Soap Crafting - Step-by-Step Techniques for Making 31 Unique Cold-Process Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola

Book description: - The Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola, shows you how to make perfect cold-process soap that is better than what you can buy at the store! Simple instructions and great photography walk you through every step of 31 exciting recipes, making it easy to master the techniques you need and produce the soaps you want. You'll find chapters on colors (neon, oxides, mica), molds (milk jugs, yogurt containers, pipes), food (pumpkin, coffee, beer, avocado, oatmeal), and building (embedding soap in soap, funnel pour, swirling). Faiola offers everything you need to make your own soap, safely and enjoyably!

My very first experience on handmade soap making was about 1 year ago. I got to know few mothers who shared with us on this beautiful art and since then, I have fallen in love with it. For a person who used to bake regularly, soap making to me is just as fun as baking. I can decide what kind of soap that I want to make, what shape, what kind of color, pattern etc. Just like decorating a cake, it's entirely up to your own creativity. 

Soap making is actually difficult at all. It's a delightful hobby, and with the many benefits of the handmade soap, it's definitely worth making the soap for your own usage. Actually, handmade soap are getting more and more popular nowadays, especially with many home makers doing it as business selling handmade soap to families and friends. It's easy to make your own soap. I know few friends who making this at home through self learning. 

Soap Crafting - Step-by-Step Techniques for Making 31 Unique Cold-Process Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola, is a very good book especially for a newbie in soap making. It explains the soap making techniques and the safety guidelines (this is very important!), the equipment needed and tutorial on how to make a basic cold compressed soap. There are few soap making techniques but this book is more focus on the cold compressed method of the soap making technique. Besides soap making techniques and equipment, it also explains on the oil choices in soap making. Different kind of oils and its benefits are explained in details, allowing us to decide what oils to used in our soap depending on our purpose and needs for that particular batch of soap. 

Making a cold compressed soap is actually very simple. It's just like baking, where you mix, cook and whip. This book provides detail steps, along with the picture to guide you from beginning until the end. It also has tips inserted in the right place. And most importantly, there is this Soap Safely section to remind you, on preserving the safety during the soap making process. As one of the main ingredients in cold-process soap is sodium hydroxide, also called as lye. Lye is a caustic material commonly used to clean drains, brine lutefisk. Dry lye, or lye water, and fresh soap is harmful to our skin, our eyes. Thus it is important for us to have the necessary safety precautions when dealing with lye. And throughout the whole book, the safety precautions are being reminded to the readers again and again. 


When it comes to soap crafting, color and fragrances can't be excluded. There's a chapter explaining the colorants, and another chapter on using essential oils and fragrance oils. Included in the book is also 31 cold-process recipes, showing how the author plays with the colors, patterns and molds in soap crafting.

Picture of the soaps available in this book. Love the beautiful swirl patterns shared by the author! 

I like the way the author presented the recipes. The step-by-step guides is simple and easy to follow. For each of the recipe, the purpose and benefits of the soap are clearly stated. Any preparation that needed to be done prior to making the soap mixture are explained. Pictures along the step-by-step guide, and details explanation on how to pour and swirl to make the desired patterns. 

Whether if you are looking for trying a new hobby on soap making, or wanted to learn more on creating different patterns and designs on soap making, this book is definitely for you. 


Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Big Book of Bible Stories by Phil A. Smouse

Title:        My Big Book of Bible Stories SubTitle:  Bible Stories! Rhyming Fun! Timless Truth for Everyone! Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc. Imprint:    Barbour Books Pub Date: 10/01/2011 ISBN:       9781616262372 Author:     Phil A. Smouse If your kids love Dr. Seuss, they’re sure to enjoy My BIG Book of Bible Stories—17 favorite stories, featuring hilarious rhymes and bright, fun illustrations, for preschoolers through early readers. Brand-new from award-winning author and illustrator Phil A. Smouse, My BIG Book of Bible Stories includes clever retellings of key scriptures, from Creation, Adam and Eve, and Jonah through the New Testament stories of the Good Samaritan, Jesus and Nicodemus, and Peter. My BIG Book of Bible Stories is perfect for reading to younger children, while early readers will enjoy working through the brightly-colored pages all by themselves. About the author Phil Smouse has written and illustrated numerous books for children, including Jesus Wants All of Me, an award‐winning adaptation of My Utmost for his Highest. But, he says, “Despite my best efforts to fabricate an impressive résumé, other than the books, etc., I’m just Daddy.” Phil and his wife have two children and live in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

This is a paperback book with 256 pages. I would say each story is given sufficient attention and details that it is not too brief and yet not too much for the little one to understand the full story. Each story rhymes. So it is easy to read. I like the illustration in this book, big and clear picture with vibrant color. Usually half or 2/3 of the page is filled with picture. And yet the text is not too small. I enjoy reading it to my kids at night before bedtime. And they love the story too and fascinated by beautiful illustration. It is a good gift book to give to young children.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Brotherhood Book Review and Give Away

Boone Drake always wants to put away the gang members. This is the reason he become one of the Chicago Police Office and working hard rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, so that he can land in the Organized Crime Division.

Boone has a beautiful and supportive wife, and a young son. When his probationer period is over and his raise kicks in, he proceeds to get his family a house. Everything is going as per his plan, everything seems so perfect. Until one day, a tragedy destroyed his perfect world. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy. Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. Then he started to search how to communicate with God, he started to pray.

The Brotherhood is a realistic fiction story. It could happen to any family. It is also a story about healing and letting go. Boone did not give up his life, his career. He was struggling to let go what had happen to his family, and find ways to reconnect back with the God. He was sad but he did not let the sadness overtake him. The book reveals many Boone’s feelings and thoughts. It made me view the world through the eyes of Boone Drake.

Again, the book made me think a lot. I was crying when I read what happened to Boone. I cannot imagine if same thing happen to me. But I always believe things happen for reasons. It's our destiny. And if it happens, I will learn to accept it and move ahead. Life still needs to move on. The way how Boone reconnect back to God, to have the faith to God again actually intrigues me. And also how the God affects the most vicious gang leader Chicago through his mother telling me that God can change the hardest heart and forgive the worst of crimes. The Brotherhood is the first in a police trilogy. I'm looking forward for the second book.

The Brotherhood is written by Jerry Jenkins. Jerry B. Jenkins is the most prolific and highest-selling evangelical novelist of our time. He is the author of more than 175 books, including the 63,000,000-selling Left Behind series. Asked how he is able to write so much, Jenkins says, “I don’t sing or dance or preach. This is all I do.” Jenkins moved to the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village as a teen where his father served as police chief from 1963 to 1979. In addition, Jenkins has two brothers who were career law enforcement officers. His knowledge of a cop’s life and his familiarity with Chicago has enabled Jenkins to write his first police thriller with a voice of authenticity. He himself actually worked briefly as an undercover narc in the early 1970s. Jenkins and his wife Dianna now live in Colorado and have three grown sons and six grandchildren. Visit Jenkins blog and website at www.jerryjenkins.com.







Win yourself a copy of The Brotherhood

Good book is meant for sharing, right? I'm hosting a giveaway for a free copy of this book (courtesy from Tyndale House Publishers). To participate, leave a comment to this post that you want to join the giveaway. This giveaway is open to all readers (international included)!  It will run until midnight (12am GMT +8) on February 20th. Winner will be picked randomly from Random.org.

You may also purchase this book from any consumer site such as Amazon.com or ChristianBook.com. For more information please visit www.tyndale.com.

Note: I received the eBook free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I read, I think, I share

I have been reading really a lot lately. PC time has been reduced to minimum and most of the personal time I have is spent on reading books. Usually I can finish reading one book within 2 weekday nights. I read after sending the kids to bed.


