Firebird by Brent McCorkle and Amy Parker

This is a wonderful children’s book about a little bird that learns that God doesn’t take the sun away when it is stormy out. It seems in fact that Eva Marie quoted the entire story, word for word, in ‘Unconditional: A Novel’.

It is a nice size and shape for reading to one or more children, perfect for having the children all gather in a semi-circle for story time or maybe a single child nestled in one’s lap. The storyline is simple, one that a young child can take in and understand.  The illustrations are bright, large, and colorful. Great for seeing from a short distance away.

If you are looking for a way to share God’s unchanging love with young children in your life, this is a delightful book that they can page through and go over the story themselves, even when there isn’t anyone to read it, via the wonderful pictures on each page.

Purposes of Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion of it in a review on my blog. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

‘Unconditional’ by Eva Marie Everson

Sam (Samantha) Crawford is happily married to her best friend, Billy Crawford. All seems to be turning out as she thought things would until the unthinkable happens and Billy dies. He isn’t taken from her in illness, he is murdered and it plunges her into a pit of despair in which she sees no sunshine and can’t emotionally or spiritually find her way out. When she is at her lowest point God puts a couple of children and a very special friend from childhood into her life. Keisha, Macon, and Joe Bradford (known as Papa Joe by the children he works with in his ministry) are the instruments used by God to radically change her life and in the process change their lives too.

It is a great story that shows what God’s love can do when we least expect it.

My favorite part is probably where Sam learns what her husband said right before he died. Not just what he said, but what happens in and around her finding out.

On the front cover it states that it is based on the motion picture screenplay written by Brent McCorkle, and at the end of the book we are told that it was inspired by actual events in Joe Bradford’s life. What those ‘actual events’ are that inspired the story are not shared. What is shared is that a ministry to fatherless children started from sharing a piece of candy and that ministry is called Elijah’s Heart. To find out more about the ministry there is a website you can visit.  http://www.papajoe.org and http://www.elijahsheart.com (both go to the same place.)

I recommend this book as both encouraging and inspirational reading.

Have you read the book? What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Purposes of Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion of it in a review on my blog. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”