Christmas Books

The knowledge the authors have on Christmas collectibles is massive. They are historical,and humorous. I bought the first book when I started collecting pixies and learned so much more from them about trim, authenticity and why people started decorating the way they did from the early 1900's through the 60's. This book is lovely, but their other book is better. I hope they write a third.

This is a such a fun little book! Warm holiday memories, lots of humor and beautiful photography. I thoroughly enjoyed every page! The best gift book you will ever find for a vintage/antique ornament collector.

Charming and nostalgic, giving us a glimpse into the history of holiday adornment. A great stocking stuffer!

Debbie Elliott

Even if you're not particularly sentimental about Christmas, the images and recollections of the authors are a delightful experience. The photos and graphics are charming and magical, obviously done by people who truely love the Christmas season. Anyone can appreciate the vintage flavor of this little gem.

This book brings back so many great memories of Christmas and decorating the tree. It was so much fun reading and looking through every page for ornaments that we might have had on our trees over the years and seeing the many different kinds of ornaments. It is a book that I will spend much time reading and viewing for many, many years.

This was without reserve the best Christmas music and movie review book I have ever read. The comments were both intelligent and funny. The whole book was both well researched and entertaining. The world is a better place because of this book.

Once you get this book, you may not want to have another Christmas without it.

In more than 280 pages, the authors discuss all things Christmas as they pick their "Top 10" in categories ranging from mistletoe to carols, from rangifer tarandus (reindeer) to animated cartoons. The choices are necessarily subjective, and much of the text is funny, filled with references to pop culture, music, TV and film. Pick your idea of the 10 worst Christmas songs on the radio, and see if your list compares with theirs.

The authors include scads of trivia and the inside scoop on holiday history and traditions you may never have heard of.

As you enjoy the nostalgia you'll also find useless but fascinating stuff like this: Somebody figured out that Santa has to visit 91.8 million homes in 31 hours, which means he has to make 822.6 visits per second and travel at 650 miles per second. Whew!

This would be the perfect book to have on hand for guests at Christmas, and it would make a great conversation-starter. It's fully indexed, and the bibliography includes quite a few Web sites for follow-up.

CHRISTMAS'S MOST WANTED is a reference book about Christmas customs, traditions, songs, films, evergreen trees, music, cards, foods, and a lot more.

Do you associate a certain film with Christmas? Well, this book gives detailed information in the chapter called Holiday Movie Classics. Some of the old movies mentioned are: Holiday Inn (1942), Christmas in Connecticut (1945), It's A Wonderful Life (1946), The Bishop's Wife (1947), Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and White Christmas (1954). With each film, a brief summary of the storyline is given and all of the actors are named. I have to say that was my favorite chapter.

You can also learn about the tradition of mistletoe, sending cards, singing carols, how Santa's reindeer were named and questions you never even thought to ask!

The book answers a lot of questions and I thought it was well researched, but this is primarily a secular book so don't expect many religious topics. Most of the religious references are in the chapter called Nollaig Shona which is Merry Christmas in Irish. The two references that I found to the Magi (Wise Men or Three Kings) was in a paragraph about the song, "Twelve Days of Christmas." In the song, the Twelfth Day is the Epiphany, the day that the Three Kings brought gifts for the Baby Jesus. (That's the reason that many of us leave our Christmas trees up until, January 6, which is the twelfth day of Christmas). The other reference was about a piece that was done by Dave Brubeck.

The word Christmas comes from two words put together. They are Christ's Mass.

This book will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit as you learn everything you wanted to know about Christmas but are afraid to ask! I highly recommend this as a read for yourself and a stocking stuffer for others.

This book is a real treat. It's a lot of fun to read about all the different kinds of trivia in here. I love holiday music, and it talks about all the great ones, and some new ones I haven't heard of before! And the movies and cartoons, brings back a lot of childhood memories.

Tons of short, fun, interesting snippets of holiday information. Just perfect to pick and read for a few minutes. This book is the perfect holiday "bathroom" book, and I don't mean that in a bad way. There's something in here for everyone, and tons of short, fun, and interesting trivia about Christmas. As the other review said, you can read a chapter or two then come back to it later.

Leave it out for guests to read, too. It makes Christmas more fun!

Another classic story by author/artist Graham Oakley. The church mice books are his best, the artwork is priceless (and hilarious!). Check his other books out too. They are great.

I first came across this book when my daughters were very young. We checked it out of the library and read it over and over again. The inventive approach to getting things done by the mice must have inspired me because I conveniently lost the book, paid the library for it, found it and kept it. I'm so pleased to be able to get some of their other books now because I've looked for them for years without success. Now that I have a grandchild, he will need to hear these tales too.

I definately have to agree with the 5 star rating that other people are giving this book. It is quite complex. However I was reading them in grade 1 so how complex is that. I'm trying to remember exactly how the story goes because I read them like 13 years ago. Needless to say I love this series, my brother in-law is about my age and he remembers reading these books (Church Mice at Christmas was his very favorite). I've been searching for this series for a year now since my son was born because I would like to own the whole set so he can read them. Lastly if anyone at all knows where I can get these in hardcover I would greatly appreciate it! I wish they would reprint them. My brother in-law does, too. My email address is emeraldeire@hotmail.com

As a writer of children's book myself, I was enchanted when I found this book by Graham Oakley in a used book store. I had not read anything by him before. Now I am actively seeking his books. 'The Church Mice at Christmas' is the hilarious story of church mice who are inventing schemes to finance a Christmas party. The text is charming, but the pictures are fabulous. His attention to detail is equal to Graeme Base, author of 'The Eleventh Hour' and 'Animalia'. The pictures have so many bits of humor dabbed about, you have to look carefully or you might miss a real good laugh. This is truly a 10 stars book! It was published in 1980. Hopefully it will be printed again soon.

Young children like these stories, but older kids and adults get the most out of them. Most of the humour is in the fantastically detailed funny pictures, which clash delightfully with the serious-sounding text. This is my favourite of the Church Mice stories. Some wonderful scenes include the Mice raffling-off Sampson (the Church Cat) to raise money for their party, their hopeless attempts at carol-singing for the same purpose, and the burglar dressed as Santa (he has a bag on which he has crossed out "Swag" and written "presents"). Also look out for the bizarre Christmas window displays in town.

If you can't find them here, many of Graham Oakley's books are now in print through Amazon.co.uk

This is a book for re-reading over and over. Each time you look at it you find more wonderful detail. Church Mice are for life, not just for Christmas.

when will i have the time to make these cakes. some look so outdated. duh i should have known. but i love Collete Peters and am glad to have one of her books.

Each year I prepare the desserts for my husband's office Christmas party (over 400 guests). I always try to come up with one special "show stopper" and Colette's chocolate bowl and ornaments was it for last year! I'm certainly a beginner but, with a little practice and Ms. Peter's clear instructions, I was able to create pieces that were the talk of the night. Several people even asked to take one home to show their family. I can't wait until next Christmas when I can try something even more amazing!

I treated myself to "Colette's Christmas" by baker extraordinaire Colette Peters while on vacation. It seemed a strange thing to read while at the beach, but I was absolutely captivated. What a fevered imagination Ms. Peters has! The showstoppingly gorgeous desserts and projects she shows within include a layer cake covered with fondant that has been pieced and quilted to resemble and antique quilt (and it surely does); a chocolate bowl filled to overflowing with spectacular chocolate spheres (the cover photograph); hinged, jointed cookies which really move and make splendid Christmas ornaments (all in human forms, like Santa, Raggedy Ann, and so on); gift boxes made entirely of decorated cookie dough; a shimmering "stained glass" cake; and a three-dimensional Christmas gazebo constructed around a towering decorated Christmas tree made of piped icing.

Even if the projects herein appear way too complicated or time-consuming for most people--as they do for me, I'll admit--Ms. Peters gives splendidly clear, concise directions in a conversational tone that make starting your own gingerbread house seem, somehow, not as daunting as it really should be.

