the Review
Source
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A Bug
Collection Hermie & Friends Ages 4-7 Author - Max Lucado
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- Favorite Features -
- colorful illustrations
- strong messages on trusting God, God loves us just as we are and isn't finished with us yet, telling the truth, God is always with us and obeying God
- four favorite stories in one book
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Time for Bed
Author - Mem Fox Illustrator - Jane Dyer Ages 2-5 |
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- Favorite Features -
- board book format
- encourages animal recognition and quieting down for bed
- beautiful illustrations - lots of detail - very interesting with a mouse, goose, cat, cow, horse, fish, sheep, bird, bee, snake, dog deer and child all getting ready for bed
- encourages comfort, love and bed time
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Little Rabbit
and
the Meanest Mother on Earth Ages 4-7 Author - Kate Klise Illustrator - M. Sarah Klise |
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- Favorite Features -
- fun colorful illustrations
- big words add to the fun - Emporium of Odiferous Oddities and Ferocious!
- excellent message on obeying and cleaning your room
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Gossie Plays
Hide
& Seek Ages - 4-7 Author/Illustrator - Oliver Dunnea |
- Favorite Features -
- colorful illustrations
- pull tabs, textures, flaps and game, smells, squeaks - all add to the fun!
- encourages math skills and understanding of directions - up down, above, around, behind, beneath and over
- short, fun story
All the extras in this book make this not your typical book for children. Unique and fun this is a book children will enjoy! I like the educational aspects to this book - cleverly hidden in the text and with all the flaps, pull-tabs, etc. Extremely well done!
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Five Little
Monkeys Wash the Car Ages 2-5 Author/Illustrator - Eileen Christelow |
- Favorite Features -
- colorful illustrations
- sturdy board book format
- fun, illustrated story
- strong messages about working together to show creativity and solve your problem
| Giant Pop-Out | ||
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Ocean - A Pop-Out Surprise Book |
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Food
-
A Pop-Out Surprise Book |
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| Ages 2-5 | ||
- Favorite Features -
- each book has six pop outs
- colorful illustrations throughout
- descriptions and clues so children may find the answers to the questions
- encourages thinking and fun
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Just One Bite
Author - Lola Schaefer Illustrator - Geoff Waring Ages - 4-7 |
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- Favorite Features -
- amazing, colorful, interesting and fun illustrations - life size!
- features 11 animals and their "bites" at actual, real, life-size
- simple, interesting and educational text
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chicken BIG
Author/Illustrator - Keith Graves Ages 4-11 |
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- Favorite Features -
- funny story with excellent use of large, humongous words
- easy to engage little children in the story by asking questions . . . was the big chicken really a squirrel? Was he really a hippopotamus?
- funny illustrations fit the story well
- important lessons about not judging others
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Day & Night
Author - Teddy Newton Illustrator - Pixar Studios Ages 4+ |
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- Favorite Features -
- pictures set in black - unique and effective
- love the illustrations
- love the message
- great detail in limited illustrations adds to the fun
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Out of Sight
Pittau & Gervais |
- Favorite Features -
- 50 animals revealed under flaps with illustration and interesting information
- some pop-ups add to the fun
- looks at footprints, body features, coloring and markings to identify animals
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The Worst Case
Scenario Survival Handbook - Gross Junior Edition Authors - David Borgenicht, Nathaniel Marunas & Robin Epstein Illustrator - Chuck Gonzales Ages 7+ |
- Favorite Features -
- covers "gross" scenarios with the human body and at home, school and in the wild kingdom
- "bonus" extra information on the grossest human habits in history and gross practical jokes
- includes fast facts, things to be aware of and interesting information
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Remy the Rhino
Learns Patience Author/Illustrator - Andy McGuire Ages 1-5 |
- Favorite Features -
- fun illustrations
- simple story with humor - parents will appreciate
- strong messages about being patient, kind and joyful
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Big Scary
Monster Author/Illustrator - Thomas Docherty Ages - 3-5 |
- Favorite Features -
- colorful, interesting drawings
- simple story with an unexpected twist
- teaches important lessons about getting along, not being a bully, and big/small/distances
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Little Chimp's
Big
Day Author - Lisa Schroeder Illustrator - Lisa McCue Ages - 4-7 |
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- Favorite Features-
- beautiful, colorful illustrations
- I really like how the illustrations show the mama chimp is watching over her baby
- fun story with lot's of animals for children to learn about and enjoy
- encourages conversations about parent's presence and care as well as learning about new things
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Puff the Magic
Dragon Authors - Peter Yarrow & Leny Lipton Illustrator - Eric Puybaret Ages - 4-7 |
- Favorite Features -
- includes CD with song sung by Peter, his daughter Bethany and cellist Rufus Cappidocia
- Colorful, illustrations with muted shades
- encourages conversations about imagination and sharing memories with others as the illustrations show the boy grew up and did with his daughter!
