The Sparkle Egg Book Review & Giveaway

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One year ago tomorrow, March 31, 2013 was Resurrection Day- Easter Sunday. My little girl, then age 6, woke up singing the song "Oh Happy Day", little did we know that morning that this celebration day of Jesus rising from the dead and walking on Earth again, would turn into her Salvation Day. She asked Jesus into her heart later that evening. (entire story at this link)

The commercialism of Easter is all around us: the new clothes, the candy, the fake grass, the Easter bunny, even the Easter eggs. As a Christian parent, I do not forbid my children to participate in events such as egg hunts and when I was a first time Mommy 13 years ago, I paid the $5 for the Polaroid memory with the bunny. But, I DO make sure my children know why Easter is celebrated. I use the Bible and I absolutely love finding and reading books that teach my kids life lessons pertaining to our faith.

One of my latest finds is The Sparkle Egg by Jill Hardie. This book is about forgiveness. FORGIVENESS. Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice of dying on the cross was exactly for that reason. He loved us so much that he was willing to die so that we could live forever.

In the book, Sam, the character of The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas  , (which I wrote about here and here) discovers the gift of Easter through The Sparkle Egg. "Readers of all ages will relate to the unshakable guilt Sam experiences when he chooses to lie to his parents to avoid disappointing them, and rejoice as he makes one final decision, to accept the gift of forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ."

To aid Sam in accepting the grace of God, his parents help him make a special craft- The Sparkle Egg. After he decorates it they have him write/draw something he feels bad about and put it inside the egg. On Easter morning what he finds when he opens the egg is the true gift of Easter.

Miss K making her Sparkle Egg- a little thing I like to call GlitterPodge. 

The final result. Such wonderful creativity. The wooden cross and the bakers twine.
(symbolizing Christ's blood, and when accepting forgiveness being washed white as snow)

Just like the Sparkle Box, which was recently announced as a finalist for the 2014 Christian Book Award in the children’s book category (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association), I adore the illustrations in this book and of course the life lesson for young and old about grace. This is a must have for any library. I also must say, that any time there is an extra activity involved with a book such as making a craft or filling a box with good deeds, the book and life lesson becomes that much more engaging for young readers.

One of my readers is going to blessed with their very own copy of this book. Who wants it? Enter on the easy Rafflecopter form below.


Written by Jill Hardie
Illustrated by Christine Kornacki
Available now!
Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages
ages 4 to 8



Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Ideals for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I will receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. U.S. only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our Sparkle Box Season

What acts of kindness and generosity do you and your family participate in during the Christmas Season?

I asked this question on October 25, 2013 in a post in which I reviewed the book The Sparkle Box.  I didn't "toot" my own horn about what I was doing in my own home, because I'm kind of  personal when it comes to these things. I do share with you each year the pictures of my children giving Christmas Eve Gifts to the neighbors.  I placed our Sparkle Box on top of our curio cabinet and throughout the month of December, filled it with slips of paper that contained various acts of kindness that our family did throughout the month. 

Miss K, kept asking if I had put anything in it. I have a feeling she thought it should be bursting at the seams. 

On Christmas morning, before my children opened the unopened gifts, I gave them the silver box. I told them that since it was Jesus' Birthday, his present would be opened first. 

The kids were amazed at the things I had written down, some they didn't even think twice about doing, yet I wrote down. They didn't even know about some of the things their brother and sister had done. They thought it was "cool" and wish we could do it all year. I reminded them that their lights for Jesus can and should shine year around. 

I made these labels to use in our Sparkle Box
Click here to get a copy of this. You can copy and paste into Word.

And now, the 2013 Christmas Eve Gift pictures....I can't believe how my kids have grown. 

The Sparkle Box - A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas: Giveaway #TheSparkleBox

I admit, my family does get caught up in parts of the commercialism of Christmas, but I always make sure that that commercialism always contains the real meaning of Christmas. Before my children open a single gift they deliver Christmas Eve gifts to our neighbors, we also participate in our church's annual toy event-tcTOYS. I try to teach them that it is always better to give than to receive and that I want others to see Jesus through them. What acts of kindness and generosity do you and your family participate in during the Christmas Season?

The Crow Kids delivering Christmas Eve 2012 gifts

I am so excited about my latest book giveaway. Not only is it a beautiful book, but it is going to be one of those books that will be perfect to read and begin a tradition with your family on Thanksgiving night. I am going to be honest, this book made me tear up. I cried during the entire book. If you are wanting to teach your children God's love and compassion this is a must have book. A definite tradition to begin this year. 

About the Book:

The Sparkle Box - A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas 

Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him.

Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday. The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace. Jill hopes that The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives. 

I know for my family this year, we will be adding this tradition and I can't wait to see how much more the meaning shines through our lives and actions. One of my readers is going to be blessed with their very own copy of The Sparkle Box book.  All you have to do is tell me this in a Disqus comment. Bonus entries are available on the Rafflecopter form.

What acts of kindness and generosity do you and your family participate in during the Christmas Season?

Written by Jill Hardie
Illustrated by Christine Kornacki
Available now!
Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages, with a fold-out sparkle box included!
ages 4 to 8

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway