Today I present to you my latest episode of Mama’s Storytime! I hope you enjoy it!
No time for the video or not in a place where you can turn the sound on? Here’s the written version of my reviews for Brave Young Knight by Karen Kingsbury and It’s a Jungle in Here by Kristie Wilde:
In this picture book, Karen Kingsbury tells the story of a boy in competition with other young knights to become prince of all the land. In a series of contests and competitions, the king recognizes the brave young knight as the winner, not because he was the fastest or strongest, and not because he was smarter or more cunning than the other knights. Rather, the brave young knight is the winner because he doesn’t follow the crowd, instead making decisions based on what is right and true and in accordance with his faith. The moral of the story is that the bravest young boys are those who exhibit the strongest character.
I found this book through an online search for a picture book geared to older children that provided strong biblical values. (For the record, I purchased this book on my own.) I chose to purchase this book because it fit what I was looking for, had beautiful illustrations and strong, clear writing. While the description says that the moral of the story is not to follow the crowd but to stand strong and stick to what is right and true, I also saw a second moral within the story. I think the story does an excellent job of reinforcing that God made each of us unique and for a purpose. Furthermore, I think it demonstrates that we should have faith that the God who created us will equip us for whatever task He places before us.
This is why I chose to feature this book alongside today’s other book, It’s a Jungle in Here. They both do a good job of demonstrating this basic yet essential truth.
Come explore the incredible variety God created in the Jungle! There are butterflies that blend in and stand out, loud birds and quiet okapi, big elephants and small frogs and much more. God is pleased with all the variety He created – and He’s especially happy with the way He made you!
This marvelous, young children’s picture book is packed full of brightly colored illustrations that communicate the message along with its simple text.
The third book in the Joyful Creation Series, It’s a Jungle in Here, affirms that whether you’re quiet or loud, big or small, blend in or stand out, however you are, God is happy with the way He made you!
I am a big fan of the Joyful Creation Series and this latest release by Kristie Wilde is no exception.
The elephant on the cover is just so cute and looks like he is having fun splashing in the water.
The book begins with, “God loves variety, so . . . He made lots of it in the jungle!” and beautiful, realistic illustrations of butterflies. It then goes on to positively compare the differences between the various animals which God created. The animals mention include: butterflies, cats, frogs, elephants, chameleons, tropical birds, okapi, monkeys, and more!
My favorite line is the final line in the story, “Whether you stand out or blend in, are loud or quiet, however you are . . . God is especially happy with how he made you!”
I especially appreciated the racial diversity represented in the children riding in the boat on the last page of the story. I also liked the added bonus of a two-page spread with little snippets of information about each of the animals featured in the book.
Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of It’s a Jungle in Here from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. View My Promise To Readers HERE.
