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Book Review - Christian Children's Book Review |
Monday, January 25, 2010 - All You Want and Then Some was written by Carolyn McWilliams Brown and tells the story of a young girl and a very special friend. With two small brothers, Katie is the oldest, and she's starting to feel a little neglected. Things just aren't the same as they used to be. When their neighbor, Bella, notices that Katie's family needs a ready smile and a helping hand, she quickly rises to the occasion. Bella brings fresh cookies one afternoon and flowers from her garden another. She watches Katie and her brothers so their parents can go out by themselves once in a while. Best of all, she makes Katie feel super special and reminds her how much God loves her. Katie decides that Jesus must be a lot like Bella.
Katie is devastated when she learns that her family is moving to a new neighborhood. Bella assures her that they'll still be friends. "I bet God has some wonderful surprises that He just can't wait to give you." Bella promises to visit.
After the move, Katie notices that a new neighbor might need a little help. Katie offers to play with the kids so the mom could get some work done in the house. She even takes them cupcakes and flowers, just like Bella used to do for them. Katie doesn't feel sad anymore. Instead she feels happy. She knows that when she shares Jesus' love with others, she has all she wants and then some.
The last page of the book encourages parents to "Talk About It" with their children. It offers four short questions and answers to initiate discussions.
The illustrations by Deb Hoeffner are soft and colorful. They feature realistic, expressive characters.
What I Like: My daughter loves this book, and I love the impact it has made on her. She wants to show Jesus' love to others, just as it was described in this book. She scoured stores for weeks to find pink fluffy slippers, so that she could be just like Bella in the book. Almost daily she asks if we can bake cookies for our neighbors or pick flowers for friends. It's a wonderful story.
What I Dislike: The cover price is high, but if you can get a deal (like through the links below), it's worth it.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: 4-8
Tanya Dennis
Click here to visit the review on Christian Children's Book Review
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All You Want and Then Some has been Awarded the Dove "Family Approved" Seal by the Dove Foundation |
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Here is an inspiring faith-based storybook for the entire family. This cute tale is about a wonderful neighbor, Bella, who teaches Katie how to be a good friend and neighbor. Sometimes life is busy and when we are little we need someone in our life who helps us through the tough times even if it is only to get soft marshmallows in our hot chocolate instead of hard ones. Everyone can learn something from this colorful illustrated and well-written story about friendship and love.
We are proud to award this book the Dove "Family-Approved" Seal for all ages.
Visit the Dove Foundation original review
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Midwest Book Review - Reviewer's Bookwatch:
February 2010
Hassler's Bookshelf
Inspirational and heartwarming! All You Want and Then Some is a sweet, thought provoking story of a young girl and her special friend. Author Carolyn McWilliams Brown has put her own icing on her cake in her new title where she outlines how special people can be when they reach out and give of themselves. Exquisite illustrations by illustrator, Deb Hoeffner, make this book touching, endearing and a true classic and her artistic compositions are a perfect match for the soft spoken text. Author, Carolyn McWilliams Brown relates encouragement, patience and thoughtfulness to feeling God's presence. Illustrator, Deb Hoeffner solidifies Brown's message with her unique "soft realism". The illustrations and characters are true works of art. The storyline is easily shared with children and families of all faiths. All You Want and Then Some is a gentle story that weaves needing, wanting and how to give others into beautiful little how-to lessons. This is a lovely book with a warm and sensitive message that children will carry with them as they grow up. Faith based schools will find this a must have. Librarians will enjoy sharing the gentle and kind message of serving others, and living with God's presence and Jesus. All You Want and Then Some makes a wonderful book to give when a gift of the heart is desired.
Visit Midwest Book Review - February 2010
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 The Mom’s Choice Awards® Names
All You Want and Then Some
Among Best In Family-Friendly Products
(Chesapeake, VA - December 1, 2009) The Mom's Choice Awards® has named All You Want and Then Some by Carolyn McWilliams Brown among the best in family-friendly
media, products and services.
