Christmas Books

I found this book on the back of an old bookshelf full of some old books. I saw that it was in good condition and had a beautiful cover.
The SECOND I read the first page, I couldn't put it down. I love this book and read it like crazy. Now my dad got it for me off the internet somewhere. It will come in the mail soon and it will be mine. Some parts, such as the line Glory says: "Merry Christmas, Charolette. And Merry Christmas, Morning Glory, wherever you are." made me cry! I love this book and I'm counting down the days until it arrives!

A child's book that an adult can enjoy is a wonderful book indeed.
This one is wonderful!

IT WAS THE BEST I MEAN TOPS I EVEN CRIED SOME IT IS A TOUCHING SWEET STORY YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT TO I AM SURE PLEASE READ IT IT IS WORTH IT IT IS A VERY EDIFIYING AND TOUCHING STORY IT LOOKS BORING BUT IT REALLY IS NOT IT IS THE TOP OF TOPS BOOKS

This book I really liked. I had this book for a very long time, but never really got to read it. I started it one day and I couldn't stop. I finished it within two days. Glory and Lucy Wollcot are sisters living in the workhouse (The home for little orphan girls)in London Town.Their meal are scarce their nights are dark and cold and they hear many terrible storys of little girls who escape then get caught. To brighten up their spirits, Lucy "creates" storys of their family that she barley rembers- and a doll named Morning Glory that they are sure they will find again some day. When a deadly fever comes accross the workhouse, the girls escape without getting caught to the terrible streets of London. When the sisters find an old, discarded doll, Glory is positive that it is Morning Glory. Morning Glory is different from other dolls... And she works her magic on every body!

The Christmas Doll is a children's story about two orphan girls who live and work in a workhouse in Dickensian England. Life is hard for the girls who are constantly cold and hungry. When some of the children in the factory become sick, Sara (the eldest), fears for her younger sister Glory. The two girls run away and have many frightening and exciting adventures on the streets of London, before finding a place they truly belong.

I listened to the audio edition of this novel and really enjoyed it. Sarah and Glory are two strong-minded powerful little girls, whose friendship and loving hearts endure many terrible tragedies. Wonderful. 5 stars. Suitable for all ages. Sensitive really young children should read with a parent.

A touching Christmas story for all ages. It's a wonderful read-aloud for my grandchildren which lends to discussions of Christmas. The beautiful illustrations also by Patricia Polacco add to the story. A story that captures your heart and gives meaning once again to love, faith, and the true meaning of the Christmas season. This is a definite Christmas favorite.

Although I read this story to my students every year, I can never get through it without choking up. Elementary through high school, all students are deeply touched by this tale. The timeless message of love portrayed by all the characters in this book is one you will never forget. It's a wonderful read-aloud, and a useful segue into discussions about the true meaning of Christmas and Hannukah.

This story is a wonderful story anytime of year. This may be my all time favorite Patricia Polacco story. It will touch your heart and leave you with a feeling of optimism and joy.

This is a very special Christmas story. It is timeless in it's message of hope and caring. It will be a story to read every Christimas with your family.

Christmas Tapestry will warm the cockles of your heart, soul, and mind. I'm not sure if it's based on a true story or not, but it sure could be. It appealed to me, as a Christian, (as it would to a Jewish person) because it shows that God is in control, and He works out His purposes, even when we don't understand what's going on.

If you like these heart-tuggers, also try The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

I found the story fascinating and creative. I loved the idea of Mary Jane always waking up in December and being the only one who notices that her entire town (in fact, a Christmas village) has been rearranged, and struggling to make the best use of her time to unravel the mystery before the cycle repeats.
The print in this first edition is pretty small and this makes it a bit of work to read, but stick it out!

This was a magical book that brought out incredible childhood memories as each page was explored. I believe it will find it's way to Hollywood for a wonderful holiday movie release. ( Ron Howard material) Can't wait for the next book by Michael Dutton for more magic on the written page! Great to read with the Jim Brickman-Homecoming holiday CD in the backround.

