Advent Books

This is a valuable buy for anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and loves to snuggle up with a good story on a cold evening. My parents had purchased this book for my little sister and asked me to read it to her one night before bed. I had expected dreading the little children's stories, but as I opened the book and began reading, I found the artwork so enchanting and interesting and the stories so enthralling that I had a great time. I would recommend this compilation to anyone who loves Christmastime.

This is a valuable buy for anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and loves to snuggle up with a good story on a cold evening. My parents had purchased this book for my little sister and asked me to read it to her one night before bed. I had expected dreading the little children's stories, but as I opened the book and began reading, I found the artwork so enchanting and interesting and the stories so enthralling that I had a great time. I would recommend this compilation to anyone who loves Christmastime.

I bought this book for my little daughter and I'm sure she will enjoy reading it as much as I did!

This is a valuable buy for anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and loves to snuggle up with a good story on a cold evening. My parents had purchased this book for my little sister and asked me to read it to her one night before bed. I had expected dreading the little children's stories, but as I opened the book and began reading, I found the artwork so enchanting and interesting and the stories so enthralling that I had a great time. I would recommend this compilation to anyone who loves Christmastime.

I love this book! Content selection is good and illustrations are wonderful. The artist has created a fascinating world of characters and images. The quality of print is excellent too.
I bought this book as a Christimas gift for my son and will now order another one for my friends' kids.

I bought Jamie & Joy Farr's book to read to my great-grandchildren, and I think it's an inspirational little story about the camel family that Jamie first introduced on M.A.S.H. I especially enjoy the little fantasy that HABABY's ancestors were the camels that carried the wisemen as they followed the star to Baby Jesus.
The book is well-made and beautifully designed, too; the paper slick, and the illustrations especially colorful. My grand-children really loved it, and kept pointing to details in the fabulous illustrations.
Thanks, Jamie, Joy, & illustrator Alice for entertaining us in such a delightful way. I plan to place this book on our table every Christmas and hope it becomes an annual tradition ... reading it to our youngest ones ... beside a cozy fireplace.
Reviewer: BETTY DRAVIS, author of THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY and MILLENNIUM BABE: THE PROPHECY



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My children loved this book. If you have children, buy this book for they will really enjoy it, and if you still have a little child inside yourself you, are really going to enjoy it also!

Millions know Jamie Farr by his beloved M*A*S*H character, Maxwell Klinger. What few remember is the fictional camel named Habeebe "Klinger" introduced in one episode. In this book, Jamie and his wife Joy tell the rest of the story that will delight a whole new generation of fans. You meet not just Habeebee and wife Habeeba, but their young one named, you guessed it, Hababy. And with Hababy come several other friends from the animal kingdom. The story is fun and it has a point. The pictures are bright and sure to delight any youngster. I hope this isn't the last time we meet this wonderful family ... both the camels and the Farrs.

Jamie and Joy Farr's book, "Hababy's Christmas Eve" is so delightful. Habeebee, Habeeba and Hababy are almost lifelike and sends a joyful message about Christmas. Illustrations by Alice io Oglesby bring the Camel family to life. This book is a great read and I would recommend it to all adults and children.

Joyce Rapier, author: "Windy John's me 'n tut" and "Windy John's, Rainbow and the Pot o' Gold"

I received an eBook for review and the pages progress slowly, however it is worth the wait while the wonderful illustrations move into place. I would be interested to see the paper copy of the book. This is a children's 32 page picture book I am happy to recommend for use by teachers, and parents.-Molly Martin, 20+ years teacher

Well researched and very interesting. Our family highly enjoyed these advent readings this season. Great selections from the Messiah combined with historical and Biblical insights. Great for any family.

We have used "Handel's Family Advent Reader" for a couple years in a row and it is just as wonderful every time we read (and listen to) it. Who can resist the music of Handel's Messiah? Even if my sons pretend they're singing in the opera (lip synching) as they listen to the selections, I know they are still enjoying it and appreciating it. The stories are all very unique and each has a special "Christmas gift" to give the reader. If you enjoy Advent devotions, you'll love this one! It's my favorite Advent devotion so far!

I bought two books, one for my mother as an early Christmas gift and the other to use as a Sunday School lesson helper. Many in my adult class are in the church choir and not only appreciate great music, but need to leave sessions early, or arrive late because of their choir commitment. The various stories, references to current living circumstances and history are great tools for keeping interest high within the class setting and throughout the Advent Season. I get the best of both worlds- the opportunity to read it over and over as I prepare lessons and the CD to listen to those wonderful tunes from the Messiah.

