tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.comments2022-12-03T18:31:47.562-08:00Really Good ReadsLinushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05844685804840757785noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-84739535747456493322021-11-30T13:38:22.541-08:002021-11-30T13:38:22.541-08:00We are studying this book right now in our Bible s...We are studying this book right now in our Bible study group and it has been fantastic so far! <br />It could be helpful to note that while Ortlund is Presbyterian we have noted a few subtle Arminian leaning paragraphs. It's always important to read these books against the truths of Scripture. Aleana Vanspronsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10822079128803715876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-84361808964242610932021-09-07T13:25:36.993-07:002021-09-07T13:25:36.993-07:00#50 is no small feat! Several titles here I haven&...#50 is no small feat! Several titles here I haven't heard of before, will have to add them to my list. ThanksAleana Vanspronsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10822079128803715876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-68019900966269450812019-12-30T23:10:16.044-08:002019-12-30T23:10:16.044-08:00Got it.Got it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06830582687894964406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-67852830401446089672019-12-27T04:09:36.383-08:002019-12-27T04:09:36.383-08:00Thank you! I agree with your comments on this book...Thank you! I agree with your comments on this book. My kids and I thoroughly enjoyed Narnia, had some questions about the book Mary Poppins, and were just having a discussion about the Wizard of Oz series with its "good" witches. There is an excellent book (seemingly from a Reformed perspective) on the subject of fantasy called "A Landscape with Dragaons" by O'Brien. I had been sharing favourite authors and books for the younger crowd at abcbookreviews.wordpress.com but am grateful for suggestions for the teen years as the kids get older!Doreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012539596558141447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-52116078813679967782018-02-04T09:54:13.306-08:002018-02-04T09:54:13.306-08:00Wow, great post.Wow, great post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13016318328819103801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-64139903686114540812017-09-27T04:00:38.537-07:002017-09-27T04:00:38.537-07:00nice postnice postlizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035184100892779826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-67518083097914898912017-05-13T18:19:34.627-07:002017-05-13T18:19:34.627-07:00You can find the entire story online - a prose ver...You can find the entire story online - a prose version at http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/sggk_neilson.pdf and a more poetic version (but with more archaic language) at http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/sggk_weston.pdf.Jeff Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15244687154866717719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-73017336436005952912017-05-13T18:13:38.368-07:002017-05-13T18:13:38.368-07:00I'm not sure whether this makes the Sir Gawain...I'm not sure whether this makes the Sir Gawain stories more acceptable, especially to young audiences, especially for mere entertainment, but it is worth noting that in the original "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," the Green Knight seems to be not so much sorceror-like as 'god'-like, perhaps even Christ-like. In other words, there is something allegorical about the story, as the Green Knight tests Gawain's integrity, just as Christ tested several people during His earthly ministry, and the Holy Spirit tests our hearts and consciences now. Does the allegory "'work' - meaning "Does it glorify God (or does it dishonour Him)"? That is a matter of judgment, but I would recommend an adult reading the entire original story (which also has other problematic elements because of its Roman Catholic context) before reading any versions to their kids - as you seem to be intending to do.Jeff Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15244687154866717719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-7193229144385872132017-02-24T09:08:25.828-08:002017-02-24T09:08:25.828-08:00We haven't read any others yet, but look forwa...We haven't read any others yet, but look forward to doing so - I have The Wheel on the School waiting on the bookshelf :)Jon Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867992075746045379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-59111849389258579162017-02-24T03:35:03.987-08:002017-02-24T03:35:03.987-08:00Thanks so much for this recommendation. It really ...Thanks so much for this recommendation. It really is such a great and fun read! We actually liked the fact that the grandfather was a grump and then changed at the end - a beautifully redeemed character. Have you ever read any other DeJong's books? I think he is a master of showing child's feelings of helplessness, hope, faith etc. He is also unsurpassed in dealing with really difficult subjects like fear, mistreatment, prejudice- and it always comes out even in the end. We also loved Shadrach, The Wheel on the School, Along Came the Dog, and Hurry Home Candy. Alinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13485948702089280528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-23944682581982058152017-02-23T14:33:24.630-08:002017-02-23T14:33:24.630-08:00Thank you very much for this, I will get this one ...Thank you very much for this, I will get this one for my children. Ruth Brown also wrote One Stormy Night, which is also very eerie but brightens up at the end. Also, have you ever read The Tale of Samuel Whiskers by Beatrix Potter to your girls? My little daughter was squeezing my fingers when the rats were rolling poor kitten into the dough:)Alinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13485948702089280528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-20629912555512723172017-02-09T05:41:04.694-08:002017-02-09T05:41:04.694-08:00Thanks for the review! It's on my reading lis...Thanks for the review! It's on my reading list.Annie Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14412025824888654453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-53985678171702370102016-03-30T16:29:37.206-07:002016-03-30T16:29:37.206-07:00As a self proclaimed Christian Agnostic, I am coun...As a self proclaimed Christian Agnostic, I am counting down the days when this book is delivered to my Kindle. Eager to learn more about the man who has opened my eyes towards the world and his fluid like prose, which is the prime reason on why I fell in love with his works years after his death. <br /><br />Your review is the only full review that i have found online, and I believe that after reading your review, my patience will surely be rewarded in the end. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12969274822598713724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-66305092702290154392015-09-29T22:33:00.126-07:002015-09-29T22:33:00.126-07:00Wonderful quote and a very good thought!Wonderful quote and a very good thought!Jon Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867992075746045379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-7981119210747258352015-09-29T17:26:37.003-07:002015-09-29T17:26:37.003-07:00This is one of our favourite books! It always remi...This is one of our favourite books! It always reminds me of that quote by GK Chesterton: "Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon.” We've definitely found that to be true! Arendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241953432860849328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-51532131839205606932015-09-25T08:41:47.520-07:002015-09-25T08:41:47.520-07:00Our kids love this one and most of Mo Willems book...Our kids love this one and most of Mo Willems books; our kids often take one of them out of the library. <br /><br />But I have to ask, how well does your strategy work when your kids ask to drive the bus?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09264086312090984314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-37920548585924993442015-07-22T04:22:06.700-07:002015-07-22T04:22:06.700-07:00Yes, I would say so too. Never seen these before. ...Yes, I would say so too. Never seen these before. Does anyone know The Place of Books blog is still up and running? Have seen no activity for a year. Just wondering?DCS Libraryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02878869552874965953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-53717068536092183752015-03-04T11:45:51.185-08:002015-03-04T11:45:51.185-08:00Thanks for the review! Sounds great for a school ...Thanks for the review! Sounds great for a school library!LoriBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06335466607287587763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-12021803155269158942014-12-18T21:46:41.551-08:002014-12-18T21:46:41.551-08:00So far as I know, just English and Spanish. The Sp...So far as I know, just English and Spanish. The Spanish title is "EL LIBRO QUE DIO FORMA AL MUNDO."Jon Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867992075746045379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-35412584270458054112014-12-18T18:31:36.985-08:002014-12-18T18:31:36.985-08:00How many languages has this book been translated i...How many languages has this book been translated into? I found it a very helpful read.Jasminehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14627474839624098010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-3737720679261015912013-05-06T16:25:36.258-07:002013-05-06T16:25:36.258-07:00A friend - Albert Vanderheide - had a couple of ad...A friend - Albert Vanderheide - had a couple of additional thoughts worth considering (his comment didn't work, so I'm posting it):<br /><br />There's an element reviewers of this book sofar all seem to overlook: Rosaria’s role with her husband Kent as a foster and as an adoptive parent, 'born' from their discovery she could not produce any 'fruit of the womb'. Do look at that part of the book to see more of the 'fruit' of her transformation and better reflect the image of God. Another element in her book, I find, merits attention, her receiving and granting forgiveness. The book merits group discussion by those raised in the Reformed Christian faith who distance themselves from those with the scars of an ungodly past but fail to see how much they themselves need forgiveness in Christ (awareness of weaknesses is only the beginning, think of ‘our’ sins of commission, omission and the hidden ones of the heart and those of which we are blissfully ignorant). We list the book online at www.GoDutch.com/storeJon Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867992075746045379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-68566902117742160452012-11-13T17:18:28.125-08:002012-11-13T17:18:28.125-08:00Just a note to Linus: I have a copy of "Maus&...Just a note to Linus: I have a copy of "Maus" in my classroom, and any student who starts it cannot put it down. A thoughtful, compelling book.Jeff Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15244687154866717719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-80719819297910379482012-08-21T20:11:36.989-07:002012-08-21T20:11:36.989-07:00It is interesting, our different expectations for ...It is interesting, our different expectations for books - one reason I liked that book is all the "probably"s and "maybe"s because they were clear about what was, and wasn't fact. Too many "biblical" storybooks are imagination presented as fact. I like thinking about how things may have been - I like going on imaginative forays - but I always want the author to be clear when he is departing from biblical fact.Jon Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867992075746045379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-20816783923434610482012-08-21T18:43:01.712-07:002012-08-21T18:43:01.712-07:00I have actually also read 'The True Story of N...I have actually also read 'The True Story of Noah's Ark'. We bought it for our church library because of your review. (we have bought many others for the same reason :) ) Anyways that particular one I found quite funny that over and over you find phrases like...'it was probably like...', 'it might have happened that...', 'it could have been...'. I found that humorous to call it the 'true' story and then have to guess at most of what they put in the book. It bothered me :) Seemed to me that if you are going to call it the true story then you should leave out the stuff that might not be true and stick to the facts.<br />But enough critical remarks - all of the books do have something good to offer in making our kids familiar with the Bible stories - I am just quite picky :)<br />Lisa :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00144074018491421310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116419822567190524.post-6710923959554392622012-08-21T16:15:44.023-07:002012-08-21T16:15:44.023-07:00Thanks Lisa - I've come across "Noah'...Thanks Lisa - I've come across "Noah's Ark: Thinking Outside the Box" and really enjoyed it as well. I hadn't heard of "Fox Walked Alone" and will have to check it out. <br /><br />As for this one being true to Scripture, I will have to take another look at Spier's door closing picture, as Scripture does tell us that it was God Who shut them in (Gen. 7:16). But most of the details are simply unknown, which is why I do appreciate how Spier, by leaving the text out, seems intent on us going to the Bible to check out the authoritative version. <br /><br />p.s. Another very good one is "The True Story of Noah's Ark" which we reviewed here: http://www.reallygoodreads.com/2011/04/true-story-of-noahs-ark.htmlJon Dykstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867992075746045379noreply@blogger.com