Advent Books

Dr. Kilgo's works are not widely known (as in "popular"), though he was appropriately recognized with the Townsend Prize for Fiction for "Daughter of My People", but his ability to turn a tale is unparalleled. The Hand-Carved Creche and Other Christmas Stories is not as broad in scope as "Daughter of My People", nor is it meant to be. Superficially it is an "easy read", but this is analogous to admiring a gift for its wrapping paper. (By contrast "Daughter of My People" is best savored over a period of days--or even weeks--rather than in a one-shot read.)

Even though the language and structure Kilgo uses in The Hand-Carved Creche are more flowing and perhaps not so finely honed as in his other works, it is Kilgo at his most relaxed best. There is more of Jim Kilgo in this book than in any to date, for what we see are glimpses -- no, more than that, they are long-lasting impressions of the mind and spirit -- into the boyhood of the man to come. But Kilgo's ability to place his reader fully in the context of these Christmas memories also allows the reader to connect to his or her own memories of Christmases past. And we get to ask and reflect on that basic question: what is Christmas really all about?

Not only will you not be sorry you read this book, but you will find yourself drawn to read it again and again as Christmas approaches each year.

Granted, my review of this work is likely somewhat biased by my personal relationship with Jim Kilgo. But I am also no fool: I recognize excellence when I see it.

***The death of Jim Kilgo on Sunday, December 8, 2002, due to pneumonia-related complications means that the world has lost a preeminent novelist and storyteller. He wrote for the love of the language and about his love of family, the outdoors, and friends. He was at the same time a self-confident, determined man and an humble, gentle spirit, never seeking the limelight or the glory. He will be missed.

I discovered Kilgo through his stunning novel, Daughter of My People. This is a little book, but it is rich--more insight and meaning and substance here that there is in most 300 page books. Kilgo can really turn a phrase. And while his telling of his childhood Christmas stories set in South Carolina is perfect, the only problem if that I was left wanting more.

This book has everything: song lyrics, recipes, dance moves, stories to read, art projects, hanukkah blessings. Very recommended.

My husband is Jewish, but I and my son are not, so as we celebrated Hanukkah this year, we wanted to get a book that would be interesting to everyone. We originally found the book at the library. It is wonderful book and has everything we were looking for: music (Hannukah songs and the tunes for the blessings), poems, stories, recipes, games and of course the Blessings with the words in both English and Hebrew. The illustrations are colorful and really reflect the joy of Hanukkah. We liked it so much that we purchased it so that we can make it a part of our Hanukkah tradition.

My kids love the Henry and Mudge Books. Each Story is Wonderful and worth reading over and over again.

Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days

Henry and Mudge enjoy the winter season in this delightful collection of three short stories. The words are easy and the type is large enough for the beginning reader to feel comfortable. This book is filled with humorous illustrations that extend the text. In one illustration Henry is sliding a reluctant Mudge across an icy pond. In another picture Mudge messes up Henry's snow angel. This is a good book for the younger set.

Another great book by a great lady!! I love that the Purple Cow is back too!! Keep up the great work!

A new batch of playful poems to celebrate the seasons and holidays! This is a beautifully and whimsically illustrated book that will delight the kids and the adults will have fun with it too! The poems are silly and so much fun.

I am impressed that this includes poems for many different religions and ethnicities. For example there are poems for: the Chinese New Year, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Ramadan, The Nativity, Kwanza, New Years eve, and Martin Luther King. There are many other occasions that have been 'poemized' like camping and fishing, sleepover fun, summer, mother earth and arbor day, flower party and the list goes on.

This is a treasure that you and your kids will enjoy, and you'll wanna keep this book long after your kids are gone! (because don't we all need to be reminded how to be a kid again once in a while?) I loved the author's first book "Lunch Box Mail." -So, be sure to check that one out if you haven't already. Both are great!

I collect advent calendars, and am always looking for interesting ones that aren't just the run of the mill--this calendar is darling. The bunny families are beautifully drawn, and each door that is opened continues the scene in some way, actually telling a little story each time a door is opened. It is charming.

