LEARN GERMAN FOR ADULT BEGINNERS: SPEAK GERMAN IN 30 DAYS! - 3 BOOKS IN 1

Have you always wanted to learn German? Then look no further. Explore to Win: LEARN GERMAN FOR ADULT BEGINNERS: SPEAK GERMAN IN 30 DAYS! - 3 BOOKS IN 1 combines three books into one to teach adults German. With this book, you will learn German vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills in just 30 days.

During high school, I studied German for two years. Since then, I haven't used my German. Considering I am turning 50 this year, that was quite some time ago. After so many years, I was surprised by how much I remembered and how easy it was to jump back in. It was not possible for me to get that far into the curriculum during the review period, but I intend to keep working through the combined books. There is a great deal of clarity in the presentation of concepts. "Learn A Language in 30 Days" literally made me pause. If I hadn't taken two years of German in the past, I don't know if I could have completed the challenge. I want to try another language after I finish German. This is to find out if I can learn a new language in 30 days.

The Three Books are outlined below. I thought about adding examples from each chapter, but the review became way too long and time-consuming. In addition, switching between English and German keyboard keys is tedious.

Book 1: Learn German Grammar Workbook for Adult Beginners: Write and Speak German in 30 Days!

A brief introduction, five chapters, and a conclusion are included.

This is a summary of what you will learn in Book 1:

• A concise and easy-to-understand explanation of German grammar principles.

• Grammar rules explained step-by-step.

• Your newly acquired knowledge will be reinforced through engaging exercises.

• An explanation of grammar usage through real-life examples.

• Writing, speaking, and comprehension techniques.

• How to overcome common grammatical difficulties encountered by adult learners.

Book 2: Learn German Vocabulary Workbook for Adult Beginners: Over 300+ Essential Words and Phrases You Must Know!

A brief introduction, four chapters, and a conclusion conclude book two.

• Vocabulary and language learning: its importance and advantages

• Everyday German phrases and words

• People, objects, food, drink, travel, and more vocabulary.

• This list of business German phrases will assist you in navigating the workplace and doing business in German.

• Expressions, locutions, and words used in cultural discourse.

• Vocabulary practice and reinforcement exercises.

Book 3: Learn German with Short Stories for Adult Beginners: Become Conversational Today with Fun & Engaging Stories

The book consists of an introduction, four chapters, and a conclusion.

This is a summary of what you will learn in Book 3.

1. Using engaging stories to learn German

2. A variety of stories covering a wide range of themes.

3. Personalized vocabulary and grammar exercises designed around each story.

4. You will learn cultural vocabulary to discuss events, traditions, locutions, and expressions.

5. Understanding and expressing yourself in real-life situations.

A chapter's conclusion consists of two sections. The first one is IT'S TIME FOR FUN. A simple end-of-chapter exercise gives you the opportunity to put what you learned into practice. Section exercises vary in length. The second section is called KEY TAKEAWAYS! An overview of the key concepts discussed in the chapter is presented here.

Over the course of 30 days, you will learn German vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills.

For anyone who wishes to learn a language quickly, I highly recommend this book. It is not possible to master the language as well when it comes to pronunciation since you need to listen to the language being spoken rather than just looking at a pronunciation key. Language acquisition is easier for some people than for others. Learning another language will be much easier with a solid grasp of English grammar. My advice is to take the challenge if you are up for it. I was surprised by how easy it was to dust off the cobwebs in the language acquisition area of your brain if you've studied languages in the past. Check out all of the languages that Explore to Win offers.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Something in the Basement

A little girl named Cecilia is afraid of a new sound she hears after moving into a new house in Malika Oakley's Something in the Basement.

From behind corners, something peeked out at her.

While she slept at night, it stared at her.

As she walked around the house, it followed her.

The basement was where it lived.

The creepy humming monster lived with it.

There was a groaning demon living with it.

A voice called "Cecilia" to her one night.

"Is something there?" she said scared.

"Why don't you take a look."

Her eyes squeaked shut, she counted to five.

"Just take a look." said the something.

Getting out of bed, Cecilia listened to the something.

"I'm in the basement." said the something.

She trembled in fear.

"Don't be afraid." said the something.

After turning on the basement lights, Cecilia didn't see anything.

The creepy sound was the humming of the furnace.

All that was groaning and moaning were the pipes.

Electricity caused the zapping and flickering.

She no longer feared the basement since there was nothing to be afraid of.

I found this book to be very disturbing. As a mother of six and grandmother of two, this isn't a book I would have ever read to my children. This is not a book I would read to my grandchildren. First of all, the whole book only talks about the child's fear except for the last four pages. To make fear more intense, the author personifies it. Now your child has been led to believe monsters are real and can speak. Why put such thoughts into a child's head? How helpful is it to talk about groaning demons hiding in your closet, or calling out your name in the middle of the night? Up until the last four pages, that is. Children tend to take what is said literally. I do not recommend this book. 