My mom got me a signed copy of Christmasville at the Courthouse Center for the Arts show in Kingston, RI. I started reading it on December 23rd and just finished this morning, December 26th, and enjoyed it immensely! The absolutely magical concept of a 2-month year, moving buildings, and the same year repeated over and over again is grounded in such detailed, realistic description that the whole thing is at the same time totally implausible and totally convincing. Mary Jane is a fascinating, compelling character, but for me the real star of the story is the world of Christmasville itself, so quirky-but-consistent and so lovingly imagined.
A great book for anyone who is interested in looking at the magic of the quaint and ordinary in a new light.

This is destined to become a Christmas Classic. As a life long model and garden railroader, trains and Christmas Villages have been a part of Christmass for as long as I can remember! I am sure I am not the only person who has rested on the floor and watched the train circle the Christmas Village and imagined what it would be like to live(and love)there and begin to give names to the figures and buildings under the tree. Christmasville brings this concept to life!
The book is like a box of choclates that you just want to savor and last forever. Alas, you know that it won't so you just hope that the last piece will satisfy as much as what came before and Christmasville does this and more.
When it will be made into a movie?
If there's any "downside", and this is not the author's fault, the print is a bit small for these 50+ year old eyes to read. Bigger type and PERHAPS a map of the "current" Christmasville would have made the experience even that more sweeter!
I now find myself looking forward to the sequel where Mary Jane Higgins tries to....... well I'll let you read Christmasville and let YOU discover what the next book is about!

Christmasville really held my interest and I just couldn't put the book down. I could relate to all of the characters and I fell in love with the main character, fourteen year old Mary Jane Higgins. It was such a surprise ending and I can't wait to read the companion novel, Finding Christmasville. This book would make a wonderful Christmas present for everyone on my list.

Love love love this book. As someone who has recently found her "home". Becky Cochrane nails the feeling perfectly. Coventry Christmas is truly a celebration of love, the love that exist between friends, between partners,the love between family members, a girl and her hampster and even between a place and the citizens that choose to be there. This book made it's way under the tree of my friends and family. I wanted to share a holiday blessing ... Can't wait to see what comes next!

Wonderful story. I fell in love with this charming and quirky little town, and with all the people in it. At first, Coventry and some of it's inhabitants seemed almost surreal...a fabled, Brigadoon-ish kind of place that only exists in some other plane of existence. But as the story unfolds it seems less fantastic, and more like the way things should be. We see this through the eyes of Keelie, the main character, who undergoes her own metamorphosis. She starts out as your typical Houston urban dweller...caught up in the daily routines of city life, and becoming more and more unsatisfied with it. Keelie first sees the town of Coventry as a visitor, but over time, and with the help of some very well written characters, she finds herself becoming a resident. I think this story serves as an entertaining and touching reminder that a busy, complicated life isn't always a happy one. Sometimes you have to leave some of the extra things behind and learn to find your happiness in simpler ways, and in simpler places. Definitely worth reading...you'll be glad you did.

I just finished Becky Cochrane's wonderful book A Coventry Christmas. I've enjoyed her other works as part of the group responsible for Timothy James Beck, but it's great to see something of her own.

I love the small town feel of the story, very much like Fannie Flagg. You get wonderful characters that you just can't help but love. She also does an amazing job with her setting. She knows Houston well, and you can feel her affection for it in every desription of the city!

This book is one of the most enjoyable Christmas stories I have read in a long time. This book was not stressful at all. Although most of the story happens around Christmas time. It is also about good friends, family and starting over in a new town. Of course, what is a good Christmas story without a good romance or two. I read to relax, so I am looking forward to the next book by this author.

Christmas is supposed to invoke feelings of goodwill to all men, and cause a person to break out into song and dance in the middle of store aisles as harried Christmas shoppers hustle and bustle around them. To make people carry a sprig of mistletoe in their pocket to use on unsuspecting victims. But for twenty-eight-year-old Keelie Cannon, the only thing Christmas brings her is a splitting headache.

