Advent Books

My mother had this book when I was a little girl and I always wanted her to read it to us every Christmas time. I just love the illustrations! And even at a very young age, I would want her to read the authors note at the end that talks about all the symbolism in the pictures. When I got older I would read it to myself on Christmas Eve before going to bed. It is such a beautiful book! I was very excited to be able to buy it this year, so that next year when my baby girl is here for Christmas, I can read it to her and it can be a family keepsake.

Me and my son love all the books Ms Berger writes, This is a re-telling of the first christmass, but with a very soft tone to it, my son asked me to read this book several times the day it arrive, read it, it's a must.


also read other books by Ms Berger,

1. Grandfather twilight 2.When the sun Rose 3. Gwinna 4.Angels on a pin 5.All the way to Lasa & 6. A lot of Otters.

This is one of our very favorite Christmas books. The pictures are beautiful and dream-like. It's just a wonderful book.

My Godmother got me this book for christmas of 1985, and I still love to curl up on the couch on christmas and read it. It tell's a beautiful story with beautiful pictures to help tell the story. This is a great gift for the younger children.

What a beautiful story. It is very moving. I highly recommend it.

This is a great story of the magic that Christmas brings each year.

A dear teacher friend recommended this book and said she couldn't read it to her class without crying! I thought I would be able to read it to my grandson without tearing up, but alas...he had to finish the last few pages! (Much to his delight!) It is such a gentle, tender story. Even when you KNOW what the outcome will be, you can't help but FEEL the emotions the writer conveys so well! Outstanding illustrations put this book in a rare class!

This was a beautiful story written and illustrated. It allows one to discover how people can reach into the hearts of so many with a simple act of kindness. It also reassures children that one does not have to have a lot to change the lives of another. And that dreams do come true.

Karen

I like Chris Soentpiet's book called Silver Packages. The pictures he drew were OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The book was outstanding! I like the part when the boy is holding his first one in front of the Christmas tree.

If you want to read a great book then read Silver Packages because it will just touch your heart. It all started when no one had anything so every Christmas a man came and threw silver packages out the back of the train. Chris Soentpiet's illustrations are colorful and interesting.

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.

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 illustrations in this one were quite simple and yet very eye catching. The children, without exception, enjoyed looking at, reading and having this one read to them. A little boy builds a snowman, and that night, has a dream. The snowmen and their families have quite a life of their own in the dream. The text, which is set in rhyme, is quite catching and the cildren enjoy it..which is a very good indorsement for any children's book. The text goes quite well with the well executed illustrations which makes this an easy book to read to a group of the little ones. Recommend this one highly.

I bought the book because of the beautiful illustrations. I loved all the "lights" (kind of reminded me of a Thomas Kincaid painting). But then found out later about the hidden pictures. All 3 kids, ages 3, 5, and 7 love to look for them. Some are real easy to find for the 3 year old and some are tougher for the 7 year old.

WOW !! I loved this story. I loved every part of it. The hope, the spirit and the gift of people. I will add it to may collection of books to read every year to my children and grandchildren. Makes a wonderful gift too!!

Book was just as expected - delivered in timely manner - very pleased with purchase - thanks!

I bought candles and copies of the book for all my office mates as well as for my children. This Christmas eve, we opened stockings to lighted candles and read the book aloud. My three adult daughters and husbands were a little wary, but soon the story took over. In many ways, it is another version of a Christmas Carol. But the story's power and images enforce the message again, that we are all one family, sharing in the light of the special Christmas candle. The experience shared with my children will create a tradition for us...next year, they will all receive carved boxes, and we will read The Christmas Box, together.

Beautiful cover. Am saving the book for Christmas when we read a number of Christmas stories. Look forwrd to it with anticipation.

This is an excellent book. It has a wonderful message all of us, old and young alike, can use for our everyday lives. A great moral!! I recommend this for any age group.

