Showers of Books GIVEAWAY HOP with Zondervan!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're participating in the SHOWERS OF BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP hosted by BookHounds!  So, what's a Giveaway Hop?  Pretty much exactly what it sounds like, but for those who haven't had the pleasure of participating as a stop or entrant, it's a BIG chance for YOU TO WIN at over 50+ stops throughout the blogosphere!  Interested?  I thought you might be.

Now, each stop has their own prize/rules but as for me, I'm keeping it simple.  The theme is 'showers' as in 'APRIL showers bring MAY flowers'...so, I've got something that showcases the beauty of nature, whimsical creatures, and provides hours of relaxing fun for ALL AGES!  Curious?  Consider your wait ended because here comes the BIG REVEAL....

...TADA!

That's right!

The prize you can win is your very own copy of WONDERS OF CREATION via Zondervan!  It's an all-in-one coloring experience set to inspire the creative mind in you while letting your troubles drain away with every stroke of the marker, squiggle of the crayon, or shading of the pencil.  Now, I'm not always the most talented when it comes to these fab books.  I tend to get stressed more than relax because I'm trying to stay in the lines, I want it to look perfect, or I'm pressed for time.  Sometimes all of the above plus a facing mind make it more work than creative pastime.  The beauty of this one is that the wide array of images presented allow every potential artist to find something that calls to them, no matter their mood or time table.  For example, you could color...

...a beautiful sunrise or sunset...

...a curious fox among the flowers...

...a soulful tiger admiring the foliage...

...or two adorable hedgehogs approaching their favorite meeting tree.
*Special thanks to dear old Mom for assistance in the coloring department! ^-^


There's something for everyone and all you have to do for YOUR CHANCE TO WIN is fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Contest ends April 30th, 2016.  Open to US residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing information which will be sent to the publisher for prize send out.  If no response is received in the given time frame, a new winner will be chosen.  SFIR is not responsible for lost prizes.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Special thanks to BookHounds for hosting this fabulous HOP and to Liane at Zondervan for the copy for review!  (THANKS!)  For more information on our gracious host, stop by one of her TWO sites, or catch up with her on social media.  For more information on the prize up for grabs, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above.

Until next time...GOOD LUCK...and happy reading!

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DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHERS STOPS ON THE HOP!  JUST CLICK THROUGH THE LINKY LIST BELOW AND ADD A LITTLE 'SPRING' TO YOUR STEP WITH 'SHOWERS' OF PRIZES!

HAPPY EASTER from SFIR and Zonderkidz!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today (for those who celebrate it) is Easter Sunday (happy Easter!). On this day, we celebrate the risen Jesus and the eternal life his defeat over death symbolizes to Christians round the world.  The non-secular aspect of the day consists of baskets left by the Bunny, egg hunts, and feasting.  Those of faith usually reflect on this "finale" to the Christmas story, attend religious services, and join with friends and family for a celebratory evening meal.  Some similarities, some differences, but whichever group you may fall in, today's featured titles are a matched set for a family reading session.  So, gather your loved ones around from the tall to the small, and let's get to today's featured title times three!  First up...

The Berenstain Bears' Easter Sunday

by

Mike Berenstain

9780310749028

Easter Sunday with the Bear Family is everything you dreamed it would be.  Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister are all dressed in their Sunday best to join the congregation for prayer and fellowship at the Chapel in the Woods.  We learn why bright colors are favored for the festivities (and it's not because it's Spring!), remember the Jesus' life, death, and rising, and just what part eggs play in the whole Easter celebration.  It's a great walk through the day for little ones through adults with companions we've come to trust through the years.

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The Princess Parables:  An Easter Story

by

Jeanna Young and Jacqueline Kinney Johnson

Illustrated by

Omar Aranda

9780310748700

In this enchanting tale, we've five princesses making new friends and learning life lessons all whilst preparing for the annual Easter celebration.  Challenges arise both fun and daunting and the girls must trust themselves and each other to do the right thing in order to see it through.  In doing so, they prove that class is not what makes a princess a princess, but the size and charity of her heart.  They willingly put aside a win in order to help another....and isn't that a lesson that He sought to teach us Himself?  A wonderful read for your little princess with bright, cheerful images to dazzle the eye.

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The Legend of the Easter Robin

by

Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrated by

Richard Cowdrey

9780310749646

This was a story that I truly had never heard and yet it's beauty touched my heart.  Within these pages, a doting grandmother shares the tale of a small robin that sought to help Jesus as he struggled with His (or perhaps better put OUR) burden through the streets of Jerusalem and whose efforts were resulted in the robin's red breast.  I feel I must warn you though, the story is not without heartache and the illustrations are very moving (think Passion of the Christ) so the youngest of young readers may need to opt out until they can understand all that transpired a bit more.  In the end though, we are left with a formidable tale that reminds us how much was sacrificed in our names and His love that endures to the very end of time.

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Special thanks to Liane and the whole Zonderkidz team for the chance to bring these titles to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these featured titles, the authors, illustrators, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time...happy reading!



