WorthyKids/Ideals The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Book 1 & 2 Review

My family had the privilege of reading the first TWO books in the series, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls, from WorthyKids/Ideals for this review to use in conjunction with our own homeschool curriculum. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

WorthyKids/Ideals is part of the Worthy Publishing Group. This is the kids' books division of the Christian and inspirational publishing. This line of colorful, interactive children's books includes such notable titles as: VeggieTales and Berenstain Bears. They reach the top 10 best-selling children’s books during the Easter and Christmas seasons each year.

M.J. Thomas is a scholar in Bible studies and an author to The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls book series. When his son Peter was 9 he tried to find books that taught about the events in the Bible in a enjoyable, exciting, and captivating way. He didn't find any, so he decided to write his own. The main characters of the stories are named after his son Peter, his niece Mary, and his dog Hank.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas are a time-traveling adventure book series that helps kids explore the Bible and increase in faith. These stories combine biblical accuracy with mystery, wonder, imagination, adventure, danger, and excitement. Peter, Mary, and Hank have discovered ancient scrolls that help them travel back in time. These scrolls have clues to solve and the three must solve them before time runs out or they will become stuck in the past forever. You will also meet Great-Uncle Solomon, the eccentric archaeologist who discovered the scrolls, and the angel Michael, who aides the children on their quests. These are recommended to emerging readers ages 6-9, homeschooling families, and others that love adventure.

There are two books in the series currently:

• The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Beginning (Book #1)
• The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark (Book #2)

In the first title of the series, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Beginning, we first meet Peter, Mary, and Hank as they come to stay with their Great-Uncle Solomon while their parents go on a long trip. They soon find some ancient scrolls that unlock the ability to time-travel through history, and more specifically the history of the bible. The first scroll they open takes them to the beginning of creation. They experience the creation of the earth, meet an angel of God, ride dolphins, rhinos & elephants; and duel a devious snake in the Garden of Eden. They also discover they must find clues and solve a puzzle on the scroll before the seventh day ends or they could get trapped in the past permanently. Will they succeed?

In The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark the call of the lion beckons them once more to open another scroll. They are thrust into a land where no one is nice except for a family that has built a large boat...yes, you probably guessed it...Noah's family and his Ark. This time the trio is brought to Noah's time where they meet two troublemakers and an evil man named the Dark Ruler. Peter, Mary, and Hank help get the animals on the ark and everything ready for the impending flood, but then things start to go wrong and the Dark Ruler gets a hold of the scroll. Will they solve the clues and get back to their own time before they get swallowed up by the great waters?

Teela Reading The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls The Beginning book.

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:
Teela, my nine year old daughter, and I read these books separately. The first has 107 pages and 12 chapters. The second book has 118 pages and 13 chapters. These were both a quick, fast paced read for the both of us. We both thought the books held our attention well. They also have some black and white drawings here and there in the books that were fun and at the end of each book there is a page that has where to read the actual story and synopsis in the authors own words of the chapters in the bible. These books had a lot of action and adventure throughout which made them fun to read.

I liked that the story basically follows with what happens in the bible fairly well. Even though there are fictitious elements in these books...like the kids traveling in time...they tell the story from the bible and make it come to life. Teela loved all the imaginative things that the author adds to make it seem like you are also there with main characters. The scrolls were a great idea also to make it even more of a challenge for the trio to get back to their time.

Teela and I enjoyed reading these books from The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series. We love that these Christian kids books teach kids about the bible. These have a great lesson also to trust in God and he will always be there for you. We liked the action and adventure as well. These were fun books to read. We hope to be able to read more books from the series once they come out.

Follow Them on Social Media:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WorthyKidsIdeals/    Tag:   @WorthyKidsIdeals   
• Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/worthypub        Tag:   @worthypub   
• Twitter:   https://twitter.com/worthypub      Tag:   @worthypub
• Hashtags: #hsreviews #SecretoftheHiddenScrolls

BUY IT
Purchase these on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, here.

Read other homeschool reviews for WorthyKids/Ideals The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Book 1 & 2...

Wordless Wednesday Praying Mantis

Heirloom Audio Productions Captain Bayley's Heir Review

My family had the privilege of listening to the Captain Bayley's Heir from Heirloom Audio Productions for this review to use in conjunction with our own homeschool curriculum. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

My family and I love audio books! We love to listen to them while: I am multitasking, we have a long drive ahead of us, or there is cruddy weather and we are stuck inside. My family usually enjoys them better if they are fun and adventuresome. I believe they are better than movies because audio books require more imagination which is great for growing minds.

