Peace With Yourself
Well, here I go for a second time writing this post. Somehow Blogger decided to publish–without my knowledge or even pushing the publish button. Of course at that time, there was nothing on the page!! And then I wrote for two hours…..And. It. Was. All. Gone!
When autumn winds began to blow before the crush of the Christmas panic, I met an incredible writer at a Christian writers conference. And I made a promise. A promise to post a review about her award-winning book. Two months have passed. Life has slowed down. And with the introspection we all do around the New Year, I think this book review is timely.
Vibrant. Creative. Artistic. Hospitable. Friendly. A passionate lover of Jesus and prayer. All describe Author Janis Cox. We had met online through Janis’ popular blog, “Sunday Stillness,” but when the opportunity presented itself to meet at a writer’s conference in Phoenix, we both jumped at the chance. And how could I pass up meeting someone who spells her name the same unusual way that my Mom decided to spell my name?
In addition, Janis offered for me to stay the night at her home even though I was a perfect stranger. She was sparing me a grueling two-hour drive home and back again the next morning. I gratefully accepted. Canadian born, Janis and her husband Wayne winter in Arizona. “Snowbirds.” That’s what us folks who live here through the sweltering summers like to call our winter visitors. We really envy them.
Janis’ book, “Tadeo Turtle,” is about an animal who enjoys his life until he discovers that one of his friends has adventures impossible for Tadeo to experience because of the way he was made. Like most of us humans, Tadeo begins examining what the possibilities of life would be like if he could just change. And isn’t that what most of us are thinking about with the start of a New Year. We look within ourselves, finding flaws, and then determining how we can change to improve ourselves.
Through a series of misadventures, Tadeo (pronounced TAHD-ay-OH) discovers that God just might have known what He was doing when He made him a turtle with all of its limitations. In this 28-page book, colorful illustrations and a poetic tale lead children to find happiness in whom God made them to be. At the end of the book are several activities to heighten this lesson. Additionally a one-page scientific resource has notes on turtles.
The name, Tadeo (from which we get Thaddeus), came to Janis while she was searching through a list of possible names that would form an alliteration with “turtle.” Tadeo means “heart” and “praise.” Seems like a good direction to focus our hearts for the New Year.
Janis’ book, winner of The Word Guild Word Awards, can be purchased through Amazon or by contacting Janis at her website: www.janiscox.com. Janis also blogs at “Under the Cover of Prayer” and holds a weekly blog hop, “Sunday Stillness.” Check her and her book out. You will be delighted!
On the title page, Janis has written this quote from Psalm 139:
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my bodyand knit me together in my mother’s womb.Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it.”Psalm 139: 13-14 New Living Translation
Linking with: Spiritual Sundays, Sunday Stillness, Scripture and a Snapshot, Weekend Brew, Playdates with God, Monday Musings, Tell Me a Story, Soli Deo Gloria, Three Word Wednesdays, 3dlessons4life, Winsome Wednesday, The Beauty in His Grip, Faith-Filled Fridays, Essential Things Fridays.
Thank you Janis for a lovely review of Tadeo Turtle. Meeting at the ACW’s conference was a God moment for sure. For such a time as this. (As Esther put it).
Blessings
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
Your welcome Janis! God has sure used our meeting to bless my life and stretch me into new areas of writing–such as Twitter. That has exploded because of your help.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Love that Psalm. Have a wonderful new year.
May your New Year be blessed as well, Nita. Thank you for stopping over.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
I have recently *discovered* Janis’ blog – and I have so enjoyed her thoughtful words as she lives out her vibrant faith. A treasure, indeed.
I think we’re all a bit like Tadeo – trying to find our place, and to understand what God wants to do with our lives. But, along the way, we must never listen to the lies of the enemy who would wish us to doubt our worth. God made us just the way we are…on purpose…for a purpose!
GOD BLESS!
I love that Sharon–“He made us on purpose…for a purpose!”
Good to see you my friend. We need to chat!!
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Sharon,
Thank you for “discovering” me. I will go and “discover” you. Tadeo is a beacon for the Light. Let’s continue to shine it.
Blessings,
Janis
This review makes me want to get the book for my granddaughter Riley!!!
Thank-you for sharing!!
Ceal
Hi Ceal~Glad you enjoyed the real post, finally. I’m sure Riley would love the book. Contact Janis. She might even have another turtle to go along with the book.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Thanks I would love to sign a book for Riley. Please visit me at http://www.janiscox.com
Blessings,
Janis
Thank you for sharing your review of “Tadeo” with us here at Tell Me a Story. We are all so different and often have built in limitations. Not always from the way we are made, but extenuating circumstances might hold us back. Meeting at the Writers conference must have been a wonderful time for you both.
Hazel~Meeting at the Writers’ Conference was a great time for both of us. Janis’ exuberance rubbed off on me and I found not only a new friend but a world of workshops with information we could share! It was great!
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Oh Janis – that was such a special moment that I will treasure always. How God puts us together – so amazing and wonderful. Thank you friend for reviewing Tadeo Turtle for me.
Blessings,
Janis
I love Janis and her blog! I haven’t yet read the book, but I am sure it it fabulous. Can’t wait to have grandchildren to enjoy it!
Janis’ blog and book are great. Hope you get a chance to enjoy it Barbie!
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Barbie,
You could enjoy it as well – for the meaning and the watercolours. Many of my friends have a copy for themselves. lol:)
Blessings,
Janis
Oh, Tadeo sounds like such a fun teaching tool. Thanks for sharing about him here with us. I pray that the Lord will use him to touch many!
Thanks Lisa,
I am trying to get Tadeo Turtle into the Christian schools. But it is such a big place I don’t know where to start. And the homeschooling market too. I have a curriculum to go with the book as well.
Blessings,
Janis
Thanks for sharing so wonderfully. Made me smile…. BIG TIME!!
Caryjo,
Doesn’t Janis Van Keuren write well. She makes me smile too. Good to see you here.
Blessings,
Janis
What a lovely review, Janis. How wonderful that the two of you were able to meet. I love those in real life meet-ups. They warm my heart. I just love the name for the turtle. Beautiful! It sounds like a lovely book. Thanks for sharing your review with Three Word Wednesday.
Blessings,
Beth
Hi Beth,
I can’t believe it still how the timing was perfect. We had just arrived in Arizona and as we talked on Facebook Janis mentioned the conference. Not only did we learn a lot there we became good friends.
Blessings,
Janis
Thanks so much for sharing this book – such a wonderful message that so many of us need to learn from when we fall into the comparison trap.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
This sounds like such a great book for children and I agree with caryjo reading your review definitely made me smile.