30 Prophesies: One Story BOOK REVIEW

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

What a wonderful resource to have and great timing with our recently reviewed Easter Storybook.  Bible prophecy is powerful and what better way to introduce it to your littles than by reading them 30 Prophecies: One Story (How God's Word Points to Jesus) by Paul Reynolds, illustrated by Sarah Douglas, and published by Christian Focus Publications.  I received a hardback copy of this 100-page book.  It has a sturdy binding and nice heavy-duty semi-gloss pages.

She LOVES to read!!

There is an introduction that describes what it must have been like when Jesus met up with Cleopas and his friend on their walk to Emmaus.  It also covers the format for each story.  Each story covers just 2 pages.  The format for each story is as follows (from page 13 in the book)

• Prophet/Dates - Who was God's messenger, taking the prophecy to the people, and when did it happen?
• Prophecy Made & Prophecy Fulfilled - Direct quotes from the Bible of the prophecy itself and its fulfillment.
• Then and There - What the prophecy meant to the original hearers
• Prophecy Fulfilled - How Jesus fulfills the prophecy
• Scarlet Thread - How does this prophecy fit in with what God is saying about His 'One Story'? The story of how He is saving people from satan and keeping them safe to be with Him forever?
• Application - So you've learned about the prophecy, the fulfillment, and how it ties into God's 'One Story' ... but what does that mean for you?
• Prayer - sample prayer in response to what you have read/learned.

It is written for a read-to-me age of 5-11 and a read-to-myself age of 6-12.  Little Bug is 7 and was able to read it pretty well and because she knows pretty much all the stories in the Bible she was not shocked by any of the content.  There are a few stories (like one of her favorites-I don't know why- about King Herod and the death of the firstborn sons) that you might want to skip for your young child.  As a whole though, these stories are absolutely wonderful to have in your child's tool chest of Bible knowledge.  I really like how it breaks it down into the above sections and helps the reader to decipher what they are reading and what it really means.  There are said to be 353 prophecies of Jesus in the Bible and the author says he has chosen just 30 of those.

Timeline from 2000 BC to 0 AD

There is also a timeline of the biblical authors of each of the books covered in the stories that spans from 2000 BC to 0 AD.  It is broken down by authors and the chapters from the book where they are found.  The prophecies are also broken down into three sections that include:

• From the Fall to King David
• Major and Minor Prophets
• Prophecies Made by Jesus about Himself

Table of contents

It is more of a teaching book rather than an enjoyable story format, but that being said, what a wonderful resource to pair with a related Bible story from your child's favorite Bible storybook.  It can really help the older ones to break the stories down and gain deeper insight into what the story is really trying to convey and how it all works together in the big picture.  Little Bug just read this at bedtime with her daddy for their nighttime story reading.  I will be continuing to use the resource in our ongoing Bible study lessons during homeschool time.  I think it is even great for my high school student who could use some clarity at times with subjects such as Bible prophecy.

I think my favorite part is the Scarlet Thread sections.  What a wonderful thing to have in each story.  I appreciate the thought and insight put into these sections that get our kids to really see the purpose of what is happening.  That and the fact that each story is only 2 pages which keeps you from getting too bogged down into the story or missing the simple point of what is being said and conveyed in God's word. I keep calling them stories but they are truly short excerpts, prophecy statements, that are broken down for the reader to understand what is being said.

10 Key Memory Verses

Character Profiles on Bible study story authors

The last chapter, Chapter 30, is an epilogue that Jesus will come again.  The book concludes with 10 key memory verses about Messianic prophecy, Character Profiles (of the authors of the books of the Bible covered and listed in the timeline), and Prophecies broken down into sections with related scripture references.  The sections include the following:

• Prophecies about Jesus' Birth
• Prophecies about Jesus' Death
• Prophecies about Jesus' Resurrection
• Prophecies about Jesus' Betrayal and Rejection
• Prophecies about What Jesus Did
• Prophecies about Who Jesus Is

We give 30 Prophecies: One Story two thumbs up.  It will be a treasured resource book in my arsenal for Bible study.  You can connect with Christian Focus on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.  Please also be sure to click on the graphic link below to see what my fellow Crew members have to say about this Bible prophecy resource and the two other books reviewed Psalms for my Day and Not If, But When (Preparing our Children for Worldly Images).

