Christmas Books

I would recommend this music book to anyone who has grown up in the era of the great "big bands". It's nostalgic from beginning to end.

My husband and I have recently learned to use chords for piano and have enjoyed other fake books. The Easy Christmas Fake Book has all the popular Christmas music and is easy to read and play. We have enjoyed it all season.

I like to give my students as much of a Christmas repertoire as I can. Using this Fake Book helps accomplish this while giving a venue to teach theory, improvosation, harmony and sight reading--they are inspired/tempted/and encouraged to try pieces on their own. Their courage & creativity is sometimes quite impressive. Not all songs are easily singable, since everything is in the key of C. But definitely suitable for solo instrumental performances.

Great fun! with minimal reading skills you will be able to sight read most of the songs and fill in with the chords. The chord speller chart alone is worth it. I taped the chord speller chart on my wall in front of the piano. I refer to it that often.

This is one of my favorite Christmas books to use with my piano students.
The songs are written in the Key of C so beginners can enjoy learning many melodys with few sharps or flats. My advancing students can add accompaniments with the chord clues and use what they've learned in their Suzuki method studies, block chords or a great variety of patterns! It is a tool which grows with the student musically, has the words for sing along fun for the whole family, and the notes are large enough for young (and old) eyes! The price is very affordable from Amazon too!

squirt,jessi,becca,and aunt Ceclia are all involved in a car crash. Squirt gets hurt and jessi predicts it will be the worst Kwanzaa and Christmas ever. Buy the book if your into drama and love towards your family.

It's the Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa time, (AGAIN,) for the BSC and Jessi decides to educate the BSC's sitting charges about Kwanzaa by putting on a play based on the old African legend Malindy Meets the Devil, (or something like that.) But then tragedy strikes. While Jessi is riding in the car with her Aunt, younger sister Becca and her baby brother Sqwirt, they get involved in a car crash, resulting in young Sqwirts head injury. Jessi starts to think that her Holidays are ruined, but are they?

In Happy Holidays Jessi, Jessi wants to have the kids in the neighborhood celebrate Kwanzaa. But then when Jessi, her sister, Aunt Cecelia, and Squirt get in a car accident, Squirt gets hurt. Will the Kwanzaa celebration happen? Or is it history?

Jessi is filled with holiday excitement. She loves Christmas, and she can't wait for Kwanzaa, when her whole family- including out-of-town relatives-will celebrate together.
But then a terrible accident occurs. Squirt hurst his head in a car crash and is rushed to the hospital.
Everyone is relieved to find out that Squirt will be okay. But meanwhile, the stress of the accident has taken it's toll on the family.
If holidays are supposed to be being together, then why is Jessi's family being pulled far apart?

I really liked this installment. Jessi, the narrator describes Kwanzaa, the African holiday and the history and traditions about Kwanzaa.

Jessi's redoubtable Aunt Cecilia is just as overly punitive as ever, until her father intervenes and reminds her that as long as she is living in HIS house, she will have to abide by HIS rules and not try to enforce her own. He defends his children and reminds his sister yet again that Jessi and her 8-year-old sister are still children and to cut them some slack. Chastened, the girls' aunt vows to do an about face and once again takes them Christmas shopping. Instead of chewing them out for being hungry or clowing around, the aunt bites her tongue. The only thing I had trouble with was her allowing the girls' baby brother to ride outside of his car seat when he becomes restless and fussy.

Unfortunately, they are involved in an accident and Squirt (John, Jr.) has to be hospitalized. Distraught over the baby's injuries, the parents chew the aunt out for her sheer irresponsibility (why would any ADULT allow a baby to ride in a car without being properly harnessed)? The Kwanzaa gatherings with other members of Jessi's family are strained and everybody is up in arms over the harm done to poor Squirt.

The subplot is excellent. Ann Martin has a real gift for creating dialog and scenes. The other members of the BSC plan a Kwanzaa skit and the BSCers and charges alike all get into the spirit of Kwanzaa and actually learn a few things. I laughed at the hilarious story of Malindy's Soul, the story the group put on. It was a delightful farce and really quite well woven into the story.

Fortunately, Squirt recovers and everybody has a wonderful holiday. Instead of Santa, everybody follows the Kwanzaa celebration. This book is really good.

When the book first arrived, I just flipped through it quickly and wasn't overly impressed. Some of the pages looked like the artist was simply sketching ideas for characters. Then I sat down and read the book.

The story is told through the pictures. The text is sparse, but amazingly powerful (albeit slightly difficult to see on some of the darker pages). By the time I got to the end I felt like I had been on a journey and had just returned to the present.

I would not have believed that a book could be that compelling.

This book is incredible. Rien Poortvliet is an extremely gifted individual. He has captured the essence of the "Suffering Servant." Because of this book my library includes all of his inspired publications. Indeed, I have gifted most of his collection to my family (and friends).

I love it. What I find most illuminating is that it reflects Jesus in the faces of the people around Him. He still has that effect today.

I'm thinking about buying a copy for our church library.

For those who need to take a moment and remember Who Jesus is and did for us, this is a must. Beautiful images with deep comments that makes you love Him and desire to be like Him.

WOW, POWERFUL!!!
The emotions that these pictures capture are amazing. My spirit just wept as I read this book. It brings to life the story of CHRIST in a way a child can comprehend, yet an adult will read over and over.
It is amazing how the simple text can pile such truth about the story of CHRIST. It is alive and real.
These pictures are a gift... one that takes you to the time HE was crucified.
I highly recommend this book for parents, teachers to read to their class or children.

Only after you have read it will you understand the gift that this book is to the truth of our salvation.

This book is so good and a breath of fresh air. The bad part is having to put it down.

This is a compelling tale of a family's deep love coming painfully apart over the agonizing loss of a beloved child. The surprising magic of redemption will make any reader smile for the rest of the holiday season pondering how such wonders can arise while knowing that they do. Loved the book and will give it liberally to those I cherish.

I read this book in manuscript form last Jan. and absolutely loved it!!! I read it to my husband in about 90 minutes or so and we both were crying at the end. It makes us realize how VERY important families are and should be. We need stories like this more. I love heartwarming stories like this and the story gives us so much to think about, as we both felt it is so life-affirming. This will make a great Christmas gift for all. We both highly recommend it. We have our own personally autographed copy and I will be spreading the word around for friends and family to buy it for Christmas gifts.

The James Miracle inspires hope and reiterates the power of family.
The James Miracle had me hooked from the first paragraph. The perfect mix of humor and real-life challenges make the characters so real. I was able to directly relate to their feelings, challenges and success stories. The author touches an emotional chord and teaches the reader about the strength of a family and the amazing faith of a child. When I finished the book, I realized that I had experienced a whole range of emotion including laughter, sorrow, and hope. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

I am very picky about what I read but thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is captivating to a very broad audience because of its relevance. Throughout its humorous, entertaining, yet dramatic story line it reminds us of important truths about family relationships, dealing with life's challenges, and faith. It reminds us of what is most important in life and motivates us to live so we have no regrets. I enjoyed the warm, interesting writing style and definitely recommend reading this small literary masterpiece.

I needed this for Christmas around the world at my school. The book is excellent and the children really enjoyed the story.

Another great addition to my collection. Tomie's illustrations complete this wonderful book.

Such an endearing story! This book contains beautiful illustrations. It is a Christmastime favorite.

If you are looking for the true story of the legend of the poinsettia, this is not it!!! The only thing that is the same about the legend from Mexico and this story is the fact that the poinsettias were made red on christmas eve because a little girl brought baby jesus a weed for his birthday because she was so poor. the names, plot, and special saying that the little girl's brother said in the legend is not in this book, which takes away the impact of the story. the drawings although are beautiful and the story is nice if you don't know the real legend.

I love legends. I always have. I am particularly fond of legends that attempt to explain things such as why the robin has a red breast, or why it snows on Christmas, or why the donkey says "hee haw," and other things like that. That is one of the reasons I was drawn to this little book by Tomie dePaola, The Legend of the Poinsettia.

Lucinda is a young girl who lives with her parents and younger siblings in Mexico. The colorful illustrations have that southeastern feel to it. Lucinda's community is preparing for Christmas by preparing gifts for the Christ child on Christmas Eve. I loved that the focus of gift giving was for Christ as opposed to the hustle and bustle and commercialism that is so common in American households. The gifts were labors of love too and involved special crafts, skills or homegrown gifts. Lucind and her mama have been asked to weave the special blanket for Baby Jesus as the one they have used for years is very old and worn.

When Lucinda's mama becomes ill, Lucinda is unable to finish the blanket by herself and the more she tries, the more tangled the yarn in the loom becomes. Lucinda is disheartened and worried about her mother, as well as saddened that her family has no gift to give the Christ child. Suddenly an old woman appears and suggests Lucinda pick some simple native weeds and bring them to Christ. In humility, Lucinda does that, and as you can guess, these become the beautiful poinsettia plants, the flor de la Nochelbuena, that we associate with Christmas today!

The reference and picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a nice touch for Catholic children who are familiar with story, and it was nice to see the shrine to our lady as part of Lucinda's everyday life. My children identified with Lucinda's fears for her mother, and also her fear of being different from the rest of the community. They also felt it was very brave of her to come forward with such a simple gift in the face of much splendor. After reading the story, my kids also became more aware of the poinsettias at church and other places and we even bought our own!

