non fiction

Non Fiction Review: Once Upon a Word

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Once Upon a Word by Jess Zafarris
Once Upon a Word: A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids–Building Vocabulary Through Etymology, Definitions & Stories
by Jess Zafarris 

5 out of 5 stars

This dictionary focuses on word origins to teach vocabulary through the stories and history of words. The first section explains the roots of common Latin and Greek words and how the prefixes and suffixes attached to words can give clues to their meaning or completely change the meaning of the main word.

Organized alphabetically, each entry gives a paragraph with an explanation of the origin story of the word, along with its meaning, root language, and sometimes an example sentence. I really love the choice of interesting words, and how the information is organized. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Tricky Logic Puzzles for Adults

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Tricky Logic Puzzles for Adults by Steven Clontz
Tricky Logic Puzzles for Adults: 150 Difficult Puzzles to Challenge Your Brain
by Steven Clontz

5 out of 5 stars

This book includes sudoku puzzles, nonograms, calcudoku, and masyu games. There are cryptic puzzles that solve similar to sudoku, but result in decrypting a word or phrase. Masyu is a puzzle where you draw lines that connect in a path through black or white circles with strict rules of movement and direction.

Each puzzle comes with clear instructions to get you started, and a hint in case you get stuck. The answers to each puzzle are at the back of the book, so that you can check your work. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Organic Aromatherapy & Essential Oils

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Organic Aromatherapy & Essential Oils by Amber Robinson
Organic Aromatherapy & Essential Oils: The Modern Guide to All-Natural Health and Wellness
by Amber Robinson

5 out of 5 stars


This book has chapters for using aromatherapy and essential oils for common health ailments, emotional and mental well-being, cosmetics and personal care, and to use around the home or outdoors. The book begins with general information about how aromatherapy works, and how various essential oils can be used and blended together. There are individual pages for each essential oil detailing its properties, uses, and benefits.

The remedies include things like allergy relief, congestion, nausea, toothache,and sunburn relief. The blends for emotional well-being include soothing relief for anger,frustration, anxiety, loneliness, and ways to boost your focus, find patience, learn to forgive, encourage a hopeful outlook, and find inspiration. Some of the recipes are designed for inhalation or for topical use. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: The Story of Abraham Lincoln

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The Story of Abraham Lincoln by Carla Jablonski
The Story of Abraham Lincoln: A Biography Book for New Readers
by Carla Jablonski

5 out of 5 stars


This children’s book tells the history of Abraham Lincoln, from his childhood to his death.
I like that the story is told with a simple writing style, easy for a child to understand, and there is a glossary at the back from some of the bigger or unfamiliar words. This would be a great book for 7-10 year old readers.

There are fun cartoon illustrations showing Abe as a young boy on the farm, as a young politician, as a family man, and finally as President of the United States. I really like the bright colors and design of the book! Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: The Women of the Bible and You

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The Women of the Bible and You by Arionne Yvette Williams
The Women of the Bible and You: A Weekly Devotional
by Arionne Yvette Williams

1 out of 5 stars
I hated this book! It is unBiblical and humanistic.
This book has 52 weekly devotional studies about women in the Bible. It is designed to be used in a group study, or to be read alone. There are questions to prompt group discussion or to reflect on by yourself.

The author shares some personal stories that would have been better left out of the book altogether. I can see that the author is trying to be relatable, but it made me lose confidence in the author.
Some of the lessons are contrived and not at all what I think the focus of the Bible verses should be. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Bedtime Meditations for Kids

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Bedtime Meditations for Kids by Cory Cochiolo
Bedtime Meditations for Kids: Quick, Calming Exercises to Help Kids Get to Sleep
by Cory Cochiolo

5 out of 5 stars


This book gives exercises in imagination and sharing to help a child unwind at the end of the day and get ready for sleep. Some of the guided prompts encourage a child to share a worry that is keeping them awake, or list all the good things they did that day, or pretend to be as light as feather, or list all the things they like about themselves.

