Homeschool Friday - The Storm that Stopped

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Storm That Stopped

By: Alison Mitchell

Illustrated By: Catalina Echeverri

Publication: February 1, 2016 by The Good Book Company

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Non-fiction, Christian, History, Picture Book

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Third in the 'Tales that Tell the Truth' series comes The Storm that Stopped!

Based on the account of Jesus calming the storm from Mark chapter 4, this dramatic storybook will teach children about who Jesus really is, as they witness his power over nature.

Stunningly illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, author and illustrator of several bestselling children's books as well as the first two storybooks from the 'Tales that Tell the Truth' series: The Christmas Promise and The One O'Clock Miracle.

Written by Alison Mitchell, author of The Christmas Promise and several of our children's tracts.

The Storm that Stopped covers the New Testament story of when Jesus calmed the storm while in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The story starts with Jesus teaching a multitude of people all day, and then he decides to go with his apostles across the sea. He fell asleep in the boat on the way, and suddenly a storm arose. The wind and the waves are so big and strong that the boat is taking on water, and the apostles fear they are going to drown. Jesus sleeps through this all until they wake him.

I appreciated the illustrations included. The beauty of contrast from the light pages to the darker, stormy pages was jarring in the perfect way. I liked the page with the wind o'meter, wave o'meter, sink o'meter, and panic o'meter. My children thought those were particularly funny.

I also liked that when Jesus calms the sea, the book focuses on what he doesn't do. He doesn't help bail the water out of the boat, he doesn't help row, he speaks, but not to the apostles. He speaks to the wind and the waves.

The book (as well as the Biblical story) then focuses on who Jesus is that he could possibly have control over the wind and the waves. He was teaching His disciples that He is God. Like Jesus and the Lions' Den, this book includes a "how do we know about the storm that stopped" section at the end. I love that they include this.

The Storm that Stopped is about as good as a children's picture book can get for me. The illustrations are striking. There's a little humor. The content is Biblical, which I appreciate. And the teaching goes beyond the surface. The Storm that Stopped is a great addition to any home library. The Storm that Stopped gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read The Storm that Stopped? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Jesus and the Lions' Den

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Jesus and the Lions' Den

By: Alison Mitchell

Illustrated By: Catalina Echeverri

Publication: September 1, 2019 by The Good Book Company

31 pages

Genre: Children, Picture Books, Christian

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--An illustrated retelling of Daniel and the lions' den that helps children to see Jesus in the story of Daniel.

We've all heard of Daniel and the lions' den. But many probably haven't heard of Jesus and the lions' den. This book tells the Biblical story of Daniel as an Israelite captive in Babylon, where he has gained favor from King Darius. Yet many would love to see Daniel brought low. The beginning of the book talks about how we can often spot "Jesus moments" in the Bible, specifically the Old Testament stories. So it warns readers to look out for a specific symbol to be found throughout the story, where a character is behaving like Jesus or a situation is similar to one Jesus faced.

Next, the book details Daniel's habit of prayer and how nothing could be found about Daniel to bring to the king against him, except his faithful prayer habit. Because the law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed once made, Darius had to enforce the law he was tricked into making, that no one could pray to anyone but him for 30 days. Daniel would be thrown into the lions' den. Even though Darius could not find a way to save Daniel himself, he hoped that Daniel's God would be able to. The next morning, Darius rushed to the lions' den and found Daniel safe. God had saved him. King Darius made a new law that Daniel's God would be recognized as the real king of all people.

The book then directs the reader to stop and make sure they have located all four symbols for Jesus moments in the story. And then proceeds to point out each moment and what those moments mean.

I love that after the story, there is a section dedicated to "how do we know about Daniel and the Lions' Den." It focuses on Biblical truths along with historical information. And it directs the reader to other Old Testament stories that also have Jesus moments in them. Truly, the entire Bible is about Jesus and His redemption of man.

Jesus and the Lions' Den is about as good as you can get for a children's picture book in my opinion. I love bringing in picture books that focus on Biblical stories. Kids really remember the pictures that go with the stories. My kids all love this book. And I love that the Biblical teaching isn't just surface-level. There is depth here as well. Jesus and the Lions' Den gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Jesus and the Lions' Den? What did you think? Let me know!