Otter B Free: Christian Picture Books! TOS Review

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

I am very careful with the media that is presented to my almost-four-year-old son, Zeke. These days, you not only have to be careful with the TV shows and movies geared toward this age group, but also the books. There are so many books, even picture books targeting the preschool age, with messages that are contrary to my family's core Christian beliefs. This is one reason I was excited to receive Otter B Free from Focus on the Family to read to Zeke.

Otter B is a series of children's picture books that present biblical values and character traits using a fun story and adorable characters. In Otter B Free, Otter B and his friends are gearing up for a fun Fourth of July Field Day - and the big, shiny trophy the winner received! Otter B doesn't think he has a chance of winning because his friend Felicia is the best at every event. When Otter B hears that Felicia has broken her foot and can't compete, he starts practicing every day in hopes that he will win the big trophy! However, seeing Felicia sitting all alone at Field Day makes Otter B realize there are more important things that winning, like friendship. All of the friends, including Felicia, work together to win - and share - the gold trophy! 

This hard cover book is such a cute, fun read for young children. The pictures are cartoonish and adorable, the pages are thick and glossy, and the storyline includes biblical values that I want to instill in my children. At the end of the book, there is a little poem and a scripture that reinforces the topic of the book. This series is definitely preschooler-friendly!

There are ten books in the Otter B series, including Otter B Kind, Otter B Thankful, and Otter B Brave. These would make great Christmas gifts for the young children in your life! Check out what other reviewers thought of this book by clicking the banner below!

Islands and Enemies - TOS Review

 Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

I'm always on the lookout for a great book series to really capture the attention of Titus, my almost 10-year-old son. I think I've finally found the perfect books! The Imagination Station series from Tyndale is an adventure series for kids ages 8-12. John Whittaker has invented a time-traveling machine that cousins Beth and Patrick use to travel back in time to different historical events and places. Beth and Patrick get to meet famous people and help solve problems. They remind me of another series of books where kids go back in time to famous events, but The Imagination Station books have a Christian element to them. 

We received Islands and Enemies, the 28th book in this series, to read and review. This book takes Beth and Patrick back to the Victoria, Ferdinand Magellan's ship, with him and his crew. Patrick and Beth are in the middle of an argument, and John Whittaker sends them back in time with this warning - they can't come back until they are friends again!

When the Imagination Station drops them off in 1521, they are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, at the mercy of dolphins to take them to the Victoria. Some of Magellan's crew dig them out of the ocean and take them to the ship. When Beth calls one of the sailors by his name, they are instantly accused of "Witchcraft!" and threatened to be drowned in the ocean. Follow along with Beth and Patrick as they try to prove they aren't using spells and magic and are in fact just children. Can they save their friendship?

What did I think?

I really enjoyed this book. I like the fact that it's not overly "Christian" - and by that, I mean it's not forced into the storyline. The children's faith comes out naturally as the story unfolds. I also liked that I didn't have to worry that something inappropriate would happen in the book - there would be no swear words, no inappropriate scenes, no rude or vulgar talk, nothing against God or our religion. The fact that Patrick and Beth are cousins is also nice as it relieves any boy/girl tension. I don't like how boy/girl relationships are pushed in books even for very young kids.

It's a very interesting read with lots of action and adventure. I think boys and girls would love this book series, especially as the main characters are a boy and a girl. Plus, reading historical fiction is a great way to keep kids learning all year, without them even realizing that they're learning! I learned quite a bit about Magellan from this book, and I'm a 37-year-old mom of almost seven who has homeschooled for 14+ years! I am very interested in purchasing more books in this series for Titus. 

To see what other Crew members thought about Islands and Enemies, click the banner below! 

Whatsoever Stories - TOS Review

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

 I am always on the lookout for great Christian literature for my children, so when I was offered a chance to review Trial at the Ridge by Whatsoever Stories I was ecstatic.

When you first go to Whatsoever Stories website, you see this verse:

Philippians 4:8

“… Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

This is exactly what I want my children to think on! The things we read, watch, and listen to have such a big impact on who we are and who we become. I want my children to be surrounded with literature and media that pleases God and keeps their minds and hearts pure and focused on Him. The author, Kinsey Rockett, is a homeschool graduate herself. I am very interested in reading her other books.

Trial at the Ridge is a chapter book with 188 pages geared toward 10-14-year-olds. This story takes place in 1924 on a sheep ranch owned by the Whitlocks. Their two sons, Nathaniel and William, take on the responsibility of saving the family farm after their father is hurt in an accident and can't work. The bank is threatening to foreclose in thirty days if the payment is not made. With their faither hurt, it seems inevitable that they will have to move, especially since their sheep are being killed by a large mountain lion. The town puts a large bounty on the mountain lion - enough to pay off the farm. Mr. Whitlock forbids Nathaniel and Will to hunt the dangerous predator but says they can kill it if they happen upon it. They are also being harassed by a boy named Zach, who happens to be the son of the bank owner threatening them with foreclosure. Nathaniel and Zach kill the large mountain lion and skin it out, but Zach sneaks in to their barn and steals the hide. They don't know what happened to it, but if they don't present it by midnight then they won't be able to pay the farm off in time to avoid foreclosure. They come across Zach and he admits to stealing their hide and sabotaging their efforts to save the farm. They forgive Zach and together find the hide and bring it just in time to save the farm.

This book is a really interesting read! It kept my attention the entire time with its fast-moving plot, complex characters, and story line. I also really love this book for my children to read. It shows really strong and positive character traits like perseverance, hard work, loyalty, forgiveness, and kindness. God is woven throughout the story in a natural way, as the Whitlock family is Christian and portrays godliness and goodness. Books that present positive character traits are always welcome on our bookshelves because I want my children to see that behavior modeled and described. It's encouraging to read stories about children who are obedient, respectful, loving, and faithful. Too often books geared toward this age group have children who are disobedient, disrespectful, selfish, and self-centered. It was so refreshing to read Trial at the Ridge. 

See what other reviewers thought about this book and her two others, Farmyard Faith and Prisoner of War by clicking the banner below!