This Christmas journal kept me awake several nights during holidays, keeping notes, writing down heirloom receipies and memories of my childhood Christmas and those of my parents,sticking old photos and using it both as a journal and a scrab book, proceedings that I love to do!
It gave a joyfull tone to my Christmas this year,and as it was the first Christmas as a family of four,in this journal I will record my childrens' first Christmas! I can't wait for the next Seasons to come, so I can give it to them to draw,stick or write something in it, so that everybody will remember for the years and generations to come! That's why I wished for more free space and less lines in it, so more photos and every kind of Christmas souvenirs can be holded in. Whith its present form demands a lot of writing(it is a journal after all),something that averts you to give it as a present,as not all people love to write(especially during holidays).

I received my first Mary Engelbreit Christmas Journal way back in 1996 as a gift from my sister. Already a fan of Mary Engelbreit, and journaling, this was the perfect gift for me! 1996 was a banner year for me, as I had just recently gotten married and my husband and I were eagerly sharing old Christmas traditions while starting some new ones.

This journal comes with two parts: Part 1 is entitled "Memories of Christmas Past" with sections including "How my parents celebrated", "My childhood Christmases", favorite photographs, recipes, and so on. Generous room provided for your answers.

Part II is entitled "Five Year Christmas Journal", and as indicated, follows with 5 sections for five years worth of memories. Each yearly chapter is broken down into: "Preparations for the Season", "Seasonal Fun", "Celebrating Christmas", and "Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead". Each of these sections provides thoughtful entry "starters" with plenty of room for elaboration. Also included is a red satin ribbon page marker, which is helpful.

I cannot express how very valuable this journal has been for myself and my family. After the first 5 years, I lucked out and found a stack on sale at a local bookstore -- without hesitation I bought enough for the next 20 years!

When I started this journal in 1996, I was newly married. 10 years later now (and just about to begin my 3rd journal!), my husband and I have three children, 2 cats and a dog (we even have Santa pictures with our pets occasionally included, LOL). The memories I have recorded for posterity are absolutely priceless. Every year I re-read previous entries and always think "I am SO glad I wrote that, I would have never remembered!".

Whether or not you are a Mary Engelbreit fan, this Christmas journal (and I've seen lots of them) is an absolute must-have for those hoping to preserve favorite holiday memories over the years.

Merry Christmas!

This is a great item! We are really happy with this Christmas Journal. This is a great bargain and a really thoughftul gift! We are looking forward to building memories & traditions & saving them so they may be cherished for years to come. You are buying much more than a book with this purchase. It is well worth the small price tag for what we got in return.

My wife and I got married just over a year ago. We bought our first home, and a little puggle (dog) at about the same time. Christmas came really fast last year with all the things going on at once. We now are looking to start a family, and really wanted to slow down and relax this time around as Christams approached. We have been focusing on the Holiday, decorating the house, getting into the season, starting our own traditions and enjoying time together over the holiday. We were really looking for a way to organize our thoughts and come up with our own Christmas traditions & routines. We felt a little like amatures. Although we both have enjoyed many Christmases, it is a little different now. No more depending on our parents...now we are the grown ups & it's our turn to orchestrate the festivities around the Holidays.

This Christmas Journal gave us exactly what we were looking for. We are enjoying it tremendously and look forward to continue filling it with our photos, memories, ideas & traditions, and then returning to it year after year. I definitely recommend it, and plan to buy more in the future to fill our years after year 5. I also think it makes a great gift, and we have decided we should buy some as special gifts to friends and family in the future.

I've had my journal for 5 years, and I have enjoyed pulling it out every year after Thanksgiving and (reluctantly) putting it away in January. It is so easy to keep up - great for busy people like me. The layout is simple and yet detailed. The beginning of the book records childhood memories and has space for a mass Christmas card list. Subsequent chapters cover each year up to five. I use the calendar to organize myself and have had a great time looking back on previous years where I recorded activities and special moments I had since forgotten - many very happy, some very sad, moments with people who are no longer here. Even the years when I felt little Christmas cheer, I always opened that book, and there is a comforting constancy to that. A tip from me. . . choose a favorite Christmas card every year that you have received from someone and tuck it in the book at the beginning of the chapter for that year. Another tip. . . buy the book - needless to say, I am online right now to order mine.

I am so glad to have found this Christmas Journal on Amazon. I got it 5 years ago and have recorded so many memories on it. It is the only time my family writes a journal, and the layout of the book is so inspiring. I am buying two for myself this year, and one for my sister. Glad to see it is still in print!

