Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! — Book Review

Posted on August 5, 2025 by Deb L Waters

A Grandma’s & a Child’s Perspective

Step into Reading Level 1
Dig, Scoop, aka-boom!

Author: Joan Holub

Illustrator: David Gordon

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: June 25, 2013

Number of Pages: 24

ISBN-10  0375869107

ISBN-13  978-0375869105

Part of Series: Step into Reading

Reading Age: 4-6 Years 

Grade Level: Preschool – 1

READ WITH… Libby Book, EPUB

Synopsis:

In Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! there is a construction site crew busy at work. The book is a Step One (1) story level reader. The crew continues to work digging, scooping, and loading on their construction projects. What was a surprise for my grandson and what will surprise young beginning readers is the age group of the construction crew.

Review:

The book is filled with large print easy for young readers to see and decipher the words enabling them (my grandson included) to sound out the words phonetically. The illustrations are bright and colourful capturing the attention of the readers. The story is loaded with rhyming words and a rhythmic style of writing which helps support young children who are ready ti begin learning to read. Coleman loved seeing and was able to name all of the construction vehicles including the Dump truck, cement mixer ( the book just calls it a mixer), the front loader (loader), and the Bulldozer (Dozer) as well as Digger. He loved the illustrations and was able to read and sound out some of the beginning words.

Rating:

Coleman and I both give Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! five (5) stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for capturing and keeping his interest and easy rhyming words with large enough print enhancing his ability to try and read the words on his own.

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in Book Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Gaston County Library, Juvenile Fiction, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Book Review: Thomas Breaks a Promise — A Child’s Perspective

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Deb L Waters

Author: Reverend W. Awdry

Illustrator: Richard Courtney

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

Imprint: Golden Books

Publication Date: April 25, 2006

Release Date: 24 Nov 2010

Number of Pages: 24

ISBN-10  0375836713

ISBN-13  978-0375836718

Reading Age: 3-7 Years 

Grade Level: Preschool – 2

READ WITH… Libby Book, EPUB (DRM)

Synopsis:

In Thomas Breaks a Promise, Thomas makes a promise to Sir Topham Hatt. He promises that he would carefully check every single signal on the new branch line. However, Thomas gets distracted by a carnival. With the enticement of the Carnival, he forgets to check all the signals. In the Evening, Percy has a near tragic close call on the new branch line when one of the signals lights goes out. Does Thomas admit to breaking his promise regarding his forgetfulness in not finishing the job he was assigned to do?

Review:

Thomas Breaks a Promise is the Second of the Thomas & Friends Coleman and I have read together. Coleman really enjoyed listening to this story. The illustrations are bright and colourful enhancing the story and engaged Coleman in finding out what Thomas was going to do. This was an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of keeping promises you make to someone. Distractions may come, but it is always important to remember to not let them stop you from keeping your promises.

Rating:

Coleman and I give Thomas Breaks a Promise five (5) Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. He love trains, Thomas the tank engine, and enjoys watching the show and listening to the Thomas & Friends stories. He is starting to try to recognize sight words used in the stories and predict what will happen next as I read the stories. This is definitely one of the books he’ll enjoy reading for years to come.

We borrowed this book from our local library and read it via the Libby digital book app recommended and used by the library system.

 I recommend everyone to obtain this book to read with young children. I am sure all children will enjoy reading or listening to this Thomas & Friends book. 

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Gaston County Library, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Review of Thomas & Friends Little Golden Book

Posted on July 12, 2025 by Deb L Waters

Misty Island Rescue

Author: Reverend W. Awdry

Illustrator: Tommy Stubs

Publisher: Golden Books

Publication Date: May 10, 2011

Number of Pages: 24

ISBN-10 0375872124

ISBN-13 978-0375872129

Reading Age: 2-5 Years

Synopsis:

Misty Island Rescue is one of several Thomas & Friends books published Random House Children’s Books division under the imprint Golden Books label. In this book (as well as the movie) the engines of Sodor engage in building a new Search and Rescue Center. Each engine has their own tasks to complete and their own unique obstacles to overcome to complete their tasks.