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Man Gave Names
to All the Animals Author - Bob Dylan Illustrator - Jim Arnosky Ages - 4-7 |
- Favorite Features -
- beautiful illustrations throughout
- 170 animals to find throughout the book
- includes CD with Bob Dylan singing the song
- encourages learning about new animals and enjoying a beautiful book with others
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Little Critter's
The Night Before Christmas Author/Illustrator - Mercer Mayer Based on a Poem by Clement C. Moore Ages 4-7 |
- Favorite Features -
- colorful illustrations
- includes a CD of the story
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The Night Before
Christmas Author - Clement C. Moore Illustrator - Robert Ingpen Ages 3-7 |
- Favorite Features -
- includes a brief introduction with information on when Mr. Moore wrote this poem
- beautiful detailed illustrations
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Jingle-Jingle
Author/Illustrator - Nicola Smee Ages 2+ |
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- Favorite Features -
- sturdy board book format for little ones to enjoy
- colorful and fun illustrations
- simple and engaging text
| Sterling Biographies | ||
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Sacagawea
- Crossing the Continent with Lewis & Clark Author - Emma Carlson Berrie Pocahontas - a Life in Two Worlds Author - Victoria Garrett Jones Chief Joseph - the Voice for Peace Author - Lorraine Jean Hopping |
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| Ages - 8+ | ||
- Favorite Features -
- each book begins with a timeline of the person's life - excellent and interesting
- photos, paintings and drawings throughout
- draws from facts and records to tell the stories
- encourages conversations about amazing people in our country's history and the lessons we can learn from them
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Popular
Mechanics The Boy Mechanic Makes Toys Authors - the editors of Popular Mechanics It didn't give an age, but I'd recommend 8 and up |
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- Favorite Features -
- 159 + games, toys, tricks and other amusements for boys . . . and their dads . . . to enjoy!
- plans for magic tricks, fun projects, outdoor projects, toys for younger kids, toys for older kids and toy workshop plans
- each project includes directions, supplies and illustrations
- encourages following directions, learning to use tools, creativity, imagination and a sense of accomplishment
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Spectacular
Science Authors - Chris Smith and Dave Ansel didn't give an age, but I'd recommend 8 and up |
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- Favorite Features -
- 50 projects
- each project answers the question - "why does it work?"
- each project tells, "how it applies to the real world!"
