Sunday, August 23, 2015

Book Review: Call To Arms: Nations Fall

Call to Arms blog tour 
About the book:
The Savior’s second coming is approaching and each member of the Williams family—along with all the other Saints—must decide whether to heed the call to gather. This tense novel takes place in the near future and dives into the wide-sweeping political, social, and religious drama of a family caught between life as it’s always been and a new beginning in Zion.


About the author:
Randy Lindsay is a native of Arizona. He lives in Mesa with his wife, five of his nine children, and a hyper-active imagination. His wife calls him the “Storyman” because he sees everything as material for a good story. Randy’s first novel, “The Gathering: End’s Beginning,” was published in 2014. He has also been published in several anthologies during 2013-2014. If you want to find out more, you can check him out at RandyLindsay.net.

From Reidhead Randomness:

In Call to Arms: Nations Fall the exciting story continues from The Gathering: End's Beginning (the previous book, although both books can be read as stand alone stories).  The story is set in the not too distant future where the world is descending into chaos.  What will that be like?  This intense story line gives us a glimpse of what may happen.  The end of the book comes too quickly and leaves you with plenty to think about.  While you ponder, there are a few thought provoking questions at the back of the book.  One of the questions to chew on is "What item or activity could you not leave behind or give up?"

It is quite the adventure!  It would be a good read for a book club because of the great discussions this book could evoke!




I received a copy of this book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own. 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Book Review: Flim Flam & Other Such Gobbledygook

Flim Flam blog tourAbout the book:
It’s party time in the barnyard! But some of the animals don’t want to invite everyone. This adorable rhyming children’s book reminds us that little differences don’t matter and that we can be friends with everyone, even if we don’t all look the same. Contains fun words to read and has colorful illustrations. It’s a perfect bedtime book to enjoy again and again!


About the author:
If she’s not sitting at the computer writing, Melica Hudgens can usually be found out in the garden pulling weeds or finding a place to plant something new. Melica also enjoys riding bicycles with her husband, taking walks, and enjoying the gifts of nature with her grandchildren.

About the illustrator:
Jay Fontano is a drawer. Not the kind in your dresser. The kind who draws. And that’s the fun kind.

From Reidhead Randomness:
Funny words from the title are only a few of the chuckle inducing phrases in this fun story.  The rhyme and rhythm, with darling, colorful pictures bring this story to life!  The book shares a great message about being friends with everyone....no matter the differences you have.  It helps to teach kids to appreciate differences, and uniqueness. 

My favorite line comes from the end of the book:  "...instead of unkindness, Choose niceness and see...exactly how joyful the barnyard can be!"

(At the end of the story, there is a glossary....since there are lots of FUNNY words and phrases!)

It's a SUPER fun book!


I received a copy of this book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own. 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Book Review: Baptism & Boomerangs

Baptism and Boomerangs blog tourAbout the book:
Baptism brings us soaring back—just like a boomerang—into the arms of our loving Heavenly Father! With colorful artwork, a fun story, and insightful analogies, this book helps parents and children discuss the importance of our first crucial covenant in God’s plan of happiness. Entertaining and uplifting, it makes a great gift for all your favorite eight-year-olds.


About the author:
Sherrie Gavin was born and raised in upstate New York, USA. Always looking for romance, adventure, and with a love of writing, she travelled to Australia and fell in love with a true Aussie bloke named Bruce. ‘Sruth! They married and began adventuring together, joined by two beautiful daughters who are the loves of their lives. Sherrie has been lucky enough to have contributed to Linda Hoffman Kimball’s Relief Society anthologies and The Exponent II. She also thinks that everyone should try throwing a boomerang at least once.

About the illustrator:
Tatiana Lawton was born in Brisbane, Australia, but was raised up north on the sunny beaches of the Sunshine Coast. She was born with a love for life, art, and storytelling, and her pusuit to study a degree of film and animation came as no surprise to family and friends. Moving back to Brisbane, Tatiana completed her four-year degree. Since finishing her degree, she has been freelancing as an artist, contributing to short films as a concept artist, character designer, and storyboard artist. Tatiana has drawn her inspiration for this book from her Australian heritage and her appreciation for eternal families.

