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My First Jewish Bible For Kids
My First Jewish Bible for Kids, by Jomo Gamal Thomas, is a charming introduction to the Old Testament for young readers. This illustrated collection distills the essence of the Hebrew Bible into bite-sized stories and summaries that are engaging and easy to understand. With vibrant activities like coloring pages and inspirational journaling prompts, the book also aims to foster creativity and spirituality in children. It’s designed as a bridge for children to connect with the wisdom of scripture while nurturing their faith and love for God.
The writing in this book strikes a fine balance between being accessible and maintaining the reverence of the biblical texts. I particularly liked how the language simplifies complex narratives without dumbing them down. The book’s main strength is its ability to make timeless lessons approachable for children. I appreciated the gentle moral framing throughout, like in the story of Ruth, where themes of loyalty and kindness are highlighted in a way that feels both relevant and heartfelt. The activities are an absolute gem. They encourage young readers to engage more deeply with the material and help solidify the lessons through creativity. The coloring pages featuring inspirational verses are particularly well-thought-out and offer moments of reflection while being fun. The visuals are vibrant and effective.
My First Jewish Bible for Kids is a lovely resource for introducing young readers to the Old Testament. Its straightforward writing, thoughtful presentation, and fun activities make it perfect for families, Sunday school teachers, or anyone wanting to share scripture with children in a digestible way. I’d recommend this book to parents of elementary-age children and to educators looking for engaging tools to teach biblical stories. It’s a meaningful and fun way to help children grow in faith and understanding.
Pages: 219 | ASIN : B0DNW3JSLM
Emotions are Natural
The Emotions Volcano: Sid the Super Happy Kid and Laura the Emotions Explorer follow sibling superheroes as they help the children in a small mountain village who are nervous about an upcoming math test deal with their big emotions. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I thought that a story about emotions as a volcano and that they build up and can overflow just like a volcano would be fun and exciting. I thought it would be really nice if the volcanoes could be different colors representing the different zones of behavioral regulations. I also like talking about problems and stress that kids face as well as ways to help calm our emotions.
Laura and Sid are wonderful characters that children can relate to. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I was learning things like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, emotional intelligence and I thought it would be great that Sid and Laura also teach these things to children.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the biggest ideas that I like to share with my books for young kids like myself is that we feel better when we learn to manage our emotions. I also like to share that emotions are natural so being angry, sad, happy, worried, are all normal.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
I am working on The Critical Critters as the next book in the emotional intelligence series with Sid and Laura. I think the readers will like that book because it will be a futuristic space and rodeo adventure and involve cowboys and cowgirls. My dad is working on the illustrations but I completed the story.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
2024 Readers’ Favorite Five Stars Seal
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a vital skill: It’s a superpower!
For many children and their families, it’s the difference between a life of reactive stress, versus calm contentment.
Laura and Sid are superheroes with a twist. Their special powers allow them to find, name, transform, and manage BIG emotions and Big Feelings. But when a new hotspot flashes on their map, the brother-sister team face a fiery emergency. In a small mountain village, kids are going back to school and have a math test that has left a classroom of kids simmering with nerves and frustration. Nearby, the Rage Peaks begin to sputter and rumble…Can our heroes gain control of the eruption—and their own fears, anger, anxiety, and frustration—before the situation turns molten?
The Emotions Volcano is an adventurous picture book for kids aged 3 to 7. Written by seven-year-old Jomo Jesus, a multi-published author, the story includes English and Spanish references, plus useful tools to recognize and cope with emotions in useful ways.
The Angry Vacuum
The Angry Vacuum takes readers on a thrilling space adventure with sibling superheroes Laura and Sid, who are back to save the day but this time from an out-of-control AI vacuum! In this second book of the emotional intelligence series, the stakes are higher as the vacuum isn’t just cleaning up dust, it’s sucking up all the positive emotions. As it grows stronger with each joyful feeling it consumes, Laura and Sid must act quickly before their world is drained of all happiness.
Authors Jomo Jesus Thomas Suriel and Jomo Gamal Thomas seamlessly blend action and emotion in the story. The concept of an AI vacuum feeding on good emotions is creative and fun, but it also cleverly highlights how negative emotions can feel overwhelming when all the positive ones are gone. The urgency of the situation keeps readers hooked, while the deeper lesson that emotional intelligence is the key to overcoming big problems runs throughout the story. It’s a fun way to teach kids that emotions are powerful, but with the right tools, they can manage them. I enjoyed how Laura and Sid use their emotional intelligence to solve the problem, rather than brute force. The siblings don’t just fight the vacuum—they understand that to defeat it, they need to regulate their own feelings and use teamwork. The message is simple but effective: even in the face of a “supervillain,” understanding your emotions can save the day. This makes the story not just entertaining but educational, giving kids valuable lessons in emotional self-regulation.
The Angry Vacuum is a delightful follow-up to the first book in this series. It’s filled with action, humor, and heart, and it teaches important life skills in a way that feels fresh and engaging. Perfect for kids who love superheroes and parents who want to introduce emotional intelligence in a fun, accessible way. Whether read at bedtime or in the classroom, this is a story that empowers young readers to face their emotions with confidence.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0DFWXZ5Q4
The Emotions Volcano
The Emotions Volcano is an exciting and heartfelt picture book that tackles the big subject of emotional intelligence, turning it into a superpower for young readers. Laura and Sid, the story’s superhero siblings, use their special powers to help others (and themselves) navigate strong emotions. In this adventure, they face a real challenge—a classroom full of kids stressed out by a math test, and the nearby Rage Peaks threatening to erupt. Can Laura and Sid stop the volcanic explosion of feelings before it’s too late?
What makes this book stand out is how it takes a complex idea like emotional intelligence and turns it into a thrilling story. The metaphor of emotions as a volcano works brilliantly for young children, showing how feelings can build up and eventually explode if not managed. I loved how the authors Jomo Jesus Thomas Suriel and Jomo Gamal Thomas used relatable scenarios like a math test to show kids that everyone faces emotional challenges, and there are ways to deal with them. The adventure is engaging, and the superhero twist adds excitement that keeps young readers invested. The illustrations are an added bonus as it brings the story to life. I felt like I was watching a cartoon about superheroes. The authors include practical tools and tips for identifying and handling emotions, which is incredibly helpful for parents and teachers looking to make emotional regulation part of daily life. The exercises are simple but powerful, making emotional intelligence approachable for both kids and their families.
The Emotions Volcano is a wonderful tool for teaching emotional intelligence to young readers. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it leaves kids with a real sense of how to handle their big emotions in healthy ways. The fact that it’s written by a child makes it even more special. The Emotions Volcano is a perfect pick for parents who want to spark conversations about feelings.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0DF32MB3Z
LITERARY TITAN 