Congratulations, you’ve successfully potty-trained your child! They can run to the potty, pull down their pants and do their thing. However, just maybe, there is some fine-tuning that needs to take place. Maybe your child is afraid to flush, doesn’t wipe or wash heir hands, leaves the door open, or a multitude of other pottying misdemeanors. What to do? Your shelves hold the standard potty-training books, but where’s the sequel; the follow-up title that leads to mastering all the finer points of using the toilet? Welcome to Potty Animals: What to Know When You’ve Gotta Go!

Written in rhyme punctuated by emphatic statements, author Hope Vestergaard sneakily invites young children to correct the potty mistakes that a group of preschool or early elementary aged animals make in their toileting habits. Freddie the rabbit is afraid to flush, Helga the duck lallygags, Georgie won’t wipe, and Farley won’t close the door! Not only that, but there’s an entire crew of tiny critters who exhibit a wide range of potentially embarrassing and unhealthy habits that must be curbed!

Illustrator Valeria Petrone’s comical, clothed critters are caught in the act – barging Benji is suddenly surprised when someone barges in on him for a change, Stanley is spotted tinkling on his shoe as he pees outside behind a tree, and Ziggy’s zipper is left embarrassingly open. There’s no doubt what these critters are up to, with pants pulled down and perched on the potty, however Petrone does use tactful positioning of books and other elements to avoid embarrassment for young readers and their parents.

When I flipped open Potty Animals with my children I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I hadn’t pre-read this title, and just dove in. I can’t honestly remember a time that I’ve laughed so hard reading a picture book. This is such a funny, frank, and age-appropriate way to delve into these issues. Just thinking about Benji the barger cracks me up every time – you really need to check this title out for yourself!

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I’ve been a fan of Kay Marshall Strom’s work since reading Once Blind, her novelization of John Newton’s life from slave trader to abolitionist (think “Amazing Grace.”) Regardless of whether you read Strom’s works of fiction or non-fiction, her heart for freedom, justice, and the respect of persons from all nations shines through.

In The Call of Zulina, the first in a new series of historical fiction —Grace in Africa — Strom transports us to Africa in the late 1700s. Grace Winslow is the daughter of an English sea captain and African princess, caught between two cultures and living a sheltered life. Having come to age largely unaware of her family’s involvement in the slave trade and its harsh realities, Grace encounters it first hand at the slave fortress Zulina, following her escape from the family compound and an odious betrothal.

Swept into the midst of a desperate slave rebellion, Grace finds herself forced to confront both the tragedies of the slave trade in Africa, the complicity of her mother and other Africans, and her own unknowing contribution to the plight of her new companions. Strom’s writing is vivid and irresistible. The pacing is excellent, and, like Grace, I found myself inexorably pulled along by the action swirling around me as I read.

Some of the moments of high-drama seem a bit clichéd, but that sense of no-turning-back choices and intense declarations lend the book a big-screen movie production feel; I’d love to see this title appear on the big screen. Likewise, some of Strom’s characters seem a bit too typecast. Grace’s mother, for example, is pure evil, willing to sacrifice her child without a moment’s thought for her own purposes. As a mother I found it unbelievable that there wasn’t any conflict present in her choices, as there was in those of Joseph Winslow.

The Call of Zulina can certainly be classified as Christian fiction, but Strom integrates considerations of faith carefully, mainly questioning how those who claim to know God can live in ways that sanctify cruelty. The faith of the Winslow’s house slave Mama Muco and its influence on Grace’s perspective also play some role in the storyline, but there’s no clear presentation of the gospel.

While there are some very slight hints at romance as Grace’s admiration for the powerful leader Cabeto grows, the novel’s forward momentum is carried by the search for freedom that unites Grace with the Africans imprisoned at Zulina. The blending of a diverse array of African cultures lends authenticity and additional depth to The Call of Zulina.

It’s exciting to read a well-penned novel set outside of the typically European and American settings predominant in Christian historical fiction. Anyone with an interest in the history of slavery -– particularly at ground zero –- will find The Call of Zulina a passionately written title that keeps interest high from start to finish.

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Inspired by the work of Dr. M.A. Thomas in India, Julie Ferwerda enthusiastically embraced his God-given vision of sending out One Million Arrows (children trained to reach the nations with the gospel) into the world. While Thomas has been faithfully laboring to raise abandoned and orphaned children for the Lord while training them for future roles in ministry and evangelism, Ferwerda has expanded this vision to include our own biological children here in North America, and any whose lives we may touch through giving.