If you're a Christmas junkie like me you'll *love* this book. The author manages to make breathtaking edibles that capture the season and will have you trying them out regardless of the time of year. Truly inspirational!!

I'd definately give this book six stars if they had the option!!! The descriptions on each item are incredibly detailed making it so ANYONE can follow the directions and have it turn out as nice as the pictures. The book takes what looks INCREDIBLY complicated and makes it so even the novice could recreate it. Definately a must have in any Christmas or baker's collection!!

For those of us who have done some reading about Russia history, this book fills in a lot of the background. Life as it was lived and experienced from a family's point of view, outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow. Learned many fascinating bits of information, for example that beets, potatoes and cabbage were introduced for human cosumption in Russia only in the late 19th century.

The first half of this book is both leisurely and entertaining, giving us a rich and at the same time penetrating look at the life of a wealthy family, its estate, and the villagers who were their neighbors. The second half, concentrating as it does on post-Bolshavik experiences, both in the rural village area and elsewhere, including a gulag on the White Sea, cannot be more riveting. It's hard to remember that all this really happened; it is no fiction, or creative dramatization. At the same time, there is the sweep and intellectual vision that one does associate with the great Russian novelists of the early part of this century and before. I have sent this extraordinary book to friends of mine, and I am its ardent publicity agent!

Serge Schmemann has written a terrific book about his ancestors on his Mother's side, the aristocratic Osorgin family. He traces the estate in Sergiyevskoye (now Koltsovo) that Mikhail Osorgin acquired in a card game in 1843 to the present day. It is a facinating tale interspersed with a history of the country from monarchy to communism to today. Schmemann, the son of an noted Russian Orthodox priest, is emminently qualified to write such a book. He spent many years in the Soviet Union as a reporter for the New York Times prior to winning a Pulitzer for his reportage on the fall of the Berlin Wall. The book is well researched and balanced with little tears shed over how his family lost everything to the successors of Lenin. This is his first book and it is written as what one would would expect from a newspaperman. The balalaikas do not strum and the book does lack the flavor that a book writer would bring. Never-the-less, it holds ones interest for all 333 pages. Unfortunately, Schmemann is currently an editor at the Times, so one misses his excellent columns. We look forward to his next book.

A well researched history of a Western Russian village that provides great insight into Russian character, especially the impact of history on forming Russian character today. Written by a New York Times writer who spent ten years in Russia and is a descendent of the nobility that formerly lived in this village.

Amazing.

The author comes from a family of Russian emigres who fled to the West as a result of the Russian Revolution. Before the Revolution, they were part of the minor nobility that supplied the Tsars with military officers in time of war and high- and mid-level government officials in time of peace. The book is mainly about how this family lived through the tumultuous period before, during and after the Revolution. The descriptions of Russian life during this period are vivid and engaging. The family portraits of people struggling to serve and save their country (and ultimately suffering the cruelest repudiation by it) are poignant. And the pages sparkle with objective analysis and insight. In spite of his family background, he does not grind axes or pine away for what was lost. And yet, although much was lost, his love for Russia and its people is clear. He sees clearly that the old order that was swept away in 1917 had its shortcomings, shortcomings that he warns may yet undermine contemporary Russia's latest experiments with constitutional democracy.

This cookbook should be a coffeetable book except for the amazing and easy to follow recipes inside. There are beautiful pictures and just about anyone could follow and accomplish extraordinary results from the pages of this book. A friend of mine gave it as a gift to her 20 year old daughter and the rest of us ran out to buy it right after. You will not be sorry for adding this one to your collection.

I love cookbooks, and was given this book as a gift by my company as a thank you for overseeing the company Christmas Party. I immediately fell in love with it. It's the one book, you don't want to live without. I use it time and time again all through the year. It has fabulous recipes. They are easy enough for the whole family to be involved in. It's very well written, and has a huge selection of recipes to pick from, of all variety. It makes a perfect gift for someone also!!!