The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) is an awards program that recognizes authors, inventors,
companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and
services.
Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for
children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast
array of products and services and make informed decisions.
An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children,
librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and
others. A sampling of our panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner,
professor and founder of PBS’s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The
Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling author, Priscilla Dunstan, creator of the
Dunstan Baby Language; Patricia Rossi, host of NBC’s Manners Minute; Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C., host
of the Wright Place™ TV Show; and Catherine Witcher, M.Ed., special needs expert and founder of
Precision Education, Inc.
MCA judges are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis free from
any manufacturer association. The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are
scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment
value, originality, appeal and cost.
The end result is a list of the best in family-friendly media, products and services that parents and
educators can feel confident in using.
Children's Picture Books (Ages 0-9)
All You Want And Then Some
by Carolyn McWilliams Brown
Illustrated by Deb Hoeffner
For more information on the awards program and the honorees, visit MomsChoiceAwards.com
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 Announcing the 3rd Annual Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Results
“Moonbeam Winners Impress Judges with Dedication to Making a Difference in Children’s Lives.”
(Traverse City, MI - Oct. 1, 2009) It is said that pictures speak a thousand words and that words can
encourage, enrich and even heal. This year’s Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards have been announced,
and the winning books prove these statements to be true.
Judges chose gold, silver and bronze medalists in 36 categories, covering the full range of children’s book
genres from picture books to poetry; holiday to health issues. The awards attracted nearly a thousand
entries from throughout North America and the English-speaking world. Medals will go to authors,
illustrators and publishers from 32 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas.
Two books tied for the 4-8 year old picture book gold medal, and both teach valuable life lessons: Sofa Boy,
from Shake the Moon Books, warns about spending too much time with television and video games, while
The Tale of Rusty Horse, from Mustard Seed Books, tells of an old mechanical rocking horse that gives up
the chance to become a live pony to allow a handicapped child to continue riding him.
Another two gold medalists help children learn sign language: Good Morning, Critter Friends, from Sign
Ware uses both illustrations and a near life-size doll to practice signing. My Baby Can Talk: First Signs, from
Baby Hands Productions promotes teaching children signs before they are able to verbally form words.
Numerous award-winning books encourage children to be generous and compassionate, to stand up to
bullies, and to believe in fulfilling their dreams. The diversity of the winning publishers proves that
promoting childhood literacy knows no boundaries, as medal-winners came not only from long-established
publishers and university presses, but from small presses, foundations, and self-published entrepreneurs.
“This year’s Moonbeam award winners confirm that books can change children’s lives,” says Moonbeam
Awards founder Jerrold Jenkins, father of four children ranging in ages 7 to 17. “They’ve already had a big
impact on the judges and the kids that read them, so we know these books were created to enrich
childrens’ lives. The Moonbeams are all about rewarding these books and bringing them to the attention of
parents, booksellers, librarians – and to the kids themselves.”
The Moonbeam Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and
their creators, and are judged by expert panels of youth educators, librarians, booksellers, and book
reviewers. Award recipients receive gold, silver and bronze medals and stickers depicting a mother and
child reading and silhouetted by a full moon.
Author, Carolyn McWilliams Brown with
husband, Kent at the Moonbeam Awards
Religion/Spirituality Category
Gold (tie): Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope, by Josephine Nobisso and illustrated by Katalin Szegedi (Gingerbread House) and Jesus from A to Z, by Kevin Graham and illustrated by Jennifer Yoswa (Windom Publishing)
Silver: All You Want and then Some, by Carolyn McWilliams Brown and illustrated by Deb Hoeffner (Winepress Publishing)
Bronze: Nonnie, What’s God? by Linda L. Lile and illustrated by Jenniffer Julich (A-Lu Publishing)
For complete results
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Book Review - US Review
reviewed by Wendy Thomas
"When my brothers were little and needed lots of attention, Momma and Daddy were busy and tired all the time."