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

IT'S NOT EWWW.... IT'S YOU

The book IT'S NOT EWWW.... IT'S YOU by Sharon Leya explores our bodies' gross bodily functions. Illustrations are by Janne Maru. Children giggle as they discover all the gross things their bodies can do. Most would say "EWWWW!" "It's not EWWWW! ....It's YOU!" Children will learn about saliva, poop, ear wax, gas, urine, mucus, sweat, and blood in this book. The drips, the spews, and everything in between! Join Professor Ewe as she explains how their bodies and systems work.

"They might be somewhat log-like and can be super smelly, too. But POOP clears out your body's waste! It's not EWWWW! ....It's YOU!"

"Deep in the canals inside your ears is some sticky, tacky good. Earwax keeps germs from getting inside. It's not EWWWW! ....It's YOU!"

At the end of the book, Prof. Ewe elaborates on the importance of each bodily fluid or gas. Alan O. Feingold, MD authored this discussion guide.

Urine - "Pee, or urine, is made in your kidneys. Kidneys act like a water filter by cleaning out toxins in your blood and mixing them with water. That liquid is urine. Urine then flows to your bladder, where it stays until you go to the bathroom."

In addition to being funny, this book is also educational. I find the illustrations to be hilarious. For emphasis, some words in the text are larger, colored, bolded, and angled. I would recommend IT'S NOT EWWW.... IT'S YOU.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchanged for my honest thoughts. 

Abby & Derek's Word Hunt

The story of Abby & Derek's Word Hunt is written by Grace Martin and illustrated by Cristina Yepez. It tells the story of two siblings who embark on a jungle adventure to find the word CAT.

Abby has always dreamed of exploring the jungle. Derek has a brilliant idea. A word hunt would be fun! Let's hunt for the word CAT. A big smile spreads across Abby's face. While her brother makes a map, she constructs a makeshift boat. The two get into their boat and set out on their adventure. In the jungle they find all three letters needed to spell CAT. There are dangers they must face, but they don't have a problem overcoming them. Upon finishing, their cat Tiger scurried over to the boat box to get some attention from the two accomplished jungle hunters.

I love the illustrations. The colors are vibrant. Illustrations play a significant role in telling a story, and the illustrations in this book are definitely an excellent match for the author's narrative. It is a book that I recommend.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky

Avery Davis's Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky is a whimsical tale about what ifs and crazy events. The book is written in rhythmical prose that children will find silly and captivating. Bright and colorful illustrations fill the pages. Illustrations in this book remind me of those in Eric Carle books.

The book begins with the sentence, "What if when night falls, dreams come true?"

Some of the creative and quirky lines found in the book include:

"Saturn's rings shake loose, landing rainbows in the sky."

"People in pajamas slipper-skate on a lake, Tracing their names on curly cues on a birthday cake."

"Swallowed fireflies make belly buttons glow."

The book ends, "What if when night falls, dreams come true? And in the morning no one knew."

Sunflowers Rise in a Midnight Sky is an absolutely wonderful book. I found it to be entertaining, imaginative, and zany. What outrageous and implausible scenarios will you and your children come up with together? This book is not only a great read but also a great educational tool. As a mother of six and grandmother of two, I recommend this book.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest opinions. 

The Planets

The Planets: All about the Solar System is designed for children who are intrigued by the solar system and want to learn more. With the recent Total Solar Eclipse taking place on April 8th, now is the perfect time to explore the fascinating wonders of the universe, from the amazing technology that reveals planets and galaxies far away to what we can observe with our own eyes.

The book begins with the following introduction:

"Our solar system is a fascinating place made up of the Sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and more. The planets orbit around the Sun, held in place by its strong gravity. Each planet is unique, with its own characteristics, moons, and even rings. By studying the solar system, we learn about our cosmic neighborhood and our place in the universe. Let's blast off and explore the wonders of the solar system together!"

There are a lot of amazing AI-generated illustrations and diagrams in this book. The book is one of five in the "I Want To Know..." series.

In the beginning of the book, a visual diagram of the Solar System is presented. After that, it goes through the planets and the sun, which is at the center of our solar system. The sun, earth's moon, and each planet are given two pages each. A description of the planet is given on the first page, including the name, its nickname, its position in the solar system, and its climate. On the second page, you will find a set of interesting facts about the planet.

Did you know...

One million planet earths could fit in the sun!

The moon is a "natural satellite" not a planet. 

Jupiter is the BIGGEST planet in our solar system thus dubbed the king of planets.

Black holes are formed when stars collapse under their own gravity toward the end of their life cycle. 

