Book Review & Give-Away - Must-Have Marvin

In this world we live in it is all too easy for children to develop a mind-set where they think they just, "must have" a lot of things; the newest video games, toys, electronics, clothes and the list goes on and on. Even parents can find themselves "sucked in" to this mind-set where they think they have to have the newest cars, electronics, clothes, etc. So, when I was invited to participate in a book review and give-away for the book, Must-Have Marvin!, I was delighted to do so!

Must-Have Marvin!
Author - Christy Ziglar
Illustrator - Luanne Marten
Publisher - ideals children's books
Ages - 4-7

Favorite Features -

• Solid message about how people are more important than things
• Wonderful, colorful illustrations!
• Children will have no problem identifying with the characters in this book
• Fun activity for children to look for the star which follows Marvin throughout the story; they will also be able to tell if they star is excited or sad and then guess why the star looks as it does
• Info on a web site where parents can find games, apps, tools and parenting resources to "help their family choose right and shine bright"
• Note to Grownups to help them focus children on the message of the book

ideals children's books says; "Marvin loves new things—he especially loves finding the latest, greatest, most awesome new things! Soon Marvin finds himself focusing on a new robot he wants, to the exclusion of his friends. He lets them down when they need his help and nearly loses their friendship. Through a chat with a wise neighbor and a second chance to help, Marvin learns the important life lesson that people are more important than things." 

I love what Marvin's neighbor tells him; "Things won't make you happy, only people can. If you'll spend more time helping your friends and less time thinking about new stuff, you'll be a lot happier." This is a message we want the children - and parents - in our ministries to understand and embrace. In the end of Must-Have Marvin! he learns, "The only things I really HAVE to have are my FRIENDS!"

If you use Must-Have Marvin! in your ministry, talk with children about how Jesus taught, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last" (Matthew 20:16); ask them how Marvin learned to put others first and what they can do this week to put others first.

Must-Have Marvin! is definitely a book to include in your church library and to recommend to families! I'm very happy to say, not only was one copy sent to me for review, but an additional copy is available for me to give away (USA only)! If you are over the age of 18 and would like to be included in the drawing for Must-Have Marvin! - which will be on April 7, 2014, please comment below to share how you might help the children in your ministry learn to serve others. I would involve them in a project to help provide safe, clean water to people in need with WorldHelp/causelife.

In addition if you have followed on Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab in the "Find us on Facebook" box ON THE BLOG or at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed About the Children's Department by email you will receive one entry for each of these which you have done. Plus, if you "share" this post, you'll receive another entry (please let me know if you share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win Must-Have Marvin! and it gives you several ways to enter the give-away! Thank you for reading About the Children's Department and for sharing it with the people you know!