The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Are you looking for summer reads that help make Bible study more fun for young children? Check out the award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids and companion products designed for curious and creative kids. Plus enter to win the Explorer Bible for Kids + Toddler Theology Series Bundle valued at $150!

About the Dictionary:

The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids is intentionally designed to accompany the ECPA award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids.

Within its engaging, full-color pages, kids will interact with over 750 common Bible terms paired with concise definitions to enhance their understanding of the people, places, and things of the Bible. Fascinating images, illustrations, maps, and reconstructions are featured throughout to increase comprehension and help kids apply key terms and truths of the Bible.

This unique reference resource is perfect for use at home, church, or school and created to grow with your kids as they grow in Christ.

My Review:

Featuring vivid paintings and high resolution photos of real artifacts, creatures and places, The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids provides comprehensive explanations for an impressive number of Bible terms, including people, animals, objects, cities, regions and countries, as well as abstract concepts critical to an accurate understanding of the Bible.

I like that the dictionary includes interesting summary entries like "Birds of the Bible", "Festivals & Feasts" and "Foods of the Bible". Some of them (such as Names of God and Parables of Jesus) are presented in tables with important details and Biblical references. Having all the relevant items in one place greatly facilitates comparison, comprehension, and memorization. With a hardcover and sturdy inner pages, the book is made to last.

Informative, engaging and beautiful, The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids makes Bible more accessible and enjoyable for young learners. It'd become your child's favorite companion during Bible study. Shop all summer resources from the publisher here.

Alli the Alligator Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Being visibly different from the others at school can pose a serious challenge to a young child eager to fit in and make friends. Follow a fun-loving alligator's adventure at a human's school in Alli the Alligator, debut children's book by award-winning author Cindy Miller. Enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Revolving around an adorable alligator with a big heart, Alli the Alligator tells an imaginative and uplifting tale about faith, family, friendship, belonging, kindness, forgiveness, bravery and acceptance of differences.

Alli is the youngest in the happy Gator family. She becomes so charmed by children playing outside her home that she makes up her mind to go to school. But being the first and only alligator at Swamp Elementary turns out to be tough. Instead of having fun and new friends, she gets isolated, ridiculed and bullied. Will she give up and quit?

Through lovable characters and colorful pictures, the story gently promotes Christian values, encouraging children to be kind, open-minded, and aware of their special purpose in life. Alli sets a positive example of recovering from hurt feelings, forgiving those who have been unkind, and earning respect and recognition through bravery and kindness. Her experience inspires young readers to embrace their uniqueness as a strength and stay true to their kind heart no matter how others behave.

The book's playful artwork portrays Alli and her family as agreeable, considerate and caring creatures that children can feel close to. As for the human characters, the illustrator takes care to include children of different skin colors, genders, and ethnic origins. Full of color, action, expression and vitality, the pictures make it easy to get fully immersed in the thought-provoking story.

Written with love and compassion, Alli the Alligator is an accessible and meaningful read that imparts important life lessons relevant to everyone.

About the Book:

Ages: 4–7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: BookLogix (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1-6653-1069-7

What happens when being different makes you feel like you don't belong? Alli Gator loves swimming and playing along the banks of the Rumbly River with her family. When she discovers children nearby, she dreams of going to school just like they do. But being the only alligator in a classroom full of children isn't easy. On her first day at Swamp Elementary, the other students stare, whisper, and laugh. Just when Alli begins to lose confidence, an unexpected moment reveals her bravery and kindness—and shows everyone that differences can be a gift.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog! Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you missed our beloved gassy pug Phoebe? She's back for a new adventure in Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog!, the fourth book in the rhyming picture book series by award-winning author-illustrator duo Jill Rosen and Steph Rohr. Explore the BIG dog park with Phoebe and win a fantastic prize pack complete with author-signed books, pug plushies and stickers!

My Review:

Full of hilarious mishaps captured in comical pictures and playful rhymes, Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog! breaks down the process of figuring out where one belongs while celebrating courage, confidence, community and unconditional love.

