Advent Books

Recently, I went to pick up my 3.5 year old daughter at preschool. As I helped her pack up her lunch, she pulled me to the carpet and begged me to read her this book. I was intrigued by the triangular shape and as I began reading, 5 of her schoolmates sat down on top of or next to me to listen. They remained silent through the entire book (despite the melee of parents and kids bustling around us). I loved both the illustrations and the message. A week later, as I was kissing my daughter goodnight, she suddenly asked, "Mommy? Could you get me that book? The triangle one about the pine tree? I'd like to have it in my room to read." So here I am ordering it--and spreading the word about what a special book it is.

I read the book The Lonesome Pine by Jane West. This book is about a pine tree that wants to become a christmas tree but instead grows to be something greater. I enjoyed this book because the pictures were beautiful and the author brought the story to life..
The illustrations by Monique Luijan Bakerink were outstanding. She used light fluffy colors when the part of the book was happy. However, when a part of the book was intense, the illustrater would use dark and bold colors. The lush colors swirled through my head as I read the interesting text from this book.
The authors bitter and sweet text from this book brought the book to life. The verbs and adjectives really "spiced this book up."
I think that kids over four should have this book read to them even though this book has some words that are challenging. So remember, if you want to read a great book, read Jane West's The Lonesome Pine.

While the shape and beautiful illustrations immediately catch a child's eye, the theme of this book is just as much for adults --a la the more sophisticated of Dr. Seuss books. The life lesson of losing out on what you've trained for, worked for, and wanted so badly , but in the end finding where you really belong is lovingly presented by a Lonesome Pine quite literally put through the mill. How nice to say to a disappointed child who doesn't get picked for a team, audition, etc. "Remember the Lonesome Pine". What a gift to remember it myself. Our whole family enjoys this book and the CD as well.

I purchased The Lonesome Pine over the internet as it was recommended to me by a friend in the USA. My little daughter has many books but I have never seen anything as original or as inventive as The Lonesome Pine. What Disney did to cartoon fairytales, Ms West has done for children's books. It's the first time I have read a book to Jessie with such excitement in her (and my!) eyes. She was enthralled. It could be read on any level. We couldn't wait to turn the next page! This entertaining story would twist and turn and I had no idea how it was going to end. I have never written a review before, but I was so impressed I felt I had to. I only have one thing to say - Please bring the book to England!

My thanks to a thinking, feeling author who can take her little (and not so little )readers on a safe but emotional journey that lasts a lifetime. As one little reader said to me 'I can never give this book away because it really is my tree.'
I think I know how she felt.
It's a wonderful book, but where are the rest? I can't believe this is a one book only,(for children) author.

I bought this book for a friend, she had remember it from the school library when she was in school back in the 50s. She could not remember the name of the book only that it was about dolls that come to life on Christmas Eve. I did some Googling and came up with the book Big Susan. At first she was sure it was not the same book because she did not think that was the name of the book. We ordered the book with some skepticism. After rereading Big Susan she was thrilled to find out she had found an old friend and was very pleased with it. She would recommend it to any child, or adult too for that matter who loves doll as she does.

Here's a story that combines imagination with reality in such a whimsical way that children (and grownups) will appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Doll as they face the pickle they are in. Readers will hurry through the book, hoping that Big Susan comes back to the doll house to keep the promises she's made. Afterwards, you and your child may find yourselves doing some spring cleaning in your own dollhouse. A truly good read.

If you or some little person you know likes dolls and doll houses, read this book to them. Big Susan is the name of the little girl who "owns" the doll house that the Doll family lives in. The story focuses on Christmas Night when the dolls come alive. It is a family story of love, sacrifice and sharing. It is a great book for little people who know their dolls can talk and come alive when they are asleep.
I checked this book out of the library as much as I could get away when I was a kid. My local library burned when I was in high school, and one of the library staff asked if there was anything I wanted as a souvenir. I asked for one thing, "Big Susan. I still have the book and reread it several times a year.

I cannot believe it! I have been looking for this book for 53 years! I had read and loved it to death as a 7 year old - I borrowed it so many times from the school library that I practically wore it out. Once I became an adult I wanted to find this precious book for my own daughter and alas - it was no longer in print. I hunted and hunted!!! NOW - here it is again! I now can share this magical story with my granddaughter! I always thought that MY dollies came to life when I slept each night - that book proved it! A MUST for every little girl and boy to read. Pure magic!!!

