Book Review: You Are Essential by Thomas Nelson Gift Books
You Are Essential: 100 Inspirational Reminders of How Much You Matter
Author: Thomas Nelson Gift Books
Published: April 20, 2021
176 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: June 5-7, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
With 100 uplifting quotes and stories along with vibrant artwork, You Are Essential is for the essential people in your life–including you!–who need a reminder that what they do matters.
We all have essential people in our lives, whether they are friends, family, or someone we are meeting for the first time at the doctor’s office or grocery pick-up line. Designed to be given as an encouragement or thank-you to others or as a self-purchase to remind yourself how much the world needs you, You Are Essential includes:
- Inspirational quotes
- Encouraging stories
- Colorful artwork
This timely and timeless book is ideal for:
- Classroom and online teachers
- Nurses, medical assistants, EMTs, pharmacists, and doctors
- First responders and their families
- Parents juggling both childcare and a career
- Grandparents stepping in to help during turbulent times
- Pastors, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers
- Grocery store delivery shoppers and postal service employees
- Homeschooling parents and co-op leaders
- Factory workers, car mechanics, restaurant personnel
- And more!
The perfect way to let someone know you see all that they are doing and that you’re grateful, You Are Essential is a beautiful celebration of the human spirit and a reminder that no matter what, we will always need each other.
Jessica’s Review:
You Are Essential is a book for everyone as we are ALL essential! When COVID hit last year many different types of occupations came to the forefront, and some that are usually not considered important/ essential suddenly became VERY important to all of us. I am in one of those professions (I work in a local government office) that is essential but not very appreciated by the public, still even now. It’s rare to get a thank you and more common to get yelled at. I had a rough day at work when I had ordered You Are Essential, so it came at a good time for me.
You Are Essential is uplifting and gives encouraging quotes, stories and scriptures. It shows how everyone is important with what they do: Sometimes we just need reminding!
The book itself it pocket sized and is colorful and even has its own personal ribbon bookmark attached to the book. It would make the perfect gift for those who need these reminders and a great little coffee table book.
I plan to hold on to this one and read it as I need it.
I received a copy from the publisher via Amazon Prime.
Quinn Says Goodbye
Quinn Says Goodbye: Friends May Go Away, but God is Here to Stay
Author: Christie Thomas
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
To Be Published: August 6, 2019
32 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: July 29, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Goodbye Is Never Easy, but God Can Make It Better
When Quinn the Owl makes a new friend, a firefly named Blink, she is filled with joy. But one night, Quinn wakes up to find her friend has disappeared in a flash.
“Momma, why didn’t God make Blink stay with me? Didn’t he know how much I loved him?”
“God doesn’t always stop bad things from happening, Quinn. But he does promise that He will always be with you, and He will never stop being your friend.”
Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written, Quinn Says Goodbye is designed for children dealing with different kinds of loss, whether it be death of a pet or a family member, or simply the loss of a favorite toy. Remind little ones that although people and things might not be in their life forever, God will never leave them.
Jessica’s Review:
Quinn is a baby owl and she finds an injured firefly and helps to take care of it. Quinn even names the firefly Blink. One day Blink is gone and Quinn is devastated as she really loved Blink.
Quinn Says Goodbye is a good picture book that shows children that goodbyes (and grief) happen and it is ok to be sad about the loss. Quinn Says Goodbye has a religious context to it and shows faith and even though God may let bad things happen, He will always be with us and take care of us.
This picture book can definitely help younger children deal with grief in a comforting way no matter the loss, and this story has a sweet ending. Whether the loss is a family pet, family member, a favorite toy, or even a move, this story will help children positively.
There is also a “Did You Know” section about fireflies, so children can learn about them. There are also Bible verses mentioned to help enhance the story and open up a discussion with your child and their grief if needed.
I loved the illustrations! The colors have a peaceful and calming effect to them as you read the story. I adored the owls and was excited to find out that there is another Quinn book which is already out: Quinn’s Promise Rock: No Matter Where, God Is Always There.
Special thanks to the publisher, Harvest House Publishers, for granting me an e-arc copy via NetGalley. It was a pleasure to read and review.
Pre-order Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
A Voice as Soft as a Honey Bee’s Flutter by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
A Voice as Soft as a Honey Bee’s Flutter: Inspired by Psalm 46
Author and Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Published: July 8, 2019
32 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: June 25, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Teaching children to know God and to hear His voice can be challenging. In A Voice as Soft as a Honey Bee’s Flutter, you and your young readers alike will journey through the story of an African American boy who learns to hear God’s voice in the busyness of everyday life. Your little ones will be encouraged to know God and hear His voice while learning to trust Him through the story inspired by Psalm 46.
Jessica’s Review:
This children’s picture book is the true story of the author’s brother that is also based off verses of Psalm 46. It shows children that God is our place of safety and gives us strength in times of trouble.
I liked how the bee was a constant in the illustrations throughout the story. The bee shows us how God is always with us. The colorful watercolor illustrations perfectly helped to capture the moods of the story. The illustrations bought to life the feel of darkness and fear when called for and then the light of hope at the end of the story. I liked how the illustrations showed us African American characters. I feel we need more stories that show diversity in characters, especially when the books are for younger children.
This story calls for us to remember to take some time out and remember to “Be still, and know that I am God.” It also encourages Bible reading by mentioning the exact verses that this story is based off of and other verses to knowing more on God.
As this is a story of the author’s younger brother, there is one page that tells us briefly of his life. He was the middle of five children.
This children’s picture book is recommended. Special thanks to the publisher for granting me an e-arc copy to read and review via NetGalley.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US *Publication Day is July 22, 2019*
Amazon UK *Already published in the UK*