I bought two books, one for my mother as an early Christmas gift and the other to use as a Sunday School lesson helper. Many in my adult class are in the church choir and not only appreciate great music, but need to leave sessions early, or arrive late because of their choir committment. The various stories, references to current living circumstances and history are great tools for keeping interest high within the class setting and throughout the Advent Season. I get the best of both worlds- the opportunity to read it over and over as I prepare lessons and the CD to listen to those wonderful tunes from the Messiah.

If you have never bought a family devotional before, thinking your family would never sit still for it, you're in for a real surprise! This is one thing you will want to add to your family's list of "to do's" over this Christmas season. I have never read a devotional quite like this one. Based on the great Handel's Messiah, this beautiful book is full of stories you most likely will never find anywhere else. Chock full of surprising and very interesting but little known facts. For instance, why do people all stand up when the "haleluia chorus" is played? How about this story intitled "Daughter of Her Son". This is a beautifully written piece about Mary and her relationship with her Savior/Son. Children will love the stories entitled "The Flying Snakes", "The Reindeer People" and "No Christmas allowed". Each story has been carefully researched and well written with beautiful color artwork. There is a story for each day of advent. I guarantee your family will be eager to sit down each evening to hear what story will be read that evening. If you have never had family devotions before, this is a great way to introduce your family to a time of learning, reflection, and what Christmas is truly all about. This is the best book of the Christmas Season. I can't wait to go through it again this year with my loved ones.

This book is so touching and adorable. One of those books that not many people are familiar with b/c it's older. I highly reccommend it. I believe it's out of print and so Amazon is a great place to find it! A must have for Santa belivers!

This book reveals Santa as he's never been revealed, starting with an exhausted Mr. Claus who is home after a long Christmas Eve journey. He really just wants to nurse a sick reindeer and get some sleep. Except, to his chagrin, he notices a lump in his sack and realizes he forgot to deliver a package. And this package, unfortunately, will be missed. It's for Harvey Slumfenburger, and it represents the sole Christmas booty that the young boy will get. You just know how much Santa wants to go back out to deliver this gift, but he does so without complaint.

Of course, the reindeer are tired and sick, so Santa has to find creative and sundry ways to the top of Roly Poly Mountain, where Harvey lives. He gets the present to Harvey and finds his way back, although it's a long and tiring journey.

My children love this story. The idea that Santa would go to such lengths is really appealing, and they adore trying to guess what Harvey's gift is. (The author smartly leaves us wondering). The story is about love, and any parent who has tried to obtain a hard-to-find toy or move mountains to get from work to the school play would completely relate.

Don't be put off by the monotonous aspect of Santa's trip, or the unfortunate tongue-tying name of the young boy. This book will be a Christmas favorite, one that brings parent and child together in understanding sacrifice and love and generosity of spirit, truly the things that make Santa and the season magical.

We have to read this book multiple times every Christmas season. My son loves the great trouble that Santa will go to in order to reach poor little Harvey Slumfenburger on top of the Roly Poly Mountain, who will not be getting any other Christmas presents this year. It also gets us talking about how many people do not have enough money to buy everything they need or want. It has a message AND it's funny and entertaining. We really love this book.

I disagree with the designation of 4 - 8 years old as the reading level for this book. Students of 4 to 5 years old could not read this book themselves. I would say some first-graders, and most second and third-graders could read it independently. But it's a great story, whether it's read to children or by children. This story about a determined Santa, rope-climbing, skiing and traversing impossible terrain to reach Harvey on Roly Poly Mountain, is just inspired. Harvey is a little boy from a poor family who only gets one present each year - the one Santa brings. When Santa gets home and realizes the one present left in his sack was supposed to have reached Harvey, he immediately sets out to reach him - despite the fact he must get there without his sick and exhausted reindeer. This story captivated a class of kindergarteners - and it's not a really short book. When I got to the end, the students were clearly touched, and one sighed, "I love Santa." A second-grade teacher wants to borrow it now, to read to his class. Great Christmas story!

This is a heartwarming story about Santa's determination to ensure that every child has a wonderful Christmas morning. Santa's journey to Harvey's house on the top of Roly Poly Mountain teaches children and reminds adults that it is better to give than receive. The ending will spark conversations between all ages! Read this story every year to remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.

Without doubt this is one of the most beautiful books for children that I have seen in many years. The wonderful tale is interwoven with the most magnificent art work by Michel Lê. These illustrations tell the tale and make this book a work of art.
This will make a great Christmas present and the story has a truly Christmas message. At this new price it's a steal.
Michael Hobbs
North Carolina

This is a must send to all my nieces and nephews and grandparents on the mainland. It's a gorgeously illustrated book with a sweet tale of generosity which almost makes plausible a snowman in Hawai'i. It's the Christmas magic, afterall.

This is a delightful book for readers of all ages. The illustrations are rich and full of color -- accurately depicting all that Hawai`i has to offer. This makes a wonderful Christmas gift for anyone!

This is the most gorgeous book to date, about Hawaii, and lifes travels, I can feel the writer and the illustrators connection and beauty in every page, Michel and Christine Le are an amazing team they make the story come to life with words and paintings that speak so wonderfully to all the family. If you have not ordered this yet you must!!! before they sell out.

I give this 5 Stars!

Mrs. Jarvis.

This book will make a wonderful gift for my nephews living in Hawai'i. The illustrations are beautiful and story is fun. This will make a great addition to any christmas book collection.

I have four children, ages 8 through 3, and this is their hands-down favorite Christmas book. Well, possibly, all-time book. Each page has tons of details for the kids to notice and find -- even as an adult, I seem to find new things in it each time we read it. And thanks to this book, they are learning all the words to the song.

Hilary Knight's Twelve Days Of Christmas tells of a bear who struggles with an overabundance of holiday gifts from her sweetheart. Whimsical animals parade in each scene as poor Bedelia struggles with a house increasingly filled with odd gifts. The illustrations are especially whimsical.

This is a definte must for the Holiday Season. Wonderful details of a courtship between two bears using the song the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each page is a treasure trove!

I've loved Hilary Knight's work since I was a child feasting on his *Hilary Knight's ABC.* In his *Twelve Days of Christmas," Knight provides an original and meaningful interpretation of the traditional carol. I especially love the way Bedelia returns the "true love" of her beloved gift-bringer by making a fair for him to enjoy--love is reciprocal in this book! The second thing I love about this book is the subplot, in which the raccoon struggles to open the mysterious can, only to find a true love of his own. Finally, the concept of each day as a "pick-up," in which Benjamin brings a partridge and a pear tree (and ensuing gifts) on *each* day, adds a new dimension to the story. Well-planned, beautifully executed, and the finest children's picture book version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" that I've seen.

It's Christmastime, and Benjamin Bear looks out his window, and down the path to his beloved, Bedelia Bear's little cottage, and you can almost see the gift ideas popping into his furry head. So, on the first day of Christmas, he arrives with a partridge in a pear tree, and the fun begins..... Hilary Knight, author of Where's Wallace and The Owl And The Pussy-Cat, and illustrator of Kay Thompson's Eloise books, takes this old familiar holiday song, and turns it into a joyous and engaging picture book. His marvelous artwork, full of bold, bright color, and expressive detail, grows busier, and more intricate with each page turn, until it almost spills off the paper. Young and old alike will be mesmerized as they pore over the pictures, finding something new and fun each time they open the book. With a delightful and creative surprise at the end to get everyone in the holiday spirit, Hilary Knight's The Twelve Days Of Christmas is a wonderful read-aloud book the whole family can share together, and is sure to become a "must have" classic to help usher in the Christmas season, year after year.

This Josefina story blends the joyous with the bittersweet. Like the other books in the series, the book explores the grief that a family has after the death of the mother. That being said, it is not a 'sad' story -- there are happy portions and the ending is full of Christmas cheer. I heartily recommend it.

This is another book in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824. In this book, Josefina and her sisters prepare for Christmas, a grand celebration in New Mexico, made all the more special by the towns use of the Christmas altar cloth made by Josefina's late mother. However, when the altar cloth is brought it, they find out that the flood (Josefina Learns a Lesson) damaged the cloth. The girls rally round to fix the cloth...and perhaps fix themselves at the same time.

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at Christmas in New Mexico in 1824. Jean-Paul Tibbles' excellent illustrations complement the story nicely, and add a great deal to the joy of reading this book.

This is a wonderful story, with some excellent lessons. I liked the way the family pulled together, and worked hard towards something beyond themselves. Also, I like how the family's religion is worked into the book in a warm and inspiring way. This is another excellent American Girls book, one that my daughter and I recommend to you.

In this book Josefina gets to be Maria in the Christmas play. She has a happy Christmas.

Josefina and her sisters, Ana, Francisca and Clara are struggling to keep the Christmas alive after Mamå's death. Every year when a girl would turn eight they would recieve the Nina doll. But when Josefina turned 8 they forgot about the tradition since Mama had just died. But this Christmas Josefina is 9 and she wants the doll. But Clara doesn't want to give the doll up since she wants to remember her mother. Then when the doll is lost Josefina just gives up hope but Christmas Eve is always filled with love and surprises.

Josefina Montoya is a nine-year-old girl growing up on her family's rancho near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1824. Mama died last year, and since then, life for Josefina, her father, and her older sisters, Ana, Clara, and Francisca. Even though things have been better since Mama's sister, Tia Dolores, came to help out, the Montoyas still grieve. Josefina feels that celebrating the Christmas traditions will make her miss Mama more - but they bring her peace and happiness. And one special night gives Josefina courage and hope for the future, and brings Josefina an unexpected gift. This book was very good and I learned a lot about the traditions of Mexican families living on the Southwest frontier in the 1820s.

We got this book for our son's first Christmas and we love the richness of the story and the wonderful pictures. We look forward to reading it every Christmass season!

Sometimes the best way to be more specific about a story beyond saying that it is "wonderful with beautiful pictures" is to quote what it says on the jacket cover that I can confirm from having read the book. I believe that this statement is very accurate - I couldn't have said it better myself: "In THE LEGEND OF SAINT NICHOLAS, Demi describes pivotal events in the history and life of the saint, weaving a rich tapestry of luminous imagery into the story of his connection with Christmas and our modern day Santa Claus. Demi's gilded artwork brings Nicholas to life in a way sure to mesmerize readers new to the story of this fascinating and important historical figure." I am not new to his story. I first learned about Saint Nicholas when I was a 5 year old child in Germany. I continue to celebrate Saint Nicholas day on his feast day, December 6 with whoever is near me. In the process I have explained again and again who he was and continue to have the highest respect for this historical figure, hoping that I can show some of his love for others. One thing that I realized in reading this book is that he was a bishop in the area of what is now part of what is considered to be that of the Orthodox or Eastern Catholic tradition rather than the Roman Catholic tradition. This is realized from the first time that you look at the cover of the book through the first couple of pages that show artwork of Orthodox orthodox churches and continued in "Middle East" scenery and Orthodox artwork. These pictures are present on every page of the book. As Bishop Nicholas lived in what is now Turkey this is most appropriate. A fun addition to this book is that the inside of the front and back covers have pictures of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus as they are appropriately shown in costumes of various cultures throughout the world - Russian, Chinese, Egyptian, Native American, Mexican, German, Irish etc.. One can spend quite a while just looking at these pages they are so fascinating.

This is basically an illustrated, Cliff's notes of St. Nicholas' biography. It has nice illustrations and has a lot of information, dates, and locations of events surrounding St. Nic's life. There are aspects of the biography that I just don't believe to be fact, but more lore, such as no toddler would really refuse to eat or drink milk preferring to pray all Holy Saint's Day. There are also some rather graphic images, such as whips, the mention of him being tortured, and the story of 3 young boys being killed then salted in a tub of brine to be served as food. I know this is part of St. Nicholas' life, but for a kid's book it could have been "lightened" up a bit and still get the point across. But this is coming from a Buddhist (I was raised Christian) who wanted a book to teach my son who "Santa Claus" really is and why everyone gives each other presents for Christmas. It will serve it's purpose, but I will have to either skip a few pages when I read it to him or reword several parts of the story so he doesn't have nightmares about being tortured, enslaved, salted and/or eaten!

This book is our most cherished Christmas book. The pictures are absolutely lovely and the story is compelling. The book is truly a work of art.

This Book is inviting and beautiful. Demi's artwork is so well done and inspirational. In some ways the pictures tell the story and the words just carry it along. Charlotte Demi Hunt tells this story with reverence and some humor along the way. Look at her inventive end papers and you will see Santa's from around the world. Little details like Nicholas's donkey, a red stocking, darling dutch children holding wooden shoes offer a light humor to a very straight forward telling of the life of Saint Nicholas and how he became Santa Claus. Yet Demi never goes above childrens heads. Her writing is simple and straight forward and the stories of Nicholas's compassion and faith capture your heart. The best is that of the nobleman and his three daughters and how Nicholas saved the girls from slavery with a gift of gold in a stocking. The whole book is a delight and perfect for reading to children.

I first watched this Christmas TV special when my children were small and found it interesting and fun. It brings a different view of how Santa Claus came to be with the help of Nature's creatures. It also has a great message for children that my children got the first time. I watch it every Christmas and enjoy it very much.It makes a nice change from the predictable, sugary shows you can get recently.

I got this book for my parents on Christmas. They loved it. It describes the childhood and maturation of Santa Clause. The mythology is deep with fairies and fairy folk. The illustrations are through out the book as any good children's book. This is a classic children's story as it will grip the emotions of even adult readers. It makes one pine for the good and humane in the world. This is a great book.

This book has a rather peculiar history. Originally published in 1902, two years after Baum's success with The Wizard of Oz,the first printing contained 20 color illustrations. In the second printing, eight of the color illustrations were left out, replaced by numerous black and white marginal illustrations. So you can imagine the delight of Oz fans when they discover this lovely edition in full color readily available after so many years of black and white reprints of the original edition.

The book is in three sections: "Youth", "Manhood", and "Old Age". Santa was discovered as an infant abandoned in the Forest of Burzee. The nymphs, fairies and elves adopted him and under the tutelage of Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, Claus is bought up to appreciate and understand that all living things are sacred and deserve respect. In the "Manhood" section Baum tells the reader how Claus began making toys and delivering them to the world. He had his problems though. The Awgwas, who are evil creatures and can't tolerate happiness, continue to plague Claus first by intercepting his toys during delivery and then kidnapping Claus himself. "Old Age" describes the immortals' decision to take certain actions so that Claus can continue to give to the world.

Numerous questions are answered here:
What is the reason for hanging stockings?
How and why did Santa enlist the help of reindeer?
Why does he slide down the chimney?

As in the Wizard of Oz a good number of the characters here are Baum's own creations. You'll meet the knooks and the ryls, for example. You'll also meet the Gnome King who is rather benign here, but, by the end of Ozma of Oz, becomes the arch enemy of that fairy kingdom.

Michael Hague's illustrations are glorious.In the "Illustrator's Note" he states that the illustrations took three times longer than he expected. Well, it certainly shows. This was a labor of love. The pictures are in two varieties, full color and two color. The endpapers show a snowy day in the woods, a small creature trudging through it with a sack on its back. This is indeed one of Mr. Hague's finest moments. I wish I could give this book a 10, 5 for the story and 5 for the pictures.

In this Book L. Frank Baum seeks to explain the origins of Santa Claus to children and he succeeds wonderfully. I read this book when I was much younger and really treasure the talent Baum has to tell a tale and explain where Santa Claus comes from and why he delivers those toys. Baum plays with traditional Santa myths as with most tellings Santa is an orphan or foundling adopted by others. Here Claus is adopted by the wood nymphs and raised to love the forest and all it's creatures. If there is one thing Baum asserts in this book is a love for nature, love and peace. He is taught to love the human race and another great message in this book is to do good in this world and leave it in better condition than we found it. besides that Baum explains how Claus learns to create toys and uses them to bring happiness to the children around him. Every thing is explained how the sleigh and reindeer were first used, how the first stockings were fillied, how Claus created the first christmas tree, and how he became immortal.
The book is not without a conflict as Baum created the Awgawas, creatures who seek to corrupt children through bad behavior. The creature try to destroy Claus only to earn the wrath of the immortals who befriend him. This battle in the book is noteworthy as supposedly insignificant weapons destroy their attackers.

This particular edition is beautifully painted by Hague. His nymphs are straight out of a style like the elves from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. His Santa is more like a cross between a Father Christmas and Saint Nicholas. He is jolly, and happy. Although I note he also looks a bit like Hague which is fine, why not, Hague sees the Santa in himself. This book is the most beautiful edition of Baum's Christmas classic and worth a read through out December.

I remember reading this book around fifth grade. I kind of liked it then, I think because of the whole fairies thing.

Basically the story follows the life of Claus, a baby adopted by fairies. (The story starts in fairy land and much of it involves the fairies and woodland spirits. If you are expecting traditional Christmas lore you will get that but not quite yet.) The fairies are immortal, but Claus will grow up and age. When he has grown to be a teenager the fairies set him up in a cottage in the woods. Apparently they are bringing him food and necessities, so his only job is to discover his purpose in life. He begins to make toys for children to cheer them up, and the story goes from there.

The entire host of fairies gets involved in toy production. Instead of making toys like the merry elves, they bring colors from flowers and other magical properties that Claus can include in his toys. This reads like a fairy tale and grdually Baum brings in elements from the Santa mythology. The transition from fairies and magic to Santa is what I liked most in the book.

I recently reread this book and liked it except for the whole toys making kids happy thing. Its not that I dislike kids or toys. Here Claus (obviously the future Santa Claus) makes toys for children and the toys are the panacea that makes their world perfect. With a small carved toy dog all of a sudden they are kind to siblings, respect their parents and are bursting with joy. If he passed out lifetime supplies of cocain and valium he couldn't make them happier. If I were to find that Baum had been commissioned by a department store to write this book as a special advertising section for holiday spending then that would explain alot. The huge emphasis on more toys=happy makes the book a little sick.

Overall this is a nifty twist on the Santa Claus myth. It reads well even in the summertime. The only drawback is the huge focus on happiness through toys. The only moral that I could extract from the story is that children NEED toys to be happy and this is soooo important that the entire world of fairy restructures itself around toys. Good story but it sometimes feels like good press for the toy department.

I met Sharon Glassman, the author of Love, Santa, once on a warm, fall afternoon in Rye, New York. She was energetic and tiny and one of the most quick-witted people I've ever met. That day, I made a mental note to pick up a copy of her book just to see what her writing was like, and, having done so, I am happy to say her writing is much like her: funny, a little nostalgic, and winning. Love, Santa is a small book--not really long enough to curl up with, but a nice little gift book. It recounts the author's amusing struggle to fit in with a holiday that can obviously be a bit awkward for a kid growing up Jewish in America. Happily, Sharon seems finally to have found a way to make peace with Christmas--and then some. All in all, a nice little story.

Glassman's charming quest for a real Christmas is both witty and rich--a must for fans of the season and anyone who has ever wondered about the US Post Office's Operation Santa.

The first thing I did when I got home was unpack my letters and put them on top of my desk so they could breathe. Then I steamed some spinach in a warm filtered-water mist, read a book, and went to sleep. Then at four o'clock the next morning, I woke up in a cold sweat. I had gone from being an independent single woman to being the sole provider of Christmas for three innocent children. What had I been thinking? ~Sharon Glassman

Sharon Glassman instantly captured my attention with her modern journal about her adventures that lead up to the first entry on December 22nd at 2 A.M. Not the time of day one expects to find anyone at a post office. However, the all-night main Manhattan post office on Thirty-third Street and Eighty Avenue is where we find the author waiting in line, observing her surroundings and taking the opportunity to chat with a hockey player with a French accent and irresistible smile.

Sharon Glassman's writing style is witty, modern and deliciously entertaining. Santiago Cohen's art really captured my attention and helped to give the story an additional dimension of merriment.

Sharon Glassman may well be the Bridget Jones of Christmas although the focus is much more on shopping and the story focuses on buying gifts for children. The "wish lists" to Santa are letters sent to the post office from families in need. Sharon finds herself interested in three letters and then wonders what she was thinking. She only has a few days to find the presents and get them shipped in time for Christmas.

As she recounts her own Christmas history, you can see why her desire to transform herself into a "Lace-Clad Girlfriend of Christmas" overtakes her and leads her to her dream Christmas party. She also takes us along for her Christmas shopping trip that may inspire your own Operation Santa Claus dreams.

In her search for the perfect presents, she realized how specific the children's wishes are and that a castle, a football and a down jacket will take her on some interesting shopping trips. I loved her description of New York and how her pro-Noel family camped out on a red-and-green plaid living room couch to watch holiday television specials.

If you are wondering how you could give the gift of Christmas to children or adults across America, Sharon's heart-defrosting story will give you ideas about how you can find similar volunteer efforts.

~The Rebecca Review

Sharon Glassman's Love, Santa is the tender, witty and charming story of how one confused, shopping-challenged but thoroughly good-hearted young woman finds her way through the manic commercialism of the American holiday season to a deeper celebration of what it means to give. I laughed and wept in the same breath, and I came away from Ms. Glassman's book inspired to do my own part for Operation Santa Claus this season.

After reading "Love Santa" by Sharon Glassman, I was reminded that one person can make a difference. Like many other people who get caught up in the whirlwind of their own life, I too did not pause to reflect upon the meaning of the holiday season and the true spirit behind gift giving. Sharon's book is a wake up call to everyone to count your blessings and think of the less fortunate.

In addition, her story is cleverly written with huge doses of humor, and one I would recommend for tweens to seniors.