Captain Bayley's Heir is Heirloom Audio's 8th dramatization which is adapted from a novel by George Alfred Henty. G.A. Henty authored many historical fiction novels in the late 1800's and early 1900's, including Captain Bayley's Heir in 1889. All seven Christian audio dramas are from Heirloom Audio's series known as The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty. This audio production and theatrical radio drama consists of 2 and a half hours of masterful storytelling on 2 CDs recommended for ages 6-adult. I cannot say enough good things about this. Really, the presentation is very extraordinary! It brings the history to life.

This audio theater follows 18 year old Frank as he is wrongly accused of a crime in England and goes to America to try to clear his name. While on his way to discover gold in California, he experiences a deadly storm on the Mississippi, makes friends with story-telling cowboys, and encounters Indians and gun toting outlaws. This exciting and adventurous tale of the Old West is all about the power of God's grace.

inside the case to Captain Bayley's Heir audio theater

I had some definite favorite parts of the Christian radio theatre. We liked the part of where Frank met up with Rube, Dickens and Abe and what they said about the coffee. My family laughed at this part. We thought that the "Burps" from Dickens were profound. We loved finding out about Harry and who he really was as well.

The 2 CD audio theater set itself has some nice bonuses if you get the physical version with the download. It has a list of the cast on the back of the case, a pamphlet insert that has a bit about Heirloom Audio's other audio dramas, and in the center under where the pamphlet goes is the line from John Newton's timeless hymn, Amazing Grace, “Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound...”. This inspirational hymn also comes as a digital download (only with purchase of the Live the Adventure Club) so you can print it out as a poster to put on your wall.

Captain Bayley's Heir Single Package includes:

• Captain Bayley's Heir (CD Set - Physical Copy + Instant Access MP3 Download)

Adventure Progress

• Chapter 1 – A Grand, American Adventure
• Chapter 2 – Our Story Begins in London
• Chapter 3 – Captain Harold Bayley
• Chapter 4 – The Westminster Boys
• Chapter 5 – A Real Fight
• Chapter 6 – Harry's History
• Chapter 7 – Dismissal
• Chapter 8 – America!
• Chapter 9 – Abe, Rube, and Dickens
• Chapter 10 – Danger on the Trail
• Chapter 11 – Indian Attack
• Chapter 12 – Disquieting News
• Chapter 13 – The Plot Thickens
• Chapter 14 – Prospecting
• Chapter 15 – "Pay Dirt, Gentlemen!"
• Chapter 16 – Amazing Grace
• Chapter 17 – The Shootout
• Chapter 18 – Frank, The Hero
• Chapter 19 – Investigation and Exoneration
• Chapter 20 – More Stories to Be Told, More Adventures to be Had

I want to also mention that Heirloom Audio was being generous to the Homeschool Review Crew that received this for review. We received additional bonuses other than that were supposed to be in the Single Package. The additional items are only available if you purchase the Live the Adventure Club. Right now you can get a FREE 3 Months Membership + Captain Bayley's Heir - 2-CD Set for only $1!! Go to the website for more details.

The Homeschool Review Crew that received this for review received all of the above and these additional bonuses:

• Captain Bayley's Heir (Listen Online, Digital Download)
• Captain Bayley's Heir Study Guide (Read Online, Digital Download)
• Captain Bayley's Heir Soundtrack (Listen Online, MP3 Download)
• Printable copy of the Inspirational Hymn Poster (Digital Download)
• Captain Bayley's Heir eBook (Digital Download)
• Captain Bayley's Heir Cast Poster (Digital Download)
• Captain Bayley's Heir Desktop Wallpaper (Digital Download)

The all-star cast in this audio book is expansive and amazing. Some of the cast consists of Brian Blessed as G.A. Henty (Star Wars, Tarzan, Robin Hood, King Lear), John Rhys-Davies as Captain Bayley (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), Jade Williams as Alice (The Royal Shakespeare Company), Ian Porter as Rube, Dickens, and John Little (Saving Private Ryan), Flinty Williams as Ella (The Importance of Being Earnest), and David Shaw-Parker as Hiram Bosarge (The Muppet Christmas Carol). It is always great to hear the boisterous voice of Brian Blessed on these productions. All of the cast's performances are wonderful! The character building is wonderful too as long as you can keep up.

I love the music and sound effects that accompany this program. The music that is used on the CDs is adventurous and is also by itself in soundtrack form as Listen Online and MP3 downloads. It is an original score by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell (of Narnia). The Foley sound effects make you feel like you are right there with the characters and immerses you more into what's happening.

There is also a study guide that is 38 pages long. It has discussion points and questions to ask your children as they listen to the radio theater. This is wonderful to use as part of a history curriculum while homeschooling. It is really easier to listen to the whole program before you do the study guide and then listen again a second time to do the study guide, in my opinion. It feels awkward to stop and start the program so many times (every 4 to 10 minutes) during play. The study guide does have the tracks and time-stamp to stop at marked in the guide so you know where the narrative takes a new turn.