Baby Wren and the Great Gift by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today according to my calendar is the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!  Here's hoping your weather reflects that seasonal change, I know ours sure does.  This is the time of year we clean out our closets, cast the winter blues aside, and make way for the changes the coming year will bring.  It's a time of rebirth in beliefs, spirit, and nature...and what better way to celebrate that joy than with a review of a rather fitting title.  It's a Picture Book winging your way this April via Zonderkidz and it stars a Nature filled tale that reminds us just how special we all are.  Ladies and gents, kids of all ages, please join me in welcoming today's book of choice...

Baby Wren and the Great Gift

by

Sally Lloyd-Jones

Illustrated by

Jen Corace

9780310733898

Zonderkidz

This is the touching story of one little wren looking to make a big impact on the world.  The trouble is that everywhere he looks, the bigger and smaller birds, the fish in the streams, the butterflies in the sky, and the lemurs in the trees, all seem to be able to do something BEAUTIFUL, something MAGNIFICENT, something...totally out of his reach.  Why it's enough to make anyone feel small, let alone a little brown wren...until one day, in the most quiet and unexpected of ways, he has shown the potential he truly has, the talent he possesses, and it was enough to start a fire of love and rejoicing in the most stoic of hearts.  Baby Wren found his voice and shared his song, allowing others to celebrate the beauty that he saw, the wonders he observed, and the gift that he really was to the world.

It's a wonderful way to usher in the season with illustrations that will steal your breath away.  It's also a great reminder that the big guy upstairs has a plan for us all and though we may not always see it, we each have gifts that we bring to the world everyday and using those gifts in turn to help others is the best way to honor Him.  So the next time you're feeling oh-so-small, lost and alone, or downright trodden upon, remember....you are never alone and you are special to someone, every day, in every way.

Recommended read for all ages.

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About the author...

Sally Lloyd-Jones is a leading writer of inspirational books for children. She is the author of three bestselling children’s Bibles, including the Moonbeam Award winner and ALA notable The Jesus Storybook Bible, as well as Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, winner of the ECPA Inspirational Book award. She has written many picture books for children, such as the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller How to Be a Baby: By Me, the Big Sister and Song of the Stars. Sally was born and raised in Africa, was schooled in England, and now lives in New York City. She can be found at www.sallylloyd-jones.com.

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About the illustrator...

Jen Corace is an artist and freelance illustrator who lives and works in Providence, Rhode Island. Originally from the suburbs of southern New Jersey, she eventually made her way to the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a BFA in illustration. Jen has illustrated many bestselling children’s books including Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink, Hansel and Gretel, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and Telephone.

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Special thanks to Liane at Zonderkidz for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, or to pre-order your copy today, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is set to hit bookstore shelves APRIL 5, 2016, via Zonderkidz.

Until next time...happy reading!

It's an EASTER Celebration with ZonderKidz! - GIVEAWAY

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're skipping ahead a holiday or two as we prepare you BOOK wise for that EGG-cellent celebration that's just around the corner...EASTER!  You know, the day family and friends gather close for fun, games, feasting, and remembering the reason we celebrate the season.  To help you on your way, we've joined with Zonderkidz to bring you a chance to win a prize pack from their fabulous Easter Basket Gift Guide!

The Gift Guide is chock full of titles for all ages from wee ones to tweens to teens and everyone in between.  From the adorable Little One, God Loves You to the tween favorite London Art Chase, The Plans I Have for You Devotional which allows young minds to explore their faith to exciting reads like Curio for teen readers to sink their teeth into. 

For my part in this promotion, I selected the PICTURE BOOK category that includes titles featuring familiar characters, royalty, and legends you may have been unaware of previously. Sound intriguing?  I thought they might.  Let's take a closer look at what's up for grabs...

The Berenstain Bears' Easter Sunday

by

Mike Berenstain

9780310749028

The Bear Family, all of their friends and family, and even the nature all around them get dressed in their Easter best for an Easter Sunday celebration at the Chapel in the Woods. Join Mama, Papa, Brother, sisters and Honey as they go to services, have an Easter treasure hunt, and learn what Easter is all about.

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The Princess Parables:  An Easter Story

by

Jeanna Young and Jacqueline Kinney Johnson

Illustrated by

Omar Aranda

9780310748700

It is the most spectacular spring in history. The princesses—Joy, Grace, Faith, Charity, and Hope are busy with preparations for the annual Easter celebration and the castle is alive with activity.

Into the kingdom ride five new friends, young knights, who are as spirited as the princesses. In the new Princess Parables title, A Royal Easter Story, a challenge is presented and the boys and girls decide to race to the neighboring village where the annual Easter celebration and feast will be held. Along the way, the princesses must weather a scary storm and rescue another new friend. But in the end the lesson is clear … trust in the Lord and his love and you can overcome any obstacle.