With internet, it is very easy to get free eBook to read. However some of them come with condition - writing review. I do not want to flood this blog with many book reviews, whether it is due to obligation, or just because I want to share a good book. Except those that I must post here, I have decided to write the book reviews on another blog - I read, I think, I share. It is also serves as a record, of the books that I have read (though not all). Since I read mostly eBook, if you are interested on any of those, welcome to ask a copy from me.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible by Sam Butcher

This is a very nice children book - hardcover, beautifully illustrated, and large print. It is a very beautiful keepsake. It has a presentation and family record section, where you can write your name, family tree, church record and My favorite things. It has 4 sections - Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom section, More Stories of the Faith section and lastly is the Songs and Prayers section.

The stories are taken from the International Children's Bible. All stories are simple and easy to read, and mostly not more than 3 pages including illustration. It is great for morning devotions, nap-time, or bedtime stories. This book is recommended for ages 4 to 7. Besides the children, I myself like this book very much. It helps me to understand bible in a much simpler way.


Note: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."


 

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

 

 Title:         The Iron Queen

SubTitle:     Book III in the Iron Fey series
Publisher:     Harlequin
Imprint:     Harlequin TEEN
Pub Date:     01/25/2011
ISBN:         9780373210183

This is the 3rd book from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The story continues from The Iron Daughter. It has been about one year since Meghan Chase steps her foot to the faery world. She'll be seventeen. But now she cannot go back there anymore. Meghan is being exiled by Summer King Oberon from the faery world due to Winter Prince, Ash. Robbie and Ash are being exiled from the faery world too due to Meghan Chase.

Meghan thought it was over - the Iron King is defeated, the stolen item is back to Winter Court, and she no longer can go back to faery world. That she thought she can back home, back to school, back to her normal human life. But an army of Iron fey is approaching the faery world, with the intention to destroy both Summer and Winter Court. Someone claims he's the new Iron King. 

The Summer and Winter Court finally has united to defend the iron fey army in the faery world. However only Meghan, the half faery princess and half human; can save them. To get Meghan to help the faery world, Summer King Oberon and Winter Queen Mab has lifted the exile for Meghan, Ash and Robbie to allow them go back to the faery world. Once again, Meghan, Robbie, Ash and Grimalkin get together and begin their journey to the iron realm. 

At the same time, the false Iron King is hunting Meghan Chase too; which make her in a much more dangerous position. To save the faery world, Meghan must win the battle against the false Iron King.

As expected, the story is full of actions and this time, it has more romance element as compared to previous books. So far this book is my favorite for the whole Iron fey series. Again, Meghan Chase shows how brave she is. A little too brave I would say. The ending is good but bitter. Lots of things are out of our control. Even if we were given a choice, sometimes it's not a choice. It's either what you need to do, but not really what you want to do. I can't wait for the next book - The Iron Knight. Wonder when it will be available.

Note: I receive the ARC of the eBook from the publisher Harlequin Teen through Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Many thanks to Mamarazzi for sharing Net Gallery with us. If you like to read ebook for FREE, go register yourself with Net Gallery. 

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

 

This is 2nd book from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The story continues from The Iron King. After Meghan Chase has defeated the Iron fey, as promised she follows Prince Ash back to Winter Court. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, Meghan is a prisoner to the Winter Queen Mab.

During her stay in Winter Court, one very important item has been stolen by the iron fey. Since no one except Meghan and Ash has seen iron fey before, no one believes them. Queen Mab blames the Summer Court on this issue and declares a war to them.

Knowing the threat of the iron fey to the faeries world, Meghan realizes that she must get back the stolen item from them. Together with Robbie, Grimalkin and an unexpected ally, they begin their journey through the faery and human worlds to find the stolen item.

The starting is rather slow but pick up towards the end. Meghan is torn between Robbie and Ash. One is her best friend and one is her enemy, but both risk their life to protect her. The ending of this book sets the stage for the third book in the series.

I personally prefer Book 1 The Iron King over this book. If you are the impatient type, you can skip this book 2 and straightaway jump to book 3. I actually read this book last. Will post the review of Book 3 The Iron Queen tomorrow.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.  

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Sorry for another book review. I have no intention to turn this blog into book reviews blog but I find this book very interesting and would like to share it.