Review: Coleman loved listening to me read Misty Island Rescue as much as he enjoyed watching the movie previously. The illustrations were bright, colourful, and engaging for children of all ages. He understood from the story that whenever someone needs help alls one needs to do is ask first help. Coleman would definitely want to read it over and over again. He rates the book at five (5) Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

We borrowed this book from our local library and read it via the Libby digital book add recommended and used by the library system. I agree with Coleman’s rating of 5 Stars ⭐️. He was not distracted and the story let him interested, engaged and interacting with the events in the story. He responded to questions regarding the events and could recall the events and the engines interactions with each other. I recommend everyone to obtain this book to read with young children. I am sure all children will enjoy reading or listening to this Thomas & Friends book.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Gaston County Library, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Poky Little Puppy: a Little Golden Book — A Children’s Book Review from a Child’s Perspective

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Deb L Waters
The Poky Little Puppy

Authors: Janette Sebring Lowrey

Illustrator: Gustaf Tenggren

Publisher: Golden Books

Publication Date: May 25, 2010

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Reading Age: Baby – 4 years.

Part of Series: Little Golden Books

ISBN-13: 978-0307759467

The Poky Little Puppy is one of the original Twelve (12) Little Golden Books. It has sold almost a whopping Fifteen (15) million copies since it originally came out in 1942.

Synopsis:

The story deals with five little puppies who dig under a fence to explore their surrounding areas. The “Poky” little puppy tends to be slower than the rest causing him to lag behind his siblings. Being “poky” the slower little puppy tends to miss out on some of the excitement of discovering new things and some of the rewards. He also initially misses out on some of the discipline his siblings receive for misbehaving, (digging holes under the fence).

Review:

The puppies antics repeat several times before they learn their lesson. My grandson really followed along with the story, excited to see what the puppies would discover on their adventures. He wondered why the Poky Little Puppy went so slow and couldn’t keep up with the other puppies. The illustrations were well done and allowed him to predict what the Poky Little Puppy would be doing or what else was going to happen when they returned home.

I wouldn’t call be Grandson Poky, but he does tend to be adventurous. From the story he is learning that not following directions has consequences and following them gains rewards.

The story is well written and is extremely captivating for young children of all ages. My grandson loved the story so much he wants to read it over and over again.

Coleman rating: 5 ⭐️ stars. Really exciting and captivates interest.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Gaston County Library, Juvenile Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Animal Orchestra: A Children’s Book Review

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Deb L Waters
Animal Orchestra

Publisher: Golden Books

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

Print length: 24 pages

ISBN-10: 0307982874

ISBN-13: 978-0307982872

Reading Age: 3 – 7 years

Grade Level: Preschool – 2nd grade

Part of Series: Little Golden Books

Animal Orchestra is rhyming story about an animal orchestra. The orchestra’s conductor is a hippo who waves his arms and leads the band through a musical performance.

Animal Orchestra is a children’s book published by Golden Books. We borrowed the digital edition of this book from our local library. Borrowing from the local library is great most of the times and definitely saves on the budget. Digital books are easily accessible to read either on the Libby App, which several libraries offer to patrons to be able to read digital books.

I tried my best to read a digital copy of this Little Golden book, but found it difficult to read in this format. I tried reading it via the Libby App and also with the Kindle App and neither version appeared much better than the other. Although the Kindle App version was a tiny bit easier to read. It would have helped if the print was larger.

The words in the story were on separate pages then the illustrations, and the digital version only shows one page at a time so it was difficult for both my grandson and I to follow along with the characters and what was happening in the story. I might have needed to figure out a better way for the apps to display the book, but it would have been better to not have to worry about the text size or the layout of each page.