Big Susan and I became friends 45 years ago, give or take. But with moving etc. I didn't know where she was. Having seen her advertised I thought I would enjoy her again. My only children are cats, so I couldn't really share Susan with them, which may have been why I lost track of her. Having had a learning disability I read slowly when I was young, I'm much faster now, and remembering her so fondly I gave myself a treat.

Big Susan is a reminder of gentler and simpler times, when things ran on imagination and good will, and not on batteries and lasers. While I loved it, I tend to be from a less bombastic generation, but I still think this is a lovely book that should be enjoyed and imagined with.

This is a charming book that lends itself to anyone who has a love for Christmas. It is a lyrical narrative that sings, and dances! It's exciting and gentle. It's narration on CD furthers the enchantment of the movement and feelings of the characters (who can be any of us). The blend of beautiful emotions touched the very souls of my husband and children as we read the book, and listened to the narration on Christmas morning. It was enchanting, holy, lovely. The children read and listened to this story over and over. Actually, it brought tears of happiness to my husband and me. It will be a Christmas tradition in our home each year.

You are in for a real treat when you read this Christmas book. I, personally, love traditional celebrations of the holiday seasons. Just reading this book brought back wonderful memories of our family's annual observances in relation to Christmas and winter. Family is also important to me and this book's author related to the reader how important family is to her. To be living in a world so wrapped up in material things to have fun, it was refreshing to read how there are more really fun things in life other than "nintendo".

Bless this piece of work. This book will go down in history! The narration on the CD reveals the tone of the author's great love for her family, and the wintry Christmas Season. It was a gift to our family. We could "feel" the wonder within the author's heart and mind. The packaged book and CD is going to be cherished in the family lives of those who appreciate the simple, hand in hand with imagination, and fun. Its truthful allusions display warm sweetness, and grabs at the child in each "grown-up". The illustrations display such charm. It bypasses the flashiness that Christmas has become. It delves into the heart of the season. Truth, love, and action reverberate from its pages. It is a portrait of smiles, playfulness, laughter, and holiness! Ms. Hamilton, "Thank you." We want to read more from you. In the meantime, your book is part of our family Christmas each year, and I have no doubt that it will pass on from generation to generation. The children loved it! We (the parents) cried with the same cherished memories. We remember. Lovely!

This is exactly the way Christmas is supposed to be!
I want to bring back the magic of Christmas in our home and this book will be my inspiration.
Ms. Hamilton's wonderful storytelling on the CD is indeed a bonus.

Oh how this book should float from home to home. The faith-filled family life is endearing. Families who still have this endurance and playfulness are certainly blessed. It's dressed with simplicity, trimmed with love, and dances with dignity! Bravo!

Ashleigh found Lightning and she was thin and sick,but now she is a beautiful and healthy mare.Ashleigh starts riding Lightning with her friend Mona and each day she starts to grow a stronger bond with the horse.Then one day her parents take her to a children's hospital and Ashleigh has to make the biggest decision of her life....keep Lightning or give her to the sick children in need of a friend.

The Thoroughbred Series is the best series of books for any young girl who is in love with horses just as I am. I am a teenager and I still love these books. Read them! They are exciting as well as dramatic!

Ligthning, the white mare that Ashleigh rescued is doing a lot better and is even ready to be ridden, but the Humane Society found another home for Lightning. The Hopewell Center that treats kids with cancer wants Lightning, but tells Ashleigh that she doesn't have to give her up. It was sad that Ashleigh had to make such a decision. When the kids from Hopewell visit Edgardale, Ashleigh makes up her mind. What will she do? Read it and find out. The book was great!

This book is just so great! I loved it from the start to the end! I got it for Christmas and I thought that title was very fitting, "A Horse for Christmas". :)

Lightning, the poor abused horse Ashleigh and her friend Mona had rescued, had gradually become back to normal again. She's beautiful and Ashleigh took it for granted that Lightning was hers. After all, she was the one who took care of it and rescued it from "Mr. Nasty". Naturally, she is shocked when she hears that the Humane Society had found another home for Lightning. She also finds out that that home was a cancer treatment center for children who were recovering from cancer. When Ashleigh goes to Hopewell(The hospital), she meets a girl same as her age who was still recovering from cancer and loved horses. Ashleigh then has to choose whether she will give Lightning for Christmas to the sick children at Hopewells as a healing treatment...or keep Lightning.

Very interesting! I liked it alot! You have to read the next book after you're done with this one!

