Christmas Books

At several points reading Christmas's 'Write in Style', I was tempted to write a glowing review. Now, I selfishly don't want to. Everyone has at least one book inside them. I don't want you all to know how Bobbie's Christmas's guidance will guide you to tell your story. I want 'Write in Style' all to myself.

I could give a thorough review, of content and chapters, proving myself an excellent writer. But why? With Bobbie's guidance I stand a better chance of writing best sellers. Why write a review when you can write a book. Read 'Write in Style', study it for yourself. It's written by a master.

Not only does 'Write in Style' teach to write clearly, and give you a secret tool to reduce the work, Bobbie's guidance helps to get the story out from your imagination onto paper in the way readers want to read. 'Write in Style' encourages confidence and thereby enthuses you to write with the belief you have a guardian angel on your shoulder.

Thanks Bobbie.

Sorry Bobbie. I want to keep you all to myself.

just Jack

Let's say you're a good writer, have lots of good ideas, interesting characters, whiz-bang plots, all of it, but--you're not getting published. Maybe your writing needs a style upgrade. Maybe you're using passive constructions, dangling participles, weak modifiers, and variant English. Maybe the editors are tossing your manuscripts after the first page. You need to read this book to write with genuine, publishable style.

Author Bobbie Christmas teaches writers like us how to use the Find function on our word processors to track down and eliminate unstylish usages and write tighter, stronger sentences. Not only that, she is witty, clever and easy to read. She doesn't hesitate to poke fun at herself, which makes her teachings easy to swallow. Guess what? This reviewer makes a lot of the mistakes she talks about in her book. Not any more. Armed with Write In Style I will do better, and you will, too.

Writers, run out and get Write In Style today. You will be glad you did. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

An invaluable book for any writer or aspiring writer. Most writing books aren't very objective, but this does it well, showing you how to improve your own style instead of incorporating someone else's. It shows you how to use your computer to help you find and fix problems. It's incredibly helpful, even to the experienced writer. It helped me tighten up my style and make it much more readable and appealing.

Every good writer knows that judicious rewriting makes for a better book. Bobbie Christmas gives us specific helpful tools so that we can do our own revising BEFORE we send our books to the agent/editor/powers that be.

WRITE IN STYLE is packed not just with "Don't Do This" directions, but with often-hilarious examples of how to repair the problems. I use WRITE IN STYLE frequently as a reference tool when writing my cat mysteries. It's handy when I'm editing other people's books, too. But just as often I browse through it simply to get a laugh.

If you write -- this is a must-read. Buy it. Use it.

Unless you are still writing on a typewriter or with paper and pencil, this book will improve your work. First it tells you the kind of mistakes you should be looking for, then tells you how to find and correct them using your word processor.

You won't find lessons on characterization or plot. You will find ways to make your writing tighter and more presentable to both the reader and the agent or publisher you are trying to impress with your work.

The book is more than worth the $13 being asked for it.

My third grade granddaughter is finding the series to be of historical significance and, at least, bearable. At eight years of age, she knew only a smattering about slavery and its impact on families. She knew a little about the Underground Railroad, but learned what it really was. Thse little books make the era seem more real to her. Addy's Surprise brings together some realities of African Americans growing up just after the Civil War in foreign territory, the heartache of separation, learning how to cope, the hope of tomorrow, the reality that not all white people supported slavery and the fact that "freedom" had its problems. It has a positive,though realistic, ending. The reader is left wanting more. The Looking back and Looking forward features keep the reader engaged. My granddaughter cannot wait to see if her prediction that the family will be united comes true.

The book I am reviewing is "Addy's Surprise," written by Connie Porter. I think this book deserves five stars because it was the best book I ever read. This book is about a girl named Addy who escaped from slavery in 1864. She's living in an apartment above a dress shop that her mother works in. Before Christmas Addy sees a red scarf in a store window that she wants to get her mom for Christmas. To earn money, Addy delivers dresses from her mother's store and keeps the tips. When Addy gets home from school one day, she sees the jar full of money her mother and her have been saving to buy a lamp. Here mother really needs the lamp to sew clothes. Addy decides to put all her tip money in the jar. Then one day, a woman with a young girl walk into the shop and the woman gave back a beautiful dress that Addy's mother worked so hard on to make and says that it was too small, so Addy's mother took it back. The next day, when Addy was in the shop and her mother was in there apartment, Addy sees a long piece of red trimming that she could make into a scarf. Addy worked all that day to make the trimming a scarf. On Christmas Addy's mother gave her the beautiful dress and Addy gave her the scarf she made. They wore their new clothes to church and after church when all the kids were watching a shadow play Addy saw a familiar shadow peeking through the door. Read the book to see who Addy's "surprise" is!