With the troubles we had trying to read and follow along with the story, my grandson rates this book as a One (1) out of 10. If we try to read Animal Orchestra again it would be better to try to obtain or borrow a hardcover copy of the book.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Gaston County Library, Kindle App, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Review of Dinos Love Donuts — A Child’s Perspective

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Deb L Waters

Author: Ben Okon

Illustrator: Komal Sharma

Age Range: 2-8 for read-along; 5+ for independent beginning readers

Publication Date: July 17, 2024

Publisher: Younger Media, LLC

Number of Pages: 39 pages

Dinos Love Donuts is a fun colourful children’s book filled with rhyming and beginning sight words for young early readers. The sing-song rhythm and rhymes of the story has one laughing and excited to find out what the Dinosaurs will do next.

When I asked Coleman, my 5 year old grandson, questions about what would happen next or what he thought the Dinos liked; he was able to predict what they like and what would they would do. Coleman was intrigued with the book and laughed practically the whole way through the story. He really got caught up with the Dinosaurs, he was like he was right there with them. This is a book he will enjoy reading or having read to him over and over again for some time.

I purchased Dinos Love Donuts by Ben Okon as a digital book through Amazon.com and added it to my Kindle library. It is sold in digital and paperback formats.

ISBN-10 1961428202

ISBN-13 978-1961428201

Rating: Coleman gave this book 5 stars and I agree with his rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Children and the adults in their lives will love this book and enjoy reading it together and individually.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Juvenile Fiction, Mythical Feasts books | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Fearless Firemoose — A Book Review

Posted on May 18, 2025 by Deb L Waters
A Little Golden Book
Fearless Firemoose!

We borrowed a digital copy of ‘Fearless Firemoose’ from our local library through the Libby app on my smartphone. Borrowing digital books 📚 from the library and is easy to do once you have a library card for your local library.

This book is geared for children between the ages of two (2) and five (5) years of ages. The story is about a moose named Bullwinkle J. Moose. He has a dream about being a fire fighting moose. The author tells the story in a fun and exciting manner which captivates the minds of young readers. The illustrations are bright and colorful drawing children into the story routing for Bullwinkle to become a Fearless Firemoose.

My grandson really liked the idea of Bullwinkle trying to become a firemoose. He was enthralled with his friends encouraging him to try, and his enthusiasm about the possibility of actually getting to help people by fighting fires.

I encourage you to read this book to your children and/or grandchildren to find out if Bullwinkle is successful or not. I guarantee you that your children or grandchildren will love the story and Bullwinkle’s efforts trying to fulfill his dream.

Author: David Corwyn

Illustrators:Hawley Pratt and Harry Garo

Copyright: ROCKY & BULLWINKLE TM & ©️2014 Ward Productions, Inc. Licensed by Bullwinkle Studios, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Coleman’s Rating: 5⭐️

Borrowing from your local library either in person or through your local libraries digital app is a great way to read this book and other books that would capture your interest.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Fearless Firemoose, Gaston County Library, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Footloose — A Child’s Perspective Review

Posted on February 18, 2024 by Deb L Waters
Footloose
by Kenny Loggins

Footloose by Kenny Loggins was published on January 1,2018 by Scholastic, Inc.. Kenny Loggins rewrote the song, “Footloose” (link is to Kenny’s Live Aid 1985 version) into a fun story for his grandchildren.

The story in the book deals with a zookeeper named Jack. Jack joins the zoo animals for a dance party that lasts all night. There are brilliantly coloured illustrations throughout the book by Tim Bowers.

The illustrations help toddlers picture and understand what’s happening in the story. The rhythmic sounds (you can just hear them in your mind as you read the story) make the story fun and exciting for all to enjoy reading and listening.,

The lyrics to the original song were changed to be more appropriate for the animals in the zoo. The animals perform silly and funny activities to entertain and dance the night away.

The book is geared towards two (2) to five (5) year olds. We borrowed “Footloose” through the Libby app from our local library. When reading the book to my grandson, I practically wanted to sing the words, while thinking about the original “Footloose” song. The rhyming of the words and the antics of the animals as well as the colourful illustrations make this an outstanding book for youngsters. My grandson loved listening to me read the book to him. To him, it was very interesting, and it made him feel like getting up and dancing right along with all the zoo animals.

Based on my own experience and my grandson’s enthusiasm, I highly recommend this book to parents, grandparents, and teachers for their children to read or to read to them.