Ferwerda both encourages families to raise their children whole-heartedly for missions and ministry, while examining the impact that families can have mission-ally and financially as they seek to reach the world for Jesus. Recent years have seen a huge re-evaluation of the approaches used to impart discipleship upon children. Increasingly parents are turning away from reliance upon formal church ministries and embracing visions of family discipleship within their homes. Author Julie Ferwerda offers a unique approach to creating a family on fire for the great commission in One Million Arrows.

One of my favorite portions of the book was the inclusion of the paths different families have taken to raise their children with a passion for Christ. Many homeschooling families have shared their stories and the fruit their children’s lives have borne. Likewise, the stories of many orphans who have been raised in Christian homes with a heart for ministry are also shared along with some of their impact upon the world.

Ferwerda’s passion is unmistakable, but at times her message of spreading the gospel through the lives of children who have been abandoned and consequently raised in Christian homes seems a bit cold. There is little discussion of God’s heart for placing orphans in families (regardless of whether they reach the world for Christ), the tender joys of adoption, or even the delights of parenthood. Her tight focus on raising children with hearts for evangelism does at times give an all-business, no-nonsense, raise ‘em up, get ‘em out, feel to her work.

With such a strong emphasis on numbers, I’m surprised that a strong emphasis on bearing more children and adopting more children into our families wasn’t included in One Million Arrows. Though Ferwerda does briefly mention the possibility of having more children oneself, it’s a one-sentence statement. She then focuses mainly upon financial support to international orphan ministries (100% of the book’s proceeds are designated towards such ministries.) An excellent resource section at book’s end provides an abundance of ministries to investigate for charitable giving.

Though I’m already somewhat familiar with the principles of family discipleship, reading One Million Arrows gave fresh inspiration, and a renewing of my vision for our family. It is so easy to become distracted in this temporal life, but Ferwerda keeps us focused on those things that have eternal value, and encourages us to run the race with both perseverance and joy.

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Andrea (Andi) Carter is a headstrong, active young girl (a bit of a tomboy in truth) living in the 1880s in California on her family’s ranch – the Circle C. Filling her days with chores, fun in the outdoors, and time spent with her beloved palomino Taffy isn’t enough to keep her out of trouble, however. When this twelve-year-old’s disobedience heralds a possible removal from the farm and her horse, she takes matters into her own hands and runs away from home.

After a horrifying encounter with a horse thief she resolves to find Taffy before heading home. Finding refuge with a Mexican family who serves as traveling agricultural laborers, Andi works as one of them while she spends any spare time tracking her horse. Soon there is much more at risk than recovering her steed when she falls into the hands of a malicious young girl who is bent on having what Andi holds dear.

Our family began reading the Circle C Adventures series (or the Andi books as we soon began to call them) aloud at bedtime when my oldest daughter was five. Though intended for the 9 – 12 year-old age range as an independent reading chapter book, we found Susan K. Marlow’s prose a wonderful choice for our family. Featuring excellent, high-quality prose, and an invigorating storyline, Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home quickly became a story we couldn’t get enough of.

Filled with suspense, and truly dangerous situations, there were moments when I was uncertain if my little girl could weather the exciting and intense situations Andi found herself in. She sailed through, though clearly concerned for our heroine, and Andi became a new favorite character in our home.

Written from a Christian worldview, Andi’s troubles are underscored by her growing reliance on the Lord to see her through the difficulties that are a result of her poor choices. Andi’s decisions have clear negative repercussions that she learns to be responsible for, despite her initial tendency to shirk disciplinary consequences. Clean language, a romance-free storyline, a likeable character who learns and grows, and truly wonderful writing set The Long Ride Home heads and shoulders above typical chapter book series aimed at this age range.

As a homeschooling mother herself, Marlow has found that the Andi books have proven popular with homeschoolers. Her rich use of language adds depth and intelligence to her work while gently expanding vocabulary skills. A downloadable 22-page study guide written by he author further explores the historical setting of the book, geography, cowboy life, and more. Lapbooks have also been developed to correspond with the series for added educational benefit.

With the timeless combination of a girl and her horse, and the exciting adventure elements, this title – and the series in general – are an excellent choice for families with both boys and girls.