From Reidhead Randomness:

Baptism & Boomerangs is a great book to help children understand baptism a little more through a fun object lesson.  Set in Sydney, Australia, it does a great job reminding kids that there are children all around the world that get baptized.  It has cute little humorous spots, and darling art and pictures that children will like.  It also shows that you need to have patience and perseverance.  It is a great book for any age, but especially the young ones that will be getting baptized in the next few years!

I received a copy of this book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Book Review: The Hungry Missionary

Hungry-Missionary-Blog-BannerAbout the book:
Make your mission the best two years of meals! Using simple, inexpensive, universal ingredients, you’ll learn to create delicious, wholesome food that will keep you healthy and happy as you serve. With plenty of classic recipes that are sure to please even the pickiest palate, this cookbook is perfect for elders and sisters in the field and those about to leave.


About the author:
Tracy started cooking for her mother and brother while she was quite young, finding that she enjoyed making food for others. With years of experience cooking for five hungry children, Tracy makes her food quickly, easily and delightfully scrumptious. Tracy has a Bachelor’s in marketing from UNLV and worked in the magazine publishing industry before leaving work to start a family. She has provided many a hungry kid with quick snacks and is sending off two missionaries in the near future (her test subjects).

From Reidhead Randomness:
Missionaries need to eat.  PERIOD.  Sometimes they get fed by members in the ward, but sometimes they will fend for themselves...

When Mr. Reidhead Randomness was on his mission, he concocted a meal that makes me cringe!  It went something like this:

"I took a box of Idaho instant potato flakes, and made mashed potatoes.  Those tasted like cardboard (probably because they had been sitting in the cupboard for years), so I thought I would fry them up.  They still tasted yucky, so I looked in the fridge to see what other condiments I could add.  I found a bottle of BBQ sauce and added it.  That made it semi-palatable."

I am sure he is not alone in the "strange concoctions."  The Hungry Missionary is a great beginner cookbook of all the favorite foods from home...that they probably didn't learn to make while they were at home.  They are pretty easy to make, and can be made with little prior cooking experience.  All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) are covered, as well as Soups, breads, side dishes, salads, and cookies.  At the back is an equivalents reference section, as well as plenty of blank pages to fill with recipes you find along your journey.  
 
As you probably know, I homeschool my kids.  I am considering this as a basic cooking class "textbook" for this year.  The instructions are clear enough, that I would trust my 11 and 12 year old daughters to make any of the recipes from this book!
 
This is truly a great resource for families, missionaries, college kids....and newly weds!
 
 
 
I received a copy of this book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: Happy Bento

Happy-Bento-Blog-Tour-Banner
About the book:
Liven up your lunch box! Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any day of the week, traditional Japanese Bento boxes are trendier than ever and they encourage kids of all ages to eat healthy foods by making them cute and colorful! These fun food craft projects let you create themed edible designs that are just as much fun to make as they are to eat!


About the author:
As a child, Anna was a very picky eater.  Although she has learned to love new foods, she is still picky.  Anna wanted her children to have a well-rounded palate and explore new foods.  She discovered bento lunches when her daughter started preschool and needed a packed lunch.  Packing meals in a cute and fun way has encouraged her kids to eat healthy and try new foods.  For Anna, making bento lunches is a fun hobby that offers an outlet for her creativity.

From Reidhead Randomness:
F.U.N.  That is the theme of this darling book!  Made with healthy ingredients, this book will show MANY fun lunches with themes ranging from seasonal, to holidays, to different animals.  Every idea is great!  This super cute book guides you with great instructions, and plenty of pictures, so you will be successful!  Some of the ideas I had never seen or heard of....like shaping a hard boiled egg!  If you use even just a few of the ideas from Happy Bento!, your kids will look forward to lunch!  This would also be a great way to introduce new foods...because they are presented so FUN!  There is a section of "supplies" as well as a "shopping" section at the end. This is a great introductory book for beginners of Bento. Some of my favorite themes were:  Super Mario Brothers, Adventures in Wonderland, Angry Birds, SHARK week, Pi day (Of course....since I am a self proclaimed math nerd!), Halloween, and the Spring box.  These would be super fun to make, and I know any kid would be glad to dive into any of these creations!