Even though it doesn't refer to a total eclipse, I'm adding the "totality" of a solar eclipse section. On Tictok, adults were asked, "What is a Total Solar Eclipse?" 

It shocked me to discover that most of them had no clue how it happens. If you're an adult reading this, take note!

In addition to the topics listed above, the book discusses,

• Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors

• Galaxy

• Black hole

• Supernova

• Exploring Space

• Solar Eclipse

• Lunar Eclipse

• Tides

Further facts about the planets, the sun, the universe, and invisible forces are presented in 13 additional pages.

Following are the final words of the book.

"Isn't the universe amazing? There's so much to learn and explore!"

This is a very good introduction to our solar system.

Disclaimer - I received this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Wall

Brian Penn's The Wall is a dystopian novel for young adults. First and foremost, Brian Penn is an incredible writer. The storyplot is immediately introduced to readers without fluff or boring background information. The descriptive language gives the reader the feeling of living the story. The book is based on faith, which is a plus for me. Although it is 2099, much of the culture is reminiscent of the 1980s. Another Civil War is raging in America. In this case, the division is based on socioeconomic status. In Zion, you can have it all. There are no shortages of wealth, privilege, or material goods for them. And then there's Middleland. Middleland is a place of poverty. Hunger is rife. Their status is that of trash, scum, and mere slaves to Zion. Electric walls surround them. A wall that cannot be penetrated divides the two sides. Religion, Bibles, and guns are prohibited. Asher is from the Middleland. Unlike him, his fiancee lives on the other side. It's Asher's relentless mission to reunite with Sarai. An opportunity is presented to Asher. Is despiration capable of allowing him to compromise what is right. In this book, one theme recurs throughout: abundance leads man to act selfishly and devalue others' lives. As technology advances, so do technological advancements. By allowing cellular resuscitation, the wealthy have gained a second chance at life. The book contains so much more. I'm only scratching the surface here. Penn does a fantastic job developing the characters. Archetypes are distinctive to each of them. Then, he builds each character's backstory, strengths, flaws, and skills so beautifully. As the story unfolds, we observe the characters change and grow. It could have used one or two more edits to clean it up. I would say that is the only negative I have. Teens and young adults who love The Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, and 1984 will enjoy this book. Adults may love it too. 

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Comfort in Darkness

Comfort in Darkness by E. Ortiz teaches children to rely on their faith and trust in God to overcome their anxious thoughts and fears. The story revolves around a little boy named Noah who is afraid of the dark. I love how this book begins, "In a cozy little house at the end of the street, there lived a sweet little boy and his name was Noah. With big brown eyes, curly hair and a giggle that filled the room..." I adore the illustrations. They were created by Microsoft Copilot. I love how the author uses descriptive language such as "shadows danced on the walls," and "spooky darkness," describing Noah's fear of the dark that led him to call for his father. What a wonderful response from his father! "Don't worry, Noah. God is always with you, even in the dark. Just say a little prayer, and you'll feel better." Often, we as parents are so tired after a long day that we think to ourselves, "Just go to sleep." When our children call for us, we simply say, "Close your eyes everything's okay." Despite our exhaustion, God has entrusted us with the responsibility of caring for our children's "every" need, including their nighttime fears. Noah's daddy's comforting words were all he needed. After he prayed, he no longer saw the spooky darkness but instead saw a beautiful night sky. Stars dancing and the moon's glow resembling a night light. Noah thanked God for nighttime because darkness helps us sleep better. The writer compares darkness to being like a warm blanket that wraps itself around us to make us feel comfortable and sleepy.These are beautiful word pictures. He dreamed wonderful dreams. It was also comforting for him to know that God was watching over him. The book ends, "And so, in the little house at the end of the street, Noah's nighttime adventure became a story of courage and comfort. He knew that God..."

A prayer and this verse end the book.

I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me. He saved me from all that I feared. Psalm 34:4

Nightly prayer for an anxious heart. 

"God, You are good, you are my protector, and you are my everything. Keep me safe tonight and help me to keep remembering that you are always protecting me..." 

It is an absolutely precious book. As a mother of six mostly grown children and grandmother of two precious grandchildren, I highly recommend this book. There is no doubt in my mind that I will purchase this book for my grandchildren! In the end, the best gift a parent or grandparent can give their child is knowledge of their creator God. At a young age, books such as this reinforce to children the importance of relying on God in times of need.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Munch Unveiled: A Tapestry of Emotion

In 'Munch Unveiled: A Tapestry of Emotion', Pigmento DaVinci presents 70 of Edvard Munch's paintings. Paintings were selected for their artistic and historical significance. For each piece, a commentary is included that includes information such as the artwork description, the historical context, the symbolism and interpretation, the critical reception, and the legacy of the piece, as well as unique or interesting points about it.

