Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me these books free of charge to review on my site. All opinions are 100% mine!
My kids have been going through a “we hate to practice our instruments” phase (please tell me it’s a phase) especially my son who just started the piano. He was just getting really good at it, and then when it got a little hard, he just wanted to quit. So this book, Practicing for Heaven: The Parable of the Piano Lessons came at a timely moment for us. I actually read it for our morning devotional the other day, and they kind of rolled their eyes when I told them the title. 
Now the book really isn’t about getting kids to practice. The boy in the story is struggling because the song he is practicing is hard. He learns that as we struggle, through the “song”, and especially through life that that is all part of Gods plan. We can’t become perfect over night. We are practicing each and ever day, working and striving in our lives to become better. It teaches a great lesson on the atonement of Jesus Christ and his Grace. My kids really liked the book in the ned! We talked about all sorts of aspects in their life that seem hard. Life is hard, but I love to see my kids strive for perfection through hard tasks, and I think they realize they can’t do it alone. This sweet book teaches a lot in just a few pages!
Here is a little more about it from the Deseret Book site, and a little bit about each of the authors….
Product Description
David hates practicing piano. He’s frustrated by how hard it is and all the mistakes he makes. With his mom’s help, he comes to understand how that’s all part of the learning process. She also uses the moment to help David comprehend more about the Atonement: Christ has paid the price so that we can learn and improve. We aren’t earning our way to heaven—we’re practicing for it, and Christ is willing to help us every step of the way.
Practicing for Heaven also includes teachings tips for parents who wish to teach children of all ages about the Savior’s Atonement and grace.
About the Authors
Brad Wilcox
BRAD WILCOX has lived in Ethiopia, Chile, and New Zealand; he and his family now make their home amid the Rocky Mountains. Brad taught sixth grade before obtaining his PhD in education from the University of Wyoming. His contributions as an author and teacher have been honored by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and his work has appeared in Guideposts magazine and Reader’s Digest. He once served as a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America and has addressed thousands of youth and adults across the United State, Europe, Australia, and Japan. He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children.
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Wendee Wilcox Rosborough
WENDEE WILCOX ROSBOROUGH graduated from BYU with a BS in Home and Family Living. She once served on the planning committee for BYU Women’s Conference and has also spoken there with her father, Brad Wilcox. She lives with her husband and two boys in Provo, Utah, and loves to read, write, travel, and play the piano when her sons allow her a few spare moments.
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Brian Call
BRIAN CALL studied illustration at Ricks College and BYU. His illustrations have graced the Ensign and Friend magazines, as well as the children’s books Illustrated Book of Mormon Stories and Illustrated Bible Stories for Latter-day Saints. Brian currently teaches in the art department at BYU-Idaho. He lives in Ammon, Idaho, with his wife and six children. Brian’s children play the piano beautifully, but he never could put down his paper and pencils long enough to practice.
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This book, Practicing for Heaven, would be a great book for anyone. We can all learn a great lesson from it! You can buy this sweet book at Amazon.com