I received a copy of this book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own. 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Book Review: Understanding your Endowment

Understanding Your Endowment blog tour 
About the book:
For many members of the church, the temple endowment remains something of a mystery. Yet when understood, the temple can function in our lives as a modern day Liahona, giving us our bearings in our mortal journey back to our Father. “Understanding Your Endowment” is packed with insights and keys, which can help you unlock the temple’s purpose and meaning in your life. It will help you understand the blessings the Lord offers His children through His temples and will enrich your personal temple worship.
“Understanding Your Endowment” examines topics such as covenant ceremonies, the initiatory ordinances, the endowment, and temple sealings in a manner that is plain and easy to understand while still respecting their sacred and confidential nature. Whether you are preparing to enter the temple for the first time or already attend regularly, your temple worship will be enhanced by reading this book.


About the author:
Cory B. Jensen graduated with honors from Brigham Young University with a Masters of Business Administration degree. He currently serves as an ordinance worker in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. He and his wife, Traci, are the parents of four children. Cory grew up in the shadow of the Logan temple and developed a love for the temple early in life.  He wants most of all to be a faithful disciple of Christ and a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother.  He often falls short but keeps trying.  He hopes that the message of this book will enrich your temple experience and bless your life.  He also really hopes you will judge it based upon its message and not by the cover or who wrote it.  It’s the message that matters.


From Reidhead Randomness:

Understanding your Endowment, written for believing Latter Day Saints, helps increase your knowledge and understanding of the endowment.  A detailed description of covenants of old, what they mean, and all the symbolism is a very informative start to get you hooked on the book.  Each chapter is filled with a wealth of information to deepen your understanding and give you new insights!  It is an especially great book for people going to the temple for the first time, as well as temple veterans.

I received a copy of this book to review, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: Scripture Princesses

Scripture-Princesses-Rebecca-J-Greenwood-blog-tourAbout the book:
As a daughter of God, she is royalty. This beautifully illustrated book features all your little princess’s favorite scripture heroines. Each chapter tells the story of a different scripture princess, from Rachel and Leah to Abish and the Lamanite Queen, and even Emma Smith. With women your little girl can look up to, this book makes a perfect present for baptisms, birthdays, or any occasion.


About the author:
Rebecca J. Greenwood studied visual art with a music minor at Brigham Young University. She is a multimedia artist, illustrator, comic creator, and designer with a love of stories. She has worked in publishing for the last six years. Rebecca lives in Utah with her husband, where she listens to audiobooks, cooks experimentally, has an interest in alternative health, and constantly has a new project in mind. Visit rebeccajgreenwood.com to experience more of her art and projects.


http://rebeccajgreenwood.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/scripture-princesses_shareable_Esther.jpg



From Reidhead Randomness:
Real scripture princesses from all scriptures (BOM, NT, OT, D&C) come to life as you read their story as told from their perspective.  The stories of these 16 women are told in easy to read (think bed time stories) chapters.  (Each of the 16 women have their own chapter).  The end of each story shows the scripture references.  The stories show real women from the scriptures, doing real acts of greatness!  Sometimes its hard to find good role models for girls from the scriptures, because the women are less prominently featured, so this book does a great job at highlighting these important women and all they did.  The author did a great amount of research on the clothing and surroundings to make the drawings accurate...while still leaving a little room for artistic interpretation.

This was a great book for my daughters!  I loved it, they loved it!  It is a new favorite story book!


I received  a copy in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father

We Are Daughters blog tourAbout the book:
Learn the importance of the words you repeat each week. This inspirational book helps you better understand the Young Women theme by breaking down each section and sharing the story of how and why the theme was created. Discover your divine potential and how important you are in God’s plan! Thought provoking and uplifting, this book offers new insights for parents, leaders, and all young women.


