Category: KidMin Giveaways

Freebie Friday: Recruiting and Training New Nursery Volunteers

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Church nurseries are often the first place where parents leave their babies for the first time, so it’s very important to ensure that this ministry area is particularly top notch.  As a kidmin leader, you have the responsibility of recruiting the right people and thoroughly training them to serve in your Nursery.  Where do you start?

Earlier this fall, I wrote a training piece for Sparkhouse’s Frolic Online to assist kidmin leaders with this task.

Recruiting and Training New Kidmin Nursery Volunteers

You can download the free guide here.  Happy Friday!

God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible {Book Review and Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips

Enter to win Rick Warren's new storybook Bible, "God's Big Plans for Me"

There are a myriad of Bible storybooks on the market today.  The choices can sometimes seem overwhelming when trying to decide on one that’s just right for that special child in your life.  Today, I’d like to share one that is a great option to add to your child’s spiritual library.

Rick Warren’s newly released God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible was absolutely delightful to peruse.

About God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible:
God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible illustrates the 40 foundational principles written in the #1 New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren. With child-friendly language, engaging illustrations, and a chronological approach, Pastor Warren introduces each Bible story with a theme that aligns with one of his foundational principles. He wraps up the stories with a closing thought targeted to early readers. The colorful illustrations and narrative tone bring these beloved Bible stories to life for readers young and old. God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible has foil decoration on the cover.

My love for this book started at the very beginning, as in before the very first story.  Warren shares with readers how God has a plan for each of them and how to know that plan (reading God’s Word, the Bible).  He explains that each story will help answer the question: How does God want me to live my life?  

Each of the 40 stories begins with a short introduction about how the story that follows is part of the plan God has for their life.  These short explanations are worded in such a way that readers young and not-so-young feel drawn in.  At the end of each story, there is a ‘main point’ to think about, a Bible verse from the related story and a question to ponder.

Kids will love the beautiful illustrations, the kid-friendly language and size of the book, which is perfect for small hands.  This storybook is great for parents to read to their children or for older children to read on their own.  I would highly recommend it.

Zondervan has graciously given me a copy of God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible to give away to one of my readers.  To enter to win, email me, telling me your favorite Bible story.  All entries should be received by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, November 17th.  The winner will be announced on my blog’s Facebook page on Monday, November 20th.  (If you haven’t already, be sure to ‘like’ my Facebook page.)

*Giveaway is open to US residents only.  The book cannot mailed to a P.O. box.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart {Book Review and Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

Book Review - Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart by Glenys Nellist

As a mom of a daughter, I am a huge believer in the strength that girls possess.  I have tried to raise my daughter to be a strong, confident young woman.  Thankfully, she has many women in her life who model this for her.  Likewise, she can also look to the bible for examples of strong women who faced challenges and were deeply loved by God.

A few months ago, I was invited to be part of Glenys Nellist’s blog hop to promote her new book, Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart.  I have reviewed one of Glenys’ books before (I loved it – you can review that post here), so I jumped at the chance to get a sneak peek at her newest release.

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart did not disappoint.  Immediately drawn in from the beautifully illustrated cover, I discovered that the book shared stories from more well-known women from the bible (such as Eve, Hannah, Esther and Mary, the mother of Jesus) as well as lesser-known women from the bible (such as Rahab, Miriam, and Deborah).

Each story introduces a woman with a brief adjective, such as “trusting”, “brave”, and “strong”.  Her story is told in an engaging, child-friendly way that captures your imagination and leaves you wanting to learn more.  In addition, each story includes a bible verse section called “God’s Wonderful Words to You”.  Lastly, each story is accompanied by a love letter from God that can be personalized with the name of the little girl reading it.  Those letters help each girl see herself in the story and reveals the character of the God who loves her.

At the end of the book is a blank space for little girls to write their own love letter to God.  I could only imagine the depth of words that a little girl might write in this space after reading this wonderful book.

If you have a little girl in your life who needs to know (or be reminded of) the love of God toward her, I highly recommend that you grab a copy for her.  I think it’ll become one of her most treasured story books.

Zondervan has graciously given me a copy of Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart to give away to one of my readers.  To enter to win, email me, telling me what special girl you’d share this book with.  All entries should be received by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, June 2nd.  The winner will be announced on my blog’s Facebook page on Monday, June 5th.

*Giveaway is open to US residents only.  The book cannot mailed to a P.O. box.

You can learn more about Glenys  by visiting her website or connecting with her on social media (Facebook or Twitter).

Night Night Farm {Book Review & Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips

Recently, I was asked to review a bedtime book for preschool-aged children and it brought back many precious memories. When my children were younger, either my husband or I read to them…every night.  It was woven into our nightly bedtime ritual and it was one of my favorite times of the day to snuggle with my little ones (who are not so little anymore!).

Night Night Farm

About the Book:
Moo moo, cows! Baa baa, sheep! When the sun sinks low down on the farm, the animals are all tuckered out from the day’s adventures. Join these adorable farm animals in pajamas as they say night night to the farm, to their mommies and daddies, and to God. Your little ones will sleep until the rooster crows knowing that the God who made them loves them too.

Night night, farm!

About Amy Parker:

Amy Parker’s children’s books have sold more than 800,000 copies including two Christian Retailing’s Best award-winning books and the bestselling A Night Night Prayer. She lives outside Nashville with her husband and two children.

My Thoughts:
The pictures are fabulous and the striking colors are captivating. Because it’s a board book, it’s sturdy and easy for little hands to hold. The animals and words are familiar and encourages interaction (with animal sounds). The rhymes are fun and simple for young children to understand.
Night Night Farm is a great read to end the day with your preschooler.  It’s sure to capture the attention of the preschooler in your life and become one of their favorites!
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SOCIAL • CORNER
Official website to purchase: http://bit.ly/Blogging-NNF
Facebook: @AmyParkerAuthor

Facebook: @TommyNelsonBooks

Twitter: @AmyParker

Twitter: @TommyNelson

Instagram:  @TommyNelsonBooks

Pinterest: Tommy-Nelson-Books

Enter to win a copy of Night Night Farm!!
I am giving away one copy of Night Night Farm to one of my readers.
Here’s how you can enter (3 ways to win):
1. Email me and tell me your favorite children’s book to read at bedtime.
3. Leave a comment on our Facebook Page.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 pm on Thursday, September 8th.
The winner will be announced on our Facebook Page on Friday, September 9th.
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**Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.