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We all have them. Those moments when we become overwhelmed by the expectations (both external and internal), the pressure, the idealistic yet unachievable schedules and curriculum plans. Maybe you’ve just read The Well-Trained Mind and are wondering if you can really make homeschooling work. What if your child doesn’t read by four, tackle Latin by eight, or develop an enduring love for “The Great Conversation.”

Or what if you don’t look like the “perfect homeschooling family” -– your clothes aren’t all hand-made and coordinating, your children can’t play the violin, and your house is certainly not pristine on most days. If these comparisons stress you out, if you wonder if you are just not made for homeschooling, quickly -– get a dose of Sonya Haskins’ Homeschooling for the Rest of Us.

Anything but a prescription for the “perfect homeschool” (as if such a thing exists) -– Haskins’ accessible, short work of encouragement (172 pages) delivers much needed encouragement to relax and enjoy homeschooling. A relaxed homeschooler herself, Haskins tackles many of the common concerns and areas of inquiry that homeschoolers both new and experience face on a regular basis. Each subject area is filled with her wisdom as a veteran-homeschooling parent of five, giving just enough detail to inspire and encourage before moving on to the next topic.

Haskins gives us the low-down on living in a very messy house while also providing suggestions for chore assignments, she shares with usreal schedules from homeschoolers balancing life and education, gives advice on character training, and helps us think through the issues of socialization. This sort of down-to-earth, realistic, caring hand of help from the trenches is just what so many of us need to read. Another feature I loved were the sidebars including thoughts from homeschooling parents worldwide about their challenges, learning moments, and the fruit they’ve seen -– all encouraging manageable, realistic approaches to home educating.

Homeschooling for the Rest of Us isn’t promoting a particular educational agenda (though the author is Christian, and that shines through), learning style, curriculum, or program -– you’ll still have to do your own research, What this book does do is encourage us to examine what really works, the basic foundation of homeschooling, and to make plans that are uniquely our own -– plans that will work for our families.

I’m putting Homeschooling for the Rest of Us on my list of books to re-read annually. Its manageable length and word of encouragement is incredibly valuable -– particularly around curriculum planning and homeschool convention time. When you’re tempted to over-plan, over-perfect, over-worry, and over-stress, this is truly a precious volume to have on hand.

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Susie Larson’s Embracing Your Freedom is a devotional that goes further and deeper than any other devotional for women that I’ve read. Written with a passion for living life in Christ in freedom and a heart for justice for the enslaved and abused, Larson deftly juxtaposes personal spiritual development with global social justice. Going far beyond the materialistic, give me more stuff, make my life comfortable devotionals that continue to pop up like toadstools in night soil, Larson gustily calls women to a life that matters.

Each of the four major sections begins with a true-life story of a woman in captivity, a woman who has escaped her bonds through the intervention of concerned believers and is now standing in freedom. Each of the 24 chapters begins with reflections upon striving towards liberty in our spiritual lives, believing in God’s work in us, and striving for more of Him.

Larson then deftly turns her pen to the correlations between our own search for freedom here in the west and the much more desperate struggle against physical slavery and imprisonment that is more wide spread than ever before. Each chapter closes with an empowering, faith-filled prayer for us and for those in captivity and an in-depth study session.

These study sessions are amongst the meatiest I’ve seen in any Christian title outside of full-blown Bible studies. Larson asks us to read through passages of scripture, engage in self-examination, write prayers, memorize scripture, and more. This isn’t a journey you can blaze through, and is one that you’ll likely return to more than once.

Deeply involved with the work of International Justice Mission (IJM), Larson bases much of her first-hand discoveries of justice-in-the-making and stories of newly found freedom from actual IJM cases. In fact, 50% of the author’s royalties are being donated to IJM to secure justice for those still awaiting rescue.

I highly recommend Embracing Your Freedom; powerfully written, inspiring, informative, and truly a blessing that points towards a life that’s more full of Christ than ourselves, this is one you shouldn’t miss out on.

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Our family loves picture Bibles, and in a home filled with children ranging from one to six years old, it’s pretty easy to see why. The Big Picture Story Bible is both one of the more substantial picture Bible’s we own while also somewhat paradoxically being one of the shortest in length. With 453 hardcover bound pages and measuring around 9 x 9 inches, The Big Picture Bible is big.

Not only is this popular children’s Bible filled with big pictures, but it also focuses on the big picture of God’s over-arching plan for redemption through His Son that is present from beginning to end of the Bible. Focusing on the themes of Jesus’ Kingship, God’s holy book, and God’s special place, young children are given a fly-by voyage through the sections of scripture that best illuminate these themes.

