Reviews

GAMES

The House That YOU Built (Make-Believer, £49.99 including postage, PC or Mac, for 4-10s)

Ever worried that your kids spend too much time in front of a PC or console screen, and too little time actually doing things with their hands, and using their imaginations?

Well, this game could be the answer to your prayers. "More skill, and no kill" is the motto of the Northumberland-based company behind the game, which is suitable for PC or Mac use. Essentially it combines software for creating, decorating and furnishing your own house, with fold-out card, scissors, tape, glue and high quality printing paper so that children can combine the best of both worlds.

You can choose from five styles of house plus more than 120 pieces of furniture and furnishings. The finished house is 50cm x 50cm, and included is membership of a club entitling you to download family and pets from the make-believer website for your house, plus a free item of furniture per month and enjoy games, quizzes, puzzles and competitions.

Aimed at 4-10 year-olds, it allows computer skills to be combined with craft, and creative imagination. A kind of cyber Changing Rooms, perhaps! Anyhow, visit the make-believer site and take a look (at time of review, it could only be ordered online from the site). Oh, and if you get the game, watch out for Embee. It's an on-screen talking cloud which giggles when tickled with a mouse!

Christian Herald review team

BOOKS

The Lion Storyteller Christmas Book (by Bob Hartman, illustrated by Susie Poole, Lion, £10.99)

Almost 40 freshly retold Christmas tales written with performance in mind - lots of humour, rhythm and depth. Stories come in three sections: the traditional Bible narrative, the stories behind the Christian traditions, and Christmas fables and legends from around the world. For all ages.

The Christmas Sheep and other stories (by Avril Rowlands, illustrated by Rosslyn Moran, Lion, £7.99)

Let's hear it for the animals! Four witty stories telling the Christmas story from the perspective of animals who could have been there - a bad-tempered donkey whose attitudes change, a lonely little sheep, competing animals in the stable and a very confused camel. Thought-provoking and fun. For 6-10s primarily.

A Gift for the Christ Child (retold by Linda Schlafer, illustrated by Anne Wilson, Lion, £9.99)

A powerful folk tale from the Andes particularly suited for older children. Extravagant illustration and colours help bring out the poignant tale of two poor brothers whose bravery and generosity brings about a true Christmas miracle. Great to look at, and some telling points about the true nature of giving.

Teddy Bear, Piglet, Kitten and Me (by Catherine Maccabe, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Lion, £8.99 hardback, paperback £4.99)

One for younger children, this - rhyming text helps echo the perspective of a small child rather in awe of the big, wide world, but determined to explore it. A journey through the year to the heart of Christmas. Charming.

Christian Herald review team

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		GAMES The House That YOU Built (Make-Believer, £49.99 including postage, PC or Mac, for 4-10s) Ever worried that your kids spend too much time in front of a PC or console screen, and too little time actually doing things with their hands, and using their imaginations? Well, this game could be the answer to your prayers. "More skill, and no kill" is the motto of the Northumberland-based company behind the game, which is suitable for PC or Mac use. Essentially it combines software for creating, decorating and furnishing your own house, with fold-out card, scissors, tape, glue and high quality printing paper so that children can combine the best of both worlds. You can choose from five styles of house plus more than 120 pieces of furniture and furnishings. The finished house is 50cm x 50cm, and included is membership of a club entitling you to download family and pets from the make-believer website for your house, plus a free item of furniture per month and enjoy games, quizzes, puzzles and competitions. Aimed at 4-10 year-olds, it allows computer skills to be combined with craft, and creative imagination. A kind of cyber Changing Rooms, perhaps! Anyhow, visit the make-believer site and take a look (at time of review, it could only be ordered online from the site). Oh, and if you get the game, watch out for Embee. It's an on-screen talking cloud which giggles when tickled with a mouse! Christian Herald review team BOOKS The Lion Storyteller Christmas Book (by Bob Hartman, illustrated by Susie Poole, Lion, £10.99) Almost 40 freshly retold Christmas tales written with performance in mind - lots of humour, rhythm and depth. Stories come in three sections: the traditional Bible narrative, the stories behind the Christian traditions, and Christmas fables and legends from around the world. For all ages. The Christmas Sheep and other stories (by Avril Rowlands, illustrated by Rosslyn Moran, Lion, £7.99) Let's hear it for the animals! Four witty stories telling the Christmas story from the perspective of animals who could have been there - a bad-tempered donkey whose attitudes change, a lonely little sheep, competing animals in the stable and a very confused camel. Thought-provoking and fun. For 6-10s primarily. A Gift for the Christ Child (retold by Linda Schlafer, illustrated by Anne Wilson, Lion, £9.99) A powerful folk tale from the Andes particularly suited for older children. Extravagant illustration and colours help bring out the poignant tale of two poor brothers whose bravery and generosity brings about a true Christmas miracle. Great to look at, and some telling points about the true nature of giving. Teddy Bear, Piglet, Kitten and Me (by Catherine Maccabe, illustrated by Clive Scruton, Lion, £8.99 hardback, paperback £4.99) One for younger children, this - rhyming text helps echo the perspective of a small child rather in awe of the big, wide world, but determined to explore it. A journey through the year to the heart of Christmas. Charming. Christian Herald review team © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.