The lovely watercolor print shows a pond skating scene, full of Holly Pond Hill bunnies in their victorian costumes. Very sweet! There is a little flap to open for each day of the advent season with a cute little surprise inside.

It will stand upright on a table or under your tree. It can be stored for use in years to come.

I'm looking forward to starting an advent calendar tradition with my toddler this year. She'll really enjoy those cute bunnies.

This Christmas season I spent time reading this excellent collection of readable, intriguing Christmas stories. All tell of the promise of the season: Goodness, giving, even each a story of a miracle of a kind. The collection subtitled, "Stories for Young and Old" is an apt description of the 332 page paperback compiled by Miriam LeBlanc, illustrated by David G. Klein and published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York.

This book has the seal of approval of this reader, and here I quote from the note at the book's beginning written by Emmy Arnold. I think this is the right seal of approval in our contemporary America:

"Even though Christmas is exploited for profit, even though its meaning is often corrupted, it is still the time of year that we feel the impulse to think of others. It is still the seasson of anticipation and joy. The brightness and fragrance of a Christmas tree under which gifts are laid--here is light and warmth; here is life and love."

Christmas for me this year was marked by the reading of this title, as one of three I used for my devotion. The others: "Run, Shepherds, Run: Poems for Advent and Christmas," by L. William Countryman; "Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas". "Home for Christmas" was my pick as a companion to these two books "...for those who wish to follow the readings sequentially, on a daily basis..." I just kept going at the book of stories, and did not read them sequentially, but on a daily basis. Some of the authors are Pearl Buck, Rebecca Candill, Ruth Sawyer, Elizabeth Groudge, Selma Lagerlof, Henry van Dyke. That from the book's cover.

There are a lot of stories in this book, and I say "goodie" to that for it made excellent seasonal reading, which for some who want to or need to tell a Christmas story will find this an excellent source. Among many, I liked, "The Riders of St. Nicholas" was a good western story. "The day dawned still and clear, with th winternight chill of the high country lingering in the air..." Nice beginning. It is like the others a crisp story in that these bring the specialness and gift of Christmas to the reader, keeping the reader in mind of the season's spirit.

Some may say, these are too sappy. Like "The Chess Player by Ger Koopman that tells of an old man estranged from his daughter and grandson. But since this is the magical season of goodness, peace, and goodwill, the theme of reconciliation between them rings true. So five stars to it, for this is another of the family stories that ring a gifted sound. Not sappy!

I kept going in my reading, finishing the book before the 12 days of Christmas were over. Today is December 28, 2006, and I still feel the remarkable story of God and specialness from "The Christmas Rose" by Selma Lagerlof. It goes at the very beginning of the story: "Robber Mother, who lived in Robbers' Cave in Goinge Forest went down to the village one day on a begging tour." Yes, Christmas is for the estranged, the marginalized, the poor, the old and the holy. For there are miracles and promises--even unusual beauty. This story tells of an Abbot's visit to a garden in the forest. For me, it was almost a tale like a myth. I liked the magical nature of the forest garden.

I have left out telling you, reader, of many other good stories including the visit of the Kings who deliver gifts, and the empty cup of a little boy who fills the life of a distraught woman who lost a child.

Here is one that I will tell you about, and then enough recounting the contents. "The Other Wise Man," by Henry van Dyke. I quote from the beginning: "You know the story of the Three Wise Men of the East, and how they traveled from far away to offer their gifts at the manger-cradle in Bethlehem. But have you ever heard the story of the Other Wise Man, who also saw the star in its rising, and set out to follow it, yet did not arrive with his brethren in the presence of the young child Jesus?"

What I think this book can become for readers is a memorable book of good stories, "...for Young and Old...", a generous selection of Christmas stories you will like to read and remember. Thank God for Christmas, and especially thank goodness for good books that warm the heart and remind us of the spirit of the season: "Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old."

--Peter Menkin, Christmas

Most Christmas stories are sentimental. On a "sentimentality scale" of 1 to 10, I would rate this collection of 20 stories a 7; but, a magnificient seven.