I never can quite pick a favorite American Girls character, but I think Addy's Christmas Story is my favorite of those. I think the selflessness she shows (as does her friend Sarah) throughout the story is a wonderful example of Christian love in action.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1864. With Christmas coming up, Addy spots the perfect gift for her mother, a bright red scarf. However, when their church puts out a plea for money for those arriving from slavery with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Addy and her mother decide that their money should go to those less fortunate. In this book Addy learns a lesson on giving and receiving, and hope.

The final chapter is a look at Christmas for African-American children in the America of 1864. This is another great Addy book, with a great lesson and a moving story. My daughter loves this book, and yours will too.

Addy, an escaped slave, lives during hard times with her escaped mother. She wants Christmas to be happy. Will Christmas be a disappointment? Will they find Sam and Poppa, who were sold before Addy and her mother escaped, or Addy's baby sister, whom they had to leave behind? Get the questions answered in this beautiful tale of hope in hard times.

With handmade ornaments to go with this book and allowing children to hang one on the tree each night, it was the highlight of Christmas for our family.

This is a wonderful family focus for the Christmas season. Each day the children are so excited to have their "Jesse Time". One child gets to find the package numbered for that day under their Jesse Tree and another gets to open it when the devotion is done. I hope this will be a tradition in my family for generations to come. Several ladies and I have made the ornaments and provided complete sets to go along with their purchase of this book and it is truly a magical way to teach children of God's promises and love and the true meaning of Christmas.

THIS BOOK TRACES THE HERITAGE OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTMENT. ADULTS ENJOY THE CHILDREN'S DEVOTIONS AS WELL AS THEIR OWN. EACH DAY AN ORNAMENT IS PLACED ON A TREE TO GO WITH EACH DEVOTIONAL.

THIS BOOK WAS VERY INSPIRATIONAL TO MY FAMILY. IT BROUGHT US SO CLOSE TOGETHER AROUND CHRISTMAS. MOST OF THE TIME ONE LOSES SIGHT OF WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT & THIS BOOK BRINGS IT HOME TO NOT ONLY OUR CHILDREN BUT TO US AS PARENTS.

IT IS A MUST BOOK FOR THE FAMILY LIBRARY TO ENJOY OVER & OVER.

Each year a group of ladies (25) gets together and picks a day's devotional and makes an ornament to go along with that day. Each person makes 25 of their ornament and then everyone gets together and exchanges. Finally, you have a complete set that you can use along with this great devotional book!! Each day has a devotion/symbol and there are readings for children and adults. My children unwrap the ornament for the day and then we read the devotional. It makes a wonderful family time!!

This book offers a chance to journey back to the golden age of American rail travel (and model electric trains) against the backdrop of Christmas remembered and re-imagined. Beautifully illustrated and designed, gracefully written, and charming in every respect. A delightful time machine for anyone wanting to go back to Christmas Past, bring it forward into the present, or simply make that festive season last just a little longer.

I am nowhere near being a "train buff" besides admiring the odd model train layout and having ridden commuter trains, but this book is absolutely fabulous. The stories about working on the railroad at Christmas, or riding the train at Christmas, and other train related holiday memories are well-written and make you want to go back to those days. The paintings of trains in the snow are superb and it's great to read those wonderful old advertisements.