- each project provides ideas on additional experiments to try
- each project includes supply list, step-by-step directions, photos and illustrations
- encourages creativity, imagination, learning to wonder and find out and an understanding of science
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Steve
Backshall's Deadly 60 Author - Steve Blackshall |
- Favorite Features -
- excellent photos throughout
- includes information on size, speed, weapons and deadly rating for each animal
- true accounts of interactions with each of the Deadly 60
- encourages curiosity and learning about wild animals
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Tap Tap Bang
Bang Author/Illustrator - Emma Garcia Ages 2-5 |
- Favorite Features -
- simple text
- colorful illustrations
- encourages tool recognition, sound recognition and guessing the ending/results
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The Church
History ABC's Author - Stephen J. Nichols Illustrator - Ned Bustard Ages - 3-6 |
- Favorite Features -
- introduces children/families to people throughout time and their role in church history
- unique way to teach the ABC's
- more information on each person in the back of the book
- timeline for the people covered in the book
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My Amazing
Alphabet Adventures CenterStage Books Ages 1-6 |
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- Favorite Features -
- personalize this book with a photo of your child and they will be featured throughout the book
- quality, heavy paper
- beautiful, deep, full color throughout
- child's photo and name appear on the cover and from cover to cover through the book
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Sounds of the
Wild: Birds Author - Maurice Pledger Paper Engineering by - Jonathan Lambert and Ruth Wickings Ages 5+ |
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- Favorite Features -
- pictures five habitats where you find birds - each one includes amazing pop-ups, bird sounds and descriptions
- each habitat is followed by a page identifying each bird with info on each bird
- habitats include - dawn chorus, moors and mountains, wetlands, desert and tropical rainforest
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Amazing
Airplanes Author - Gaby Goldsack Illustrator - Lee Montgomery Comic Strips by Anthony Williams Ages - 7+ |
- Favorite Features -
- features five airplane models - Bleriot Xl, Gee Bee, Northrop Gamma, Bell X-1 and the Grumman Goose
- includes historical photos, information, comics and diagrams
| A Classic Story Pop-Up Book with Sounds | ||
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The Wizard of Oz
Author - L. Frank Baum Illustrator - Paul Hess |
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Peter Pan Author - M. M. Barrie Illustrator - Paul Hess Retold by - Libby Hamilton Paper Engineering by - Andy Mansfield Ages 4+ |
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- Favorite Features -
- both of these books have five pop-ups, each with their own sounds to fit the story
- batteries are easily replaceable for years of fun
- fun pop-ups add to these favorite stories
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Spine Chillers
Mysteries three in one Author - Fred E. Katz Ages - 9+ |
- Favorite Features -
- Three full-length books in one
- each story encourages faith and trust in God and emphasizes there is no such thing as ghosts
- encourages Christian character, loving God, family and others
There is a big market today for "spine-chiller-type" books. Most of them are absolutely books children should not read; this book gives children the opportunity to read a "thriller" type book and yet be encouraged in their faith. Pre-teens will enjoy these books - older teens might find the stories a bit young for their tastes. Very nicely done!
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The Cooper
Kids Adventure Series Two in One Book Author - Frank Peretti Ages 9+ |
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- Favorite Features -
- stories are sure to keep kid's - and adult's - attention . . . may be too intense for younger readers
- encourages faith in and trust of God
Anyone who has ever read a Peretti story knows he is a master storyteller . . . and his adventure stories absolutely take you on an "adventure". The storylines can certainly be "out there" and strange, but they will keep you glued to the pages until you finish the stories! I do not recommend these stories for younger children or for children who are frightened easily, but for older elementary children and for teens they are sure to get their attention! Tremendously well done!
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Maisy's Book of Things That Go A Maisy First Science Book Author/Illustrator - Lucy cousins Ages - 2-5 |
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- Favorite Features -
- pull tabs and wheels to spin add to the fun and uniqueness of this book
- amazing pop-up on the final page - lot's of fun!
- covers walking, bicycling, sailing in a sail boat, riding a trolley, a train and a hot air balloon
- tells how things move
- colorful illustrations
I showed this book to a two year old
and when he realized the pictures
moved and more importantly, that he could make them move this book
became extremely interesting to him. I find the illustrations to be
colorful and fun and the information is excellent - great way to lay a
beginning understanding on how things
move! I love this book!
Tremendously well done!