Originally a Georgia peach, Keelie fled to Texas with an old boyfriend and took up a position at Buy the Book, hoping to use it as a transition job before she could locate a more stable position where she could actually put her English degree to good use. Now, years later, the boyfriend is no longer in her life, but Buy the Book still is. Unfortunately, ever since an obnoxious manager named Rodney took over the store, Keelie finds that she doesn't enjoy the position nearly as much as she once did, and the holidays are only working to make her mood even worse. Keelie finds herself craving for a change, and when an unexpected accident, in which she breaks her foot gets her put on workers comp, she realizes that now is the time to seize the day, and make a change. Hobbling around on crutches, and popping Vicodin, Keelie decides to step out of her Texas misery, and head to a quaint little town called Coventry with her best friends Ivy and Evan. Accompanying the three friends is Ted, a bigwig from Buy the Book's corporate office who has slowly wiggled his way into Keelie's good graces. Coventry is everything that Keelie needed. The people all know her name, and couldn't be friendlier; and, thanks to Granny's blog, nothing about Keelie or her friends is a secret. But, somehow, that's okay with her. But when Keelie's hamster, Hamlet, starts behaving strangely, she knows that something is wrong and has to rush Hamlet to the local veterinarian, who happens to be the handsome Dr. Boone. Dr. Boone makes Keelie's teeth sweat, and his presence makes her believe that Christmas miracles do come true, and that she has finally met the man of her dreams. Until she learns something about Dr. Boone that would make any woman with a conscience run for the hills.

While A COVENTRY CHRISTMAS is labeled a holiday story, only the first 150 pages are truly Christmas-related, leaving the rest of the book to take place during the rest of the year. Ordinarily, this would annoy me, and instantly make me put the book down; however, in this case, Becky Cochrane did such a wonderful job, that I couldn't help but stick around - even after the Christmas parts were over. Keelie is such a fun protagonist. She is bitter and negative, laced with a sweet heart, and a peculiar sense of humor. The interactions she engages in with her friends - Evan, Holly, and Ivy - are very SEX AND THE CITY-esque, and leave you laughing out loud; while Granny and her crazy "Sex" night, and blog, present a wacky addition to the tale that make her irresistible. Of course, I can't forget Hamlet, the feisty hamster who, in my mind, stole the show, or Rip, a scarred dog with stories to tell. Cochrane has penned a wonderful novel full of zany characters, and a quaint town that you'll want to relocate to. Warms you from head to toe!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I loved this book and the message it is teaching. God is telling us that by helping others, we are doing His word and carrying on his message. I read it to my grandchildren on Christmas Eve.

The Bible tells of the three wise men, Magi, who came from the East, following a star to the newly born King of the Jews. But, there was a fourth wise man, Artaban, who sold all that he had, and acquired three jewels, to give as his gift to the babe. But, when Artaban stops to help a sick man, he is delayed and misses accompanying the other three, and so he must set off alone. This is the story of the fourth wise man, who seeks the King of the Jews, and finds him in the most unlikely of places.

This is an absolutely wonderful story. It takes the famous 1896 story, written by Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), and puts it in simple and yet powerful words which can be read by the younger reader. But, this isn't just a kids' book. Indeed, the author wrote an excellent parable for all Christians, telling a powerful story in an easy-to-understand manner. I loved the story, and Jackie Morris's excellent illustrations.

I am glad to have this book, and highly recommend it to everyone!

How about something fresh and new to cut through some of the Christmas clutter that seems to spring up around the holiday each year and must always be pruned away before the season can be properly celebrated and enjoyed ?

How about a powerful and moving story that has stood the test of time for a hundred years and is available as a children's book?

How about a meaningful and inspiring tale that the whole family can enjoy together, a fictional story that helps to put the real story of Christmas into its proper historical and cultural context, and expose some of its true meaning?

Henry van Dyke (1852-1933) graduated from Princeton in 1873, was pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City (1883-99), professor of English literature at Princeton (1899-1923), and U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands (1913-16). He wrote the well known hymn Ode To Joy (Joyful, Joyful). He also wrote The Story of the Other Wise Man which was originally published in 1895.

He wrote how Artaban desperately desired to travel with the other three wise men to worship and adore the Christ Child, but delayed his quest to bring his gifts to the newborn king in order to help a dying man, save the life of a baby, and rescue a young girl from slavery. Artaban finally loses every one of his gifts but finds and is found by the King of kings. Henry Van Dyke wrote a touching story of someone who spends his life doing good and searching for truth and beauty.