I wish someone would turn this book into a movie. I think it would be right up there with "A Christmas Story" as an instant classic and I would watch it every Christmas with my family.

I am not a fan of Christmas books but this one was excellent. I actually showed the extremes that people go through to help a love one during this season, which is what Christmas is about! More people should be like the main character Tommy, selfless and believing. Willing to take a risk putting his wants to the wind just to try and save a love one. This book is a definite inspiration!

While reading this book to my son I was truly amazed at all of the amazing facial expressions I was able to capture. From sadness and excitement to dissapointment and unbound joy. The book has a special part for everyone including me! I hope that one day I can see this on film so that I can see all those wonderful looks one more time.

THE BEST CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS BOOK TO COME OUT SINCE I WAS A GIRL!!! MY DAUGHTER LOVES IT!
A REFRESHING NEW LOOK AT THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Reading this fascinating and clearly written Christmas story about a family's Christmas traditions in the South Side of Chicago was incredibly compelling. As a parent having to answer the question, "Does Santa Claus really exist?" This book will be your lifesaver and mine! Living on the South Side of Chicago, made this book that much more personal. I recommend this reading to everyone. It is worth reading for self-enjoyment at teatime, and for the little ones of all ages during story hour.

"The Life & Times of Baxter the Bat Dog" is probably one of the sweetest stories I've ever enjoyed reading to my children. This beautiful children's book is actually three short stories about the cutest little bat dog named Baxter.

* The first story tells of how Baxter finds a new family after being abandoned. This first meeting between the reading and Baxter is precious. His eagerness to embrace life endears him to your heart.
* The second story is Baxter's first Halloween. His kindness in remembering to share his treats with his new family is a wonderful life lesson for children.
* The last is Baxter's first Christmas. His desire to give his new owner a special gift is reminiscent of the "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.

Carollee Wagonlite is an extraordinarily gifted storyteller. Baxter's sweet spirit shines through the story with gentle grace. "Baxter" is based on a real-life little dog and his adventures. How such a sweet little baby was abandon is hard to understand but I can only rejoice that he was adopted by the Wagonlite family and through this book shared with us all.

The illustrations of Oswaldo Rosales are charming. Baxter's personality and joy of life was easily seen by children. I often find my toddler studying the pictures and giggling.
I have given "The Life and Times of Baxter, the Bat Dog" five stars! Not only did I love the stories and illustrations, but my preschool children did. And although the real-life Baxter is no longer living, we hope to see more adventures soon.
Reviewer name: Deven D. Vasko

The Life and Times of Baxter the Bat Dog is a cute exposé into the life of Baxter who experiences several adventures during his life. Although categorized for the 4 to 8 age group, the size of the book might be overwhelming for a young reader so it is nice that it is broken down into smaller volumes, bound together as one.

Volume One starts off with Baxter being hit by a car. After being abandoned by his family, a news story sends plenty of people his way, looking to adopt him. He finds a new and wonderful home with Merry Jones and her two cats.

Volume Two finds Baxter trick-or-treating for Halloween dressed as a bat. His pointy ears and black fur make being dressed as a bat the perfect costume for him. He attends a Halloween party and goes home to share his bounty with Merry's cats.

Volume Three brings Baxter to Christmas and his dilemma on delivering Christmas gifts to Merry and the cats, Cinnamon and Pearly-Mae. In the end Baxter learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Children and their caretakers will fall in love with Baxter. I hope there is a continuation of the series as it is encouraging to find an example of how to behave from a loveable creature that everybody can envision and relate to. Written in simple English whether a child is reading or being read to, equal enjoyment can be found in both the pictures and prose.

The Life & Times of Baxter the Bat Dog! portrays a cute, little dog who experiences some of the same events as most young children. Children love animal stories and many have pets. As children enter elementary school, they are encouraged to write creatively. They write about things they know and have experienced, and many times it is about a pet. Baxter would make a good story starter.

Baxter got his name "Bat Dog" because he had very pointy ears and booked somewhat like a bat. Baxter's first experience in the book results in a stay at the hospital after an accident, when he is hit by a car. Find out how Baxter becomes a TV star.

