17-18. Two picture books

17. We Are Home When We Are Together: Trusting God Through Life's Changes. Jean Stoffer and Grace Start. Illustrated by Megan Lindsey. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christian picture book, moving]

First sentence: "An exciting change is coming," says Mom,

"a change bigger than the weather.

And just in case you don't remember,

we are home when we're together.

"Families move from time to time

from one place to another.

They pack their things, head on their way,

and PLANT NEW ROOTS together.

"God is calling our family

to move to a different home.

"We chart our course.

We plan our steps,

but HE makes them His own."

If this wasn't a Christian book written by I'm assuming Christian authors and published by a Christian publishing house, then I probably wouldn't be as generous in giving it three stars. 

Not every picture book needs to rhyme. Join me in saying it again, not every picture book needs to rhyme. If you don't understand even a smidgen about rhythm, then it's best you don't write in rhyme. This book lacks rhythm. It painfully lacks rhythm. If it wasn't trying to rhyme, rhythm wouldn't even be an issue at all.

The forced rhyming--which is unnecessary--also keeps the conversation (the dialogue) from having any natural flow to it. Is it important for dialogue to sound natural???? I will say when dialogue sounds more natural, more true to life, more authentic then it is less distracting to the reader. It just feels right. 

The premise of this one is simple. A family is moving. The parents--mom does most of the talking, I think--want their children to know that moving can be a great thing, a wonderful thing, a God-thing. The message isn't a bad one. In fact, if it wasn't trying so hard to rhyme, forcing the rhyme into dialogue where it doesn't fit or belong, the message would be more impactful. I do like seeing families pray together in books. 

The three stars is not because I disagree with the Christian message. It is not because I dislike Christian books for children. It is not because I want to keep God out of picture books. None of those things are true. I just wish that the book didn't try so hard. Relax with the narrative. 

18. You Always Belong: Knowing God's Love and Finding Your Place. Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo. Illustrated by Sara Romero. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]

First sentence: Look all around you--what do you see?

A world filled with wondrous things,

Like oceans and mountains and big hairy beasts

And colorful creatures with wings. 

And there at the center is little ol' you--

God's greatest creation by far.

Created to be part of his family,

Made to be loved just as you are.

If this one was a song instead of a picture book, the chorus would be, "You were made to be part of God's story, a beautiful note in his song. So let his light shine as you walk through the world, and remember....you always belong.

You Always Belong is another rhyming book. Is it made better by the rhyming? I wouldn't go so far as that. BUT it does manage to a fair, decent, respectable job with creating rhythm with the rhymes. 

This one has dozens of little insights that might be just what a child needs to hear in that moment. In some ways, it is "another" picture book about self-confidence, self-esteem, about building up one's sense of self. HOWEVER, I think this one differs in that while it does do that to a certain extent, God is never far away. God is not pushed completely to the side of self. The message is we are made IN GOD'S IMAGE. We are GOD'S CREATION. We are CHILDREN OF GOD. We were created to do God's work in this world--to be his HANDS and his FEET. We were meant to shine as a light in this world TO POINT OTHERS TO JESUS CHRIST. So while there are a few lines here and there that might be misunderstood as puffing up egos because you are the most awesome thing ever and God is in awe of you. I think taken as a whole, the message works for the most part. HUMANITY was made in the image of God. And every single person has VALUE and WORTH and should be treated with kindness, respect, love, compassion. 

One small insight that I loved was when a girl is being laughed at, and the rhyme goes, "Remember that God isn't laughing. He's there by your side day and night. So say a quick prayer...and trust in the Lord...that he will make everything right." 

That is just one of many insights in how to live the Christian life as a child. 

Readers should know this is a Christian book with a Christian message. It is written by a Duggar, yes, but shouldn't be bought for that reason. And the reverse is also true. Completely ignore who the author is and judge the book by what it is. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

15. Into a Golden Era

15. Into a Golden Era. Gabrielle Meyer. 2026. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [christian fiction, christian romance, series book, 3 stars]

First sentence: I needed help, and I didn't have much time. 

Premise/plot: Into a Golden Era is the newest in Gabrielle Meyer's "Timeless" series. Ally, our heroine, lives in two timelines. She lives in California in 1849 during the "Gold Rush," and in California in 1929 as an actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood. In the 1849 story line, Ally is trying to use her knowledge of the future (though not well thought out research) to make her family rich so she doesn't feel guilty leaving them for her more modern life. She knows where gold will be found, and is going to try to get there and take some before it is actually actually found. In the 1929 story line, Ally and her family (who own a small, independent film company) are filming Little Women. Ally is faking a relationship with Hollywood bad-boy, Spencer, who is starring as Laurie in the film. This is the life that she supposedly wants, but, she's not particularly happy in it. Well, to be fair, Ally is having all the issues in both timelines. 

The two love interests are Sam (in the 1849 story line) and Spencer (in the 1929 story line). The reader can guess the outcome extremely early on. 

My thoughts: I don't mind formulaic romance. I don't. It can be a great joy, a "guilty pleasure" if you will. Guilty not because it's sinful or shameful but because it isn't the most super amazing quality of literature. The books are allegedly Christian fiction. And there's a shallow amount of Christianity to be found. Which is completely fine. The speculative fiction of this series makes it strange. And perhaps it's for the best that theology or doctrine isn't inserted in this super strange world. Two bodies, one soul. It is just ODD if you overthink the theology of it. 