Susan Summers was a teacher in England. During an epiphany service at a small church she first encountered Henry Van Dyke's story. She was so impressed and moved by it that she began to use it each year as a school assembly topic. After leaving teaching she rewrote the story for children, and dedicated it to her former students.

Jackie Morris created the beautiful watercolor illustrations that accompany the text. They include large panoramic vistas and moving portraits.

[...]

This is a great book, especially for anyone trying to teach the real meaning of christmas. It is in the format of a child's book, but its language and subject matter (including the murder of all babies under Herod) is pretty advanced, so it's appropriate for kids who would normally read chapter books: I'd say 7+ years.

This book should be on the gift list for everyone you know! The original story was written by Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933). Susan Summers has rewritten and brought forth such gorgeous illustrations of a very special tale! No holiday season should go by without bringing this wonderful book out to read in a cozy gathering around the fireplace.

The Fourth Wise Man tells the story of Artaban who had originally planned to journey to Bethlehem with the other three wisemen to pay homage to the new King of the Jews but was delayed by his acts of kindness to others along the way. He does miss the birth of Jesus but continues a lifelong search of the King with a most wonderful journey and blissful end.

This is one of my all time favorites for any season and always brings tears to my eyes to think of the beauty of Artaban's life. Here's what Mr. Van Dyke had to say about his story:
"Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul May keep the path, but will not reach the goal; While he who walks in love may wander far, Yet God will bring him where the blessed are."

A beautifully written, engrossing story of Christmas in a small town where a heavy snowstorm changed the course of events and the lives of many. Theroux paints vivid endearing characters and a portrait of a town I wish was my own home town.

What a charming Christmas fable--it draws you in with its tales of various residents of Ryland Falls and leaves you filled with the wonder of this special season. The appreciation of communities, families and individuals lingers, along with more intangible appreciation of what binds all of us together. This is a treasure!

When I finished reading this absolute gem of a book, I was astonished to find myself sitting there, feeling my heart chakra open, and on the verge of shedding tears of joy. This is one of those small rare treasures of literature that quietly opens the readerÕs heart and lets in a gentle flood of light and warmth and love. A short story written with a deft touch and without a shred of pretense or saccarine embellishment, GiovianniÕs Light displays the effortless mastery of the craft, evoking Guy DeMaupassantÕs classic explorations of life and the human heart. Take time to savour every word. Phyllis Theroux has truly written one for the ages.

Leaving my cold weather roots with the outside temperature at 70, I never dreamed I'd be able to be deliciously snowed in for the holidays cozying up for a fresh winter storm so vividly brought back to life in "Giovanni's Light". Holed up with me, to my delight, were Ms. Theroux's richly endearing cast of characters who one by one are given the chance to revisit the essence of the holiday spirit. I was at home in Ryland Falls eagerly awaiting each turn of events. A great solo read but just as much a wonderful family read-a-loud. It allowed my sun-bathed clan to experience the magic and wonder of a Christmas where nature's snowy blanket sets the town residents on a new course. A warm glow of a book I have continued to buy more copies to pass on to frenzied, frazzled friends who are all begging to find a way to slow down and experience the true gifts of the holidays. "Giovanni's Light" is just the answer.

What does it take for some people to stop their harried pace and take a look at their lives and then, to put a better perspective on what is important and what can wait? In this case it takes a blizzard to force people's lives to a slow crawl and give them the precious gift of time, to clearly see what is taking place in their lives that needs to be re-examined and fine tuned. This is a beautiful, thoughtful tale that encourages you to adjust your priorities to those with real value before something "big" or even tragic has to happen to force you to do so. Phyllis Theroux wisely shows that time is a priceless gift and that to live a fuller, richer life, time should be spent wisely, not nickled and dimed away.

Here's a Christmas children's book that is #32 in books of its kind, and ranked 49,000 overall...and amazon has it available in 2 to 4 weeks, just a week before Christmas. Happily, it's available in many other sites on the web.

I read this book to my daughter's kindergarten class and gave the book to the teacher for Christmas. They loved it. I also took my daughter's matryoshka (nesting doll) to show the children, since the book talks about those. It was a great way to introduce them to some Russian holiday traditions with enough connection to Santa Claus that they didn't just think of it as foreign. But it really ought to be offered as a boxed set with a matryoshka just like the one described in the book! That would be really a wonderful gift.

