Flyby Review: The Sparkle Box

I love, love, LOVE Christmas.  My family and friends give me a hard time about wanting to get ready for Christmas so early.  My husband usually holds me off from putting up decorations until the day after Thanksgiving.  A friend of mine said you'd better not stand still very long in my place, or I might hang an ornament on you.  So you can imagine my excitement when I received The Sparkle Box, a lovely Christmas book to review with my children a full two months before Christmas!!

The Sparkle Box is a simple story about taking some of the commercialism out of Christmas for our children, about learning how we can give something to Jesus for His birthday right here on earth.  I love doing service projects with my children and helping them learn to enjoy Christmas without all the materialism, and to remember the true meaning of Christmas, so I really loved this book.   And if you want to start your own "Sparkle Box" tradition in your own home, the Sparkle Box is included with the book!

I highly recommend this book for anyone with children ages 10 and under.  I read the book with all of my children so that they would know what the "Sparkle Box" under the tree was for, but I have to say that while my teenagers love Christmas traditions with which they've grown up, they are a bit cynical about starting new ones, especially those that involve a storybook.  My youngest, however, (age 8) was enthralled.  His eyes lit up when he saw the Sparkle Box inside.  "You mean they gave us our OWN Sparkle Box?  Do we get to KEEP it?!!"  This will be a fun project for him this Christmas, which hopefully will drive home an important lesson in a very tangible way.

If you would like an extra tool in your belt to teach your children about the meaning of Christmas without the materialism, may I suggest that you add The Sparkle Box into your holiday tradition.  Read the story right after Thanksgiving or around the beginning of December to start the season out on the right foot and to have plenty of time to fill your "Sparkle Box" before Christmas morning!

Of course, you can register here on the blog to win your free copy of The Sparkle Box in plenty of time for Christmas.  Leave a comment on this post or on my Facebook about a service project in which you are participating for the holidays (Thanksgiving or Christmas), or about something nice that has been done for you, by November 27.  Include an email address.  I will select a random winner and email you Thanksgiving Weekend!

About The Sparkle Box - A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas 

Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him. 

Written by Jill Hardie

Illustrated by Christine Kornacki

Available now!

Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages, with a fold-out sparkle box included!

ages 4 to 8 

Website: http://www.idealsbooks.com/The-Sparkle-Box-Jill-Hardie/dp/0824956478

 http://www.thesparklebox.com/buybook.aspx

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/49762666

Author Video: https://vimeo.com/49763494

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

#TheSparkleBox

Merry Christmas Early!  :-)

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November/December Issue TOS Magazine

Flyby Review: King's Faith

Eighteen foster homes. Nine arrests. One life-changing moment.

After Brendan King’s life spiraled to rock bottom, the teen found hope in a new relationship with Christ while serving time in a juvenile penitentiary. Recently released from prison, Brendan finds solace in the foster home of a couple struggling with suppressed grief.

As the city-bred teen enrolls at a suburban high school, he finds support from a group of believers. Yet the bonds of his old way of life—and the gang that wants to know where he hid their stash on a long-ago night—are strong. In his darkest moment, Brendan found faith. Now he must decide if it’s worth the price to hold on to it.

I recently received the DVD King's Faith to review for Flyby Promotions.  The story of a teen with a difficult past who found new life stirs emotion and raises good questions to discuss with teens and young adults.  The issues covered do face our teens today, and the movie provides a jumping board to launch into those discussions.  That said, while I did like the movie, I didn't love it.  My mother and I have both worked in Social Services, and having worked with teens like this, the story didn't ring true for me.  I don't know that the non-Christian teen who is living the described former life could relate to the path taken in the movie at all.  I discussed all this with my teen, wanting him to know realistic ways to reach out to people who are in trouble.

Please note: Film IS rated PG-13 for violence, drug content, and thematic events.  It definitely was not suitable for my preteens to watch.

If you are looking for entertaining movies with a Christian theme for teens, or if you would like to use this movie to engage your teenagers in discussion about drugs, abortion, etc., this may be a good movie for you.

To try out the movie for free, leave a comment on this blogpost or on my Facebook page.  I will choose a random winner for one copy of the King's Faith DVD next Thursday, November 14.

Watch the trailer/Visit the official website www.kingsfaith.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingsFaithTwitter: https://twitter.com/kingsfaith

Flyby Review: Can't-Wait Willow!

When my oldest son turned six, he realized that the onslaught of Lego kits he'd received (and built in a day) for Christmas and then for his February birthday had ended, and he had little hope of getting another Lego kit before the next December, which of course was an eternity to a six-year-old.  So he began asking for jobs to do to earn money.  We paid him for some jobs that amounted to approximately $3 per week, and we taught him to give 10% to the church and to save 10% in a bank account, leaving the remaining 80% for spending money.  In this way, he could save up spending money for a $20 Lego kit pretty close to every other month.  The problem was, money burned a hole in his pocket.  Every time he got a dollar, he wanted to buy candy or go to the dollar store.  It was very difficult for him to learn to save money for any length of time.

Has anyone else had this problem with their kids?  I'm pretty sure I'm not alone!

This past month we were given the wonderful opportunity to review the book Can't-Wait Willow by Christy Ziglar.  I haven't been signing up for many story-books lately, as my youngest has started reading chapter books, but the message of this book was very relevant for him, and it probably wouldn't hurt my teenagers to read it through a few times!  Recognize the author's last name?  Yes, she is the niece of motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, and she has also helped to develop a financial literacy program for 1st- and 2nd-graders.  Can't-Wait Willow does a wonderful job of showing kids that sometimes it is worth saying "no" to some small things that are good, so that they can later say "yes" to something great!

In this age of instant gratification and a "me" generation that wants everything handed to them on a silver platter, I highly recommend this delightful book for anyone with kids ages 2-8.  It would make a fantastic Christmas gift.

Want more good news?  I have a free copy of Can't-Wait Willow to give away on my blog!  Just leave a comment here or on my Facebook page, and I'll draw a random winner on Wednesday, November 13!

By the way, my teens are much better at saving their money these days.  If you are teaching a little one who can't seem to save, keep at it.  Financial training does pay off over time, and it is one of the best gifts you can give your children! 

About Shine Bright Kids:

The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a relevant framework to help instill solid values and teach the importance of making good choices. The series teaches principles including: using good judgment, taking responsibility, self-control, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.  Check out their website at www.ShineBrightKids.com for free reward charts, activities and other parenting resources.

About the Author:  

Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series. 

Christy is available for Q&A, author interviews, Skype calls, etc.!

The first book in the series:  Can't-Wait Willow!

Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great!

Find Can't-Wait Willow! at Barnes & Noble and other fine retailers, as well as http://www.idealsbooks.com

      Buy: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-wait-willow-christy-ziglar/1113298086?ean=9780824956486

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