The book can be borrowed from most public libraries or purchased from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or various other online or brick and mortar retailers.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in Book Review, Children’s Book, Gaston County Library, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Tytan Magnetic Tiles — A Stem Educational Toy

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Deb L Waters

Tytan Magnetic Tiles are educational toys that are made for children to have fun while learning about building in 2D and 3D. The pieces have magnets on the edges, so they stick together easily. Each set is designed with different shapes and colours to enable the ability to create all sorts of structures. These magnetic tiles enhance children’s creativity and imagination as well as helping them to learn about shapes, colours, patterns, magnets, motor skills, problem-solving, 3D design, architecture, and much more.

Tytan Magnetic Tiles are certified by STEM.org (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and parent tested as being an integral educational tool.

The ergonomic design of the magnetic tiles makes them perfect for children (3+) to develop their fine motor skills while still having fun. Kids from toddlers to school aged children are able to easily snap the blocks together and just as easily take them apart.

Coleman’s Tytan
Magnetic Tiles

Coleman was first introduced to magnetic tiles as apart of his Early Explorers class at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina. Having learned that he really liked the toys, I decided to buy him his own set for Christmas. However, I forgot where I hid them. Therefore, he did not receive them with his other presents at Christmas time. Coleman discovered them in the closet this week and promptly opened the package. Ever since then he has been mesmerised with his Tytan Magnetic Tiles.

Coleman is four years old and is extremely enthralled with the magnetic tiles, so much so that he hasn’t played with much else since discovering them. He is also quieter playing with them than with his Little Tykes trucks or his Hot Wheels monster trucks. He builds numerous different structures and combines like colours and shapes.

I highly recommend the purchase of Tytan Magnetic Tiles for your children, grandchildren, or for any daycare or classroom. They are well designed and constructed, and easy to use for all ability levels of children three (3) years and older.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Posted in Toy Review, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Construction Tail: Dig, Dogs, Dig – A Grandma’s Review

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Deb L Waters
Dig, Dogs, Dig
James Horvath

Dig, Dogs, Dig is a Level 1 beginner reading book. [Level One readers are intended for children learning to sound out words and sentences.] I borrowed this book from our local library. This is the second book by James Horvath we’ve borrowed. Even though my grandson is not a self reader yet. He does love for me to read to him. We chose this book because he loved Build, Dogs, Build so much.

In Dig, Dogs, Dig the construction crew, made up of various types of dogs, demonstrate working cooperatively together to complete a task, a job. They use dump trucks, graders, loaders, bulldozers and more. They work continuously doing their individual tasks yet all working together to get the assigned job done.

The book captivates young readers and draws them into the story. My grandson really enjoyed this book and wants to have it read to him over and over again. He repeats part of the words, especially Dig, Dogs, Dig, and can almost relay the story from the pictures.

I highly recommend this book for beginning readers or to be read to preschoolers. I give it 5 stars, based on my grandson’s enthusiasm towards the book. It can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or many other retailers. It can also be borrowed from the children’s section in many local libraries.

Dig, Dogs, Dig

Borrowed from the Gaston County Library; Gastonia, North Carolina

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. Be on the lookout for a review of Work, Dogs, Work by James Horvath coming soon. I appreciate y’all.

Posted in A Construction Tail: Dig, Dogs, Dig - A Grandma’s Review, A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Dig, Dogs, Dig, Gaston County Library, Gastonia, North Carolina, James Horvath | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Build Dogs Build: A Grandparent’s Review

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Deb L Waters
Borrowed from the
Gaston County Library
Gastonia, North Carolina

The book is considered appropriately for ages 4-8 years and a grade level Preschool through third . It is a hardcover picture book with 40 colorful pages.

The depicts a construction crew consisting of various types of dogs all working together on different construction projects. The construction team using such equipment as bulldozers, dump trucks, cement mixers as well as a wrecking ball & cranes to accomplish their tasks each day.

I borrowed the book from the library as one of several to read to my four year old grandson. He thoroughly has enjoyed having me read the book to him and also is enthusiastic to gaze upon all the pictures as I turn the pages and even on his own.

