Book Review: Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts

Weighing in at over 450 pages, Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts is quite a resource and a very helpful companion to a study of the Old and New Testament. Presented in full color, I was most excited about the maps because I love being able to read parts of the Bible and then be able to look up and see exactly where the stories took place.

The book is laid out in a very organized manner, in the same order as the book in the Bible, making information very easy to access. Charts provide summaries of events or themes and tie everything happening together. I think this would be great for group study as all the maps and charts are available for download and would be very helpful visual aides.

I also liked that some historic details were given, for example when the four gospels were discussed a little bit about the Herodian Dynasty was shared along with a family tree, diagram of Herod's Temple, and table of the New Testament Political Rulers. When appropriate, photos of relevant places are also included. It all helps me visualize the Bible better. This is a great reference book that will be referred to and used for many years.

Publisher Synopsis:

Beautiful full-color maps and charts illuminate the Scriptures.

This updated edition of Thomas Nelson’s popular Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts has everything your customers need to visualize the events, places, and people in the Old and New Testaments.

The resources include:

• New, full-color, high-resolution maps and charts.
• Downloadable PDFs of maps and charts for presentations and classes.
• Tables, charts, and diagrams that organize Bible information for ease of learning and memorization.
• Historical articles providing insight into Bible times.
• Introductions to each book of the Bible.

Perfect for small-group leaders, Bible school teachers, and anyone curious about biblical times or wanting to locate key events from Scripture, Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts provides a visual overview of the Bible in its entirety.



Disclaimer: I reviewed this book as part of Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program, and this post relates my own unbiased opinions and experience with this title. Yours may differ.

Review & Giveaway: Phil Vischer's What's In the Bible

The new project from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer's, What's in the Bible with Buck Denver, has been a real hit with my 3.5 year old ER. It's aim is to explain the entire Bible and how all the stories fit together to make one big story to kids, a pretty tall order, if you ask me. However, the combination of puppetry, interaction between Vischer and the puppet cast of characters, animation, and catchy tunes have us tapping our toes to "Genesis", and learning about the Bible. I'm actually surprised by how often she's asked for the "Bible Video". The content from the first two DVDs in the What's in the Bible series are on our reviewer's copy and she'll watch almost the whole thing at one time. That in and of itself says a lot.

I was pretty sure from his track record that Vischer would be able to get ER's attention right away, but I wasn't sure he'd be able to keep it for long. After all, how interesting could he possibly make the Bible? I have to admit I was wrong to doubt.

What's in the Bible is well done and not what I feared it would be, a puff piece with a little religion thrown in. I found it to be highly educational and the delivery via various puppets like the blue haired Sunday school teacher, singing cowboy, pirate, and news anchor Buck Rodgers ensured that the information I probably got in catechism class was a lot more interesting and engaging.

I liked how it talked in depth about how the Bible was written and why certain books did or did not make it into the Bible. It also jumped right in and mentioned sin, characterized as little crabby looking black puffs. I also liked how it didn't shy away from bringing that up, finding an age appropriate manner to so. Our children are bombarded with so many different forms of entertainment, and while many preschool shows have educational components, they don't discuss faith and Christianity. What's in the Bible fills this gap perfectly.
Publisher's Synopsis:

Presenting a 13-DVD series from the creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer! Each DVD is filled with original music, animation, puppets, and creative writing that will teach kids about God and his Word. The first DVD introduces kids to the Bible and the book of beginnings, Genesis. Kids will learn about the key people in Genesis and the important lessons their stories teach us. Approximately 56 minutes...

The second DVD introduces kids to the book of Exodus: the oppression of the Israelites and the birth and rise of God’s chosen leader, Moses. The DVD also answers the question, who wrote the Bible? in a way kids can grasp. Approximately 56 minutes.

Find out a little bit more about What's In the Bible from Phil Visher and see a preview of the show below:

Here are some What's in the Bible coloring pages featuring the main characters, for you to enjoy too!
Giveaway!

As a part of the What's in the Bible's Blog Tour, I have two certificates, one for a free copy of each DVD to give away, courtesy of Tyndale.

Please Note: These certificates can be redeemed at your local Christian bookstore, winner pays taxes where applicable, or by mailing directly to Tyndale.

To Enter:

Please tell me which part of the Bible is hardest for you to teach or talk about with your child or your favorite part of the Bible.

Extra Entries: {to be completed after the main entry described above, add a separate comment for each one}

• Publically follow my blog using Google Friends Connect.
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• Follow me on Twitter, tweet this giveaway using @KTnestingspot, up to once daily.
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Giveaway open until April 8 midnight EST, a little longer than usual because of the Easter holiday. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Good Luck!



Disclaimer: Thank you to Tyndale for providing the reviewer's copy and giveaway. This review relates my own personal and unbiased opinions and experience with this DVD series. Yours may differ.

Altered Board Book: Hopes and Dreams

A photo shoot I did with ER when she was two months old was particularly memorable for me. It was one of the first times I thought I really captured her personality, along with a big happy smile. I wanted to do something truly special with the photos. I decided to alter an old children's board book, literacy lovers don't worry I got it secondhand and it was pretty beat up, after a sheet of stickers with the theme of "My Hopes and Dreams for You" with poignant sayings printed on them, inspired me. I combined it with a sheet of sticker tabs and used them for most of my journaling throughout it. If you need some tips on altering board books, you can refer to my previous tutorial.

For the front cover, I used an exact-o knife to cut out a frame for a photo. I placed the photo under the opening on the page beneath the cover page and a piece cut from a page protector on top of that. Then I adhered the cover and first page together for stability. Some rick rack, buttons, and a metal label with tags with her named spelled out in stickers decorate the cover.
For the first page I printed out the lyrics to I Hope You Dance, as performed by Lee Ann Womack. I have always thought they were so beautiful and poignant. I added ER's name with stickers, but removed them for privacy. I was in a rush so the cloning isn't exactly flawless but it's good enough for sharing purposes. Then I continued to use my favorite pictures, laying them out through the book, using paper scraps, sticker sayings, and sticker tags. I painted the right side above, and also painted all of the edges of the book pages with the same blue. The blue side was created in the same manner of the cover, using two consecutive pages and gluing them together.
Same thing for this page of tags. I cut out opening for each tag on the right side from the top page; the actual stickers are on the page below. I knew I wanted to use metal brads, but didn't want to add too much bulk. They are a bit recessed this way.
The top left side of this page is blank, because I added a personal message for ER after taking these pictures of the project.
This is my favorite picture, with ER giving me a wide open smile and a big gurgle and giggle. Another special message for her is printed it out on vellum for this page. I hope that when she gets older she'll treasure it. Perhaps she'll look through it, when we're apart and it'll remind her how much I love her.
My friend Maridith at Strictly Homemade has started a montly challenge, on the 20th, to show off our hand make gifts for loved ones called Gifts from the Heart. This book for my daughter is linked up. It doesn't have to be a craft, it can be a home cooked meal, or even the gift of time. It's not about the money you spend but giving from the heart. I think it's a lovely sentiment and hope you'll join us.



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