stories, and people. My favorite reference was the nod to Fred Gauss of “Life of Fred”—especially since this book reminded me of the style of “Life of Fred” math books.

I have two boys.  One is 13 years old and the other is 8 years old, so I was unsure if they would be ok with the main characters being girls. But it did not bother them at all because the girls liked to play with toy swords just as my boys do. I was also unsure if the math problems would be too hard for my younger son or too easy for my older son. It turns out they were neither too hard nor too easy.  Both boys found them challenging, yet not too difficult.

We looked forward to relaxing on the couch every day and taking off on our magical exploration. It was fun to solve the puzzles, riddles, and math problems together. We even earned points throughout the book to become mathematical royalty. What about you? Will you be an Apprentice or The Math Monarch?

 A description on the back of the book says, “Lulu and Elizabeth embark on an exciting journey to a realm inspired by Lewis Carroll’s poetry. The twins must use ingenuity and sagacity to solve classic logic puzzles that promise to uncover the book’s secrets and earn them The Vorpal Blade.”

This book is great fun from beginning to end, but don’t take my word for it. Get the book so you can start the adventure for yourself!

62 Day Bible and Cleaning Challenge

Join me HERE for the 62 day challenge. 

Are You Mary or Martha?

*The following post contains affiliate links.

Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 

31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul. 

Luke 10:38-42 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Martha and Mary

³⁸ Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with ^[a]all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

I have always loved the story of Mary and Martha. There is almost a bit of comedy in Martha tattling on Mary to Jesus, “No fair! I am working and she is doing nothing!!!” And I will admit that I used to be very much like Martha. I would put aside prayer and Bible study because I needed a clean house in order for my brain to rest and for me to function. But what if I could be like both sisters? Maintain a clean orderly home and be able to spend time with God?

This book helps me do both.

The author makes the point that the ultimate goal is not for you to be a perfect homemaker, but to have an inviting home filled with love. And she does it in a very gentle way.

The book contains daily challenges. One challenge is called a “Mary challenge” which is a Bible challenge for the day.

Then there are Martha challenges. An example of these challenges would be to clean and organize your bookshelves. Some of the challenges tell you how you can get your children involved, and some even tell you to go eat a cookie! J

These are all very doable things—things that you can do even if you have small children, homeschool your children, and/or work.

I am going to be doing the challenge along with my friends starting on April 4^th. We are going to make it a 62 Day Challenge so that we have extra time.

This book will be a great way to help motivate you to get things done that you have been meaning to do. Watch my blog and Facebook page for more information on The Mary/Martha Challenge.

While it is not essential to get the book in order to join the challenge, I recommend that you do because it is a great book that will encourage you!!!

Find the books in these locations:

Sarahmae

Amazon

Christianbook.com

           This book was provided to me at no charge, in exchange for an honest review. This review is my honest opinion. 

Girl, We Need to Talk: The Minister's Wife & Her Struggles

"In Girl, We Need to Talk, ten ministers' wives offer words of hope and help, not to mention a shoulder to cry on. Whether it's living in the proverbial fish bowl, being a single mom during worship, or helping your husband build a ministry that lasts, this book offers practical advice for your struggles. More importantly, you will be inspired to mentor the next generation of godly women and go deeper in your relationship with Christ."

I was honored to receive a copy of “Girl, We Need to Talk: The Minister's Wife & Her Struggles” in order to write a review.  This book has great insight from several ministers’ wives who have “been there.”  Reading this book can help you learn from their mistakes as well as their success. It was like having all the ministers’ wives sitting with me, drinking tea and offering guidance.

  

I did not have the typical problems that most ministers' wives face since we attended our congregation before my husband was hired as the youth minister. But now we are moving to a new work, where my husband will be the pulpit minister. This book could not have come at a better time! It offers such great advice in areas such as making friends, hospitality, supporting your husband, mentoring other women, and so much more. Not only does it offer great advice, but the advice is backed up with scripture.

I was very encouraged after reading this book. I know it will be a great resource to me as we move to our new congregation and for many years thereafter. 

You can purchase the book here or here.

Learn With Play - A New Book to Encourage Family Memories

Learn With Play: 150 Activities for Year-Round Fun & Learning

I continue to be amazed at all the wonderful memories we can make with our children through play.

*This post contains affiliate links.

This great new book provides hours of ideas to use so you can play and make wonderful memories with your child.

Take a peek inside the book.

I am so excited to be able to bring you this book filled with over 100 fun, hands on activities for kids from birth to kindergarten. It has been tested by kids so you can be assured these activities are fun and they work. 

The book is divided into various categories:

General Play/ Arts & Crafts Activities

 Early Childhood Education

 Life Skills

Organization

Seasonal/Holidays.

It has been written by over 90 of the greatest bloggers from The Kid Blogger Network and I am honored to be one of the authors!

You can buy the eBook which is available for a special launch discounted price of  $9.95 for July 7-14 only!

The printed book is available on Amazon for $29.95.

The Kindle edition is available on Amazon for US$14.95.

It would make a great gift for baby showers, birthdays, preschool teachers, and moms. 

Book Review: Motivate Your Child

Book Review: Motivate Your Child by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller

                                               *I received the book free and also received compensation but the opinions are my own.

** A great bonus offer at the end of the post!

When I read the following words on the back of the book I knew this book would be perfect for my family. “God's Word gives us a better way to parent, one that builds strong internal motivation in children. When parents change the way they parent, kids change the way they live. This practical book explores a theology of internal motivation and then gives parents real-life solutions to equip their kids for life.”

I have noticed that yelling, taking privileges away, or even using rewards does not help my children become motivated to do things on their own. I have tried to figure out different methods to get them to do things without being told.  

I am so glad I found this book. It is a practical guide that I can use along with the Bible. Instead of having to use some type of reward or punishment to externally motivate my children, they can learn to be internally motivated. There are many ideas in this book that one can easily implement. The book also uses examples of many different types of families.

I have read and discussed parts of this book with my children. So far, I have been shocked at how implementing just a few of these ideas has already made such a big difference in my children’s behavior. For example, instead of telling my children that they had to clean their room now, I asked, “What is your plan to clean your room?” They came up with their own plan. I trusted them with it and the room was cleaned at the time they told me it would be.

This book points out that we need to get kids on “level two” and even “level three” thinking. According to the authors, level one thinking is what kids engage in everyday, thinking about themselves and their own activities. Level two thinking focuses on responsibility and other people. Level three thinking considers God. The book even goes further by helping you teach your children to do more than what is expected.

 A great benefit to this book is that you can start using it on children of any age. They are not too old or too young to benefit from the teaching in this book.

This book gives me the tools to train my children to motivate themselves to do what they are supposed to do in all situations. It will stay in my list of references to share with other parents.

 

 

 

Bonus! Anyone who purchases the book at any retail outlet by February 28, 2015 will receive a Bonus Parenting Strategy Package full of parenting resources worth $150. 

The Bonus Parenting Strategy Pack includes:

• Toolbox of Consequences Video and Study Guide • Kids and Conscience Video and Study Guide • Children’s Activity Lessons for Conscience Development • Children’s Activity Lessons on Correction • Strong Willed Child Teaching Points • Make Devotions Fun MP3 • How to Develop Gracious Speech MP3

Learn more about all of these resources http://www.biblicalparenting.org/motivateyourchildpreorder.asp

INSTRUCTIONS: Purchase the book. Send an email with MYC150 Promo in the subject line with a receipt of purchase to gift@biblicalparenting.org. Biblical Parenting will send you the link and a special code to access these downloadable video, audio and written products!