Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators by David H Ross

Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators: Mastering the Art of Drawing from Memory by David H. Ross is a book filled with mini-lessons about different aspects of drawing human figures, kind of super hero-type drawing.

I really like this book, my daughter and son are using it to learn some tips. I really liked all the horizon and perspective lessons (using the quartered box as a guide section was nice). The chapters are entitled:

1. A Perspective Primer
2. Introducing the Glass Mannequin
3. The Standing Figure
4. The Walking and Running Figure
5. The Crouching, Sitting, and Reclining Figure
6. Drawing the Head
7. Drawing the Hands and Feet
8. The Skeleton
9. The Muscles
10. Dynamic Action

There are lessons about muscles, motion, different steps in motion, etc. The lines of balance, poses of different parts of the body, and on.

I'm not sure I'd say that I love this book, but I think it is a good tool. It's a very nice quality book and I think the mini-lessons are not intimidating and can add on to already existing art skills.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review, I was not required to write a positive review.

The Midwife's Choice by Delia Parr

Back in the summer I read (and reviewed. . .see here) a book by Delia Parr called The Midwife's Tale. I have just finished the second book in this series (At Home in Trinity series) and really enjoyed it! This new book is called The Midwife's Choice by Delia Parr. It is set in the 1830's and is the story around the life, town, and family of Widow Cade (Martha), the area's midwife.

Martha's daughter, who had run away with a carnival in the previous book, comes back home to her mother's joy. She has been living with a family who was taking care of her, employing her, and allowing her to work as a writer. Martha is living above the confectionary with the two sisters who run it (her brother's place where she used to live had burned down).

Many different dramas fill the story, some having to do with her profession as a midwife, others just with her caring nature. She tries to help a newly-blinded man and his ward, assists with a stillbirth and discovers an abused wife, shares the joy of a friend's returned marriage, finds out giant secrets about a close friend, faces choices concerning love and her future, and tries to do the right thing in every situation.

It's a nice story with adventure, suspense, and Christian values. It's written in a historic setting, and gives you a good taste of life in that era. I enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

More For Girls Only! Devotions by Carolyn Larsen

Do you have a daughter or granddaughter who is in the pre-teen years? This devotional would be a wonderful tool in their spiritual development! This devotion book, More For Girls Only! Devotions written by Carolyn Larsen is spot on for this age group. It is printed with pink ink (!) and is more than just a story for the day illustrating good behavior. It is very Scripturally oriented. The day's reading begins with a Bible verse (or verses) and then a story illustrating either a desirable characteristic or an undesirable one. The story ends with some thought-provoking (and discussion-starting!) questions about the topic.

Following the story is "checkup time" which is a 1-5 scale (1=never, 5=always to answer how you feel you fall on certain questions (such as
I pray for missionaries
I know that others are affected by my choices
I feel God's love throughout the day
I know I need God's forgiveness every day
I'm good at waiting until I'm certain God has given me guidance

and so forth.

Following this is a "key" which gives you an interpretation, such as:
mostly 1's: we get it, you like to do things your way. But God's way is actually better for you. Ask him to help you believe that.
mostly 2's: Could it be that you don't trust God to guide you? . . .
mostly 3's:

etc. You get the pictures. Like those "quizzes" in magazines.

The next section is "Things to do" and gives several action items to check off and try to do that will increase your growth in that characteristic.

Following that is "Things to remember" which is a listing of verses that relate to the topic which can be used for Bible memory as well as some quotes by Christian writers on the topics.

I really like the format as well as the topics of this devotional. I have already used book one with my 11 year old daughter and it has opened up wonderful times of discussion and prayer for us. It doesn't take a huge amount of time, but I believe it is a great help in her life.

I definitely recommend this book. The age group it's written for is 8-12; it could probably be used with older girls, but I'd say it's best within this age range.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.