Ashleigh Griffen found an incredibly starved and abused horse when she got lost in the woods on a trail ride with her friend, mona gardner. They decided to call her lightning, for her brillant white coat. Now, almost 5 months later, lightning is a beautiful and healthy horse. Ashleigh assumes that Lightning will live at Edgardale, her family's breeding farm in Kentucky. After all, it was her hard work and loving care that saved lightning from a terrible death. But the humane society has other plans. They picked a home for lightning to live at. Ashleigh wants to say no, but when she sees what type of home they picked for lightning, she starts to wonder if Lightning really needs her. Ash has a big decision to make! Will she give up her first horse to someone else or will she and mona both have their horses for christmas? read to find out. (By the way this book was very good! its worth every penny).

Have your children or students ever told you what they want for Christmas and after hearing it you internally cringe at the thought of them actually receiving it? Well, in `My Penguin Osbert' one little boy's Christmas wish becomes reality and its funny to see who ends up cringing...

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel tells the story of Joe, a classic case of Christmas-gifts-ignored-syndrome, who decides that he is going to help Santa get his gift absolutely correct this Christmas season. You see, Joe wants a penguin, a REAL penguin; he has to be exactly 10 inches tall, with a black and white coat, a yellow beak, a beating heart, and a name tag that reads "Osbert". And when Christmas rolls around he actually gets one.

H. B. Lewis' colorful illustrations will have you and your kids roaring with laughter as Joe's elated face gets more worried and worried by the pages. Very soon Joe begins to realize that taking care of a real penguin is quite a mission, especially if you would rather open the rests of you presents on Christmas morning than play in the very cold snow outside, or would prefer eating chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and not creamed herring, or think that ice cream makes a great dessert but is not a good substitute for Play-Dough. In the end, Joe and Osbert's friendship will continue but in separate houses, after Joe takes Osbert to the penguin section of the city Zoo and Osbert falls in love with the idea of living there. The only question remains... has Joe learned his lesson about being careful what you wish for?

Maybe not, but who does...

This story is sweet - charming illustrations. On a larger scope, it can spark discussions about the responsibilities of owning a pet - it's not all fun and games. Nice for the winter season in general without being just a holiday book.

What a cute little book! My husband likes reading it to my son because he thinks it's funny, and my son likes it because he loves the pictures! Such a great addition to our sons book collection!

Despite the fact that this book has a young child writting lettrs to Santa, it is now February and we are still reading it! My son has hundreds of books and this is his favorite of all of them!

We read and discuss the lessons that are learned. My little one (he is 2) now knows that he has to take care of the people and animals he loves and not always do what HE wants.

We can not wait for more books by this wonderful author!

This picture book has a lot going for it: the story is about a penguin, if your child likes penguins then Osbert's story is a place for them to start reading. The story line is simple enough to glue a [...] to the page, yet magical enough to keep an [...] interested.

Osbert is a classic penguin, full of mischief and naive energy. He is a lovable character.

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel writes with a consistent style. It is a great little book that's sure to please parents and pre-reader age children.

The illustrations and art direction by H.B. Lewis are very nice indeed, in some instances truly wonderful. This is a book that will stay in your child's library for a long, long time.

This is a wonderful book - one of my grandaughters favorites. It's a great one to read aloud.

Great Xmas book for the cat lover, and anyone who loves cat will recognize their cat and the Christmas tree.

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Our family sets out A Pussycat's Christmas every year when dressing the house for the holidays. Last year our copy got dropped in a bucket of water. A calamity that required immediate purchase of another copy and express shipping.
It's a charming tale. The illustration is excellent. Especially if you have a "Pussycat" look-a-like as we do this little book will become a part of your Christmas too.

As usual, Margaret Wise Brown is as tuned in to animals as she is with children. She uses a kitten's viewpoint to describe the wonders of Christmas-sights, sounds, smells, and the way cats delight at playing with everything-wrappings, ribbons, ornaments, decorations. A beautiful, descriptive story.

Ann Mortimer's illustrations are outstanding. Margaret's word's capture "cat" PURR-fectly!

I love the way Margaret writes - I have MANY of her books.

For anyone who has a cat and Christmas: "...She went POUNCING around in it... and she ATE some it..." "... she waited for something to fall, ...to crash and to break" SO Cat!

This book is great fun to read outloud with kids listening!

I can't help but love those snowfolk that seem to have a more interesting life than I. Ms. Buehner once again brings their holiday activities to life with vivid poetry and an imaginative Christmas Eve, complete with a Santa Claus. This should charm anyone.