Do you like Harry Potter? Do you like Narnia? If you do, you may like to read this Iron Fey series from Julie Kagawa. It is in the category Fiction for young adult. Book 1 from the series is The Iron King. So far there are four books written for this series.

Meghan Chase is turning 16 years old. When she was 6 years old, her father has disappeared. After that her mother married another man and move to different town. Her mother gives birth to a boy from the second marriage and he is 4 years old now. Despite her stepfather does not treat her very well, Meghan loves her half brother, Ethan very much.

Meghan does not fit very well in the school. However she has a very good friend, Robbie who always stay by her side and protect her.

One day, Ethan acts very differently and Robbie told Meghan that it is not Ethan. The real Ethan has been kidnapped by someone from the faery world. Meghan wants to go to the faery world to bring her brother back home. And it changes the rest of her life.

There are two courts in the faery world - Summer court and Winter court. There are faeries in the mortal (or human) world too. But human cannot see them. Meghan actually is the daughter of the King of the Summer Court, Oberon. And her identity made her the most wanted person in the faery world. Robbie is Oberon's servant whose duty is to protect Meghan. 

During her journey to save her brother, Meghan met with a cat, Grimalkin and Prince Ash, third son of the Winter court who wants to take Meghan to the Winter Court Queen. They found out that Ethan is captured by a mysterious faery Iron King, who is not from neither Summer court nor Winter court. Meghan has to face him alone in order to save her brother, as no other faery can do that.

The whole book is full of actions. Things happen one after another. Meghan is a smart and very brave girl. And she does not hesitate to sacrifice herself in order to save the people that she loves. Her adventures with the faeries made her dull human life much more interesting but it is also a very expensive price to pay.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Note: I have the eBook version of this book. Leave a comment to this post if you are interested. 

Reading eBook

Hb gave me a smart phone recently for my last year's birthday present. Yes for last year birthday even though it came one year later. LOL! Alright won't talk much about why it came one year later, back to this smart phone. First thing I install is an eBook reader app.

There are lots of free ebook readers app out there. I got the one with more free fiction ebooks for the readers. Hehehe. I just don't feel worth it to pay USD$5-10 for an ebook. Not to mention some are even cost more than $10. I rather buy the paper copy from BookXcess with much cheaper price and more selections. Hehehe. Alright back to eBook reader, after comparing a few, finally I decided to install Kobo ebook app  on my phone. And right after register an account, I download one fiction book to read (will blog about this book in another post).

I have few ebooks in PDF format but I never complete reading any one of them. Why? Because whenever I open it subsequently, it always back to page 1. Zzzz.... Don't expect me to remember which page I stop reading previously. And sometimes I may need to leave my place halfway when reading. Upon returning, I have to search through the whole page to search where I stop. So after few attempts, I just gave up.

However reading ebook from smart phone is totally different experience. First there is bookmark. And it will always open back the same page where I stop last. As compared monitor screen size and smart phone screen size, obviously it is easier to look for the paragraph where I stop last much easier. Most cases, I will finish reading the whole page before I stop because it won't take you much time to finish a page (the screen is so much smaller). Some readers come with dictionaries feature, so you can check out those new words easily. Some come with night reading mode. You can also set the font to be bigger or small size. You can also read more than one ebook at the same time and switching them as you like to. More important, I can read whenever I go without carrying a book with me! I can read when I'm waiting for my food to come at the restaurant, in the car during traffic jam if I'm not the one who drive etc. Basically I can make use of the waiting time to read. But the down side is, the phone battery run out very fast if I keep on reading non-stop. Hehehe. But so far can last until I finish reading the whole book. Anyway, I'm happy to find another source of reading without spending money. ^_^

Btw, even if you don't have any smart phone or iPad or other ebook readers like Kindle, you still can install most ebook reader application on your desktop and read the eBook from your PC too! Some ebooks are in PDF format where you can read without the ebook reader. Some only available in the specific format for that you need to reader for it. So if you want to get some free books to read, you can always install the ebook reader app on your PC and download the ebooks to read. Some you can just read from the website too without having to install the app. But then you have to stay online to read. Most of the ebook reader apps are free. You only pay for buying the ebooks. Since it's free, you can always give it a try and get a free ebook to read. I have not tried install one on my PC at home so I can't share on this part. But if you don't like it, you can always just uninstall it.