Chapters 2 and 3 are stories about children's favorite holidays: Halloween and Christmas. Children love to dress up in costume and pretend. Baxter experiences the same fun activities children do during Halloween. Christmas is a time of snow, sharing love and making special gifts for family. Baxter has a very special surprise for his special family.

The author shares Baxter's emotions and love with the reader. With the addition of beautifully illustrated pictures, this wonderful children's book will bring enjoyment to both young and mature readers.

As a mother of a ten and a thirteen-year old, I appreciate the quality of the writing and the superb illustrations in The Life and Times of Baxter the Bat Dog! My ten-year old son never reads a book in one sitting; but to my amazement, he finished Baxter the Bat Dog in one sitting. My thirteen-year old daughter also enjoyed reading about Baxter. I would definitely recommend this book to friends.

I have just completed reading and reviewing the book 'The Life and Times of Baxter the Bat Dog".

I am a pet owner myself, having a black long haired cat named 'Baxter' and a dog also rescued from the animal shelter named 'Aussie' - who is part Border Collie and part Australian Shepherd. I loved the dialogue between Baxter, Cinnamon and Pearly-Mae.

I think this book will serve it's purpose well, with children of all ages. The message is clear that we are all loveable, no matter that we are not 'perfect'. This should especially reach children with physical handicaps, or who have been abandoned, or adopted. It will even impact the child who is always picked on for having 'big ears' or other less-than-perfect physical features.

It is also important to note the gifts that our pets give back to us, the unconditional love and devotion, companionship, gratitude, and genuine happiness to see us each day, or the physical Christmas gift that Baxter gave his owners. When a pet is adopted from an animal shelter or an animal rescue group, the bond that is created between the pet and the owner is one of the strongest attachments I have seen.

I am grateful to Carollee for writing this book, and also benefiting the various animal charities.

Excellent book for around the holidays. I know it is a kids book, but it is an all around family book.

This book is a wonderful keepsake. I feel it should be made a "classic". I want all my family to have it. I have started getting it for everyone special in my family as a keepsake for their children. It is a beautifully illustrated story about creation and will be loved by all ages. We display it in our home every year during the Christmas season. A must have for new babies!!!

I found my way to this book by accident in the form of a box of Christmas cards. I was shopping one Christmas season in a Christian bookstore I believe and came upon the most beautiful Christmas card I had ever seen in my life. The illustration was done by Richard Jesse Watson, and it happened to be of a shepherd boy bathed in the moonlight gazing at the sky. (entitled "O Holy Night") The detail was so realistic that it seemed as if I could reach out feel the roughness of his woven garments or pet the little lambs gathered around his bare feet. I felt as if I was there with him and all I had to do was look over my shoulder to actually see what he was looking at. It to this day takes my breath away. I bought the box with the intention of giving them to only the most special people in my life and saving a couple just to look at every Christmas.

After purchasing the cards and getting ready to send them out I noticed the caption on it saying that it was an illustration from this very book. I immediately headed back out the door to find it. I'm not sure what I expected the storyline to be of (not that it made a difference) because the cover art was so different from the card I'd bought, but once I saw it was written by Ruth Graham I knew I couldn't pass it up. The story about a boy who ended up having to stay at an elderly lady's home after getting stranded by a blizzard was sweet and endearing and I read most of it there in the store. The book, which depicts stories from the bible, meshes with the lush illustrations to turn out this highly acclaimed, award winning book.

I ended up purchasing at least 4 of them to give as Christmas gifts with strict orders to open immediately once the house is decorated for the season. All of the nativity (along with the other) illustrations make this book a pure slice of heaven. The richness and striking mood of every single picture is wondrous and fills me with more Christmas spirit than my heart can hold sometimes. I guess that's why I bought so many copies of it so I can share it with everyone I care about. Almost every Christmas I scan some of the illustrations to create my own Christmas cards for my friends making sure I tell them where the artwork comes from so they can pass this Christmas treasure on as well to their loved ones.

This is a great Christmas read that gives an overview of the gospel, from creation to Christ's resurrection. A boy is injured and must seek refuge with an older widow during a snowstorm. As he recuperates and waits for the storm to settle down, she tells him the story of man's fall and redemption through Christ Jesus.