Retold in author David Helm’s words in an easy-to-read font and vocabulary at a grade 2/3 level, this Bible is easy for the two-and-three-year-old crowd to understand and dig into when read aloud, as well as being simple for early readers to move through under their own steam.

One of my favorite aspects about this Bible is that Helm skillfully depicts the endless disobedience of God’s people, his loving discipline, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit to finally change the hearts of God’s chosen people. Scripture references aren’t provided for the 26 parts of this title, which is likely because of the huge sweep across time

The Big Picture Story Bible is easy to read through quickly to provide small children with some ‘hooks’ for future biblical knowledge. Whenever I came to the end of a section, my little ones asked for another, and another; each part can be read aloud in approximately 15-20 minutes. Helm integrates questions into the text that ask children what they think is going to happen next, and prompt them to remember events that have already occurred. My daughter’s love contributing their thoughts, so this was one of their favorite parts of our daily readings.

My oldest daughter is more familiar with the full body of Bible stories and the details associated with them, so she was disappointed when her favorite details and stories were skipped over in this overview. She’d suddenly announce, “Hey, that’s not fair! They just skipped the part about the golden calf!” as we read about Moses and the Ten Commandments. Helm does write in broad sweeps and leaves much uncovered – if your children are really into detail, this likely isn’t the best choice for you, but for preschoolers unfamiliar with the larger plan and scope of salvation, this is a friendly, engaging option.

Illustrator Gail Shoonmaker’s brings the text to life with large, loose watercolors with clearly delineated pencil borders. They created a lot of interest for my younger children, who were always asking what was going on in the pictures. The jewel-toned paintings feature some great points-of-view, showing worshippers looking up to heaven as though from God’s perspective looking down, of those surrounding the cross as though from the perspective of Christ, and so on. The characters are depicted in mainly Caucasian skin tones (always a annoyance), and the highly stylized hair on some people was a bit distracting. Those two points aside, we all greatly enjoyed Shoonmaker’s work that so enlivens the simple text.

The Big Picture Story Bible is a great choice for parents of children with short attention spans who are just cutting their teeth on picture Bibles. With an average of four sentences on each page, and lots to look at visually, there’s no way little ones will lose interest as the story proceeds. My children always scamper over to the couch when I open its pages, and I’m sure yours will too.

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Ever notice that the most beloved playthings in your home aren’t those that offer close-ended play opportunities (branded dolls for example), but rather every-day items that lend themselves to a variety of imaginary scenarios? Children seize the most mundane articles in order to recreate the world around them through play, which is indeed the work of a child.

Wiggle Giggle Tickle Train captures and celebrates this tender developmental stage by interspersing colorful photographs of life alongside soft illustrations of children relating to those images through play. Sharon Jennings’ rhyming text uses action-filled words to describe these flights of fancy.

Jennings’ rhyming scheme is not always uniform throughout the book, however, and sometimes the rhyming words are a bit of a stretch, “fast” and “laugh” for example. Due to this, the rhyming stanzas on each page aren’t as rhythmic or engaging as they could be.

There can be no doubt, however, that the delicate artwork of Wiggle Giggle Tickle Train appeals to preschoolers. From the moment my three-year-old spotted the cover she cried, “Can we get that book mommy?” Nora Hilb’s cheerful watercolor and colored pencil illustrations of children engaged in common acts of creative play resonate and appeal to all of the children in our home.

My toddler loves to sit on my knee as I read her this charming title, and I even find my six-year-old peeking over at the book from time to time, taking delight from the depictions of common childhood play. My little ones don’t seem as interested in the words I’m reading to them as much as they are captivated by the sight of a variety of children of varying genders, skin tones, and sizes immersed in the world of play.

As an adult, I’ll admit that I don’t quite find Wiggle Giggle Tickle Train as appealing as they do (though it is cute), but Hilb and Jennings obviously know what they’re doing, because they’ve certainly won the interest of my little ones.

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If you squirm a little inside when you read the title Pure Pleasure, you’re in good company. As the subtitle of Gary Thomas’ accessible treaties on the biblical role of pleasure in a believer’s life suggests, many of us have –- perhaps unknowingly –- adopted an attitude of ascetic martyrdom that is never suggested or recommended in the word of God. However, if you’re willing to put your discomfort and hesitations aside for a moment, Thomas is ready to redirect misguided pleasure avoiders into a balanced and godly understanding of the delights God has in store for us in this life and how they can draw our hearts closer to His.

