Book Review {& Giveaway}: YOU’RE MORE THAN A SPROUT

If you know a “little sprout” who’s experiencing the frustrations of waiting to grow up, then you’ll want to check out this book review of YOU’RE MORE THAN A SPROUT. Plus, the author has sent us an autographed copy to give away!

The Author

Jill Roman Lord is an award-winning author of numerous Christian children’s books including THE SILENT NOISY NIGHT; GOD MADE YOU JUST RIGHT; and DREAM BIG MY PRECIOUS ONE. Her goal is “changing the world one child at a time with books that remind children they are precious in God’s eyes, and inspire closer relationships with Jesus.”

When she’s not working on writing books, Lord works as a nurse anesthetist. She and her husband live in North Carolina. They enjoy outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with their three grown children, family, and friends.

You can learn more about Jill Roman Lord on her website: JillRomanLord.com.

The Content of YOU’RE MORE THAN A SPROUT

B&H Publishing Group published this 32-page hardcover picture book written for children who are preschool through age eight.

The setting for the story takes place in a fictional location called Bink-a-boo. The illustrator, Sarah Demonteverde depicts this as a beautiful area similar to a panda bear’s natural habitat. The pages of the book are vibrant full-color illustrations.

The story begins with the main character, a little bamboo seed, floating through the air. He admires the homes he sees as well as the people and the animals around him.

However, the little bamboo seed’s enthusiasm wanes once he has drifted down into the soil. It’s not what he envisioned his life would be like. He wants to flourish and be like the other plants.

The author chose an excellent assortment of words to describe the actions of the immature bamboo seed such as: mumble, grumble, whine, ponder, and pout.

She also gave the bamboo sprout a wise friend, the moon. The moon encourages the sprout in his journey of growth and tells him to be patient as the Master molds him.

However, the little bamboo sprout struggles with several challenges such as hungry panda bears and men swinging axes! The steadfast moon continues to speak wisdom and encouragement to the bamboo stalk and eventually the stalk grows to one hundred feet tall.

I’ll not spoil the ending of YOU’RE MORE THAN A SPROUT but it is a beautiful one which lets children know that through our seasons of waiting and growing, God is always present and working.

YOU’RE MORE THAN A SPROUT Bonus Content

At the back of the book, there is a “Parent Connection” page. Specific scriptures are given as well as some discussion points. Also provided are some fascinating facts about bamboo followed by a thought-provoking question.

For example:

“Bamboo seeds are made when a parent bamboo flowers, which only happens once every thrity to 120 years! It then takes another three to five years for the seed to generate and mature. That’s a long time! What dreams do you have that may take a long time?”

Recommendation & Giveaway Details

I like this book! Children will enjoy the colorful illustrations and will glean wisdom from the story. I think it would make a great gift for a baby shower, for a child’s first day of school, and simply as an uplifting gift for a discouraged child. We all need loving reminders that God is working in our lives, even when we feel like we are at a standstill. And, when things are not happening in the ways we expected.

Would you like to win an autographed copy of this book? The author and the publisher have generously provided one for a giveaway. And as always, I will take care of the delivery and all shipping costs.

On April 30, 2021, we will randomly select a name from this blog’s email subscriber list. All subscribers will have their names entered into the drawing one time. If you’d like a second entry in the drawing, leave a comment below.

You could share with us about a time when you, or your child, were impatient with the process of growing up. Or tell us about someone who encouraged you when you were younger. Or, simply tell us about the little sprout you know that would enjoy this book.

Also, you may want to check out my free printable under the “Resources” page. “Growing” is a writing activity for children. If you have a reluctant writer or nonwriter, this printable can easily be used to interview your children and record their answers. Perhaps it’ll be a special memento to tuck away with other treasures.

I received a FREE copy of this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.