Great book to introduce you to Russian Christmas traditions and a some common words. The illustrations in this book are great and done in the Russian style (The illustrator was is a Russian Artist).

This story blends the Western and Russian traditions of Christmas in a way that children and parents will enjoy year after year.

This is a beautifully illustrated book about how a young Russian girl helps Santa Claus. It is a wonderful introduction to the variety of ways that Christmas is celebrated in other countries, but retains enough focus on the US to make it interesting to young Americans. My daughters love the book and I enjoy reading it to them as the story is interesting for both children and adults.

In this engaging story, the Snow Maiden's dilemma can be appreciated by all ages. At the point where the Snow Maiden makes a significant contribution to Santa's inventory, she gains self confidence and happiness. A perfect book for reading aloud over the Holidays! Children and adults will delight in exploring the plentiful illustrations.

Review written by Jessie Palmer: Grandmother, elementary school teacher, and reading specialist.

"In The Fullness of Time" is an updated version of a trilogy on early Christianity written by the historian Paul L. Maier. Part I covers the Christmas story, Part II covers Easter, and Part III takes readers from Pentacost to Nero's persecutions. I had previously read and enjoyed a number of Maier's fictional works and I had high expectations for this non-fiction work. I was not disappointed.
The book is a fast read and the author kept my interest. Each section was concise though informative. Information about the region's climate and background stories of some of the key players helped flesh out the familiar story. The book also contains numerous photographs to help the reader visualize the places the author is writting about. Maier avoids sensationally radical theories or over-literalism that mar many works on the same subject. Overall, an enjoyable book about the rise of Christianity.

Pail Maier, a expert in ancient history, has written a great book. from my understanding is that, this book was three different books now put into one. If you are a new Christian, you need this book. If you read this book as a new believer, you will have a better grasp of the background of the NT in reading this book, than going to a expositional preaching church for two years. It will lay a great foundation for your walk with the living Christ. If you a long time believer, and have not read this book, you should, for it will open your eyes, to the NT. Dr. Maier goes into the Christmas story, Easter Sunday and the early church. Great book.

Maier does a good job putting Christmas and Easter into their appropriate historical contexts. Lots of good information that helps to place both into perspective.

The third part of the book, on the early church, is not as well done. There is less historical and archaelogical information brought into play. It was still pretty good, just not as good as the first two sections.

Still, I would recommend this book as one to help build a foundation.

Paul Maier is a truly gifted lecturer. I've had the pleasure of watching two of his videos and if I lived anywhere near Western Michigan University, I'd sneak into the back of his classroom (he is a member of the history faculty there) on a regular basis - he has a gift for making the First Century A.D. accessible.

"In the Fullness of Time" continues this tradition. Maier has basically consolidated 3 other books into one larger volume (with a few changes) and he discusses the first Christmas, the first Easter and the ministries of the early Apostles, especially Paul and Peter.

Maier does a great job of bringing actual documentation that supports the stories of Christmas, Easter and the Book of Acts. He includes the works of Roman and Jewish historians, explains Roman and Jewish religious and political practices and deals with alternate theories that have been proposed. While this could be dry reading, Maier makes it lively and this volume reads more like a novel than a textbook.

So, who is this book for? If you are a well-read Christian who has looked into many of the facts that back the New Testament as it is written on your own, you won't find much new ground covered in this book. The internet has lots of this information scattered about. However, you are unlikely to find sources as concise and as well-written as this one. Plus, if you are interested in further research, it is well-documented with tons of footnotes.

If you are a new Christian or are newly interested in the history behind Christianity, this is a powerful introduction.

I give this one a grade of "A"

Maybe it's because I enjoy reading historical literature... or maybe I am facinated by the notion the Gospel accounts are historical in nature. Paul Maier has done a wonderful job combining backround historical context, archeological artifacts, and a clear logical approach into a credible and refreshing look at what is was like to: experience the first Christmas, the first Easter, and what it was like for the early Christians after the resurrection. This is surprisingly enjoyable read.