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The Once Upon A Time Map
Book Author - B G Hennessy Illustrator - Peter Joyce Ages 6-10 |
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Favorite Features -
- six full color "maps" of Neverland with Peter Pan, the Land of Oz with Dorothy, Wonderland with Alice, the Giant's Kingdom with jack, Aladdin's kingdom with the Genie and the Enchanted Forest with Snow White
- each map includes points of interest, a key, directions to find your way through, treasure and hidden objects to find and danger to avoid
- colorful illustrations
- notes to parents and teachers
- encourages creativity, imagintaion and paying attention
This unique book takes you on a "journey" to "Once Upon A Time" places. Unique. Would be interesting and fun as a pop-up book. Extremely well done.
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The Goat of Many
Colors Get Me to the Ark on Time Author/Illustrator - Cuyler Black Ages 4-7 |
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- Favorite Features
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- fun, colorful illustrations
- I like the storyteller flamingo and his interrupter anteater - adds a fun element to the stories
- humor throughout
- strong messages on using your talents and forgiving as well as loving others
These are not really Bible storybooks, but they are fun and they do a good job of making a point and teaching it in a fun way children and parents will remember! I look forward to seeing more books from this author. Tremendously well done!
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Saint Training Author - Elizabeth Fixmer Ages - Teen Fiction |
- Favorite Features -
- interesting characters
- unique storyline
- quick read
I think girls today would be challenged to relate to this character as most families today do not have so many children, most moms work out of the home and not so many girls are interested in being nuns. However; I do think girls will find the book interesting to imagine what it may have been like to live in the tumultuous '60's. While we don't have a draft today, many families do have sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends who serve in the military so readers should be able to identify with the concerns Mary Clare has about her brother going to Vietnam. All in all this is an interesting book and will give the reader a lot to think about. Extremely well done.
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A Girl Named Mister Author - Nikki Grimes Ages - Teen Fiction |
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- Favorite Features -
- powerful story
- interesting characters
- unique format makes for a quick read
I like this book. This would be an excellent book for a mother and daughter to work through together and use to talk about the real issues of making a faith commitment to purity and what can happens in a moment of weakness. These characters are very real - in every community and church. Emotional and real this book is tremendously well done!
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Veggie Values: A Board Book Collection
Authors - Mike Nawrocki, Cindy Kenney, Karen Poth, Lisa Vischer, Mary Murray Ages 2-5 |
- Favorite Features -
- short, simple, fun stories with a point - to help teach children manners, helping, listening, sharing and more
- favorite Veggie Friends like Larry, Jr, Laura, Bob and the Peas add to the fun
- sturdy board books - great for little ones
- colorful and fun illustrations
Little ones will love these books with their Veggie friends and parents will appreciate the strong messages in the stories and the opportunities they provide to have important conversations with their children. Also make great gifts for grandparents to wrap individually and then allow their grandchildren to open a few days early - spread the fun out! Extremely well done!
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Backpack Bible |
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- Favorite Features -
- NIrV for ease of understanding
- 16 full-color Bible character illustrations throughout Bible - I love Dennis Jones' illustrations!
- includes a dictionary
- colorful duo-tone cover
- small, portable size
- includes a guide to great Bible stories
This is a great first "real" Bible for children who are beginning to read. I especially like the NIrV as it is easier for children to understand and the illustrations from Dennis Jones are a real "plus"! Parents or grandparents, personalize this Bible with a note to your child and it is sure to be a Bible they will treasure! Tremendously well done!
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The Three Wise Guys
Author - Mike Thaler Illustrator - Jared Lee Ages - 6-9 |
- Favorite Features -
- story makes the point that we need to choose to follow Jesus, the Light of the World
- retells the Christmas account with humor
- excellent use of humor and sarcasm throughout
- interesting illustrations
Fun new book with a unique "twist" on telling the familiar Christmas account in a book about a pageant with a "twist"! Extremely well done!