Overall I think this is a very nice book to read during the Advent season in preparation for Christmas, and a nice way for the family to focus on what is most important during this beautiful holiday.

A charming book I only wish my sporadic spouse Bessie had written.

Shh! Don't tell my dog this, but you don't even have to be a cat lover to be captivated by the wit and charm Kristen Twedt conveys in this first installment of her Crazy Cat series. My children and I can't wait to see what he'll be bringing home for Valentine's Day!

Whether young or old, this book will bring a smile to your face with its gentle reminder of the true spirit of the holiday season -giving. Okay, so the gift is a dead mouse, but it's the thought that counts! Don't miss this first book in the Catastrophe Cat series. With great illustrations and witty prose, this book is the perfect gift for all cat lovers, whether two or ninety-two.

What a perfect addition to your family's collection of Christmas literature! This whimsical rhyme is so realistic for those of us who are cat lovers. The illustrations are adorable! I hope to see many more volumes on the adventures of this mischievous feline!

Beautifully illustrated children's book and the storyline will have kids (and adults) in stitches. Highly recommended!

Santa Mouse is a classic childern's story that still holds up well today. This book is a timeless and wonderful story of a little mouse that thinks enough to give Santa a present. Because of his thoughtfulness Santa asks him to be his helper. Because of his thoughtfulness the story as great meaning at this or anytime of year. The illustration are just as good as the story. If you can find the book buy it. You will not be disappointed. Makes an even better gift and chances are whom you may be giving the book to does not own this wonderful story. Appropriate for childern ages 1-8.

I got this book as a present was I was a kid and absolutely loved it. Now I have a tradition. Whenever a friend of mine has a baby, I give them a copy of this book. That way even more kids can come to love Santa Mouse, just like I did.

This is my favorite Christmas poem after "Twas the Night Before Christmas"! I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is a family favorite. The mouse is so cute. It is a story of gift-giving. How wonderful for Christmastime.

I have been reading this book every Christmas since I was a kid. Every year I leave a piece of cheese for Santa Mouse along with the cookies for Santa Claus. You and your children will treasure this heart warming story for life!

Santa Mouse has traveled with our family for over 30 years. Through joy, triumph, tragedy, births and deaths every Christmas we would break it out. As life has grown and expanded us we have all continued to return each year, gather together and read our beloved Santa Mouse. It has been a missel of love, memories and treasured times that has woven through our lifes like a thread of gold. A wonderful addition to any special Christmas library. Why we just finished it for the 34th time!

Not only did this book give me a thoughtful glimpse into a time of struggle for our country, it gave me the gifts of laughter and tears. You can't read One Holy Night and not examine your own life. It compels the reader to think about honor, family and forgiveness. Don't we all need a reason to think on those things? This is a great book-I have already recommended it to many family and friends.

You might think this is a Christmas story. And it is. Yet, it's more than that. It is a poignant portrayal of one family during the pathos that was Viet Nam, when, in 1966, a son goes off to war.

Mike McCrae writes from Viet Nam that he has met, fallen in love with--and married--a young Vietnamese girl. All the pent-up hatred for all people Asian erupt in Mike's father, Frank, who's memories of his WWII experience in the South Pacific and the unspeakable treatment meted out, have turned him into a bitter, brittle shell of a man. Frank disowns his son. It doesn't help that Frank's wife, Maggie, is fighting a war of her own--against cancer. Frank tries to bargain with a God he's not sure he even believes in for Maggie's life. And Mike's sister, Julie, tries desperately to hold the family together.

This is a gripping and poignant story about a family torn apart by the inner and outward conflict of war, bitterness, pain and anger, and loss. What ultimately happens on a bitter winter night during a horrible blizzard is so touchingly depicted you'll not soon forget it.

An excellent read no matter what time of the year, One Holy Night is a strong, moving story about forgiveness, hope and healing, and redemption. Highly recommended.

ONE HOLY NIGHT is a powerful, thought provoking tale of the battles many of us are faced with at some point in our lives - war, health, ingrained prejudices, overcoming heartache and loss, and, inevitably, the significance of having a Christian faith. I was deeply moved by the parallel J.M. Hochstetler created between the ongoing battle with Maggie's cancer and the battles her son fought in Viet Nam. I was also touched by Hochstetler's character Terry, and how she used him to illustrate to her readers that our soldiers are never the same once they've gone off to war. But God heals all wounds, even if a scar remains. The same is true for Frank who has gone through so much in his life. It was especially satisfying in the end to witness God's miraculous transformation of Frank and to see Romans 8:28 fulfilled to the highest degree! Well done, Ms. Hochstetler!