As other reviewers have recounted, it is difficult to read this book without shedding tears. It's a marvelous story of a Russian village's return to church. The story is sweet without being cloying, the historical context is spot on (yes, Communists destroy churches, kill priests, and imprison believers), and the iconographic illustrations are nearly divine.

But--the author betrays on one page an unfortunate ignorance about Orthodox Christian worship, especially in traditional Orthodox cultures such as Russia. She has the people waiting patiently in the church for something to happen, and they are SITTING, and then the priest appears, walking down the AISLE.

There are no pews in an Orthodox church hewing to the traditional mode of worship, as would no doubt be the case in Russia.

Still, the book is wonderful and worth getting and giving for Christmas.

After reading the customer reviews, I ordered this book, which came, unfortunately, too late for either Western or Orthodox Christmas. But that doesn't mean it is NOT going to have primacy of place NEXT year!

The truth of the Bolshevik/Communist revolution, their COMPLETE dedication to the utter eradication of the Orthodox, Christian, Caucasian culture of Imperial Russia, is given in this book. (It is historical fact that the vast majority of the early Bolsheviks were 'ethnic foreigners' in Mother Russia; see Wilton's 'Last Days of the Romanovs' for a contemporary account.) This truth is clearly, beautifully laid out in the pictures of this book, which astoundingly can do what a GOOD work of children's literature always does- teach TRUTH.

Moreover, the miracle of a town utterly bowed down before the antichrist agenda of seventy years of Communist rule, springing to new life, is THE most joyous moment in the story. The miracle of the Incarnation in Bethlehem, is made manifest in the miracle of the 're-incarnation' of Christ within the hearts and souls of these simple Russian folk in the village, who can once again, 'worship God aright.' This book is SO much more than just a 'nice story'- it is a parable, a beacon for future generations, that the Church must 'never forget' that those who tried to kill Christ (either then, or nowadays in recent memory), can never succeed at their task, for indeed, "He is risen!" And lives within his faithful people always.

Marvellous book and illustration. It explains poignantly the truth of where "Santa Clause" originated. It is no tale. Saint Nicholas was a real ordinary man who became a great priest of God and Saint by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well for the glory of God.

Being a Russian Orthodox Christian and also first-generation born American, it was very touching to me. I loved it. It made me cry. A story of sadness that turns into great joy. Beautiful artwork!!!

Our family has read this book countless times, often at our children's request. The frustrating part is that both parents have yet to make it through the book without shedding tears! A touching book based on real-life experiences of people throughout the former Soviet Union, in a format eminently suitable for young children. Highly recommended.

It was about 5 moose that couldn't find a Christmas tree. It was okay. I rate it three stars.

My 4 1/2 year old daughter is an avid reader. We got this book last year around Christmas time, and so far, I've read it to her way more than 100 times. (At least 3 times a day for the whole month of December 2004 and January 2005. I lost count afterwards.) By around 10th read, she knew exactly where to say "perfectly perfect". By around 20th read, she read aloud with me every "check" and every "perfectly perfect". I dare say by around 50th read, she memorized the book front to back, and would tell you if you skipped a word and which word that was. When we weren't reading, she would mumble to herself this marvelously rhythmic story over and over again. I had to hide this book after the holidays to end her obsession. Now, my daughter is a wonderous adverb-maker, thanks entirely to this book. We've read literally hundreds of stories so far, but no other book rises to this level of loyal infatuation.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. I had trepidations about a moose with a moustache, but it turned out to be hilarious. My 5 and 3 year olds were laughing hysterically. I ended up buying a bunch of these from Scholastic and giving them as neighbor gifts.

I fell in love with Moostache first. When I read Mooseltoe I was hooked again! My daughter is 3 and has already asked me to read it over and over. I even volunteered to read it to her class and it kept the attention of almost 10 2-3 yr olds! I have ordered 5 copies of this book(so far)to give as gifts this year. I promise you will love this book!

Escape the frantic pace of the holidays by sitting down with your child and reading about it in this book. Margie Palatini's wild, rhyming writing style will keep kids entertained. They may recognize their parents' yuletide behaviour in Moose's manic preparations -- and his inevitable forgetting of a key Christmas element. The moral of the story is a tribute to those who will do anything to make everything just right.