About the author:
Jen Brewer got her degree in dietetics from BYU, married her husband, and spent the next 10 years traipsing around the country with him as he pursued a medical degree, while adding children to their ever-growing family.  They have now settled in Minnesota, where she works full time as a mother of 7, as well as pursues her passions of nutrition education, speaking to the youth, and writing.   She speaks often to various groups of all ages.  Her passion is reaching out to the youth and helping them see their true potential in the kingdom of God.  She is a popular speaker at education week youth track, as well as at stakes and wards all over the country.


From Reidhead Randomness:
What a wonderful book that will break down each line and phrase of the Young Woman's theme.  It does a great job explaining the words and meanings of the theme.  You will appreciate the theme even more, after you read the wonderful story of how the theme came to be!!

(Guest post from my 12 year old daughter)
We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father Striving to Live the Young Woman Values gives insight to those who are learning the purpose of the Young Woman's values.  I loved this book so much!   It's a great book, and a definite reread.  I will never think of the young woman's theme the same way again. Jen Brewer wrote a book that is very uplifting and spiritual but may "sting a little". I liked that at the end of each chapter that there was a reflection page that talks about how to get closer to our Heavenly Father personally. It doesn't just talk about the values, but also the context of the rest of the theme. I loved it and I recommend it to any age young woman, parent, and leaders.


I received a copy of this book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.








Thursday, August 6, 2015

Book Review: 1,2,3 with Nephi and ME!

 1-2-3 Nephi blog tour

About the book:
Cuddle up with your kids and count your way through the Book of Mormon! This colorful board book is perfectly sized for little fingers and is a fun way to introduce numbers and scripture stories at the same time. With rhyming text and cute illustrations, it’s sure to become a family favorite that your kids will want to read over and over again!

About the author:
Heidi Jo Doxey has been reading Jane Austen’s novels over and over and over again since middle school—long before she ever dreamed of writing a book herself.
She lives in Utah, where she works in publishing, but she still calls the San Francisco Bay Area home. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys hiking, riding her bike, playing volleyball, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Visit her online at girlwithalltheanswers.blogspot.com.

About the illustrator:
Emily Konopasek is an animation student at Brigham Young University. Other than drawing, she loves snowboarding, listening to EDM, making delicious food, and being Swedish.

From Reidhead Randomness:
Board books are the BEST for wiggly little kids in Sacrament meetings!  This new book; 1,2,3 with Nephi and Me! will be your newest favorite, 'go-to' book!  The pictures are so fun as you count from 1 Liahona to 10 Jaredite kings.  The scripture references are included for each story referenced, so this book would be good for many ages.  I would love to use this in a sharing time or Family Home Evening....Read the book to the Junior Primary, and have the Senior Primary look up each reference!  That way, it is adaptable to many ages.  The illustrations are darling!  Being a board book, it will stand up to the worst chewing, drooling, and just plain enjoying.

I received a copy of the book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Book Review: I Can Pray EVERY DAY

I Can Pray blog tourAbout the book:
“Heavenly Father hears my prayers. I know He listens and He cares.” This adorable board book is the perfect way to teach your little ones when, where, and how to pray. With colorful illustrations, rhyming text, and simple reminders of eternal truths, it’s bound to become a family favorite in your home.


About the author:
Catherine loves books. She reads books, writes books, edits books, collects books, and even shelved books at the library for her first job. She also loves to travel and explore the world with her husband, Jon, and her daughter, Juliette. Catherine earned her BA from Brigham Young University. She grew up in England and now lives in Springville, Utah.

About the illustrator:
Corey Egbert has illustrated over ten books for children and numerous other publications. He has also exhibited his work in galleries and won awards for his handmade prints and digital illustrations. He lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his wife, his son, and their orange tabby.

From Reidhead Randomness: 
Searching for a new "Sacrament Book"?  This fun  book will have your little ones saying "I can Pray" in no time!  It shares many ways we can pray to our Heavenly Father with colorful pictures, and easy words (and the font is large and easy to read).  Children will request this for bedtime stories, Family Home Evening, and Sacrament/ Reverent time.  This is a great tool that we can use to teach little children about prayer!  I plan to use it in my sharing times for Primary!  My 3 daughters gave it 6 thumbs up!

I received a copy of the book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.