I know it's only October (it's October 5 as I write this) but somehow October for me is the beginning of the holiday season, first Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then, of course, Christmas and the New Year. So feeling all holiday like and all, I went to my stash of cookbooks and pulled out GIFTS FROM THE CHRISTMAS KITCHEN because though this book is and was meant to be about goodies you can make in your kitchen and give as a gift on that special day, you can also turn to it for better than excellent deserts, coffee cakes, muffins, scones and so much more.

Last night I made the delicious Black Russian Truffles from the recipe on page 326 and let me tell you these babies melt in your mouth. They are just oh so good. And what a nice surprise to the end of a meal, I mean anybody can go the market and pick up a tub of rocky road, that doesn't tell whoever you're making dinner for that he's special, but these truffles sure do. This book would be a very nice addition to anybody's cookbook library and if you get can't think of that special gift, it's a good place to turn.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

I was so pleased with the book ,the service, avd the way the book was shipped. It was wrapped so well and with care. I was a happy customer, thank you.

My copy of this book is dog-eared, wrinkled and caked with flour, sugar and many other splatterings. If you can follow a recipe (written in an easy to understand manner), you can be the star of any get-together... and not just during Christmas! I have tried almost every recipe in this book and in its' partner book, "Best Loved Holiday Recipes", and every single time my finished product looked as good, if not better, than the picture in the book. If you're looking for tried and true WONDERFUL recipes for years to come, buy these books. They're the best cookbooks I've ever had!

Across the board, I recommend all of the Fischer Price Lift The Flap books. My son really enjoys these.

I just love Fisher Price. They have so many fun things to pick from. One of my favorite things is the 'lift the flap' books. My grandchildren and I have so much fun reading them. We put the Christmas Time book with all of my other special Christmas books and I think it was used more than any of the others. We have put them away now and will get it back out next Christmas and once again it will be a favorite to be shared by all.

I bought this book for my daughter who is almost 3. She has all of the other Fisher Price flap books and adores them all, so when I spotted this one I knew we had to get it. She loves this one also. I recommend all of the "Little People" flap books for boys and girls alike.

I bought this for my two year old granddaughter after she enjoyed other books with flaps to peek beneath. She loved this one too and wanted to read it at least 2 or 3 times a visit. Not much of a plot but she loved looking at and talking about the pictures.

I highly recommend this book for babies who are just beginning to hold and play with books on their own. My daughter was 7 months old when I bought her this book and she absolutely loves to pull up all the tabs. This book is one of her favorites and she'll specifically seek it out and sit and turn the pages and play with all the tabs. Unlike a lot of other books with flaps or moving parts, these can't be easily torn off and have been sturdy enough to hold up repeated lifting and occasional chewing and drooling. The pictures are well-drawn and the quality of the book is good.

Just FYI, this book avoids the religious aspects of Christmas and focuses on things like decorating, Santa, and activities such as sledding and caroling. That may be a plus for some people and a minus for others!

When I first sat down to listen to his audio of this book, my mind was filled with the business of the season. I was bored with listening to a story when so many other things were expected of me. Later I decided to stop buzzing around and relax and try listening again, and I am so glad that I did. It is truely a story of hope, a story of love and it brings Christmas Day so much closer to the reality of the season. This will truely touch your heart. Charleen Crenshaw.

This is a wonderful holiday tale. It's right up there with Miracle on 34th Street and the movie version of White Christmas. The premise is totally original. this story will touch your heart and make you ponder the magic of Christmas!

This is truly a Christmas classic!

Another Christmas classic: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--this story shows the miracles that occur as a result of simply thinking of others.

It's not only a beautiful story but the book itself is the highest quality. I wanted to share the "Christmas spirit" with my children and friends.

A Christmas tradition to be read every year. I must point out that this edition does not include the CD (which you definitely need to have!) but if you like to play the songs yourself, it includes the score. Nice print, comfortable to read... Just great.

