The Plans I Have for You Devotional and Journal (for kids) by Amy Parker - #review #giveaway

  

About The Plans I Have For You Devotional: 

The devotional is an illustrated 90-day devotional written by bestselling children's book author Amy Parker and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, teaching and inspiring kids to dream about their future, to focus on faith, love, and joy, and recognize that God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us.  


Hardcover; 160 pages
Age Range: 8-12 years

GoodReads * Amazon * Zondervan

About The Plans I Have For You Journal:

The journal prompts creative thinking and exploration of the talents and personalities that make us special, and then helps explore how God may use our unique traits to spread love and joy and make the world a better place. 

Stationery; 208 pages 
Age Range: 11-14 years 

GoodReads * Amazon * Zondervan

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SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Zonderkiz Facebook * Zonderkidz Twitter

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MY REVIEW

Wow.  I wish resources like this devotional and journal by Amy Parker and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton had been available when I was heading into my teen years.  Up until I was 12, my 'faith' had been mostly a matter of memorization - of saying the right words, whether or not there was understanding or feeling to back up those words.  The personal walk with God did not really come until years later.

Especially in the tween years, children are beginning to figure things out for themselves, instead of just learning from parents or teachers.  Both valuable resources, to be sure, but in order to realize their unique purposes, children need to be able to understand and reason for themselves.

The devotional presents many different cases, or 'things to think about' that can help children navigate those tricky teen years.  The more they think about their own relationship with God and how to walk the 'straight and narrow path', the less they need to rely on the directives of other people.  Some of these other people, of course, do have the young ones best interest at heart, but, unfortunately, others do not.

I was particularly interested in reading through this journal and devotional, because I have a 12-year old daughter, who turns 13 in February.  She already has a pretty good head on her shoulders, and is not afraid to express her opinions on right and wrong, even when others do not hold the same values.  I am very, very happy to be able to have this duo of books in our house for her to use in the future.

The examples provided by Ms. Parker are concrete and able to be understood well by children of the listed age groups.  The accompanying Bible verses suit each topic well.  Ms. Brantley-Newton's illustrations support the text and the ideas in this series wonderfully (and they are very cute to boot!)

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Amy Parker has sold more than thirty books for children, teens, and adults.  She has also collaborated with authors ranging from New York Times bestsellers to her very own son.  Two of these collaborations are recipients of Christian retailing's Best Awards, and she has also won three Mom's Choice Awards.  But Amy's greatest reward is being a wife to Daniel and a mom to their amazing sons, Michael and Ethan. 


MEET THE ILLUSTRATOR

Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator, doll maker, and crafter.  Her passion for children's books began when she came across The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats as a child in the 1960s.  Growing up in a musical family who love to sing, Vanessa's illustrations are as fun and whimsical as a beautiful melody.  Vanessa currently makes her nest in Charlotte, NC with her husband of 20 years, their daughter, and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes. 

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GIVEAWAY!!!

As if this is not good news already, thanks to Zondervan and Flyby Promotions, I am able to offer a set of these same books to one lucky reader!

Please leave a comment below, saying for whom you would like to win these prizes.  I will pick one comment at random next week to receive this wonderful resource!

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(Disclosure:  I received a copy of both the devotional and journal from the publishers via Flyby Promotions in exchange for my objective review.)