We are really late getting this month's edition of AAF to you. Computers are a blessing except when they are a curse. I (Norman) am beginning to think mine is demon possessed. Several weeks ago I began to realize my hard drive was going South, so I ordered a new one. Because it was sent to a mistaken address, we were several weeks receiving it. When I finally got the new hard drive, it turned out to be defective. Now we're back up and running and happy to be back in the business of encouraging families. We don't pretend to be experts in that field, but we definitely know more about families than we do computers.

We haven't written book reviews in quite some time, so this month we are doing seven short ones. Please read the reviews. You're going to want to pick up some of these books, especially those that apply to your unique circumstances.

As usual Mikal challenges us to take the "road less traveled" (with apologies to M. Scott Peck). Most of us aren't good listeners. Good listeners work hard at what they do, but the dividends are great.

Our friend Jerry Hodge weighs in with our Perceptions feature. Jerry's article is a good partner to Mikal's listening essay. Both of them require honest hearts. We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.

Norman and Ann

Paul & Pam Pettit. Congratulations, You're Gonna Be A Dad!, Grand Rapids:Kregel Publications, 2002. ISBN 0-8254-3484-x; 158 pages; www.kregel.com.

Many first-time fathers-to-be have no idea what is before them. In many cases they had Fathers who weren't involved with them during their formative years. This book was written to help new dads prepare for what lies ahead for them from the time they first learn they are pregnant to when the baby is around eighteen months old. It also includes advice for new dads from James Dobson, Chuck Swindoll and others.

It's easily read because it is written in alphabetical form. It starts with a time-line which takes one from 0 weeks, through delivery and following. In the remainder of the book the Pettits go from A (starting with air travel) to Z (zinc oxide and zoo). It answers most any question you might have as a soon-to-be new dad. I wish my husband and our sons had had the book to read many years ago when they were going through the process. I would encourage you to give a copy or recommend this book to everyone you know who is becoming a dad for the first time.

Margaret Broersma. Daily Reflections for Stepparents, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kregel Publications, 1996, 2003 Second Edition. ISBN 0-8254-3697-4; 231 pages; www.kregel.com

"Here is someone who truly understands the issues involved in seeking to blend two families together" (quote by Dick Dunn, author of six books on stepfamilies and retired minister to blended families). Margaret and her husband, Roger, blended a family of her two sons and his three daughters. The devotions she has written are short, biblically based and practical. They are filled with encouragement to stepparents not only from the author's experience, but also from the experience of other blended families. Our daughter and our youngest son each have a stepson. This book would have been a blessing to each of them as well as to their mates. I also found it helpful to me as a step-grandparent. Counselor Ron Deal said, "…give those facing the uncertainties of stepfamily life a road map they can follow." Thinking of becoming a stepparent? You need this book. Already in a blended family situation? You need this book.

Margaret Broersma. Stepparent to Stepparent: Answers to 50 Common Questions Stepparents Ask, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004. ISBN 0-8254-2208-6; 174 pages; www.kregel.com

Broersma uses her experiences as a stepparent to answer questions regarding real-life situations faced in step-parenting. For a decade she has been writing and speaking about stepfamilies she has received many questions through regular mail, email and face to face. She has taken many of these and put them together in 50 questions. She doesn't "beat around the bush" but gives straightforward advice based on sound biblical principles. This is a must have book for blended families. If you, or someone you know, are planning to become stepparents, you would definitely benefit from reading this book. Keep it handy. You will use it many times as situations arise. This book and the Daily Reflections book by Broersma would make wonderful gifts.

The next four books reviewed are children's books. I received them in the mail and was so enthralled by the titles that I stopped what I was doing and sat down to read. I read the first three books without stopping. Each book addresses a topic that is not usually addressed with children. I found them intriguing.

LeAnne Hardy, Text; Janet Wilson. Illustrations. So That's What God Is Like,, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004. ISBN 0-8254-2782-7; www.kregel.com

This book is the story of a little boy named Temba. He lives in Africa with his family. He wants to know what God is like. He is too shy to ask his Sunday School teacher because she is busy with the other children. He feels he is too young to ask the minister, who is very important. He never thought about asking God. God was big and Temba was little. He would ask his Granny. Through a series of events Granny shows Temba what God is like. With each event there is a scripture reference. This book would be great to use in a Bible class for young children.

Stacy Barton, Text; Maureen O'Brien, Illustrator. Babba and I Went Hunting Today, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Kidzone, imprint of Kregel Publications, 2004. ISBN 0- 8254-2037-7; www.kregel.com

Have you ever tried to explain to a child about the illness of a loved one? It is very difficult and more so if the illness is terminal. This book tells the story of "Babba" (grandmother) and Honey. The grandmother has cancer. The text and the illustrations show vividly how they enjoy time together. It also talks freely about the illness, what happens when they have chemotherapy and how some days are not very good. Recommend this book to anyone who is faced with telling a child that a loved one has a terminal illness. I will use this book in my Sunday school class and place a copy in our church library. The last page of the book was designed by the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute. There are a series of questions, which you can use to help children learn to express their feelings.

Don Regier, Text; Karen Pritchett, Illustrator. The Long Ride: A Child's Search; The Long Ride: A Family's Search, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Kidzone, imprint of Kregel Publications, 2004; ISBN 0-8254-3577-3; www.kregel.com Have you ever picked up a book and were so fascinated with it you found it difficult to put down? For me this was one of those books. Being a kid at heart I find most children's books fascinating. Again, the text and illustrations beautifully tell the story. There are really two stories. One is the story of a family in America who wants to adopt a baby. The family consists of Dad, Mom, three boys and a girl. The children are older and Mom wants a baby to sing to and Dad wants a baby to bounce on his knee. They choose to adopt two little girls from China. That is the other part of the book. The neat part is that you have to turn the first part of the book upside down to read the other part. It briefly tells what people have to go through for foreign adoptions and shows how the children react and the questions that might be in their minds. The story is simply told and easy to understand. The day the books arrived I took this one to read to my Bible class. They loved it.

Steve T. Barclift. Beginning With God; My Very Own Devotional, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2003. ISBN 0-8254-2044-x; www.kregel.com

Have you tried to encourage your young children to have a devotional time? Perhaps you have tried to have family devotions with children of various ages. This devotional book could be used for a family like that. There are fifty-two weekly units. There is an engaging contemporary story. Then there is a series of questions called "Check your head for what you've read." Next is a Bible story titled "A look inside God's special book." Following are prayer suggestions, an activity and a memory verse. The book could also be used for teaching a children's Bible class. I would recommend this devotional book as a gift for a child. The front page has a place to write the child's name, the giver and the date.