The debut release from Sheaf House, Hochstetler does not disappoint with this heartrending tale of loss and new life. Frank McRae has lived for decades with a deep-seated hatred and prejudice against Asians due to the things he witnessed -as well as the loss of his brother - while fighting in WWII. He had no interest in God despite his wife's prayers for countless years. But the loss of his wife and son, and the discovery of his half Asian grandson, will shake his world, and bring him from complete hatred and despair to a new life and hope in Christ. I can't wait to see what comes next from Ms. Hochstetler!

One Holy Night offers a poignant look into the lives of one family touched by war and loss. The McRae's are a real-to-life family, struggling to cope with the range of emotions and experiences that humans encounter. While Maggie (mother) battles cancer, Mike (son) fights for his life in Vietnam. While Dan and Julie (daughter) teach their parishioners and community to love through their ministry and example, Frank (father) struggles with deep-seated bitterness and hate that threatens to tear them all apart.

Each member of the family has his or her personal demons to face, while working to relate to the family as a whole. The plotlines combine to create a touching story with characters that you will feel like you know.

Be prepared with tissues. You will need them as you follow their stories through to the end.

I love this book. Tells Santa's favorite story of Christmas which is about the birth of Christ. Santa is sad and tired because everyone has forgotten what the true meaning of Christmas is. I got it in hardback so it would last.

A wonderful children's story to bring the true meaning of Christmas to a child from Santa's perspective

This is a great book that helps keep the meaning of Christmas focused on Jesus, while kids can still experience the tradition of Santa Claus. Basically, Santa explains that Jesus is the real reason for celebrating Christmas.

"No, no, no," said Santa in a kindly voice, "Christmas hasn't got anything to do with me. Sit down and I'll tell you all the story of the first Christmas."

"Santa's Favorite Story" is an attractively illustrated (with watercolors) picture book for children, which helps to de-emphasize Santa's role in Christmas, and helps to place the focus where it should belong. I'm sure the real Saint Nicholas would agree that it's part of his favorite story as well! (For more on the real St. Nicholas, take a look at "The Saint Nicholas Secret," by Dennis E. Engleman, available here at Amazon.com.)

As an Early Childhood Educator, I read many books to children and value quality literature. This story is by far the best book to read to children during the holidays. The connection to Jesus is wonderful. It has become the traditional Christmas story at my school and at home. DON'T LET IT EVER GO OUT OF PRINT.

Yes, I would also like to find copies of this book. I actually ordered from Amazon a few weeks ago and then a week later was sent a message saying they no longer had any in stock. Imagine my surprise when the only one available on their site was listed for $1200+ !!!
This book has always been part of my children's Christmas. It is a very special part of our Christmas tradition. I was looking to give each of my sons one of their own to continue the tradition in their own homes when the time comes.
Does ANYONE know where to find this book?? I know some little old book store somewhere in the world has two copies sitting on the shelf ...

We had two of this set (the first one wore out!)for at least the past 10-15 years as our children were growing. The girls would gather round and read the little books to one another and then tuck them into the evergreen advent wreath for decoration each day as Christmas approached. Then last year, I reluctantly had to throw the set out since it had been fouled by rodents in storage, and was ruined. I never thought it would go out of print-I planned on getting a new set or two, since one daughter is married now, w/ her own home, this year. I can't tell you how disappointed I am to discover that they are out of print and only available used for $1200!!! Is there any way to get this title back in print? From the other reviews,it seems there is a lot of interest in it! M. Susan Sanders

I have a table top sized tree and this book beside of my Nativity. I use it every Chirstmas with my kids to help tell them the story of Christmas. Each day has a small book that tells a small part of the Christmas story...now they (10, 8, 6, and 5) gather each day in December to read the stories to each other. I love it so much, I bought one for each of my kids (yes now because you never know when they will be out of print) and for all of my siblings and in-laws.

I found this book in 1994 and it has been a favorite of our boys, now 14 and 16. We misplaced it one year and didn't get to read it and hang the ornaments. We still had Christmas, but one of our favorite family traditions was missing. I was informed that I'd better find it for the next Christmas-- and I did-- and it was Christmas once again. In fact, we love this calendar/book so much that I'm buying a new one to send to my son who is away at boarding school, along with a small tree on which to hang the ornaments. Just a little piece of home to have in his dorm room. Thanks goodness it's still being published!

We purchased this calendar/book set for our son when he was about 3 years old. He is just shy of 13 now and it is still a tradition to read this book before bed each night beginning on December 1st. When he was little and couldn't read, my husband and I took turns nightly reading to him. He has a very small tree in his room on his dresser where he would hang the book we read every night. Now that he is older, we still take turns reading every night (him included, of course). This calendar is a simple, yet meaningful way for the family to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as well as count down the days until Christmas. My son will hand it down to his children one day and I will be purchasing one for my goddaughter who is just turning one. I highly recommend this!