Advent Books

Mr. Artley paints a sweet nostalgic look at Christmas of the past.
From the special homemade toys, to the school Christmas programs.
And how cozy a wood burning stove could make the house.
He make you feel like you are there with his family.
It is a wonderful way for old and young alike to experience an old fashion,
Christmas on the farm.

We love this book! It is a great picture of life on the farm in Iowa not so many years ago. Our grandchildren love reading the book with us and seeing the wonderful pictures.

This book is adorable! A must have for every teacher! My seven year old laughed out loud, my nine year old has read it four times and we just got it today. She cannot wait to bring it to school around Christmas time to read aloud to the class. The illustrations are wonderful! I couldn't help but notice the detail of fabrics and the showing of bright green crocs.

This is a must have for anyone who has ever been to, or whose children have participated in, a Christmas Pageant. Darling story in easy-to-read and understand poetry.

I have seldom read such a well written, solidly constructed story. As I read this for the very first time, I found myself reading aloud, because the pure simplicity of the story pulled from me a long buried story teller. I will be telling this story to the children around the tree this year, and probably for years to come. It is an easy read, with a very strong and clear message. The story gives a glimpse of life in another time, and the yet the message is modern and poignant.

More than anything else I've ever read, this story captures the essence of Christmas. It is very inspirational, well written and delivers great impact.

I highly recommed it for readers of all ages, all backgrounds, and all religions.

This is a keeper you will want to share.

It shows that families can't be apart and the pictures are pretty. the book is also based on a true story.

"Another pup is in the Christmas spotlight with this touching chapter book. Sprinkled with supple water colors ...this gifty looking volume gently tugs the heartstrings."

Note from the author: I couldn't access the author's review page so I am using this venue to ask you to please include this excerpt of a starred review from Publisher's Weekly (Children's Holiday Books, Oct. 1999.) If you have room, you may want to include the entire review: "Another pup is in the Christmas spotlight with this touching chapter book wherein boy meets dog, boy loses dog, boy gives dog away. Zach and his family adopt Tina, a rascally puppy whom they grow to love dearly, and they're heartbroken when she disappears. She's eventually discovered in the company of a homeless man, and Zach makes the ultimate sacrifice when he decides that the stranger needs a friend even more than he does. Sprinkled with supple watercolors and trimmed with thin red borders on each page, this gifty-looking volume gently tugs the heartstrings."

Thank you, Roberta Grobel Intrater

I have read this book and find it extremely inspirational. Depending on what emotion I am feeling at the time I read it, I can find new meanings in what the author is saying.

This book sells out at every autograph signing. It is an inspirational story for all ages. It is an excellent gift book that says if you believe in something strongly, you will achieve whatever you wish.

This is a wonderful book for not only the people of the northern states, but anyone interested in sharing the beauty and knowledge of the wilderness in winter. Good for classroom teachers and all children.

Children love this book. It's familiar and charming. Adults will enjoy reading it to little ones...especially as a bedtime story. Also, makes a great gift! It's the kind of book that stays in one's Christmas collection to be brought out every year.

Alice Faye Duncan has done it once again! Christmas Soup is an easy read for children with a universal message. The book demonstrates the generosity of the human spirit and the way children learn through examples. Great book!

Recently, while searching the children's area of my local bookstore, I stumbled upon this classic story. In a nutshell, it is a book which teaches young children that God's abundance is released when we pray and when we share what we have with others.

Yep,here is a modern day tale (with comedy) about old-fashioned ideals like caring and sharing with your neighbor.

A must have for all ages!!!!!

A tremendous collection of Christmas poems, quotes, songs, traditions, recipes, and stories. It has changed the way we celebrate and helped us understand better why we celebrate. I can't recommend it highly enough. If we could only choose one Christmas book to own, this would probably be it.

Christmas is almost everyone's favorite time of the year. It certainly is mine. There are so many traditions assoicated with Christmas that most of us do not know where these traditions originated. This book tells us the origin of many of these.

St. Nicholas was actually a fourth century pastor who had a great love for children. He desired to make their lives better. This is where the tradition of Santa Claus began.

The book also includes some favorite recipes and the history behind some of our Christmas carols. I found all of this information to be quite interesing.
Jeanetta Bearden Pollard author of "Mrs. Claus Shares Stories From the Heart."

A great gift idea.
I eagerly gazed upon the cover of Christmas Teas Of Comfort and Joy with visions of elegant gatherings dancing through my head. I can see it now: silk brocade, tiny cucumber sandwiches, twinkling lights, candles, and scones with clotted cream. Christmas Teas Of Comfort and Joy is a delightful book, filled with recipes and Christmas traditions. There are suggestions for Christmas films that are sure to help get you in the festive spirit. The helpful hints for creating an inviting atmosphere are wonderful. I will be ordering more of this book to give as Christmas gifts.

"Christmas Teas of Comfort and Joy" is a delightful, dainty collection of six different suggestions for Christmas teas, each complete with menu, recipes, crafts, stories and related traditions. Wonderful fanciful paintings in full color entice the reader throughout the chapters and illustrate the ideal tea parties. "Christmas Teas of Comfort and Joy" is meant to be a gift book, but it surely could also be a soul-comforting gift to oneself. As comforting as a steaming hot pot of tea on a cold blustery day, "Christmas Teas of Comfort and Joy" is sure to please. Complete with handy green ribbon bookmark, it will put the reader in a festive frame of mind.

Nancy Lorraine
Reviewer

This sweet little book is full of practical and thoughtful ways of simplifying the holiday season, particularly for those of us who try to do it all! The beautifully detailed illustrations of elf people are appropriate to each point and suggestion made, which are numbered 1 thru 30. It is very easy and quick to read yet packs alot of meaningful content. One of my favorites is: #10 Relinquish super-human efforts to produce Christmas-card-perfect holiday celebrations. Christmas is about God becoming human--not humans becoming gods.

A beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully sensitive reminder of the "reason for the season". To be used as a day by day approach to this wonderful celebration. A very small book containing the best Christmas gift of all!