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The Berenstain Bears
& The Joy of Giving
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- Favorite Features -
- return of loved familiar characters
- retells the Christmas account
- strong message about being a joyful giver
- colorful illustrations
- includes application questions and activities in the back of the book
The Berenstain Bears have been a favorite for years for good reason! Children will be able to identify with brother and sister bear and the challenge they have to be joyful givers. Parents will appreciate the opportunity this book gives them to have important conversations with their children about this topic and will find the questions and activities in the back of the book helpful. Extremely well done!
| I Love You This Much Authors - Lynn Hodges and Sue Buchanan Illustrator - John Bendall Brunello Ages - 6 and under |
- Favorite Features -
- includes a CD with the lullaby
- strong message of a parent's love for their child and how it is like God's love for us
- I like the part of the song that is sung by Mary Peyton - would prefer to have the entire song sung by Mary
- beautiful illustrations
This book is a perfect choice for a bedtime routine story - colorful illustrations and encouraging text are sure to make it a favorite of young children! Extremely well done!
| Papa's Pastries Author - Charles Toscano Illustrator - Sonja Lamut Ages - 4-7 |
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- Favorite Features -
- beautiful illustrations
- strong messages about the value of being kind and helping others
- beautiful story of God's love and provision for us
Touching and powerful the message in this book is one we all need to know! I love how the papa models generosity and compassion as well as trusting God! Tremendously well done!
Harper Collins Publishing
www.harpercollins.com
| I Am the Dog Author - Daniel Pinkwater Illustrator - Jack E. Davis Ages - 4-8 |
- Favorite Features -
- colorful, fun illustrations
- funny, goofy story - except for the part about the child eating "kibble"
- encourages imagination and pretending
I enjoyed this book and the playful, goofiness, but really would have preferred that the child in the story did not eat dog food. Other than that, it is a fun story children and their parents will enjoy reading together! Extremely well done!
| I Didn't Do It
Authors - Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest Illustrator - Katy Schneider Ages - 4-8 |
- Favorite Features -
- lovely illustrations
- enjoyable dog "perspectives"
I found the illustrations in this book to be absolutely enjoyable - such cute dogs! Some of the "perspectives" are better than others, but all in all this is a book anyone who loves dogs is sure to enjoy! Extremely well done!
| Fancy Nancy & the Delectable Cupcakes
Author - Jane O'Connor Illustrator - Robin Preiss Glasser Ages - 4-8 |
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- Favorite Features -
- "I Can Read Level 1 Beginning Reader" book
- great lessons on listening in this fun story
- fancy big words - list in the back of book
- fun illustrations we have come to love
I love "Fancy Nancy" stories and this one is sure to delight any Nancy fan! I especially like how in the story Nancy takes responsibility for not listening rather than trying to "blame" someone or something else. Great story with excellent lessons for parents to talk about with their children! Tremendously well done!
| The Chronicles of Narnia -
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Author - C. S. Lewis Special Read-Aloud Edition Illustrated by - Pauline Baynec Original Novels Unabridged on CD |
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- Favorite Features -
- Original Novels includes all seven books in one - perfect for the Narnia fan
- CD is performed by Derek Jacobi - I liked his presentation except for the voices of Reeipicheep the Mouse and for Lucy.
- CD includes interactive bonus materials
With the release of 21 Century Fox/Walden Media's Voyage of the Dawn Treader, these books and the CDs make excellent gifts for the Narnia fan on your list! Also make wonderful family gifts as they are sure to be enjoyed by the entire family! Tremendously well done!
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Apologetics
Study
Bible for Students |
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- Favorite Features -
- HCSB for ease of understanding and accuracy in translation
- Articles with answers to 120 most asked questions of Christian faith
- study notes throughout
- twisted scriptures - 60 passages most commonly distorted by cults - excellent info!
- bones and dirt - key archaeological finds
- quotes to encourage, challenge and motivate
- challenges and tactics to help you
- personal stories and 20 fast facts
- introduction to each book of the Bible with time lines
Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated Oct. 31, 2010
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at LyndaFreeman@thereviewsource.net
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