“Scarlett Gray Joins the Parade”– Book Review & GIVEAWAY!

This post is a bit different for Being Woven but have decided to share it with you here.  It is originally posted on “The Reader and the Book” where I review mostly picture books.  I was asked to review this Christian short chapter book and decided to do it.  Suzanne, the author, sent me one and another one to give away.  You have a chance to win this if you will leave a comment on either site.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

STORY SPOILER ALERT!!

This book is the first in a new series of short chapter books (6 chapters) written by a Christian homeschooling mother.  Mr. and Mrs. Stamboulieh know that children are impressed easily by so many outside influences, some for good and others not for good.  They want the best for their daughter by being the kind of parents who’s influence upon their child is by the authority of God.  They look for books that “instill the ‘good character qualities’ and ‘godly principles for living.'” Thus, the book was created (with more to come).  Each book in the series will be based on one particular Scripture.  In this first book, Ephesians 6:1 is the focal verse: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Because the book is written around this verse, a child reading the book or having it read to her or him will see how God uses parents to teach and guide children.  They will also see the love that comes through these parents as they do their best to show their daughter God’s ways.

The Madisonville Fourth of July Celebration is the day’s event when we meet Scarlett Gray, her parents, and Scarlett Gray’s best friend, Georgia.  This small town leaves nothing out when it comes to a Fourth of July celebration.  There is a three-legged race, face-painting, dunking some of the community leaders in a water-filled tub, and booths galore with arts and crafts as well as ones with food to eat.  There is a parade and, of course, fireworks.  Before leaving the house, Scarlett’s father has a talk with the girls about safety among crowds and strangers and what they should do if they were to be separated from each other, lessons that Scarlett has heard before.  She and Georgia listen, and then Scarlett finishes a sentence of her father’s which she has heard many times before.

Once they are at the celebration, Scarlett and Georgia have their faces painted, eat some food, and so much more.  When it is time for the parade, the family finds themselves behind a large crowd of onlookers.  The girls cannot see much and beg to go up front when candy is thrown from a float.  They get permission and then promise to stay in the parents’ sight.   While they are up front, another float comes by tossing teddy bears and that takes the girls a bit further away from the parents.  They had promised to stay in close range, but the excitement of the many floats, horses, cars, characters on stilts, and bands made it hard for Scarlett to quit marching forward with the parade.  They actually found themselves marching along with the high school band.  They were so excited that they forget just how far they had gone away from the parents and suddenly became worried and fearful when they realized they were lost.  Then Scarlett remembered what her pastor said on many-a-Sunday: “Pray to God when in need, because He cares.”  And she did just that.  She also recalled her father’s “safety rules.”  God provided a policeman quickly who helped them.  When the girls were reunited with Scarlett’s parents, the father had a heart-to-heart talk with the girls, especially with Scarlett.  He reminded her that God had given them, her parents, a most important responsibility by entrusting Scarlett to them to look after, keeping her out of harm’s way as best they can.  They love her very much and remind her that they take this God-given responsibility very seriously.  Teaching Scarlett obedience to them is also being obedient to God.

As a Christian, I see God’s Word and ways to honor Him intertwined throughout the story, allowing for lessons around every corner, room for discussions at the end of each chapter.  I believe that this book and all of the future “Scarlett Gray” books will be a blessing to Christian families who read aloud with their children, who homeschool, and who want books built on God’s Word.  You won’t find things in this book that you dread finding in some other readers.  Mrs. Stamboulieh has written from her heart the lessons she wants her daughter to have as she is growing up.  I know you won’t be disappointed.

Reading Level: ages 4-8 (or to 10, in my opinion)

Author

Suzanne Stamboulieh “has a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. She previously worked as a therapist for her church. During her training and work as a therapist, she learned a great deal about how outside influences can affect our thought processes, actions and belief systems. Suzanne believes it is important for parents to be ever watchful of those influences to which their children are exposed.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.