This is the heart-warming story of a little girl, Katie, who feels crowded out of her parent's attention due to her demanding younger brothers. Neither of her parents have the time it seems to have "tea parties or play dress-up or draw." One morning, Katie meets up with an older neighbor, Bella, who devotes uninterrupted time playing games, baking food, and even practicing ballet with her. It is the answer to her prayers.
An appealing story for children and adults, All You Want and Then Some teaches us that gifts are sent from God when we most need them. Reminiscent of the golden rule, when Katie has to move, she takes the valuable lessons she learned from Bella and reaches out to others, compassionately caring for the needy within her new neighborhood. Katie discovers the joy of helping others and realizes that God has blessed her beyond her expectations—with new friends, a good feeling in her heart, and marshmallows that float. These are all the treasures she wanted in her life and then some.
This gently reflective and inspirational book weaves a charming story with an uplifting ending. The illustrations (self-described by Hoeffner as "soft realism") provide a beautiful and detailed account of the story making it the kind of book that can be read over and over while it continues to affirm the goodness in life.
Visit reviewer's web site
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Book Review - Christian Books Previews
Review:
The best part of All You Want and Then Some by Carolyn Brown, for me, is the question and answer section at the end, which the author calls "Talk About It." In this section, parents and children can discuss what the book is encouraging children to do.
The main purpose of the story is to teach children how to love and serve others like Jesus does. The main character of the story, a little girl with two younger brothers, learns from her next-door neighbor's example how to be patient, thoughtful, encouraging, and loving, at a time when she is most receptive to learning these things - while she feels neglected by parents who are busy with other things (mainly the younger children). While her neighbor reaches out to her and her family with the love of Christ, the little girl learns how to minister to the needs of others. Then, when the girl and her family move to a new neighborhood, instead of sulking over her losses, the main character reaches out to her neighbors with the love of Christ. The story is sweet, the pictures are cute, and the message is understandable for children at least 4 or 5 years old. -- Jennifer Joneleit, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
Book Jacket:
When Katie and her family need a helping hand to cope with life’s challenges, God sends Bella, a special neighbor who becomes an extraordinary friend.
Basking in Bella’s love and service, Katie wants to serve others too and discovers that God has blessed her beyond her expectations—with new friends, a good feeling in her heart, and squishy marshmallows that float—“all you want and then some.”
Based on a true story.
Visit reviewer's web site
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Book Review - by Mary
Friday, February 13, 2009
All You Want and Then Some is written as a childrens book, but the stories main theme describing the power of one spoke volumes to me. When Katie's Mom and Dad become busy taking care of her younger siblings, Katie feels left out. That's when she meets Bella. Bella is the neighbor next door who understands Katie's need for one-on-one attention and lavishes her with it. But when Katie's family has to move, Katie wonders what could be as good as Bella where she is going. Little does Katie know she will soon be Bella for her new neighbors.
All You Want points out some wonderful attributes of God's love working in us. When you invest in people, you are teaching them how to invest in others. Your ministry could spark another, even greater ministry. We are reminded that God provides anything we need and some of what we want, (thus All You Want and Then Some, which was actually a phrase used often by the authors own father) even if that provision is a friend.
The illustrations are superior for a childrens book. Some of them are breathtaking and moving as they paint pictures matched evenly with the emotions of the story. My favorite page shows Katie walking into the sunset (or is it "son" set?) pondering "I walked back home wondering if God had moved us next to that family for a reason."
As you absorb the story, you realize that this family seems real-and for good reason as All You Want is based on a true life experience involving the authors encounter with a "Bella". Your children will learn how much God cares for every little prayer they breath, and as parents, you will concede that our service to each other just may be the way he answers those prayers.
WinePress Publishing
Released June 2008
posted by Mary @ 11:16 AM
Visit reviewer's web site |
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