It is very well written, is extremely captivating and draws young readers into to story. My grandson tries to repeat the words I read from the book. It has helped to pique In interest in reading books.

Based on his reaction and captivating interest in the story I am giving the book 5 stars ⭐️.

This book can be borrowed from most children’s libraries and purchased at Amazon, Books-A-Million as we as many other book retailers.

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

Posted in Book Review, Build Dogs Build, Build Dogs Build: A Grandparent’s Review, Children’s Book, James Horvath | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Review of The Imposter: The Bishop’s Family

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Deb L Waters

The Imposter: The Bishop’s Family

By: Suzanne Woods Fisher

An imposter is a person who engages in deception under  an assumed name or identity according to the American Heritage Dictionary. Have you ever engaged in deception? Tried to pretend to be something you are not? Sometimes we might not think that what we are doing would be considered deception but if you lead a employer or even a friend to believe that you have experience that you do not have in order to gain their trust then you are being deceptive, an imposter. 

The story of The Imposter: The Bishop’s Family is captivatingly exciting. A book you would not want to put down until you finish, if at all possible. Suzanne Woods Fisher does an excellent job of piquing your interest in the lives of the Stoltzfus, Glick, Beiler and Lapp families and stimulating your mind to think about the truths of God’s Word. 

The stories of the four families intertwine throughout the book. In the beginning Elmo Beiler invites Minister David Stoltzfus to come to Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania to work alongside him in his church. Prior to receiving the letter David had been unsettled in what he should do after the passing of his wife but felt a strong compelling from the Lord that he and his family should pack up and go. Go where? David prayed and prayed but had no inkling of where until he received that letter.

Would you be able to pack up and go if God called you to go? Would you question where or why? Sometimes we just seem to plod along in our daily lives and do not stop to listen to what God truly has to say. 

Each character has their own fascinating story that enthralls you to keep reading to find out how each character will face their problems, how they will interact with each other and whether they listen to the voice of God speaking to them throughout the encounters of their daily lives. 

Whether we want to or not we all need to take time to listen and not ignore the promptings that God uses to captivate our attention and guide us throughout our lives. You might be surprised by what God has planned but you’ll never know what that might be if we do not set aside time in our busy schedules to just relax and listen.

I hope you’ll decide to read this book and will enjoy it as much as I did. It is well written & captivating.

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time. I appreciate y’all.

Posted in Amish Fiction, Christan Fiction, Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Imposter: The Bishop’s Family, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Secrets and Lies: True Love Kept at Bay

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Deb L Waters 
Her Secret Amish Match 
By Cathy Liggett
ASIN: B095M3D786
ISBN-10 1335409564
ISBN-13. 978-1335409560
Publication date: November 30, 2021

Genre: Amish Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Contemporary Christian Romance

Her Secret Amish Match is full of secrets, lies, regrets, and forgiveness. The story takes place in Sugarcreek, Ohio. It is a story about Hannah Miller, single independent attractive seamstress and matchmaker, and a handsome widower named Jacob (Jake for short) Burkholder who has three children he’s trying to raise on his own. Jake struggles to take care of his children and earn a living. He finds himself in need of assistance even though he doesn’t like to ask for help. Hannah manages Sew Easy, a fabric and sewing supply shop and assists with the care of her disabled Aenti Ruth. Hannah and Jake are childhood friends who due to varying circumstances drifted apart. Knowing Jake needs help with the children Hannah takes it upon herself, as a matchmaker, to try and find him a wife. Little does she know that she will soon lose her job and in need of help herself. Hannah, being the kind, considerate, compassionate friend, she volunteers to care for Jake’s children until he can find a better permanent solution. To find out about the secrets, lies, and regrets the story is filled with I suggest you pick up a copy from the store or library and enjoy reading the well-written story for yourself.

Cathy Liggett has developed a well-written captivating story about love and forgiveness, about how secrets and lies can keep true love at bay. The story captivated my interest and held it all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone that loves to read clean Christian romance and or Amish romance. I rate this book at 5 stars.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26
Posted in Amish Fiction, Christan Fiction, Her Secret Amish Match, Love Inspired | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Secrets: Courtship – Love

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Deb L Waters
Is love enough?

Have you ever had a secret courtship? Secret boyfriend you kept from your friends and family? Most of us, at least in the U.S. do not use the term courtship. Courtship may seem to be an old fashion term referring to building a relationship with the intent on marriage. It is different than dating. Dating is used more for the casually get to know someone with no strings attached.

The book, Their Secret Courtship by Emma Miller, is a well written story about an Amish woman who develops a friendship with an “Englisher.” The “Englisher” gives her assistance when her buggy runs off the road into a ditch. He walks beside her as she walks her buggy horse to keep him calm.

Bay knows Amish are only supposed to court another Amish person. She doesn’t think she wants to marry. Bay befriends the “Englisher” and his pregnant sister. She keeps the friendship a secret from her family. Knowing the “Englisher” David isn’t Amish she doesn’t think a romantic relationship would be possible. So she keeps the friendship a secret, only tells her mother she’s helping sister.

By keeping secrets, she ends up lying or telling half-truths. It is never a good idea to tell lies. Half-truths are just as much a lie as a full fledge lie. The author weaves the lies and secrets throughout the story. She makes you wonder whether something more would develop or whether Bay will realize nothing will ever be possible and she’ll remain a single Amish businesswoman.

To find out more of the story between Bay and David, you’ll need to read the book. I highly recommend it. Once you begin, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Emma Miller, for writing a wonderfully delightful and intriguing story.

Posted in Amish Fiction, Christan Fiction, Love Inspired | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review for “The Harvest of Grace” by Cindy Woodsmall

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Deb L Waters

“The Harvest of Grace” – An Ada’s House Novel by Cindy Woodsmall is the third book in the Ada’s House Novel Series.   

 The book is very captivating and filled with intriguing stories about love, anger, betrayal, trust and forgiveness. It tells the story of how love and trust can be broken, how anger and selfishness can build and reside in individuals, and how trust in God can bring about forgiveness and trust in others. This book reveals how God’s love can overcome and break down the barrier walls that people build up to block out the pain and hurt and shows that broken relationships can be restored through the power of God.

The story begins on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania, where Sylvia Fisher lives with her parents and her eight sisters. She interacts in various different ways with each of her family members. Even though she is close with all of her family, she is the closest with her sister, Becki. She can talk so easily with Becki that sometimes they sit up all night talking. Sylvia isn’t like most Amish women, she enjoys helping out with the family dairy herd and interested in helping increase the milk production and quality of the herd. Besides working, she enjoys spending time with Elam Smoker but she is unaware that her sister, Becki has been conniving to have Elam for herself. Due to certain circumstance that take place, Sylvia feels that she must leave home. With her dads reluctant permission, she moves to a dairy farm in Dry Lake belonging to Michael and Dora Blank. She begins working for them to help with their dairy herd, to make improvements, and to try to help restore the farms  profitability.

When she begins working for the Blanks, their only son, Aaron Blank, is away in an alcohol rehabilitation facility known as the Better Path. Aaron returns home with the intentions of trying to convince his parents to sell their farm and move with him to run an appliance store.

Aaron and Sylvia have various conflicts while on the Blank property. Aaron insists on Sylvia having Sundays off as a way to relax and get acquainted with other people instead of trying to constantly work herself into exhaustion. During these times, Sylvia becomes friends with Cara Atwater Moore, Deborah Mast, and Lena Kauffman.

Cara is an Englisher from New York, who flees a stalker and after reading her mother’s diary turns up in Dry Lake, Pennsylvania. Cara falls in love with an Amish man named Ephraim Mast, Deborah’s brother. Before her and Ephraim can marry she must overcome the obstacles of learning the Pennsylvania Deutch language and be able to follow the rules of the communities Ordnung.