I got tired of our son borrowing ours and not returning it until after Christmas so we got him his own...finally. We love this story.

My wife and I bought this book for our 10 year old son just prior to Christmas. He absolutely loved it. The characters seem to come alive and often remind you of everyday people. Dr. Bush truly makes the spirit of Christmas come alive in this fasinating fantasy tale that teaches as it tells. The illustrations are great and help your imagination to vividly see the story as you read it. I would recommend this book for all children and any adult who wants a fun read.

My wife and I bought this book for our 10 year old son just prior to Christmas. He absolutely loved it. The characters seem to come alive and often remind you of everyday people. Dr. Bush truly makes the spirit of Christmas come alive in this fasinating fantasy tale that teaches as it tells. The illustrations are great and help your imagination to vividly see the story as you read it. I would recommend this book for all children and any adult who wants a fun read.

I will never be able to look at a tin soldier the same again. Beautiful, with enough fun that you don't realize how many lessons you are learning about how to make it through the tree of your life without falling into the dark pits.

Dr. Bush has created a masterpiece of Christian literature with particular emphasis on the idea of "true magic" and what it should mean to the celebration of the Christmas holiday. It succeeds in portraying the gospel of Christ without falling into the trap of being "preaching" or merely reciting the Romans Road and hoping for the best. Humor is certainly one of the novel's main draws; many of the characters will remind readers of people they know(or wish they didn't know). However, its purpose is to educate the reader about the tradition of Christmas and to ultimately draw them to the value of love and child-like faith. Did I enjoy it? Hey, not every book can give you a reason to believe in Santa Claus again!

Reader: Laura Joy Francis

Chris and Laura's father brings home a Christmas tree ornament said to have the power to give an exciting Christmas dream. Chris and Laura place the ornament on the tree together and get more than they bargained for. They are transported to Arboria, where the wicked Lesnit is spreading greed and hatred throughout the land, and has set his sights on conquering the beloved Tree King, ruler of Arboria. Chris and Laura, protected by the angelic Lady, get first-hand experience with the struggle between good and evil, and come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Randall Bush weaves a fascinating tale steeped in Christian metaphor. Both children and adults will find this story not only entertaining, but also meaningful on many different levels! We rated this book five hearts.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R285V63257WHVK Cullen [...] reviews this book and gives you ideas on how to use to use it interactively with your child. For you I have more video book reviews, free children videos and free activity idea videos at the [...] website. If you have a children's book you would like me to review and offer ideas on how to use it interactively with children [...]. Also, feel free to to add me, Cullen Wood, as a Facebook friend.

What a fun introduction to the world of dinosaurs! And yet with plenty of information to challenge the most avid dinosaur fans--in fact, this is a handy resource for anyone. If nothing else, Barton's crayon-box colors are addicting.

This has been my son's favorite book since he was about 8 months old. I was suprised how well he took to it as such an early age. He is now almost 14 months and still can't get enough of it. It is the one book he will look around for and really insist on having at his high chair during meal times. Agree completely with the other reviewers who mentioned how fun it was to make the dinosaur noises and that the "long sharp claws, long sharp teeth" part is especially fascinating for the child. Even when i don't have the book handy, just by saying the opening lines...a long time ago...there were DINOSAURS -- brings a delighted smile to his face every time.

He also enjoys "My Car" by the same author although that book is not as simple (i.e., talks about car needing oil change, obeying traffic laws, etc.).

Excellent book for the young dinosaur fan. Good drawings, informative writing, and definitely keeps the attention of my most active grandchild (age 3)!

This is my son's favorite, and mine too! Although he's only six months old, I've been reading to him almost every day since he was old enough to pay attention, and he has loved this book from the word go - probably because of the bright colors and simple shapes, but maybe also because when I read it to him it's fun to make "dinosaur noises" and roars, which he finds very entertaining. Although I have read this book so often that I have literally memorized it, I'm not tired of it yet, and that's about as high a recommendation for a baby book as I can make!