As a child, my journals were my most prized possessions. I remember my first one. It was a Christmas gift. It was pink with angels and stars on the cover. The pages were pink too and it came with matching pink angel and stars pen set. I waited patiently untilthe new year to write my first entry so that the journal would start fresh on January 1st. I tucked the journal under my pillow until the next day and reread my unedited and unfiltered words that were for my eyes only. Initially, I delegated one page per daily entry but soon I was dedicating from 5 to 10 pages. I wrote about my passions, victories, sadness, fears, fantasies and even my spiritual thoughts and doubts (when my grandmother passed away). Journal writing was the start of my love and passion for writing.
I continued to write in journals well into adulthood until a couple of years ago but, have picked it up again this year. I feel it’s a lost art and one that’s important for some children to incorporate in their day to day in order to help in expressing themselves.
Bestselling children’s book author Amy Parker seems to think so too and has created a Christian based children’s series called ‘The Plans I Have For You’ The series includes a journal and and a devotional book.
The journal prompts creative thinking and exploration of the talents and personalities that make us special, and then helps explore how God may use our unique traits to spread love and joy and make the world a better place. It’s 208 pages and divided into 6 sectors:
- I’ve Got Big Plans for You
- I’ve Given You a Purpose
- I Don’t Do Small Things
- There’s Nothing You Can’t Do
- Find That ONE Thing
- What I Created You to Do
It’s not solely a journal for writing thoughts and poems. There are sections that ask the children to doodle their thoughts. I think that’s pretty cool. If you looked back at my journals, even the ones I wrote as an adult you will see lots and lots of doodles and drawings. The creative nature of writing and doodles go hand in hand in my opinion.
“The Plans I Have for You” devotional book teaches and inspires kids to dream about their future, to focus on faith, love, and joy, and recognize that God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us. It reminds me of “The Daily Word” booklets my grandfather used to give me to read. There was a short bible passage on each page. One for every day of the month. The purpose was to read the passage and reflect on it and how it would apply to your day. It was made for adults but, I managed to incorporate into my daily routine as a child. This devotional book does the same thing but, it IS intended for children. It sure would have been nice to have this when I was growing up.
The devotional book is 160 pages and has 90 days of passages and activities to help your child reflect on the messages and what they mean to them. It’s divided into the same six sectors as the journal so they both compliment each other.
These are both great books individually and as a set and would be perfect as a gift leading up to Lent and Easter. It’s geared towards tweens in the age range of 8 – 14 years.
You can purchase “The Plans I Have for You” Journal by clicking here.
You can purchase “The Plans I Have for You” Devotional book by clicking here.
We are also giving a set of books away to one lucky reader. You can enter to win below. Good luck!
For more information on “The Plans I Have for You” series visit ZonderKidz on Facebook, Twitter & Online.
Did you own a journal as a child? What did it look like? Let me know in the comment section below.
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”