In addition are the incredibly beautiful illustrations; It is amazing how bright a night time winter can be. Each detail is perfect and colorful.

A great combination of poetry and illustration.

My son borrowed this book from the library and I quickly fell in love with the beautiful pictures and wonderful story. I went right to my computer to order it for my preschool class. The book arrived quickly and was in great condition.

My kids and I love to read "Snowmen at Night" and we were equally happy with "Snowmen at Christmas". It is perfect for reading aloud to kids of all ages. The pictures are beautiful and the story is magical.

WE LOVE SNOW PEOPLE & SNOW PETS... BEAUTIFUL COLORFUL PICTURES & VERY EASY FUN FAST BOOK THE BOYS CAN READ TO THE FAMILY! OUR KINDA BOOK! IT'S CHEERY & CUTE. WE R GLAD TO HAVE IT IN OUR CHRISTMAS COLLECTION.

I love the concept of her snowmen books--that they do things and live a life when we're asleep or not looking. I also own Snowmen at Night, and enjoy both with my children. They love looking at the detailed illustrations and find it funny that snowmen eat and drink and dance, etc. Great book for our Christmas collection.

This is a lovely book with simple, thoughtful passages for the days leading up to Christmas. The passages evoke feelings of centeredness, peace and calm similar to awakening to a beautiful, fresh snowfall.

Good reading from a variety of excellent, trusted writers...Nouwen, Bonhoeffer, Manning, etc. all offer reflections on the Advent/Christmas season that will make you go deeper...

Personally, I struggle with reading during this time of year due to busy schedule but I have found this daily digest a perfect way to enhance my Advent season of waiting...

This book features a wide array of Christmas messages--old and new. This book will inspire you and make you think about the true meaning of Christmas. This book also makes a GREAT gift.

Also recommended:
Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--heartbreaking yet inspiring
A Stranger for Christmas--a warm and cosy story for the holidays

Like a kid counting down the days until Christmas, I took a spiritual journey by reading the days until Christmas. My guide, Watch for the
light. Cheaper than a real journey...no stops for gas , no waiting in line. Pop open the book's cover and begin to read. Some funny stories, some poetry, some known authors and some not so well known, all leading the way to Christmas. When Christmas comes, you will be ready.

I love that this series, including "Bread and Wine:Readings for Lent and Easter," because it challeneges our complacent culture-dictated experience of Advent and Easter. This is not a feel-good book, it is a faith-building book. Be prepared to be shaken up and for God to meet you in a new way.

I bought copies for my friends and family. Everyone loved it!

The diversity of authors come together in surprising unity. This broadened my perspective and made me want to find books written by the individual authors. I also loved that the authors are from all points in history and geography. An experience like this is what all of us in the US need.

I love this little book. Charlie Jones has a gift for pulling together genuine people and their wonderful memories for all to share. I would highly recommend this fine book for yourself and as a gift.

If you have grown too old or "too wise" to believe in Santa Claus or Christmas, read this book. In just 78 pages Charlie Jones takes you around the world for a magical remembrance of big and little events you will recall...becasue most of them have happened to you in some way...you just forgot. Thanks Charlie for my 62 Christmases to Remember. Ed

This little book can easily be read in an evening. But unlike "popcorn movies" or books which entertain and then can't be remembered the next day this little gem stays with you. Something about the way it is crafted. Reading stories of not just good but also bad Christmases helped me dredge up and polish up my own memories of Christmases past. I bought copies as stocking stuffers for others but enjoyed it so much I decided to keep a copy for me!

Don't know what to get your childs teacher or a co-worker? Well, "A Christmas to Remember" is the perfect gift. Terrific stories from the distant past and some not so long ago. Everyone has their favorite Christmas story and this book makes you remember them. A GREAT Stocking Stuffer!
Julie Smitherman

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER By CHARLIE JONES


"A Christmas to Remember" by Charlie Jones is a warmly full and compelling book. This is an anthology of stories and anecdotes that will reach out and touch emotions and Christmas memories deep inside every reader. The 36 separate experiences presented in the book made up the Christmas lives of many people, some famous, and others a bit less publicly visible. These are folks of all ages, living through separate Christmas experiences. Unless you are made of stone, these remembrances will cause you honest and spontaneous smiles, out loud laughter and occasionally a few compassionate tears as you read a life or two unfolding. I was so fascinated by each of the stories; I read one after the other, eagerly consuming the book as fast as I could. Then I realized I wanted to be able to spread my enjoyment out over several days to savor the collection. I also wanted to share these stories by talking with my grandchildren about them and my memories these stories brought to my mind. I decided to read only 5 stories a day. That gave me a full week of warm fuzzy feelings to build into Christmas this year. I intend to keep this book for many years in the future as a catalyst to help my family remember how wonderful the Christmas spirit really can be.

Christmas Turtles is a heart warming story about a sweet family tradition. Every year, Grandma bakes chocolate turtles (the candy not the animals) for her grandchildren. Grandma takes a good deal of care and energy to make them from scratch, from harvesting pecan trees that she has planted for each grandchild to the delicious finished candies. Christmas Turtles comes complete with a holiday recipe for Christmas Turtles so that you too can start your own holiday tradition.

Christmas Turtles is a wonderful book about a grandmother's love for her grandchildren. It teaches about giving....even when it hurts. It's about love, dedication, and sacrifice. If you're looking for a book with good family values and an original story, this is the one to get. Our kids love it!

This is Denson's story of how her grandma planted a pecan tree commemorating Denson's birth and the birth of all her siblings. It is about how they then gathered the sprouting tree's fruit: pecans to make chocolate-covered turtles for Christmas.

As Denson's grandmother aged, she kept up this tradition even though she was plagued by osteoporosis, arthritis and diabetes. She couldn't enjoy the fruits of her efforts but the tradition is a cherished memory and shows children how anything that is a ritual during any time of year can become a tradition. It doesn't need to be all about Christmas gifts and Santa, but about the love and dedication of those near and dearest to us.

Denson and all her younger family members used to hide the chocolate pecan delights from the adults, in typical child fashion, wanting to keep the coveted booty for themselves. Grandma says, "I can't eat them," she said. "I just make them to see the glow in your eyes."

Food is such an essential part of how a lot of us were raised. We were shown love through what our grandparents, parents and other family members cooked for us and fed us as children. Denson captures the innocence and unconditional love of a child for her grandma's kindness.

It is a poignant children's hard cover book with gorgeous illustrations by Tara McMillen--a great glossy book to give as a gift all year round.

Armchair Interviews says: A lengthy book, not a first reader, but a good one for an adult to read to children and the recipe for Christmas Turtles is included for the book owner to continue this precious tradition.

Christmas Turtles (Purple Sky Publishing, October 2006, hardcover, 32 pages) by Sara Ann Denson is another wonderful story of a grandmother's love and a special holiday tradition.

In the story, with adorable illustrations by Tara McMillen, four young children engage in their annual tradition of enjoying Christmas turtles at Grandma's house. Many families have these special, food related traditions. At Grandma's farmhouse each year, the children race to find the turtle treats that they think have been magically prepared by elves. One year, they learn that it has in fact been Grandma who has lovingly prepared the treats, despite the physical pain she must endure to prepare the turtles.

A wonderful "Christmas Turtle" recipe is included at the end of the book so that you can start the tradition of making this treat with your children.

Christmas Turtles teaches that the best gifts are those given in the spirit of love.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (10/06)

This delightful story will warm the hearts of the whole family. "Christmas Turtles" celebrates the true meaning of Christmas when one grandmother demonstrates her love for her family through her actions and self-sacrifice.

A pecan tree was planted behind the barn when each grandchild was born. As the children grow, so do the trees. Every fall Grandmother bends over and gathers the small brown nuts in her skirt. Then the worn Christmas tin and the silver nutcracker are brought out. The grandchildren help assist preparing the nuts. The golden halves are stacked in the faded tin and placed in the freezer. Each Christmas morning the pecan halves have disappeared only to be magically replaced by delicious chocolate turtles. But how did the turtles get there, did an elf make them? One mother explains, "Someone who loves you more than an elf made the turtles."

This book demonstrates self-sacrifice. Grandmother must bend over to collect the nuts. Her hands hurt when she cracks them open. She must spend much time standing before the stove on tired legs. All this for a candy she cannot eat. Grandmother's greatest pleasure is seeing the delight on her families face as they eat the turtles she so lovingly prepared.

This book was obviously penned in love. The illustrations are delightful, adding much to the story. The plot is beautifully written. I suspect it is based on a memory. The author is generous in sharing a recipe for "Christmas Turtles." I look forward to making these for my grandchildren. What a marvelous tradition it will be to watch their eyes as they bite into a Christmas Turtle. It is with great honor that I highly recommend this book to parents and grandparents. The story is a pleasure to read and the meaning behind it is a treasure to hold deep in your heart.