River of Lights: a fun adventure for young readers

River of Lights by Melanie Dobson is the first book in the Magical Mortal series. Katie Andrews doesn’t fit in with the other girls at her French boarding school. During a field trip in Paris, Katie falls into the river Seine and discovers a colorful fairy world hidden below. In the mysterious Land of Light, all is not well. An evil wizard named Gaul has captured the queen and stolen the fairy light. With the help of her new friend, Princess Lilly, and the firefly fairies, Katie discovers there is an ancient prophecy that can help defeat Gaul and save the Land of Light. In the process, she discovers a secret that will change everything she knows about her family. 

With a Narnia-like journey, River of Lights is a great introduction to a new magical series. A book for young readers, particularly girls, filled with fairies, princesses and evil wizards. It is a sweet and fun adventure and as a fairly easy and fast read, I see younger readers really enjoying this series either reading independently or as a family. I look forward to introducing these books to my daughters. If you enjoy magical kingdom adventures, you will enjoy River of Lights. 

River of Lights is available in paperback and eBook. 

The Magic Treehouse series: great books for young readers

The Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne is a series of adventure stories featuring Jack and Annie, brother and sister, who discover a magic treehouse in the forest near their home in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. Magical books send the pair to far away places in times all gone. Originally published in 1992, the series which totals 28 books and spawned the Magic Treehouse Merlin Mission series and other titles has been beloved by young readers for almost 30 years.  The series is recommended for ages 6-9 and cane be read aloud or independently with short chapters. The books are educational and encourages problem solving as each book gives a clue to the mystery of the treehouse.

My daughter was introduced to the series by her kindergarten teachers who read the books to the class. Ever since she begged me for the “Jack and Annie” books. She received a set of the first four books for Christmas. We read a couple chapters every night and she eagerly listened to each story and asks questions about the setting of the book. The next step is for her to read them on her own. I look forward to getting her the entire set. I highly recommend The Magic Treehouse series for any family or classroom library.

The Magic Treehouse series is available at all major booksellers

The Jesus Storybook Bible: a great Bible for young readers

I found The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones while searching for a bible for my daughter. The idea is that “every story whispers his name.” Twenty-one Old Testament stories and 23 New Testament stories are featured from the Creation Story to Noah to Abraham to the gospels and the parables. It is recommended for preschool to 6^th grade (ages 4-8 years old) readers. It is a great format to be read aloud or independently.

The opening chapter, “The Story and the Song” is a great introduction to who God is and what his Word is to us. The Bible is more than just rules or a guide to life. It is about God and who is he and what he has done for us. The stories are beautifully illustrated by Jago. The language is simplified for young readers. There are creative liberties to help illustrate the point of each story without being too complicated for young readers. A few people who have reviewed this bible had issues with the liberties; however, I find the Bible to be a great introduction to who God is, who Jesus is, without going over their head with philosophy and theology. I highly recommend the Jesus Storybook Bible.

The Jesus Storybook Bible

is available in multiple formats

at major booksellers