Phoebe loves Park Day, when she can enjoy outdoor play with her friends in the park exclusive to small dogs. After seeing all the fun the BIG dogs are having on the other side of the fence however, Phoebe feels the urge to try something new. Nothing can stop her from venturing into the BIG dog park. Will she impress the big guys and have a good time there? Regardless, she steals the spotlight when being spoiled by her human Mom.

Taking a funny, curious and adventurous pug's perspective, the story showcases both the excitement and risk of making a bold move. It applauds Phoebe's courage to step out of her comfort zone and take on big challenges. Meanwhile, it suggests that growing up takes time and patience. Staying where you belong gives you joy, confidence and a sense of security. Being loved and seen matters more than being big in size.

The book's humorous narrative is perfectly complemented by its amusing, expressive illustrations, which bring out the cuteness and quirkiness of a comedic pug. The colorful, lively pictures also help familiarize young readers with dogs in different sizes and of different breeds.

Witty and cozy, Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog! is a charming addition to the adorable series. It speaks to dog lovers of all ages and young children who can hardly wait to experience the thrill of all those BIG kids' rides.

About the Book:

Ages: 4–6 | 36 Pages
Publisher: Pug House Books Inc. (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-0695069-6-2

Anyone who has stared down a “You must be this tall to enter” sign will cheer on Phoebe’s latest quest to rule the BIG dog park the way only a pug can. Giggle along as a couple of compact canines stubbornly take on the BIG dogs in another hilarious, heart-warming adventure from the author of the award-winning Ode to a Pug books. Will our favorite gassy pug learn that the grass isn’t always greener? Or will her pug-powered determination pay off? A laugh-out-loud, adorably illustrated, rhyming tale of pup perseverance, perfect for children ages 2–8 and dog lovers of all ages.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Children are often taught about kindness without any clue about how to respond to an unkind comment that may leave a lasting scar on their heart. Mother and author Evelina Ruimy addresses this important issue in her new book Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny. Learn more about the sweet story and enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Thoughtfully written and delightfully illustrated, Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny is a heartwarming rhyming picture book with gentle messages about kindness, empathy, friendship, confidence and self-love.

Hop is a happy bunny who loves to learn at school in the company of his friends. But he stops doing what he loves after being told by a tough-looking pup named Ruff that he is not cool for liking school. Noticing the change in his behavior and mood, Hop's mom asks him why and suggests how to hop over hurtful words and return to his normal self.

Through adorable animal characters and relatable school scenarios, the story demonstrates the power of kindness while promoting self-love as the starting point for being kind to others. It makes young children aware that a random rude remark could cast a shadow on one's life whereas kind words and acts can light up one's day. Happiness lies in staying true to oneself and not being defined by someone else's opinion. Words are a reflection of the person who speaks, not the one being spoken to. Hop's experience exemplifies how to say NO to unkindness in a firm and polite way and how to exert a positive influence on others by spreading kindness. It also encourages young readers to follow their heart and pursue what they love.

The way Hop's mom communicates with Hop and guides him through the emotional challenge has great implications for parents and caregivers, who should take care to detect early signs of unusual changes in a child's behavior, find out the underlying cause, validate their feelings, and provide timely advice to help them get back on track.

Using soft hues and natural settings, the book's watercolor paintings charm young readers with cute little animals and cheerful scenes of friends learning and playing together. Through vivid facial expressions and body language, the illustrations well capture the characters' emotional changes, along with the joy of learning and being kind.

Engaging and uplifting, Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny makes an excellent choice for your next parent-child reading session. It enhances social-emotional learning through example and empathy.

About the Book:

Ages 4–8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-89138-745-4

Meet a bright and curious bunny who loves to learn, read, and play with friends. But when one pup gets in the way, this little bunny discovers something important about kindness, courage, and staying true to who you are. This charming, rhyme-filled story takes young readers on a heartwarming journey about friendship, confidence, and what it really means to be “cool.” Through playful rhythm and an uplifting message, children will learn that kindness and being yourself are the greatest strengths of all. Perfect for storytime at home or in the classroom, this delightful tale encourages children to build empathy, celebrate differences, and believe in themselves.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org