I wanted to love this one more than I did. But I did like it better than some in the series. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

62-64. Three Board Books starring Otter B

62. Board book: Otter B Helpful. Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady. Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. 2019/2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, christian board book]

First sentence: Otter B watched raindrops make little rivers on the window. The rain made puddles outside. He loved sliding and splashing in the water, but he decided to play indoors instead. 

Premise/plot: Otter B stars in this Christian board book. (My guess is that it was originally published as a picture book, but, that's just a guess.) In this board book, Otter B MAKES a mess--just by playing with his toys--but then HELPS clean up the mess when he learns that his grandparents are coming over. Well, after a quick reread, it's slightly more complex than that. Otter B and his mama work together in several different chores--cleaning up toys, preparing food, setting the table, etc. 

My thoughts: On the one hand, I am glad to see that there are Christian options available for board books [or picture books, for that matter.] The book is naturally didactic--unapologetically so. The moral or lesson is BE helpful. On the other hand, I didn't really like the illustrations at all. And the fact that the book(s) are pushing PLUSH merchandise is a choice, for sure. 

63. Board book: Otter B Honest. Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady. Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, christian board book]

First sentence: "Land Ho!" shouted Otter B to Franklin. The two friends were playing pirates and hunting for treasure. They followed their treasure map to a basket of colored leaves they'd hidden earlier. 

Premise/plot: Otter B learns that it's best to be honest. He "borrows" his father's watch so he can have real treasure to play with. When he has an accident with the watch, he has a choice to make.

My thoughts: On the one hand, I am glad to see that there are Christian options available for board books [or picture books, for that matter.] The book is naturally didactic--unapologetically so. The moral or lesson is BE honest. On the other hand, I didn't really like the illustrations at all. And the fact that the book(s) are pushing PLUSH merchandise is a choice, for sure. 

64. Board book: Otter B Brave. Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady. Illustrated by Aaron Zenz. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, christian board book]

First sentence: It was Show and Tell time in Otter B's class. Today was Felicia's turn, and she was good at telling stories. 

Premise/plot: Otter B is nervous about show and tell. His friend tells him to be brave and he is.

My thoughts: On the one hand, I am glad to see that there are Christian options available for board books [or picture books, for that matter.] The book is naturally didactic--unapologetically so. The moral or lesson is BE brave. On the other hand, I didn't really like the illustrations at all. And the fact that the book(s) are pushing PLUSH merchandise is a choice, for sure. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

6. Piercing Heaven

Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans. Robert Elmer. 2019. 321 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What does it take to pray like a Puritan? And why would we want to? 

Robert Elmer has collected 'prayers' from the works of over thirty Puritans for his prayer book, Piercing Heaven. These prayers seem to be arranged mostly topically. There are titled chapter headings: "Teach Me to Pray," "Help Me Ask for Help!," "Help Me Through My Doubts," "Help Me Through My Time of Sadness and Suffering," "Help Me Endure Temptation," "Help Me Rest in God's Love," "I Believe--Help My Unbelief!," "Prepare My Heart for the Lord's Day and the Lord's Table," "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated," "Help Me Give the Gospel to Others," "Forgive My Sins," "Help Me Praise and Thank the Lord," "Help Me Begin the Day," "Help Me Live the Day," "Help Me Close the Day," "Your Kingdom Come." Prayers vary from a few sentences--one paragraph--to a full page(s)--many, many paragraphs. Each prayer is attributed to a specific Puritan. (Brief biographies are included for all authors. And there's an index for each author.)

Perhaps you are seeking out Piercing Heaven because you love, love, love, love Valley of Vision. Confession, that is why I checked this one out from the library. I really crazy love and adore that poetry collection. So how do the two compare???

The [only] weakness of Valley of Vision is that it lacks all attribution of authors. Readers almost have to take it on faith that the author/editor Arthur Bennett is using the actual words of actual Puritans. Readers don't know how many Puritans are represented within Valley of Vision. Readers don't know how crafted/manipulated the original texts were to get them into poetic form. Readers certainly don't know which Puritan wrote which poem. Everything about Valley of Vision is a complete mystery. 

As I mentioned above, every author is attributed in Piercing Heaven. There are even author biographies and an author index. 

But is that enough to make it better than Valley of Vision????? 

I found Piercing Heaven to be a bit of a busy layout, a bit cluttered. Perhaps I am just too set in my ways. But the white space of Valley of Vision is super-helpful. It blocks out distractions. It aids meditation and prayer. 

While Piercing Heaven may be a true(r) representation of the Puritans' actual words/works, the Valley of Vision is a thing of BEAUTY in terms of language and literary style. 

Now, to be completely fair: I did not read Piercing Heaven the way it was intended. The fact that it was a library book with a definite due date didn't help matters. But also I was more curious than prayerful. I wanted to read it cover-to-cover in a week. I didn't have time (or opportunity) to use it as a topical prayer book...or even a legitimate prayer book. For those that do pray individual prayers--over weeks, months, years--that use this book as a devotional/spiritual aid, I'm sure it would prove more beneficial. 

I was reading with one thing in mind: do I love it enough to buy myself a copy of this to have on hand????? And the answer was, I can probably make do with the Valley of Vision for my Puritan needs. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible