C.H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotional
Friday August 15, 2025

"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide."-Genesis 24:63
    
    Very admirable was his occupation. If those who spend so many hours in idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom, they would find more profitable society and more interesting engagements in meditation than in the vanities which now have such charms for them. We should all know more, live nearer to God, and grow in grace, if we were more alone. Meditation chews the cud and extracts the real nutriment from the mental food gathered elsewhere. When Jesus is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac found Rebecca while engaged in private musings; many others have found their best beloved there.
    
    Very admirable was the choice of place. In the field we have a study hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar to the hyssop, from the soaring eagle down to the chirping grasshopper, from the blue expanse of heaven to a drop of dew, all things are full of teaching, and when the eye is divinely opened, that teaching flashes upon the mind far more vividly than from written books. Our little rooms are neither so healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or so inspiring as the fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel that all created things point to their Maker, and the field will at once be hallowed.
    
    Very admirable was the season. The season of sunset as it draws a veil over the day, befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield to the joys of heavenly communion. The glory of the setting sun excites our wonder, and the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If the business of this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader, if you can spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not, the Lord is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber or in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet Him.
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Friday, October 17, 2014

Book Review Blitz: Mini Myths Board Books by Joan Holub

About the Books
Be Patient Pandora by Joan Holub
Title: Be Patient, Pandora! (Mini Myths)
Author: Joan Holub 
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli | 
Publication Date: September 16, 2014  
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Pages: 24  
Recommended Ages: 1 to 5


Summary: When Pandora is warned by her mother not to open a box, her spirited curiosity trumps her obedience. Pandora harmlessly touches the box, innocently leans on the box, and eventually, albeit accidentally, bursts the box open! The cupcakes that were hidden inside are ruined, except for one last vestige, which Pandora presents in the hope that her mother still loves her. Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively narrative to Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text. Includes a summary of the original Pandora’s Box myth at the end.
Purchase “Be Patient, Pandora!”:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | iTunes

Play Nice Hercules by Joan Holub
Title: Play Nice, Hercules! (Mini Myths)
Author: Joan Holub 
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli 
 Publication Date: September 16, 2014  
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Pages: 24  
Recommended Ages: 1 to 5


Summary: Hercules is not as interested in “playing nice” as he is in playing strong! But when one feat of strength destroys his little sister’s 12-piece tower, he must use his powers for good to restore the tower and seek her forgiveness. She forgives him indeed, and then shows her own strength by gleefully knocking down the stacked blocks herself! Joan Holub’s expertly focused text pairs perfectly with Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Hercules’s Twelve Labors myth at the end.
Purchase “Play Nice, Hercules!”:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | iTunes

The Buzz About Mini Myths

Patricelli’s preschool-age Pandora couldn’t be cuter, and an endnote explains the original myth in greater detail.  Genuinely funny and sweet. ~ Publishers Weekly, starred review
Remarkably entertaining . . . delightful painted cartoons in rich colors . . . the life lessons the source material inspires are spot-on. ~ Kirkus

About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan HolubJoan Holub’s fascination with mythology inspired Mini Myths, a new board book series that translates famous myths into situations familiar to preschoolers. The first two titles, Be Patient, Pandora! and Play Nice, Hercules! debut in September. Joan co-authors two other mythology series for Simon and Schuster, Goddess Girls (ages 8-12) and Heroes in Training (ages 7-10). Her picture book, Mighty Dads, was a New York Times bestseller in 2014.

Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads  |

Facebook | Facebook (Goddess Girls) | Facebook (Grimmtastic Girls) 

About the Illustrator: Leslie Petricelli

Leslie Patricelli is the bestselling author-illustrator of many adorable board books, including Yummy Yucky and Toot!
 
These are excellent books for the preschooler ages 1-5.  Chunky cardboard, with beautiful teaching messages:  playing nice and being patience.  What better message would you teach your children at this age.  You have to start some where.  There is also a page with the mythology information if you want to use it as a discussion starter. 

a copy of these books were provided in exchange for my honest review by....
  MDBR Book Promotion Services
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