Pure Pleasure arrived in my life at a time when I had begun to question the lack of joy, the lack of laughter, the lack of, yes -– pleasure -– in the lives of many of my brothers and sisters (and myself in some areas.) Not only was there a desert, but there was actually fear surrounding the prospect of allowing delight into the Christian life. Where was the room for rejoicing? For the jubilant celebration that Jesus calls us to? Not only was I asking this question about others around me, but of myself as well.

I’m always naturally cautious when a book so vigorously defends a certain aspect of the Christian life, and not having read any of Thomas’ work in the past I wondered if perhaps his was a new form of Christian hedonism -– I’m so glad that it’s not. In fact, Pure Pleasure is hands-down the most balanced, biblical perspective on the proper role of delight that I’ve ever encountered, whether by book, sermon, or informal times of fellowship.

Thomas writes accessibly, peppering his ponderings with personal illustrations from his own life’s journey and the thoughts of respected Christian thinkers from times past. He turns to the word of God apart from man-made, extra-biblical legalisms to examine what it truly says. Watch out -– Thomas realizes that he’s likely stomping on some toes, but he trudges forward in any case. I greatly appreciate his courage.

One’s response to the title of this book can easily enough determine if you would benefit from reading it (I believe most Christians would.) If you shy away from the prospect of pleasure or delight as having a positive, healthy role in your life and the title makes you wince -– even a little bit, on the inside –- I highly recommend you read this work. If you shout in acclamation, “Yes, I’m all about pleasure, there’s nothing I can’t do now that I’m redeemed, it’s open season on sensation!” I also recommend you read this work. Neither extreme is a healthy condition; Thomas helps to gently guide us back into joyful moderation through honest, tradition-free examination of the scriptures.

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You can find more about Gary Thomas at his website.  Read more reviews from other tour participants here.

Originally published in 1944, historical novelist Margaret Irwin’s Young Bess is slated for republication in early March through the Sourcebooks Landmark imprint which resurrects notable vintage titles. Having been reprinted several times since its original publication,Young Bess remains an exquisitely captivating look into the life of the young Princess Elizabeth.

Since my first viewing of Cate Blanchett’s moving portrayal of the young Queen in Elizabeth (2001) I have been unable to shake a growing interest in the life of this incredibly memorable woman. Young Bess gives readers an immaculate researched look into the life of this unforgettable woman from her young childhood through to the age of 19, when her brother, King Edward, died. This first installment in Irwin’s trilogy focuses mainly upon Elizabeth’s life between the ages of 13 and 16, highlighting the many political and romantic tensions that shaped her coming of age.

From the first few pages of Young Bess it immediately becomes apparent that this is not a contemporary novel – I’ve never read historical fiction like this from a modern author. Readers are plunged into an intricate cast of characters from nobility through to tutors, governesses, and whipping boys. Those not intimately familiar with the time period will need some time to adjust to the cast, and indeed, a second read-through may be in order once everything is sorted from the first time through.

Irwin clearly delights in the nuances of the not-yet stabilized English language of the 1500s, and is quick to include quotations from period songs, poetry, and selections of actual correspondence between the historical characters as appropriate. Though I’m no Elizabethan historican, Young Bess bears all the markings of a faithful portrayal of girl who would be queen.

Irwin’s desire to include the political and religious conflicts, alliances, and issues of the day also leads her to do much expository ‘telling’ rather than the ever-vaunted ‘showing’ that is so valued in contemporary fiction. There can be pages of these explanations, and yet, she also captures the imagination and sweeps readers into the intimate world of Elizabeth’s very nature, and those whose lives most affected her own young one.

With growing inclusions of explicit sensuality and occult references in general market historical fiction, some readers may be leery of the genre in general. While romantic tension (some kissing), and some small amount of period-appropriate cursing and oaths are included in the text, this is a clean but passionately written novel. Parents looking for an Elizabeth novel for their children should be aware that much of the content revolves around the budding love between the young Princess and the Lord Admiral, Tom Seymour – an older (mid-thirties to her mid-teens), and at times married man.

I’m thankful to Sourcebooks Landmark for keeping Irwin’s work in print; her portrayal of this complicated, old-before-her-time girl child is striking and unforgettable.

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