Jason C. Stanley

Giveaway: Love You Always book

Love You Always, written by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Gillian Flint, is the latest gift book for new babies or for Christmas. The verses are gentle and the repetition is soothing. The book aims to communicate to the child that he or she is loved – always – but a host of family members. Mostly by Mama and Daddy.

But other family members are included. Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie, and Uncle. Counsin and family friend even get a shout out. At first, this inclusion of extended family members is great. It is often rare to see Auntie and Uncle included in a children’s book. While the book seems to include a lot of the family tree, there is no inclusion of siblings or step-parents.

YouTubevotional: Fair and Square

September 18, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

YouTubevotionals are designed to be used in personal devotion time, with small groups, youth groups, or Sunday school classes. To see other YouTubevotionals, click here.

Introduction

We have heard the phrase, “fair and square,” and “cheaters never prosper.” We usually hear them in the context of sports or in education. Remember playing a pickup game of baseball in the backyard and someone, maybe you, telling your friends that something was “fair and square?”

It can speak to a sense of justice and integrity.

In the Mickey Mouse short below, Mickey is faced with the challenge of cheating (like everyone else) or being faithful to the spirit of fair play.

Book Review: My Potty

September 16, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

My Potty, Anita Bijsterbosch, Clavis Books, 2017.

At our house, we are in the midst of potty training. We have set a sticker system so that everytime Toddler J uses the potty, she receives a sticker. Once her sticker card is full, we take a trip to the Dollar Tree and she picks out one item (toy, coloring book, etc.)

During this phase of life, we are interested in books about using the potty. Something you never quite appreciate until you are a parent.

Anita Bijsterbosch’s board book My Potty is yet another book in this help-the-parent-out genre. While My Potty is no Daniel Tiger, it is a fun read. The illustrations are fun and bright. The animals in the story was a plus for Toddler J.

YouTubevotional: Is God Calling?

September 11, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

YouTubevotionals are designed to be used in personal devotion time, with small groups, youth groups, or Sunday school classes. To see other YouTubevotionals, click here.

Introduction

Brother Casey is a Franciscan friar who is using the wonders of YouTube to engage thousands of viewers. From blogging about his life as a friar to producing YouTube videos to communicate the gospel, Brother Casey seems to be committed to reaching people through modern media.

In the video below, Brother Casey asks the question, “Is God calling you?”

Book Review: The Tiny Tale of Little Pea

September 9, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

The Tiny Tale of Little Pea, Davide Cali, illustrated by Sebastien Mourrain, Kids Can Press, 2017.

“When he was born, Little Pea was tiny. Teeny-tiny.”

And the story of Little Pea begins. Little Pea is a tiny little, light-skinned human being the size of a pea. He never gets taller than half the length of a normal pencil.

Even though he is small, Little Pea does not let his smallness keep him from doing things. He climbs a lego tower. Little Pea rides a grasshopper as if it were a small horse. He reads and teaches himself how to swim.

Giveaway: God Paints/Loves the World

September 7, 2017 / Jason / 1 Comment

Gary Bower is an ordained pastor who has years of experience in ministry with children, teens, and adults. His ministry has developed his ability to communicate to a wide ranging audience. He is the author of sixteen books, including two new board books, God Love the World and God Paints the World.

Both books use rhyme, which is attractive to young ears. The illustrations by Tracy Cottingham are colorful and engaging.

God Paints the World

In this little book, children are introduced to various colors. As well as parts of creation that are that color. For example, when the color red is introduced, we meet a cardinal who likes to eat berries. Cottingham’s illustrations make use of the color in creative ways, making it fun and educational.

YouTubevotional: Mattress Mack

September 4, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

YouTubevotionals are designed to be used in personal devotion time, with small groups, youth groups, or Sunday school classes. To see other YouTubevotionals, click here.

Introduction

Hurricane Harvey has brought with it a lot of anxiety and worry. This has prompted a lot of prayer and action on the parts of many. And in a time when we seem to be more focused on the things that divide us, stories of strangers helping strangers come out of Texas and remind us of what humanity is all about.

Local furniture store owner, Jim McIngvale, also known as Mattress Mack, is one of those stories.

When Did We See You?

September 3, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

Reimaging Matthew 25:

I was flooded and you rescued me.

I was homeless and you provided me shelter

I was wet and you gave me a place to dry off.

I was hungry and you fed me.

I was shivering and you gave me a blanket.

I began cleaning up and you offered a hand.

Comic Review: Wonder Woman Vols 1 & 2

September 1, 2017 / Jason / 0 Comments

Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies collects Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1, Wonder Woman #1, #3, #5, #7, #9, and #11. Written by Greg Rucka with art by Liam Sharp.

Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Year One collects Wonder Woman #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, and #14. Written by Greg Rucka with art by Nicola Scott.

What follows may contain spoilers.

First Thoughts

Let me start by saying I no longer read individual comic book editions. I wait for them to come out in graphic novel form. If time permits, I will sit in the book store and read an edition. Otherwise, I’m grateful for digital review copies.

When I first started reading The Lies, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What am I missing?” Nevertheless, I prevailed, despite the feeling that the Rebirth story was not complete.

Then, I picked up Year One, and I began to see what I was missing. As the comics were released, the odd numbered issues were the present day (The Lies) while the even numbered issues were recalling the past (Year One).