Cara and Deborah Mast help Ada Stotzfus run Ada’s House, and Amish bakery and gift shop. Deborah and Ada help Cara learn the Amish way of life. Deborah used to be engaged to Ada’s son, Mahlon but he ran out on his family and his community. Deborah is sweet on Jonathon Stoltzfus. Ada is an Amish widow who has eyes for Israel Kauffman. Israel’s daughter Lena, lost her teaching position due to conflicts brought up be Michael Blank, who is head of the school noard. Lena is in love with Grey Graber who was once married to Elsie Blank, the daughter of Michael and Dora Blank, before she had an unfortunate accident that took her life.

Each of these couples face their own difficulties and struggle to come to terms and overcome their problems. To find out more about the people in “A Harvest of Grace” by Cindy Woodsmall, you will have to read the book. It is a must read for all who enjoy reading Christian fiction and not just for those who like to read Amish Fiction.


I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

For more on this book and others please see:

     * Cindy’s Web Site

     * Follow on Facebook

     * Author Bio


www.cindywoodsmall.com

www.WaterbrookMultnomah.com/

http://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall/info

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Review of National Geographic Kids Books

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Deb L Waters
National Geographic Kids
Lions and Giraffes

Good Day Everyone! Welcome, thanks for joining me as I slowly review various books, including children’s books and ebooks. Today, I am going to talk about two Level One Beginner readers published by the National Geographic Society. The first book is National Geographic Kids Lions Level 1. The second book which will be discussed here is National Geographic Kids Giraffes Level 1.

National Geographic Kids Lions Level 1

Lions

Format: Ebook

Author: Laura Marsh

Publisher: National Geographic Society

Imprint: National Geographic Children’s Books

Publication Date: 06 January 2015

Release Date: 14 December 2016

ISBN-10 1426319398

ISBN-13 978-1426319396

Reading Age: 4-6 years

Part of Series: National Geographic Readers Level 1

Grade level: Preschool – Kindergarten

Synopsis:

This book is geared towards children being able to Roar with Lions. It is an exciting reader with beautiful and engaging photos. It gives kids an opportunity to learn all about these majestic big cats. This Level One reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, which is perfect to encourage young scientists and explorers of tomorrow!

Review:

We borrowed this ebook from our local library via the Libby app. Lions has beautiful pictures of Lions that captivated Coleman’s attention. It is filled with fun and interesting facts about Lions. It is well suited for beginning readers with easy simple words for young readers to sound out enabling their ability to practice reading. The copy we borrowed turned out to be an audio book, however, sound can be paused for children to practice sounding out and reading short simple words and phrases. I really liked the ease of Lions ability to intrigue and captivate Coleman’s interest and the fun facts and pronunciation clues it provides.

Rating: Coleman’s rating – 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My Rating is also 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (stars).

National Geographic Kids Giraffes Level 1

Giraffes

Format: Ebook

Author: Laura Marsh

Publisher: National Geographic Society

Imprint: National Geographic Children’s Books

Publication Date: 12 July 2016

Release Date: 14 December 2016

ISBN-10 1426324480

ISBN-13 978-1426324482

Reading Age: 3-8 years

Part of Series: National Geographic Readers Level 1

Grade Level: Preschool-Kindergarten

Synopsis:

This book gives children an opportunity to explore the African savanna with giraffes. It is an exciting reader packed with beautiful and engaging photos. It gives kids an opportunity to learn all about these amazing animals. Just like in the National Geographic Kids Lions Level One, this reader is also carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!

Review:

National Geographic Kids Giraffes is fantastic for young readers capturing their interest with colourful images and interesting fun-filled facts is for young readers to understand. The words are simple and easy for beginner readers to read and it gives pronunciation hints for words they may not know already. Coleman loved listening and trying to read all about Giraffes.

Rating: Coleman’s rating – 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Rating: 5 Stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I recommend both Lions and Giraffes to anyone who has young children, beginner readers, and/or anyone who works with them. Every young reader will enjoy these books.

Posted in A Grandma’s Review, Book Review, Children’s Book, Coleman’s Perspective, Gaston County Library, Gastonia, North Carolina, Juvenile Fiction, Libby app | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments