Advent Books

I love this book! It has short devotions for the whole family for every day of advent, and some great craft and activity ideas that really make the season memorable. It's a great tool for bringing the true meaning of Christmas back into the home.

I highly recommend this book for those looking for a devotional for their family. Concise, short, easy to use. Perfect after dinner.

I found this book to be exactly what I was wanting for my family. Although we attend a church we are not particularly "religious" in our home. I wanted my children to acknowledge the deeper meaning behind the increasingly commercial holiday. This book focuses on the daily use of an advent wreath in the home. There are songs, bible verses, and reflections for each day of advent. The content is appropriate for all ages.

My two year old son loves looking at the pictures in this book. The baby looks so real. I was pleased to find a book that is simple enough for a 2 year old to enjoy it and so beautiful that an adult will love reading it as well. My son especially likes the picture of the lovely mother gazing down at her child. Although the art work and Wise's poetry are what make the book enjoyable, the fact that the characters are people of color make this book a must have for our family. Because it seems very unlikely that Jesus was a blonde with blue eyes, I want to present images of a more colorful Jesus to my son. I also appreciate the depiction of many wise men from the East, not just 3.

I borrowed this book from the public library and found that it took my breath away. Author Margaret Wise Brown has done many of what are now considered classics such as RUNAWAY BUNNY,LITTLE ISLAND and GOODNIGHT MOON has one more to add to her collection. The illustrations by Cooper are amazing. The realistic pictures of the newborn baby (which remind me so much of my own sons when they were that small)in the manger are very moving. Some narrow-minded people may be put off by the fact that the main characters are African American and the book "appears" to be depicting the Holy family, although Brown's text does not actually indicate this. I also find it ironic that two different online bookstores that I went to for this title do not actually have the cover displayed. The illustrations depicting angels are absolutely gorgeous. I took the book to work to share it with my co-workers who would appreciate it and they agreed with me. I was very reluctant to take it back because I knew I would not be able to have it over the Christmas holiday. I just have to have this book for my personal collection to share with my two sons. This book celebrates the miracle of life and the joy of two parents gazing upon their son with hopes for the future. I hope this book wins an ALA (Caldecott or Coretta Scott King) award or awards this year.

I ran across this book when looking for Christmas books to read to my son. This is a wonderful book that tells the story of Christ's birth with vivid illustration that reflect us as African-Americans. Easy read for the young reader and reading aloud (as we did before we opened gifts). With delightful illustration for everyone as well.

Nothing says Christmas like marauding aliens! "X" is a thieving alien who is sent to Earth on a fiendish mission to rob the entire planet. But upon arriving at the North Pole, X mistakes Santa's workshop for a weapons-building facility and thus begins a chain of events that leads to an all-out alien invasion. Can Santa and his trust elf save Christmas (not to mention the human race!). Or will an army of evil aliens learn that is better to give than to steal? Co-authored by Stephen Chiodo and Jim Strain, "Alien Xmas" is expertly illustrated by Charles Chiodo. The resulting collaboration is a unique, original, one-of-a-kind, superbly presented and enthusiastically recommended Christmas picturebooks that combines science fiction with the values of the Christmas season. This is one Christian picturebook that will thoroughly and completely entertain children and adults alike.

The Chiodos never fail to amaze me with their imagination and creativity. This story is no Santa vs The Martians. And its not Giving vs Receiving. It's the End of the World... and right before Christmas! X is like Invader Zim, going off on his leader's assignment, with stealing being so natural for his kind. To see the alien awaken to the love behind Christmas is reminiscent of Alf's Christmas, but within a crazy, exciting, and (at one point) hopeless scenario, it's a whole lot more fun. Seeing what happens to Santa's airborne sleigh had me convinced there was no happy ending in sight. Without giving it away, the ending will delight any reader, young or old, sci-fi fan or not. Its very clever, very hip, and does not talk down children. If you like a heartwarming story that isn't sickeningly sweet, packed with gorgeous artwork from Charlie Chiodo, you have to get a copy of this book. This book is also a must for any Chioo Bros fans. Its a rare chance to see how their projects look drawn up before fabrication or shooting starts. Honestly, the illustrations alone are worth the price. After reading X's story, I bought copies for all my sci-fi friends. I'll also never be able to see the word "Xmas" in the same light.. or should I say the same color?

I picked this up for my son because he's into aliens and I really enjoyed reading it to him. I found myself laughing at the nutty humor and storyline, and the illustrations are really rich and unique. It doesn't hurt that there's a little forward by famous animator Ray Harryhausen, one of my personal heroes. There's even a blurb by Ray Bradbury! How much more of an endorsement do you need? This will be a holiday favorite in my family for years to come.

A cute, engaging story. FANTASTIC, whimsical art. A little tug of the heart strings at the ending. All in all, a perfect little gem of a Christmas tale. This should become a new classic, read and adored by all.

This is a wonderfully touching story of Christmas seen through the eyes of a young Reindeer. The story is well told, well developed and simply a fun and touching read for you and your children. The illustrations are top rate and quite eye catching. Recommend you add this one to your children's Christmas reading list.

Author/illustrator Tim Coffey offers a unique slant on Christmas in this story of a curious young reindeer who wonders where his Papa has gone.

Winter is Little Reindeer's favorite time of year because that's when Papa tells him a beloved bedtime story all about "a place where the ground rises up to the sky and you are high enough to touch the stars."

Little Reindeer wondered and wondered about this magical place - where in the world could it be? Then a cold night comes when Papa says he is going on a journey. When Little Reindeer says he wants to go too, Papa tells him he must wait.

But, you know how curious young animals can be, and Little Reindeer soon follows his father. Before he knew it his Mama and all the other animals were following him. They walked until they came upon a tall tree decorated in a way that they had never seen before, and met a kindly old man with a twinkle in his eye.

Youngsters will have no difficulty in guessing who this man is.

"Christmas At The Top of the World" is one more touching story to be enjoyed during the holiday season.
- Gail Cooke

This is the funniest and most original Christmas book I've seen in a long time. We discovered it last December and we'll be reading it again many times this December. The boys (3 and 5) laugh so hard and so do I. This one will end up a holiday tradition.

Every winter I read this story to my little boys many, many times in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The characters are wonderful, and I particularly enjoyed giving voice to Mr. Jenkins, the storyteller. The illustrations are terrific and silly. My boys, now 10 and 11, enjoyed this story SO MUCH when they were little guys. I never thought they'd still want to hear it this Christmas! Make it a family tradition, it's great fun!!

This is one of the cuttest stories I have ever read. I used to read this book to my 3-year old class and they always wanted it read again and again. It makes you use your imagination and the illustrations are wonderfully done. Thanks for such a wonderful book.

"The Winter of 1706 was harsh, and little Timothy Smith was in the worst of ways. His parents were sick, there was hardly any food, and no joy was found in Timothy's house as Christmas drew near."

While many people think Santa Claus makes Christmas a more secular holiday, I've always thought he taught us a great lesson about giving. While Christ gave his life and we celebrate his birth at Christmas, Santa Claus also shows us the joyful exuberance of the heart of giving.

In this story, a boy named Timothy Smith prays to Jesus for help in a hopeless situation. He also writes Santa a letter about how his family is ill. The story has an ending that might surprise children and then another story begins with a conclusion that brings the story of Christ into modern times.

"Later that evening Santa came down the chimney into Timothy's house, and sitting by the fire were Timothy and his parents."

In this story Santa talks to Timothy and also writes letters. The author, Jeff Verney lives in a magical home in the hills of Connecticut. This book was illustrated by Frederick H. Carlson who captures the moods of the story in graphite, watercolors and gouache. They are working on a companion book for release in 2007.

This book teaches children that we get what we need when we need it most! Your prayer may be answered with a gift or with the gift of health. Either way, God knows what you need and this book teaches children that God answers prayers in unique ways.

I remember living in Africa and one time we were facing a Christmas without presents and someone knocked on the door and then ran to their car and drove away. I remember opening the door and seeing a box of gifts and felt some of the wonder Timothy feels at the end of this book. We still don't know who brought us joy that holiday season, but I never forgot the kindness and how fun it was to have presents to open even if there wasn't any snow.

~The Rebecca Review

This book is a unique attempt to bring Santa Claus and Christ together with a strong Christian message. It definitely is a book that should be shared with as many young people as possible!

Written by Jeff Verney and illustrated by Frederick H. Carlson, The Christmas Book Of Hope is a Christian picturebook about the power of faith transcending generations. Three hundred years ago, Timmy's ancestor was supposed to receive a book from Santa Claus for Christmas; but the book was lost for centuries - most likely because one day young Timmy would need it more. The book's sacred message is about "the power of prayer and the magic of faith. Most importantly, he read that if you believe in Jesus, God will take care of you, especially when times are bad." A powerful and beautifully illustrated story with a strong Christian message for young readers.

I'll not insult you all by describing the action of this classic novella, nor belabor the lesson taught. I'm sure even Mowgli the Jungle Boy must have heard this story once a year growing up in the jungle. But with all the TV and movie and cartoon and Muppet iterations (the best of which remains the 1951 Alastair Sim movie version), when's the last time you went back and actually read the original book?

Dickens is, of course, a wonderful author and earlier generations read everything that he wrote. Today, however, you read an obligatory novel or two in High School, breath a sigh of relief that's over and then blithely ignore him along with the rest of the ancients. But, as a reacquaintance with A Christmas Carol will remind you, he remains pretty accessible and his novels are often quite fun. What's more, there's even a Reading Version (available online) of the story that Dickens condensed himself for his numerous public readings of the tale. It's perfect for reading aloud to the family.

Here's just a sample of the prose to entice you:

On Scrooge before: Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge. a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas.

and Scrooge after: Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!

We, all of us, have a tendency to let the classics become so encrusted that we take them for granted and forget how good they really are; if this has happened for you with A Christmas Carol, do yourself a favor and dig out a copy and reread it this Holiday Season. I bet it becomes an annual tradition.

GRADE: A+

This version of the Dicken's classic is magnificently illustrated by one of America's foremost artists.

This edition of Charles Dickens classic is doubly wonderful in its timeless tale of redemption as well as the wonderful illustrations executed by American artist Everett Shinn. In no way either slick or modern, when one is handed the book, it seems as you are holding an artifact from another time; a time of coal fires, slate roofs, horses in the streets, a time that predates the sad state of comercialism that permeates contemporary Christmas season. In its simplicity of story and its fine nostalgic illustrations it becomes a treasure to be handed down through one generation to the next.Hope dwells here.

This edition keeps all the music of Charles Dickens' language but the illustrations make it more accessible for kids. That said, the language is still very challenging so expect to do a lot of explaining. The exposure to classic literature is well worth the effort tho!

There is something for everyone in this book. It contains the story of a mean man who receives redemption. Ebeneezer is able to change only with the intervention of three ghostly visitors. They come to him and show his past, present, and future. Throughout the journey, the reader has a chance to see possible mistakes that Scrooge made and how he has suffered from it. This is not only a Christmas classic, but a human nature classic.

I just really love Charles Dickens old tale. And this young readers edition is perfect, the drawings are beautiful. This is the story of the old miser Scrooge, who on Christmas Eve are visited by the gost of Christmas past, present and yet to come. And so he finally discovers the real meaning of Christmas.

Geronimo Stilton hates to go to the hospital, but he realizes he has never been to one. This book helps kids to relate to going to the hospital and being afraid. Great action, full of fun to create crafts, stories and jokes. Our favorite book! A+++

Geronimo cannot resist his nephew, Benjamin, when he pleads to be taken skiing. The moment Geronimo offers to treat, a pack of friends and relatives decides to go skiing with them. Before you can say "Swiss Cheese," Geronimo is paying huge bills for a nice lodge on Frozen Fur Peak, transportation and meals. Life goes downhill from there, starting with the news that Geronimo must bunk with his cousin, Trap.

At least he gets to go skiing. Geronimo loves this activity --- until the slope show-off knocks into him. The two roll downhill, gathering snow as they travel, before they smash into a boulder. Geronimo ends up in the hospital, where he finds out he has broken every single bone in his body and must have surgery. He is so sad. Geronimo will be in the hospital for a very long time. The accident is sure to ruin his holidays. But the story of how his spirits rise makes for an uplifting read.

In addition to a fun plot, CHRISTMAS CATASTROPHE offers recipes, jokes, interesting hospital information, skiing rules and games.

As usual Geronimo is up to his wonderful self. My daughter & I love these books, wonderfully written and illustrated.

With The Christmas Collie, Mr. Paul has fashioned a lovely story that brings tears of joy to the eyes of anyone who has ever loved another. A five-year-old boy gets an affectionate Collie for Christmas, and the two share many adventures as they grow up together. A surprise twist at the end brings a new joy to the man the boy becomes. With touching poetry and beautiful illustrations, author Ted Paul and illustrator Mary Kummer bring to life a universal story that is sure to please all children and animal lovers. I highly recommend this book for all ages.

The Christmas Collie is a beautiful story of a child and his dog as they grow together. It is a story of friendship, love, and sharing through the stages of life.

The art work in this book pulls a child into its story. It is so realistic that a child actually wants to be a part of pictures that impart so much feeling between a boy and his beautiful Collie dog. This is an excellent story to be used in a classroom sitting if the reader can control the tears.

This nostalgic story of the bond between a boy and his dog is a sensitive look at those things that make beautiful memories and strong family traditions. THE CHRISTMAS COLLIE will bring tears of joy to all readers, young and old.

THE CHRISTMAS COLLIE should be read over and over again to savor the deep feelings that it brings to the heart and soul. SHARE IT WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!!