Planet 316 Story Bible REVIEW

We love Planet 316! When given to opportunity to review another one of their products we, of course, said Yes!  The Planet 316 Story Bible and the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App by Planet 316 and Worthy Kids/Ideals was a no-brainer for us to choose.  Little Bug LOVES to have her daddy read her bible stories at bedtime EVERY night (except when he isn't home on time).  The fact that this one has a really fun interactive component had me intrigued.  I received the book and then downloaded the app for free.  You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.  They do not currently have the app available for Kindle.

This special book has Augmented Reality that works with their FREE app to bring the Bible to life!  The app works on your smartphone or tablet.  The 3-D animation is fascinating for the kids to watch.  Even I got a kick out of it!  The book is high-quality hardback with heavy-duty glossy pages (304 pages).  There are more than 100 bible stories with wonderful illustrations that capture your child's interest.  Add in the interactive component with the app and your children are on their way to learning about the stories of the bible.  If your little one is like mine, who can just about recite any of the stories to you, don't worry about it being boring.  The interactive app that brings the pages to life captures their interest and further reinforces the stories in their minds.
You just open up the app, press start, and allow the camera to scan the page and voila!  You are ready to interact with the story.

The 3-D animation does not read the story to them but has audio that adds to the storybible and the experience.  You can HEAR the ocean and animals.  The characters talk and interact in addition to what is being read on the pages of the book. The 3-D component is fascinating. It is a little awkward with the iPad and I do think it's easier to use with the smaller iPhone.  The picture is, of course, better with the tablet, but hard to hold the book at correct angle and tablet at the same time (definitely takes more than two hands!).

Little Bug just giggled with delight the first time she saw it in action.  It was funny to see her try to figure out just how it was happening, but then she just had fun watching it in action.  She also still loves to read the book without the app.  The illustrations are fun and expressive.  I also like that when she starts to read this will be a good beginner book for her as the stories are short.  They don't read this book every night but it is definitely part of her bedtime routine several nights a week.  This will be a book that she will use for several years to come before she outgrows it.

The book includes bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments (from Genesis to Revelation).  Scripture references are included with each story.  There are no actual scriptures so no Bible version is given.  The book is listed for ages 4-7 but I would say all ages!  We have always read to even our young babies and certainly a 2-year-old would get a kick out of the interactive app.  My 14-year-old was even caught playing with it!!  LOL.  The book is currently discounted on their site for $14.99 (25% off).


I'm really glad we reviewed The Planet 316 Story Bible and the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App.  I highly recommend it if you have kids ages 4-7 or even younger or a little older!  You can connect with  Planet 316 and Worthy Kids/Ideals on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.  If you have the time, check out what we thought of their Daily Bible Jigsaw app.
Please also take the time to read what other Crew members think of this wonderful resource through the link below.

Imagine. . . The Great Flood Book REVIEW

We are on a read aloud roll around here lately and were so happy to be able to add another great book to our library.  Imagine. . . The Great Flood by Matt Koceich from Barbour Publishing was enjoyed greatly by my 7th and 8th graders.  It is a nice, short, simple Middle Grade Fiction chapter book suitable for ages 8-12.  It consists of 15 chapters in 110 pages.  This is the first Bible Adventure book in the Imagine Series.  The author is a schoolteacher and missionary.