There are exercises for being more aware, floating into sleep, expressing your feelings, managing anger, and mood-changing exercises that help you to manage difficult emotions and have a better attitude. There are also breathing meditations that focus on the breathe, or on how your body feels when it’s tense or relaxed.

Most of the exercises use your imagination to pretend you are a fairy, a cloud, a dragon, a penguin, or a turtle. You can imagine that you jump and fly in the sky, or that you live in a bubble mansion, or that you can ride up and down in a magical elevator.
There are also games for children to “get the wiggles out” before bedtime, and dance around, then lie still and calm. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: The Bible In 52 Weeks

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The Bible in 52 Weeks by Kimberly D. Moore
The Bible in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Bible Study for Women
by Kimberly D. Moore

5 out of 5 stars


This Bible reading plan guides you through an entire year of reading the Bible! There is a list of Bible chapters to read for 6 days, and you can use the 7th day in the week to catch up if you fell behind. Each week has an encouraging few paragraphs to point out Biblical truths and lessons to look for.

Then there are “Points to Ponder” with some questions you can answer in a journal style, writing in your thoughts about the reading for that week.
Each week ends with “Actions for the Week” that gives you prompts on how you can apply the lessons you read to make your life more joyful, peaceful, and positive.
Some weeks have a “This Is My Prayer” section, with a prayer written out that you can pray for yourself.

I love how this book talks about going after your dreams in faith, relying on God for every need, trusting His purpose for your life, and releasing stress and bitterness to embrace peace and joy. The writing prompts and action for the week are really thoughtful and help the reader to be more mindful with their reading. It’s really inspiring, and makes me want to pick up the Bible and read and pray! Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Yin Yoga

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Yin Yoga by Diane Paylor
Yin Yoga: Essential Poses and Sequences for Balanced Energy
by Diane Paylor

5 out of 5 stars

This book is divided into chapters for Yin and Yang poses (still or moving poses), with special chapters for rising energy, grounding, seasonal practices, and targeting specific areas of the body. It begins with an explanation of Yin yoga, how to harness the energy of your breathing, how yin yoga helps your ligaments and joints, and how to quiet the mind during yoga.

I really love that each pose comes with instructions for modifications and variations, so that the yogi can choose what feels best to them in the moment. There are also warnings for poses that could affect old injuries, or would not be appropriate for the elderly or for pregnant women, so that the reader can practice poses safely.

Each pose has clear instructions with options to use props like a bolster, blanket, yoga strap, or pillow. You can make the pose deeper if you are ready for more of a stretch, or you can make the pose easier if you want less pressure or intensity.
Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Awesome Brain Games for Kids

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Awesome Brain Games for Kids by Tori Cameron
Awesome Brain Games for Kids: STEAM Puzzles and Facts for Curious Minds
by Tori Cameron

5 out of 5 stars

Broken into sections for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, this book gives challenges, questions, factoids, word problems, puzzles, word search activities, mazes, crossword puzzles, secret codes to crack, and dozens of other activities! I especially liked the games about music and note values, since I am a musician.

Each game is worth a certain amount of points, and you can tally up your score for each section. In case you get stuck, the answers for each game are in the back of the book, along with a glossary for some of the larger words. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: My Perfectly Imperfect Life

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My Perfectly Imperfect Life by Irene Smit
My Perfectly Imperfect Life: 127 Exercises for Self-Acceptance
by Irene Smit, Astrid van der Hulst,  Editors of Flow Magazine

5 out of 5 stars

This guided journal gives writing prompts and activities to help relieve stress, enhance your life, embrace the good, find joy in the little things, and simplify your schedule. With a beautiful pastel design and inspiring quotes, this book teaches us to be gentler with ourselves and forgive those little mistakes that make life so interesting.

I really love the overall message of this book! I am a perfectionist and a worrier, so this kind of reminder to slow down and accept the imperfect things in life is just right for someone like me. There are breathing exercises, creative projects, mindful writing prompts, gentle self-care challenges, goals to spend more time with friends, get out into the world, allow the imperfect to happen, and choose happiness. Continue reading →