Adventures in Odyssey The Imagination Station Book 5 & 6 Review & GIVEAWAY

 

Lucky me!  Lucky Matthew!  We got to read and review books #5 and #6 in the Adventures in Odyssey The Imagination Station series.  About 5 months ago, we read and reviewed book 3, Peril in the Palace, and book 4, Revenge of the Red Knight.  You can read that review by clicking here.  This second experience was not different....

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!  Adventures await! 

In book 5, Showdown with the Shepherd, Patrick and Beth go to the Holy Land in 10th century BC. Their goal is to get back the ring Hugh stole and return him to 1450s England. Troubles await when they step out of the Imagination Station. First they meet an angry bear and later an angry giant. Set against the backdrop of the David and Goliath story, the cousins learn that having a giant faith is more important than having a giant on your side.

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In book 6, Problems in Plymouth, Patrick and Beth’s next adventure leads them to Plymouth Plantation in 1621. There they meet William Bradford, Miles Standish, and Squanto who are trying to establish peace between the Pilgrims and the Indians. Things are anything but peaceful, however, when a musket is stolen and the Pilgrims conclude the Indians are planning war. Only Patrick and Beth know who the real thief is—the traitor Hugh—and it’s up to the cousins to find him and stop him from causing trouble. When the cousins hear a gunshot during the first Thanksgiving feast, their worst fears are realized.

The authors of The Imagination Station series are Paul McCusker and Marianne Hering.  They are both working at Focus on the Family.  When I see Focus on the Family endorsing a product I know I can trust it. 

These books are for ages 7 and up.  My son (11 years old) and I both agree that the best target age is for 7-9.  They would also be excellent for a younger child as a "read to me" story.  The storylines are captivating and adventurous, with an awesome biblical lesson intertwined.  There is a "secret word" puzzle at the back of the books.  How fun!  Complete the puzzle to discover the secret word, then visit The Imagination Station website to key it in and receive a prize!  While you're there, you'll also find other bonus features for some of the books in this series like....vocabulary lists, family devotionals, history lessons, etc.

They are very affordable too!  You can get them now for only $4.49 each at www.christianbook.com  The complete set would make a great Christmas gift.  Don't worry....Book #7 is already on deck to be released on December 15, 2011 - just in time for Christmas!

This Giveaway has ended!  Congratulations to Naomi!

OK...so, here is what you have been waiting for.  The Giveaway!  One lucky winner will receive BOTH of the books in this review - Showdown with the Shepherd and Problems in Plymouth.  Be sure to leave ONE comment for EACH entry and include a way for me to contact you.  All entries must be received by midnight EST on Tuesday, November 22, 2011.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter and this is only open to US & Canada residents.  The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond.  If I don't hear back from you then I'll pick another winner, so mark your calendar and keep an eye out!  Remember, you can get ONE entry for EACH of the following....

• Be a public follower of my blog using GFC 
• Follow me using Networked Blogs
• Share with me about your child's favorite book OR why you think these books would be a good fit for someone you know.
• Send me a Facebook friend request.  My Facebook name is Doreen Petrucci Gadow
• Share this blog post on your Facebook page
• Post on your own blog about this giveaway with a link for your readers to come visit it (leave a comment with a link to your own post on your blog)
• Find another post on my blog that interests you and leave a comment telling me which one and why (be sure to leave that comment here and not at that other post....or do it in both places if it suits your fancy)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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"

"The Person I Marry" from Bower Books - Review

When I was growing up I would dream about getting married and having a family of my own.  My parents were divorced and almost all of my friends' parents were divorced.  I didn't have a relationship with God and I didn't have any adult in my life to show or teach me about the kind of person I should marry.

I really didn't know what a good husband would look like for me.

  

As my life changed and I invited God into my life, I began to learn by His example what kind of man I should marry.  It was then, as a grown adult in my 20's that I began to dream of my future husband.  That was so much different than dreaming of getting married.

As a mother, I pray that my son will begin to dream now of his future wife.  He's only 11 years old, but I'm hoping he puts in many years of practice praying for her and figuring out the kind of wife that God has for him.  The Person I Marry by Gary Bower is the perfect tool to help him do that.  This beautifully illustrated book is a tender approach to highlighting the invaluable traits we should all be looking for in our spouse.  The story is presented in a rhyme that captivates the listener, both young and older.  It is part of their Bright Futures Series.    Enjoy this video sample...

What a precious gift for your child of any age, as an engagement or wedding gift, or as a tool in a character building curriculum.  Discover the traits you want to look for in the person you will marry, and more importantly, discover the traits that God wants for you to have for your spouse.  It's no surprise that The Person I Marry was awarded the "2010 Book of the Year" by the Christian Small Publisher Association.  This 32 page hard cover book is only $11.99 at the Bower Family Books website.  They also offer free shipping on orders of $30 or more.  It will be a treasured addition to your family and a blessing of a gift for someone else you love. 

Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family.  I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.