At the beginning of the study guide there is a list of the cast and crew, a brief introduction, and a short descriptions about G.A. Henty. Each track has questions in the study guide having three parts: Listening Well, Thinking Further, and Defining Words. There are questions in the Listening Well section which are to see if you and your child are really paying attention. There are questions in the Thinking Further section that helps you understand deeper and get you and your child thinking more. The Defining Words section is a list of words that will enhance the vocabulary of your child and places more meaning for the story. Having a dictionary handy might be appropriate because the definitions are not already spelled out.

At the end of the study guide there are four main parts. The first is a recommended reading list for learning more about Victorian England and the American West. After that there are three Bible Studies: one on God's Grace, one on Becoming a Christian, and one on Honoring Your Parents.

My children learned and understood so much more with this study guide. We used the questions and Bible study section throughout and it made for a very lengthy, but interesting discussion session with my older kids. I am very glad that it was included. I love the scriptures it had you look up and ponder too. I also love that there were Expand Your Learning sections throughout the guide for sources for further reading and other information to further your knowledge. I do wish, however, that there was an answer guide as well to the questions, because it would make the whole thing flow better in my opinion.

This was a very good production and my family enjoyed listening to it thoroughly. This audio book would be a wonderful addition to a Christian homeschooling curriculum and perfect to go along with a study about the Wild West and the Gold Rush. 

This will include access to the Live the Adventure Club website, where you can download the study guide, among other things.

BUY IT
Two options to choose from: MP3 Download version for $19.97 or the Single Version for $29.97.

You can also purchase the Live the Adventure Club in which you get access to listen & learn audio adventures, parenting resources and daily inspiration, teaching guides and educational treasures, award winning audio adventures shipped to you free, and great learning activities for kids. Get a FREE 3 Months Membership + Captain Bayley's Heir - 2-CD Set for only $1 and get instant access to the digital version! Plus, you'll also receive $20 worth of Adventure Credits to use in their new online store!!!

Follow Them on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio Tag:   @HeirloomAudio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories Tag:   @HeirloomStories
Google+: https://plus.google.com/b/114534826166314080647/114534826166314080647
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HeirloomAudioOfficial Tag:  @HeirloomAudioOfficial  
Hashtags: #hsreviews #HeirloomAudio #CaptainBayleysHeir #LiveTheAdventure #BringingHentyBack #AudioAdventures #AudioDrama

Read other homeschool curriculum reviews for Heirloom Audio Productions Captain Bayley's Heir...

Matthew West All In Album Review and Giveaway #ALLIN #FlyBy

I received this album free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Matthew West is an American contemporary Christian musician, singer-songwriter, and actor. In 2005 he was nominated for a total of 5 Dove Awards and despite his vocal problems (hemorrhaging because of polyps) in 2007 he has made a strong comeback. He won the American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist in 2013 as well. He wrote his newest and seventh album All In to inspire himself and others to give God their all and live out their faith not just sit on the sidelines. Give God, your family, and your community your time and really become who God wants you to be.

He will be launching a 6-week All In Challenge on his social media starting 9/18. Each week Matthew will be challenging his fans to go all in in a different part of their lives.

Ask yourself: What does it look like when a heart that knows Jesus takes a step and holds nothing back? How can we go All In in the places that mean the most?

Track Listing:

1. All In
2. Broken Things
3. Mercy Is A Song
4. Amen
5. The Sound of a Life Changing
6. Something Greater
7. Jesus & You
8. The Beautiful Things We Miss
9. 1 Song
10. Power Love Sound Mind
11. Never Give Up
12. Dream Again
13. Becoming Me (featuring Lulu West)
14. You Are Known

My Thoughts
I love this Christian album! Matthew West is a wonderful artist that despite challenges in his career has made a great recovery and goes All In to encourage us to live our lives as God would want us to with this new album. I love his voice. It is very nice to listen to.

My favorite songs on this CD are many. I love Broken Things because it is such an honest song. I love Amen because it is so upbeat. My favorite song on this album though is Becoming Me. I love that his daughter is singing with him on this track. She has a very lovely voice as well.

S O C I A L • C O R N E R
Broken Things Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwKuz8a8Jnk
Broken Things (story behind the song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BipPAfDq9ns
All In Lyric Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RwDpnKIvUI
All In (Story Behind The Song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmjVt4zkkRo
HashTags: #ALLIN #FlyBy

BUY IT
Purchase this CD on Amazon or on iTunes.



WIN IT
Prize: Win a copy of the Matthew West All In Album {continental US ONLY}

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for Rafflecopter below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC/Flyby Promotions for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.