  Ten-year-old Corey is our main character who embarks on an adventure of a lifetime.  Imagine being part of history and getting to know Noah and his sons and see what Noah's Ark was all about in person!  Corey's family is getting ready to move from Texas to Florida.  Corey is not happy that he will be leaving everything he knows and all his friends.  His mom tries to convince him that God has a plan for them and things will work out but Corey is not buying it.  He takes his dog Molly on a walk to the park.  His mom continues to try to explain to him that God is in charge.
Corey does see that analogy between trusting in God and his dog Molly trusting him to lead and guide her through any and all danger.  It is getting ready to storm outside and as he chases Molly in the park he ends up falling and hitting his head. When he wakes up his mother and Molly are nowhere to be found and he finds that he has been transported back to 2400 BC in Mesopotamia!  He is faced with two lions and asks God for mercy in this situation. It is at this moment he meets Shem! Yes, Shem from the bible.  Shem, Noah's son.  Yes, Noah from Noah's Ark! Shem explains that things are different and the animals are not fierce.
Shem also introduces Corey to his brothers, Ham and Japheth and later his dad, Noah.  Shem warns Corey about the Nephilim, the giant hulk like superhuman creatures that are out to get them.  The Nephilim are huge, about 10 feet tall, and they carry large swords!  This story keeps you on the edge of your seat as you follow Corey battle it out with the Nephilim over and over.  He remembers his mom's words, "Rely on God, Rely on Him, Corey. He never changes." 
God has a plan.  His plan is that Noah and his sons preserve a remnant and the Nephilim will do whatever it takes to stop that plan from happening.  Corey misses his mom and just wants to go home.  He still doesn't understand how he even got to where he is. After Shem talks to Corey about God being a promise keeper and the importance of trusting in Him, Corey starts to realize that maybe his family's move to Florida was indeed in God's plan for their life.  Shem also reminds Corey that we must be obedient to God and not lose our faith in Him.
We soon meet Ardad who seems to be a friend to Noah and his sons.  Ardad is able to communicate with the Nephilim.  They ask Ardad to try to keep the Nephilim away from them as they complete the ark.  Ardad mentions the help of Elizar (whose name means The One Who Deceives) who is a sorcerer of some sort, but Shem declines his help.
As the story progresses and the Nephilim continue to attack, Corey comes to many realizations that relate to what he is experiencing.  He begins to see the "big picture" and that God really is in control and that if he puts his trust in Him, things will work out one way or the other.  With no weapons to fight the Nephilim Corey realizes that he must rely on prayer.
When Corey finds himself in a tight spot Elizar appears and offers to help.  He assures Corey that he is the answer and can control the Nephilim.  Thankfully Corey realizes that Elizar is not the answer and that relying on God is his only hope.  Elizar reminds me of when satan was tempting Jesus.  He keeps telling Corey that he has the answers and can even get him back home.  Just when Corey is about to accept Elizar's offer, Ardad steps in and interrupts him.  Corey trusts Ardad to get him to safety but soon finds out that he too betrays him and turns him back over to Elizar and the Nephilim.
Corey finds himself thrown into a well with no way out.  The flood is coming and his death is inevitable. In his deperation he realizes that only God has the answers and he cries out to Him for forgiveness and for Him to save him from his mess.  He remembers a story his Grandpa told him of the power of forgiveness.
The story is full of excitement and drama.  My kids (7th and 8th grade) really enjoyed it and hated the cliffhangers when we would stop reading for the day.  It will keep you wondering and guessing as to what Corey's fate will be.  Does he survive the Nephilim?  Will he be rescued?  Does he get to go back home? Will he ever see Molly and his mother again?  I encourage you to pick up a copy of this Christian Fiction for Kids book for your homeschool reading collection.  We really enjoyed reading Imagine. . . The Great Flood, a great Kids Fiction book.  It is a good reminder of the power of God and forgiveness, the importance of trusting in Him, and that He does indeed order our steps.  Corey learns a lot of valuable lessons that your kids can understand as he carries you through his harrowing story. It's a great example of Bible Stories for Kids.

You can connect with Barbour Publishing on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and YOUTUBE.
Please be sure to check out the other reviews.  See banner below.