Bible Stories Painting Book Review

I am participating in a Kregel Blog Tour this month with my review of Bible Stories Painting Book 2.  

As the title implies this is the second one in the series of bible stories painting books.  

The one that I am reviewing has two paint pallets on the inside covers with one page pictures of a popular bible story.  The child dips a paint brush in water and then onto the paint pallet.  

Then, paint on one of the 16 bible stories with 8 from the Old Testament and 8 from the New Testament.

Each story has a sentence or two of explanation of the bible story. 

 Candle Books publisher markets this painting book as mess free and it is for the most part. 

 The paint pallets do not make a big mess but the child must remember to wait about 5 minutes before closing the book in order for the paint to dry.

I asked my 5 year old nephew to test it out and give me his opinion.  

He asked me "what does opinion mean?" 

 I said, "you can tell me if the paint works good or not so good."  

His reply, "I can do that.  I'll give you my opinion."

Here he is pressing down the pages. 

 I think he was skeptical if the paint was real and would work. 

It worked similarly to watercolor paints.  

Only a little bit of water on a paintbrush was needed and the color turned out great.

Watercolors are more transparent then this paint.  

Which means the color strength was definitely better in this painting book.

 This painting book serves a dual purpose:  painting fun and faith formation.

It is geared towards young children who are just learning to read.

For the faith formation to occur, the parent needs to talk about what's on the page.

Otherwise, it's an ordinary painting book.

His opinion was that "the colors worked good and it's fun."
I told my nephew he could keep it so he'd have many more hours of painting fun.

That put a smile on his face :)

The Bible Stories Painting Book 2 is ideal for quiet activity either individually or as a group.

I think a preschool or kindergarten teacher could use this as enrichment when teaching a bible story.

All you need is a paintbrush and water and you're ready to start.

I was given a complimentary copy of Bible Stories Painting Book 2 for my honest review.  

The opinions used were my nephew's and my own.

Blessings,

Noreen

Valentine Craft

We spent some time on one of our snow days making Valentine Cards for the veterans at a local VA Hospital.  We had done this craft with my son's Cub Scout Pack on a recent Pack Night and then I thought it would be nice to make additional ones since we were snowed in.  The pictures did not turn out great (my camera is on the fritz) but I think you get the idea.

One Valentine Card idea was from Lacy at Catholic Icing Catholic Icing (and I would link it here if I knew how to do it but I don't... thank you Tracy for teaching me how to do this!!)  You write the word valentine down the middle and write the bible verse John 3:16 around it. 

For God so loVed

the world that He gAve

his onLy son, that

 whoEver believes

iN Him

should noT

perIsh but

have eterNal

lifE.

I'm having difficulty lining it up on the computer but you would line up the Valentine in the hearts and write the verse around it.
My son was a bit concerned that those cards may be given to someone who doesn't believe in God and I told him, then that's exactly who should get it.  We don't hand pass them out, we bring them to the Volunteer Office at the hospital and they'll distribute them but I will pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them to those who need to hear it.

My son's scout pack made Christmas cards and yarn cross ornaments for the veterans in a VA Hospital this past Christmas and it was a big hit.  At school, they had made cards and sent them overseas to the active soldiers which is wonderful but we also wanted them to be aware that some soldiers come back injured and they need our gratitude and love too.

I'm the one that brought the ornaments and cards to the hospital and was amazed at it's size.  They provide so many services (i.e. blind rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, women's health, medical foster home...etc.) to men and women who've devoted their lives for our freedom. 

It was a humbling experience to think so many soldiers come back injured... and I wonder if they feel appreciated?  Admired for their courage and dedication?  I can't imagine they come back feeling whole and very good about life after experiencing war.  They need our prayers!