My introduction to this collection was by way of the Bruderhof website, that included "No Room in the Inn" by Katherine Paterson. A very well-written short story that tells the message of Christmas with a New England directness and with dry humor that bites. It remains my favorite in the compilation.

The collection includes a few old classics such as "The Christmas Rose" and "The Other Wise Man".

Four of the stories are written in a humorous style that sound better when read aloud for an audience. They include "Riders of St. Nicholas", about three cowboys left on the ranch to fill some idle time; "The Vexation of Barney Hatch", like a tale from O'Henry; "The Carpenter's Christmas", cussing and hammering as a devotional prayer; and "Willibald's Trip to Heaven", a Tyrolean tale of a creche maker who fights with St. Peter. Both young and old will enjoy these four tales and they would lift the spirits of anyone stuck in the hospital over the holidays.

Pearl Buck's "Christmas Day in the Morning" is a sentimental, yet beautiful tale that would have a special appeal for anyone who has worked on a dairy farm.

A common thread of kindness links each of these stories. An added bonus are the woodcut illustrations by David Klein that accompany each story. What an appropriate Christmas gift! I'll buy a few copies of Home for Christmas to give as gifts for next year.

So few stories of genuine Christmas spirit are actually TRUE. This is by far my favorite picture book. I can barely read it to my students each year without tearing-up.

Excellent book....we drive by the tree often and it cheers us up to see it decorated.
I would recommend the book to anyone.

My third graders like this book very much and it sparks a lot of discussion about America and freedom. It's about a family that must flee a Caribbean island because of political persecution. They escape in a crowded boat, where they face hunger and fear. On their trip they are even robbed and shot at. Finally, they reach a friendly shore where they are welcomed and invited to share a feast, for it is Thanksgiving Day in America. They agree there is much to be thankful for. The text is very simple and the illustrations convey the mood of fear and uncertainty. This little book may bring tears to your eyes, and will definitely make you proud to be an American.

Eve Bunting has managed to describe at a child's level the fear, anticipation and exhaustion that often accompanied many of our ancestors as they came to America. This book is a reminder of the people who both came before us and those that still come with hope to America.

It is a beautiful, meaningful and heartwarming book to share with elementary students and families either during the Thanksgiving season or while studying history and immigration.

Very funny...keeps the kids interested over and over. The pictures are bright and illustrations are great. Great story from beginning to end.

The kids love the silly names for the reindeer!

Kids and adults will both love this book which combines the two favourites of children and biggest names and in the gift delivery business in the one picture book. As well as being a clever idea it also teaches children that when somebody is doing someone else a favour we (in this case we is being lived vicariously through the reindeers) should be less critical of the way they are doing things and instead be more helpful, being that being helpful will get the task done smoother and a lot quicker. A really good book that you can bring out again around Easter as well.

The story begins with Santa having a work place health and safety accident involving a toy train that some elf hadn't put where it was supposed to go. Out of action there is no way he will be able to fulfill his duties of delivering presents around the globe. No mere human or elf for that matter can pull of this magical task except there is another who makes the same journey around Easter. However there's a few differences in the normal operating procedure of the Easter Bunny, firstly Easter Bunny does not deliver in Winter (this book is set in the Northern Hemisphere) so has a few problems with the snow and cold temperature. Easter Bunny places his chocolate eggs wherever he wants to but Santa has given him instructions as to specific places to put presents for each child. These aren't always clear and Easter Bunny makes some mistakes like putting presents under the tree in the garden outside instead of Christmas tree. Also Santa's diet of milk and cookies isn't appropriate for a rabbit but of course the children didn't know Easter Bunny would be filling in. These and many more hurdles are in the way of the Easter Bunny pulling off Santa's mammoth task and initially the reindeer just criticise and mumble to themselves before it dawns on them what the importance of this night is, and that Easter Bunny is doing Santa a favour so maybe they should be helping him.

i love the grunch because he is so funny. Everyone that I have talked to says that the movie and coloring books are so cool!The grunch is so cool because he is mean to the who's and at the end he is realy nice.

i love the grunch because he is so funny. Everyone that I have talked to says that the movie and coloring books are so cool!The grunch is so cool because he is mean to the who's and at the end he is realy nice.