My colleague asked me "How come you are not playing games on your phone?" Oh I have no interest on the games. I prefer to read! And yes, I'm still reading the paperback books the old-fashion way! I still enjoy reading the "real" books. :) I have bought quite a few books from BookXcess and BBWS recently. I definitely want to read all of them. Btw reading eBook from phone can be very addictive, even more addictive than  reading paperback. Because since it's not a physical book, I won't realize how much I have read and how much more to go. I will just continue reading and reading, until I did not realize it's been hours since I have started reading. LOL! eBook is another way that I can read anytime and anywhere. And I wish there are more fiction books available as free ebooks! :D

Happy reading!

My Favorite Wife by Tony Parsens

I'm a book lover and I love reading. Many thanks to Smallkucing and Cleffairy who inspire me to go back reading after entering parenthood. :)

I bought this book from BookXcess when I went there to shop for some children books for the kids. Attracted by its title but then later I regretted buying it and reading it.

My Favorite Wife is the story of a lawyer, Bill Horden who brings his young family from London to Shanghai, China. He will be made partner in a couple of years so that he and his family can have better life.

However not everything in Shanghai are what they have expected. There are farmers have their land ripped away from them, babies being thrown into trashcans, and there are women selling their bodies to earn a living.

Their lifestyle also has changed a lot. Bill always leave the home early for work and come back after his wife Becca and his daughter Holly have gone to bed. He spent very little time with his family and most of his time at work, entertaining the clients after working hours.

After Holly's sudden asthma attack, Becca shock at finding a baby in the trash, and at the same time worrying on her sick father back home, Becca demands to go back to London. Leave Bill alone in Shanghai.

In Paradise Mansions, the place where Bill and his family are staying has a group of young women being kept as mistresses by rich married men – some local, some foreigners. After Becca and Holly went back to London, Bill gets lonely and strikes up much more than a friendship with the beautiful JinJin Li, one of the ladies from that group of young women. And you probably can guess what happen next.

The second half of the book mainly talks about Bill being alone in Shanghai and his interactions with JinJin Li. I dislike the fact that he knew he should not do it, he knew it is wrong and yet the next minute he has forgotten about it and go all out with her.

The story of the book made me in low mood for quite a while and made me have a good thought about myself and my own marriage. I feel dissatisfied about the ending of the book. Not that I don't like the ending but I feel it is a bit rush. The author jumps to the ending without talking much about the interactions between Bill and Becca on this issue. In fact this book mainly focuses on Bill. There is no much mention about Becca after knowing her husband has betrayed her. There is no much details about her feelings and how she can forgive her husband on this matter.

I won't say this book is not a good read. In fact it is a very interesting book because it’s a Westerner’s point of view of Asian life. But it's not a book to make you feel comfortable, not for me.   

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado

One hand, two hands,
Five fingers, ten.
God, thanks, for my hands.
Please, use them again.

After waiting for almost 2 months, finally I received this book on last weekend. The beautiful illustrations straightaway captured the kids' attention and requested me to read for them on that night.

One Hand, Two Hands is written by Max Lucado in rhyming text and illustrated with the charming art of Gaby Hansen. The language is very simple, plus the interactive illustration, it is very easy for the children to understand. It teaches what wonderful things our hands can do from clapping, scratching, latching, squeezing, waving and petting a pup to washing dishes with mommy and putting toys in a box. As I read along, the kids will actively follow along doing all sorts of fun activities using their hands. Besides that, Hao is also attracted by the beautiful and sweet illustration of the book. This is one of the few books that he will sit with me listen to me finish reading the whole book without running around. :)

I like the message of the book - To encourage the children to help others with their hands, and to encourage them to be creative and think about other ways they can use their hands to be helpful. I rate this book 5 out of 5.
 
Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Rumble! Zap! Pow!

This is a very good quality hard cover bible storybook for children. It highlights the adventurous stories in the Bible and points its readers to God's mighty power. The language used is simple and the stories are short, about 3 pages. The stories are presented in cartoon-style art to keep the kids engaged. Lynn is very much attracted with the bright pictures of the stories. This is our very first stories book in comic's style. Each story is paired with a “Mighty Thought” — a simple statement that summarizes the Bible story. There are total 42 stories in this book, started with God created the world, Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark etc.

Despite Lynn like this book due to the cartoon-style art, I personally quite disappointing with the book. The stories presented are too brief. As I'm not a Christian, I do not have good knowledge on Bible. I have some difficulty relate the stories to each other. I cannot see the connection between each story. For some of the stories, I also could not relate the stories with the "Mighty thought" that summarizes the story. The stories are just way to brief. Or it could be just me who does not have good knowledge on Bible stories. The story also ends with an activity designed for the active child, for example measure yourself with books and measure Goliath’s height with books; make a megaphone from a milk jug—to have a loud voice like Jonah needed. As our reading time is usually before bedtime, I did not do much of those activities with Lynn. 

I will rate this book 2 out of 5.

Note: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

When I get the hold of this book, I can't get my eyes off from it. It is so beautifully illustrated. Even the kids are attracted by the beautiful color and requested me to read for them immediately. The Boy Who Changed the World shares the stories of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, Vice President Henry Wallace, Inventor George Washington Carver, and Farmer Moses Carver. Through the stories of each, a different butterfly will appear. Norman might not save two billions people without Henry's idea. Henry would not have interest in plant if not because of George. George wouldn't have grown up if Moses hadn't saved him from the outlaws. You see, even the smallest of our actions can affect all of humanity.

I love the beautiful illustration of the book. Each story of the characters is short and clear to keep the attention of the children. I can easily split the reading of the entire book into few reading sessions. The book ends with a flourish of butterflies and a charge to the child that they, too, can be the boy or girl who changes the world.  I would say this book is more suitable for children above age 5 or 6. I will rate this book 5 out of 5.

Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

"Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world." - Andy Andrews.

Most of the time, we care about what others have done to us. Because the impact is on us. However, how many of us, will think of the decisions we make and the way we treat others have more impact than we may ever realize? In this book The Butterfly Effect, Andy Andrews shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it’s had on us individually, and nationwide, today. It’s a story that will inspire courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way we treat others through our lifetime.

The book is not very thick, less than 60 pages. Very beautifully illustrated. I like the writing style - very simple, and yet able to pass the message to the reader. Everything we do, every move we make, every action we take matter. A very good reminder to me, especially when I deal with the kids. This book is very easy to read. Very good for people like me who don't have much time to read. Within one month I have read it again and again. It is a very good gift book. I will rate it 5 out of 5.


Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Read and Share Bible: Life and Miracles

This DVD , animated straight from the pages of the popular Read and Share® Bible, The Jesus Series introduces children to the life of Christ. I'm not a Christian and I have never introduced Jesus and Bible stories to my children before. So I was excited to receive this as I think it is a good introduction to them. At the same time I was worry if the kids will find it boring, as this is not like other children program e.g. Barney or Mickey Club House.

There are actually 4 short stories combined together in the half-hour presentation which tell about Jesus' ministry along the shores of Lake Galilee and the villages near Nazareth. Children will see Jesus call His disciples, feed 5,000 people, heal the sick, teach about God’s kingdom and introduce the Lord’s Supper. The stories actually have been simplified and the words used are easy to understand. The story moved along in good pace too to hold the interest from the kids. I watched it together with Lynn and Hao. Both of them paid full attention to it during the half-hour presentation and Lynn even requested want to watch it again and again.

Some people may find the stories too simplified but I found it just right for the young toddlers, especially as an entry to the Bible stories. The quality of the video is good too and I myself enjoy watching it.


In overall, I will rate this 3.5 out of 5.

Note: A complimentary copy of this DVD was provided to me for review through Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program.