In this stunningly beautiful picture book, Guatemalan American author Nydia Armendia-Sanchez and Colombian illustrator Dana SanMar collaborate to celebrate women throughout history who have narrated their ancestors’ and their own stories through textiles, specifically through the creation of huipils
What is the proximate? And how does one make peace with it? Author Steven Garber, senior fellow for the Institute of Marketplace Transformation in Vancouver, B.C., has spent his life as a teacher in many places in the world answering these questions and exploring the intersection between vocation an
Films about dogs instantly tug at my heart strings. The love and loyalty of a pup is an encouragement through life’s uncertainties. Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer, struck a chord in me because at the heart of this thrilling film is deep, sacrificial love.Special Forces veteran James Belm
Jeff Taylor’s book has an unusual title because in it he tells an unusual story. At age 4, Taylor died in an ambulance and came back to life about 30-45 minutes later. He knows this story will seem uncertain or impossible to many people, so he researches his book with a faith in God that seeks under
Chinese American Ellie Chung, a native of California raised by ethnic Chinese parents who were born and grew up in Taiwan under Japanese colonial rule, understands the pain of straddling two worlds, a depth of wisdom that will prove invaluable to her in the years ahead.In 1950, 28-year-old Ellie is
In this third picture book in renowned theologian and author Esau McCaulley’s Johnson Family series—the others are Josey Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit and Andy Johnson and the March for Justice—children will learn what it means to offer forgiveness when feelings are hurt and disappointments cau
What is this about? I munched popcorn as The Sheep Detectives began. A voiceover made me wonder. But soon I was in. The Sheep Detectives is a winsome fairy tale-ish, morality play-ish. Overall, though? This flick is delightful and poignant family fun.Pithy maxims abound as the sheep tell their story
The Lost Story of Eva FuentesBy Chanel CleetonReviewed by Lorilee CrakerI love a book that connects the past with the present, and when that book teaches me about a little-known piece of history and another country and culture? Even better.The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes weaves the stories of three wo
Winsome and captivating, this gently narrated and warmly illustrated children’s picture book portrays the loving care that runs in a family through the generations.As a young girl walks alongside her grandmother, she narrates, “My a-ma told me that in our family, our care for one another flows like
Born Aug. 2, 1942, Isabel Allende, renowned 84-year-old Chilean-American author of more than 30 books spanning a career of four decades, invites readers to explore the craft of writing in her most recent publication. Part memoir, part instruction manual, Story Telling is more than a list of things w
Born into a devout Catholic community on Aug. 5, 1917, in Lubcan, a town in the Philippine Islands, Josephina Veluya—called Joey by her family—grew up with a longing to be like Joan of Arc. As she played, she imagined her heroine’s life: “What would it be like, Joey Veluya wondered, to have God spea
Pastor and author Max Lucado has a simple message for Christians in his new book: Keep going. Keep working! Be steadfast. Ours is a call to wait on the Lord even when circumstances around us make no sense; ours is a call to trust in God when there’s no rain in the forecast for our parched land.Lucad
In this marvelously formatted and illustrated picture book narrated with simple text for very young children, author Lola Schaefer and illustrator Frenci Sanna relate the intricate connectedness of God’s created world: “Because of a bee, / a strawberry. / Because of a strawberry, / a butterfly. / Be
In memory of the beloved Dolly Parton, I watched a film full of timeless quotes, witty comebacks, sweet Southern hellos, and heartfelt goodbyes. Steel Magnolias, based on the play by Robert Harling, showed viewers how six Louisiana women navigate the ups and downs of life, family, friendship, mother
Sandra Brown has always felt secure in her marriage to her husband Aaron, in her role as a parent of two children, and in her prestigious career, which regularly boosts her self-esteem and affirms her gifts. And she loves living in New York City with her extended Colombian American family nearby, es
Emilia’s thoughts are saturated with wishes. She wishes she had her own bed instead of having to share one with her sister; that she could eat sugary cereal for breakfast instead of the toasted tortillas her mama makes; that her family had a new car instead of the clunky old truck they get around in
Acoustic Worship SessionsBy Clark BeckhamReviewed by Paul DelgerSinger, songwriter, and American Idol alum (season 14) Clark Beckham puts his spin on six modern worship tunes with his project, “Acoustic Worship Sessions.”“I think the elements of this record have always been in me, I just didn't know
In this readily accessible, detailed, and thought-provoking exploration of the intimate connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament, author Ian Vaillancourt invites readers to peruse an aerial view, “a big-picture understanding of the Old Testament story and some of its links to Chri
Mica Miller was a woman of faith who told her social media followers over and over how much God loved them. It is Mica’s unwavering belief in God and her desire to serve him that saves this three-episode documentary from being just another true crime series.“There’s an incredible danger in unmet nee
I’ve never started an organization, but I imagine most people come up with a plan before they have somewhere to work from. Not Ruben Garcia and the other young adults who got together in an abandoned El Paso building belonging to the Catholic Church, which the local bishop loaned to them for free.At