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The Legend of the Easter Robin

by

Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrated by

Richard Cowdrey

9780310749646

This newly illustrated edition of The Legend of the Easter Robin renews the wonder and charm of the original and timeless tale written by Dandi Daley Mackall. With new vibrant artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator, Richard Cowdrey, this holiday classic is brought to life for a new generation. The Legend of the Easter Robintells the story of Tressa, whose grandmother reveals to her the story of a small robin who saw Jesus struggling and soared to help him. This Easter tale reminds Christians everywhere how much Jesus sacrificed for us and how much he loves us.

...AND ONE WINNER WILL WIN THEM ALL!

All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win.

Open to US residents only, no P.O. Boxes please.

Entries accepted now through March 6th, 2016.  Winner will be drawn/contacted within 24 hours and given 48 hours to respond with their mailing information for prize send out.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to Liane and the whole Zonderkidz team for the chance to bring these titles to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these featured titles, the authors, illustrators, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time...happy reading!

Miles from Nowhere by Amy Clipston

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a look at a title from a new to me author that I learned about from TWO different sources.  Care to guess?  What's that?  Oh yes, the publisher WAS in fact one of them...and that publisher would be Zondervan so we can count on good, clean fun with a Christian angle to the story.  The second source was my bloggy friend Nayu from Nayuleska's Reading Corner!  That's right.  She's read several titles fairly recently from the author's Amish series and though I wasn't personally sold on those, when I saw this new Young Adult title from the same writer, I thought...why not?  So, here we are and away we go!  Today's book of choice is....

Miles from Nowhere

by

Amy Clipston

9780310736707

Zondervan

About the book....

Chelsea Morris has always been responsible, dependable, and focused on her dreams of fashion design—a dream that will officially begin come fall, when she leaves for college in New York City. And as she settles into her role as the lead designer for the local summer stock theater group, she decides to make the most of her last summer in North Carolina. But with her best friend Emily busy working late and spending time with Zander, and tensions with Chelsea’s boyfriend, Todd, running high, the summer she envisioned seems to be falling flat.

Then Dylan joins the latest summer production. There’s something about the college boy that makes her feel free and alive, and soon she’s broken up with Todd, and is sneaking out late to meet Dylan at parties and breaking rules at the playhouse. But before she knows it, her exciting nights are interfering with her job, her role on the play, as well as her relationship with Emily and with her parents. Worse, Chelsea finds herself feeling more and more estranged from God.

As the summer becomes wilder than she ever dreamed, Chelsea must decide if her heart is leading her in the right direction after all.

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Okay, here's the thing.  I'm pretty picky about my Christian Fiction reading selections.  I'm not against Godly messages, verse, or Church in reading, BUT I don't like feeling preached to when I'm trying to get lost in a fictitious story.  So, where did this one rate?  Well, my "preachy radar" was raised a time or two, but then as things progressed, it settled down to a happy little buzz...and speaking of buzzes...

Here we have a story that could have been ripped from any teenagers diary with truth, experimentation, rule breaking, and the dreaded seen-but-ignored consequences.  Chelsea is a great leading lady, well technically she's the lead costumer but you know what I mean.  She takes care of her little brothers, respects her parents, spends times with her friends, and chases her dreams with an open heart.  She also has a wonderful fella who adores her...too bad he's a bit distracted this summer (with good reason, but still...we all know that a lack of attention can make the relationship road more than a bit rocky).  Guess it's a good thing she's really throwing herself into the summer production of Grease...and it doesn't hurt that she's getting a bit of extra attention from one of the male leads either.  Now, before you go getting any ideas, she's a good kid, without a traitorous bone in her body, but the heart wants what it wants, no matter how fleeting or confused it might be.  The fallout from those decisions can be heartbreaking, earthshaking, and even....deadly.

I must say, I really enjoyed this story more than I thought I was going to.  I really connected with Chelsea (yeah, I was and am the "responsible, dependable, and focused" type) and appreciated her desire to break free of the image she found herself towing the line for.  At times her choices made me cringe (going against her mother, sneaking out, DRINKING!) but I held out hope that she'd see the light and find her way back.  All it took, was a little help from her TRUE friends, a re-connection with the big guy upstairs, and some twisted metal....don't ask, you'll have to read it to understand THAT one.  She comes out better for it in the end, with stronger relationships with all those that really matter (Marni, her parents, Dylan, the plays producer, to name a few).

In conclusion, it's a book that tackles the BIG topics teens face in our day and age with grit AND grace.  You've got underage drinking AND driving, unsupervised parties, the desire to be cool above all else, and the need to try the path less traveled despite the warning signs posted in flashing neon lights, all with the consequences that some of this seemingly invincible set never believe will happen to them.  It doesn't matter how smart or pretty or rich or cool you are, what matters is what you put first in your life and what's in your heart of hearts.  When that's settled and at peace, you're truly free to follow the path set forth for you and those that try to stand in your way will merely seem like another opportunity for growth instead of obstacles.  So, what's in your heart?  Are you secure in your relationships with others, your beliefs, and your life path?  If so, I APPLAUD YOU...if not, it's never too late.

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About the author...

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. 

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Review copy received courtesy of Liane at Zonderkidz.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher's complete catalog, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title was released April 2015 via Zondervan, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!