"Munch's paintings are not mere images; they are visceral experiences, echoes of a soul's journey through human emotion spectrums. From the haunting visage of The Scream to the somber introspection of The Sick Child, Munch's oeuvre is a chronicle of raw humanity." 

The following is a short list of a few of the 70 works of art in this book.

Auction at Grimsrod (1915)

Canal at Sunset (1908)

The Girls on the Bridge (1901)

Fertility (1890s)

Four Women in the Garden (1926)

The Fairytale Forest (1901-1902)

Spring Day on Karl Johan (1890)

Street in Warnemunde (1907)

The Oak (1906)

In his art, Edvard Munch displays a wide range of moods and content. Fertility celebrates nature's abundance with vibrant colors while Vampire depicts a woman embracing a man's head with a gorish and unsettling element. It appears that she is biting his neck. Dark colors dominate the painting. There are also a number of quite disturbing nude paintings by Munch. Please note that this is only my personal opinion. There may be others who disagree with this statement.

The Fairytale Forest was one of my favorite paintings. Immediately following the commentary page, you will find a beautiful full-page reproduction of the painting.

Here is an example of how the commentary page will look. The content is in my own words and abbreviated. 

The Fairytale Forest (1901-1902) 

Artwork Description: 

Bright colors, a happy theme, and children hand-in-hand entering an enchanted woodland tell the story of Munch's painting.

Historical Context:

The post-industrial revolution evoked the past, filled with unspoiled landscapes. In the wake of the industrial revolution, fertile, uninhabited lands were transformed forever by rapid urbanization.

Symbolism and Interpretation: 

The Fairytale Forest depicts life's journey and mysteries.

Critical Reception and Legacy: 

Initial reactions to this work were mixed. As a precursor of expressionism, this painting influenced his legacy.

Unique or Interesting Facts: 

Munch had a keen interest in psychology. In so many of his paintings, there is a strong emotional component. 

Conclusion: 

"This painting is an allegory of life's path, beautifully interwoven with emotional landscapes. Munch's artistic genius lies in his ability to infuse landscapes with profound psychological meaning, and this painting is a prime example of his visionary approach."

This book is amazing and I recommend it. 

For the Bible Tells Me So Series

For The Bible Tells Me So, a board book series by Kristen Wetherell is just right for children ages 0-4 years old. God Came Near To Me and God Rescues Me are just two of the books in the series. 

God Came Near To Me teaches children about the brilliant bodies God has given them. They learn how Jesus came to earth as a man while remaining fully God. "God's Son had two eyes that could see people's pain. Their hearts he would heal, and their health they'd regain." The book describes how Jesus used His eyes, mouth, hands, feet, and body to fulfill God's plan for His life. "My dear Savior's hands and my dear Savior's feet were nailed to a cross as sin's payment complete. He offered his body and life in my place. He did this to offer me mercy and grace!" It explains how Jesus will return and how we will live with Him forever. The last page of the book has a flip tab that opens up to reveal a mirror, opposite of which it says Me!

The gospel of salvation is told in God Rescues Me. "What is the gospel? Explain it to me!" A very young child can understand and grasp the gospel message in God Rescues Me because the author explains it in an easy-to- grasp way. All of us are sinners saved by grace through faith, even very young children can understand this reality. It includes word pictures used in the Bible to illustrate how Jesus rescues us. We are Jesus' sheep, and he is our shepherd. His title is King of kings and Lord of lords. The perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin was made by Jesus, the Lamb of God. "Like a pure lamb, he was killed in our place. Now we're forgiven. Our sins are erased! Like a strong hero, defeating the grave, he rescued our souls as we trust him to save." What Good News! The last page of the book has a flip tab that opens up to reveal a mirror, opposite of which it says Me!

Grace Habib has produced incredible artwork that perfectly compliments Wetherell's books. Besides being colorful and engaging, her artwork is also age-appropriate. Upon reaching the final page, little ones will be delighted with what they discover. Rhyme and the rhythmic style of the text appeal to young children. Rhythmic patterns such as those found in this book can help young children learn to repeat and memorize what they hear. At the end of the book, there is a Note to Parents. God Came Near To Me discusses the doctrine of Jesus' Incarnation. Her book is based on scripture. Kristen Wetherell based God Came Near To Me on the following scripture references: John 1:14, Romans 8:21-24, Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 15:21-22, Hebrews 2:17; 4:15. God Rescues Me is based on Ephesians 2:1-10. 

These books will become part of my ever-growing collection of books as a mother of six children and grandmother of two. It is difficult to find children's books that are based on sound doctrines of Scripture. It's clear that the author hits the mark with the For The Bible Tells Me So series. Visit the Crossway website to view all books in the series. Check out all of Kristen Wetherell's books on Crossway's website. 

Disclaimer ~ I received these books in exchange for my honest thoughts.