This book does a good job of sticking to the true facts of the Bible without a lot of added fluff. I've read this aloud to my children a couple of times. It takes us a few sittings as it is fairly lengthy but it keeps them engaged.

The best part of the book is the illustrations. They are gorgeous! These are some of the most believable Biblical portrayals I have seen - not the stylized Italian sort or the comical characters which abound in Christian books for children. For instance, Adam and Eve are not lily white but look as if they could truly be the father and mother of us all. The portrait of Goliath is my favorite as he looks like a giant warrior might. His thighs are massive! And David is a young man, not a child, as Scripture would suppport.

I would only take issue with the picture of the angel guarding the garden of Eden. First, according to Genesis, there are angels (plural) placed at the gate. Secondly, although the American Indian woman is lovely, angels are only described as men and never as women in the Bible. Moreover, they always seem to invite dread (first words from angels are typically, "Don't be afraid") so I think a pretty angel lady is somewhat unlikely.

I highly recommend this book as a lavish picture book to be read at Christmas, or any time of the year. It helps children understand why the birth of Christ matters to them.

This charming Christmas story will warm your heart -- Ruth Bell Graham teams with Richard Jesse Watson to tell the story of a young boy away from home at Christmas. I love this book.

Paige Covington, a spoiled 17-year-old young woman (a modern day scrooge), thought only of one thing in this life-herself. She made selfish choices with little consideration or thought for others around her. Selling her loyal bay gelding simply because he did not bring home the first place ribbon after a jumping competition or walking out of store with unpaid merchandise when she felt the sales clerks were wasting her valuable time, were just two examples of the way Paige lived her life.

To her surprise, she was arrested for the shoplifting, and fortunate for her, the judge did not care that her intentions were to send the money via mail with a nasty complaint letter regarding the slow service of the store. He sentenced her to 60 hours community service working with the handicap at a hippotherapy clinic.

Between this experience and a developed friendship with levelheaded kindhearted 14-year-old Lindsey, Paige found herself challenged. By the time her community service was completed, Paige discovered there was more to life than simply thinking of herself resulting in one special memorable Christmas.

A Tuff-To-Beat Christmas is a warm heart-felt story that will surely reach anyone who reads this book. Once I started, I could not put it down until the last page read. Betty Briggs is an inspiring visual writer worthy of consideration and I highly recommend this young adult book.

I really liked the author's light, engaging style and her use of humor and dialogue. I don't know much about horses myself, but Briggs skillfully weaves in everything you need to know to appreciate the story.

A very cute book. Paige is a teen ager who parents has given her everything she want, because of being an only child. Paige learns a very valueble lesson by sharing with others who haven't much. It is a good book, I throughly enjoyed it. I'll put it on my list of Christmas books to read.

I really enjoyed this book. Very cute! A great story on service, which showed how the one serving is often the one more blessed than those they serve.

What a great Christmas book for any age! I truly enjoyed reading this and now my three girls will take turns, as well. :) The photographs were a fun bonus and I dipped my toe into an area that I wasn't too familiar with--horses!! I was also reminded exactly what the true meaning of Christmas is all about and that warmed my heart! :)

If you like I Spy books and looking for things this book is great. The pictures are very imaginative. I really enjoyed it. Great for children and adults. Wonderful for Christmas fun.

Excellent for spotting the finer things in pictures. My 7 year old loves to look at these books over and over again.

I have the entire series of "Can You See What I See?" and my son at 4 1/2 really enjoys these. I bought his first book when he was about three. It has helped his visual skills so much that he can find some of the objects faster than I can.

Walter Wick books are a favorite of my 5-year old, and this one is a favorite of mine. The photos are absolutely beautiful and full of Christmas spirit. Although kids love the repetition of finding the same things over and over in hidden picture books, adults can get tired of it fast enough. But the photos in this book hold your attention like a coffee-table art book, making it a pleasure to find five Santas in the Gingerbread house for the umpteenth time.

We bought this for our three-year old daughter last year and she found it challenging. But at four she loves it. She insists we go through a few pages every night. I love how excited she gets when she finds something. My husband and I sit down and find items with her making for good family time.