The Blended Blog: Isabella Babysits Baxter Book Review Blitz

C.H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

Wednesday August 13, 2025

"The cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted."-Psalm 104:16

Lebanon's cedars are emblematic of the Christian, in that they owe their planting entirely to the Lord. This is quite true of every child of God. He is not man-planted, nor self-planted, but God-planted. The mysterious hand of the divine Spirit dropped the living seed into a heart which He had Himself prepared for its reception. Every true heir of heaven owns the great Husbandman as his planter. Moreover, the cedars of Lebanon are not dependent upon man for their watering; they stand on the lofty rock, unmoistened by human irrigation; and yet our heavenly Father supplieth them. Thus it is with the Christian who has learned to live by faith. He is independent of man, even in temporal things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to Him alone. The dew of heaven is his portion, and the God of heaven is his fountain. Again, the cedars of Lebanon are not protected by any mortal power. They owe nothing to man for their preservation from stormy wind and tempest. They are God's trees, kept and preserved by Him, and by Him alone. It is precisely the same with the Christian. He is not a hot-house plant, sheltered from temptation; he stands in the most exposed position; he has no shelter, no protection, except this, that the broad wings of the eternal God always cover the cedars which He Himself has planted. Like cedars, believers are full of sap having vitality enough to be ever green, even amid winter's snows. Lastly, the flourishing and majestic condition of the cedar is to the praise of God only. The Lord, even the Lord alone hath been everything unto the cedars, and, therefore David very sweetly puts it in one of the psalms, "Praise ye the Lord, fruitful trees and all cedars." In the believer there is nothing that can magnify man; he is planted, nourished, and protected by the Lord's own hand, and to Him let all the glory be ascribed.

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Monday, December 8, 2014

Isabella Babysits Baxter Book Review Blitz

Title: Isabella Babysits Baxter
Author and Illustrator: Melissa Perry Moraja
Publication Date: October 27, 2014
Publisher: Melissa Productions
Pages:32
Recommended Ages: 3 to 8

Summary:
Six year old Isabella usually is the one who has a babysitter. But when her enormous puppy named Baxter creates a mess and prevents her mom from working, Isabella’s mom asks her to babysit him. And Isabella knows exactly what to do! Or does she? First, Isabella gets Baxter dressed…TWICE! Next they have a snack, but not without a CRASH and a BANG. And that’s just the beginning. Join Isabella in her very first picture book filled with lots of humor and adventure as she tries to keep Baxter from making a bigger mess.

Amazon | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Sneak Peek

Isabella Babysits Baxter - Inside Page 1

Isabella Babysits Baxter - Inside Page 2

Isabella Babysits Baxter is a fun short story addition to the Wunderkind Family books' series. Isabella is the youngest and she is left to babysit the dog while mom is working in her art room. My the trouble Isabella and the dog can get into. Young ones will laugh at the antics. Beginner readers will enjoy the delight of reading this book by themself. A very cute realistc fiction picture book.

The Early Buzz

“Filled with humor and fun, Isabella Babysits Baxter is perfect for young children, and I especially recommend it for families with pets. Melissa Perry Moraja does a great job of bringing these real-life characters to print in a new, entertaining children’s book that is sure to please the whole family.” ~ Review by Readers Favorite Reviewer

“It’s fun, zany, big and colorful – just like a kid’s book should be. Even the cover itself is inviting. with its deep red background and a wide-eyed, paint-spattered Baxter staring at the reader who must wonder about the story behind the scene. The cover is impressive in its artwork, design, hint of a sparkle accent, and the unusual smooth, non-paper feel. Bottom line – “Isabella babysits Baxter” represents Fun with a capital F. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Spudman, Amazon, Top 100 Reviewer

“The illustrations by the author are excellent, the story is both adventuresome and entertaining, and the wisdom imparted to children is excellent. A top-notch children’s book from a lady who knows her field and her talent!” ~ 5 Star Review, Grady Harp, Amazon, Top 100 Reviewer

Melissa Perry Moraja, Award-Winning Author and Founder of Melissa Productions, Inc., is an entrepreneurial mom, a multifaceted business woman, a creative producer, and an author and illustrator of numerous modern-fantasy children’s books and self-help books. And that’s just the beginning!
Melissa also has published articles, appeared on television, been interviewed on radio, has spoken in front of hundreds of people, and held workshops at local schools, discussing creative learning, publishing and parenting. Her desire to make a difference in her four young children’s lives inspired her to leave her six-salary career at IBM in 2007 to become a full-time mom, children’s author, speaker, and consultant. Melissa spends her personal time coaching soccer and softball, painting, and coming up with fun art projects for her kids.

She also blogs for Working Mother blog , has guest blogged for Charlotte Observer Mom’s Charlotte , and has her own personal blog at Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom. Melissa is also committed to building awareness and support for type 1 diabetes. Her twin daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes November 4, 2011. To learn more about Madison’s type 1 diabetes disease please read M adison’s Story.