What a charming, evocative look at the way Christmases used to be -- people bustling home for the holidays, filled with brightly-colored packages and good cheer, alighting from Pullman cars at snowbound New England railroad stations. Today, we order our products online, grouse about the holiday traffic on choked Interstate highways, and suffer the indignities of overcrowded airports (anyone reading this try to get home for Christmas 2005 via ComAir or US Airways?). I think one of the reasons why we remember the Christmases past of the 1940's and 1950's so fondly is that people remained grounded to the concept of "going home" ... and the chief way they returned home was by being "grounded" to the rails, where an appreciation can be gained for the American landscape, cultural and linguistic differences, and regional distinctiveness. Today, our "big box" stores at a shopping mall in Maine appear little different than those in New Mexico. Yet there was a era when Christmas was simpler, purer, and -- I believe -- more genuine. This simple volume will take you there. I particularly enjoyed the childhood recollections of overnight journeys aboard Pullmans through the snowbound Vermont countryside and the poignant stories of Servicemen who spent their holidays on troop trains. This book seems destined to become a minor holiday classic -- for all of us who still believe in the essential double magic of Christmas and a train trip.

Author Jennison has accumulated many pictures and short tales about Christmas and trains, both toy and real trains. Artistic depictions of railroads in winter and during the holiday season are intermixed with many advertisements that lured customers to the trains at Christmas throughout the 20th Century. Most amazing of all, however, is the text, which is filled with stories about individual's love affairs with trains. I never dreamed that the Lionel train that came out every holiday at my home had such a rich history. If you were enchanted by the Polar Express, you will probably be taken by the many less fantastic stories of Christmas trains that Jennison has accumulated, each of which produced images for the participants as fantastic as any in the Van Allsburg book or the current movie...and the art reproduced in the volume will stimulate many to imagine their own train movies in their mind. A great book for getting in the Christmas mood.

I purchased this book not realizing that it was devoted entirely to trains (both model trains and actual trains) and their relation to Christmas. Now that I'm aware of what this book is, I find it to be a wonderfully sentimental book. (And that is a positive statement!) However, I will be honest and say that those who have no interests in trains (toy or otherwise) would most likely have no interest in it and would probably want to pass on it.

Kyle Preston brought joy to numerous kids' lives during the Christmas season. He loved the job of Santa but he definitely wasn't prepared for a precocious little girl to ask him for a daddy and a present for her mother in the form of a husband to help around the house. Yet luck had it's way when Kristen's mom forgot to turn off the headlights before going Christmas shopping. And who better to come to the rescue? Why Santa, of course. Kristen's mom, Lauren Alexander, was a single parent who had survived years on her own caring for the two of them without the help of her parents. Although she wanted contact, it was out of the question. So when a man decided he wanted to make them a part of his life, Lauren did the only thing acceptable. She pushed him away. Would she see reason when her parents enter the picture? Or will their relationship be totally destroyed? Christmas is a special time of year. One of renewing old friendships and finding some new. Ms. Mondello has created a moving tale destined to brighten the Christmas spirit in everyone who reads All I Want For Christmas Is You.

This book is a warm and tender Christmas story. The lives and struggles of Lauren and Kyle touched my heart and had me cheering for them. A must read for anyone who is looking for a good holiday story.

All I Want for Christmas Is You is a gem of a book. Kristen wants a daddy for christmas and she's picked Kyle. While Kyle struggles to convince Lauren that he is the answer to her hearts dreams, he must also come to terms with ghosts of his own. Lauren can't give into to anything less than true love, it wouldn't be fair to her daughter or her heart. Can Kristen's Santa Claus come through with the daddy she wants, the man her mother wants and the family Kyle wants? From the moment Kristen sits on Santa's lap until she gets her Christmas wish, theis book is one page after another of emotion, love, and good clean fun. Lisa Mondello has made her debut a sparkling one. All I Wnat For Christmas Is You is not to be missed, no matter what time of year it is.

Lisa Mondello has written a warm and wonderful story that's full of Christmas charm. Rich characters and a great romance make this perfect reading for those blustery winter days. Excellent!

When she waddled across the stage to receive her diploma, Lauren Alexander's family was mortified by her pregnancy. Arranging for an adoption, her family hopes Lauren can attend college and survive the family scandal. However, the young mother could not bring herself to sign those adoption papers, leaving town with only her savings and her daughter cradled in her arms. Now Kristen is six, and Lauren struggles to provide all the things her daughter needs. Unfortunately, there's not much left for things like Christmas.

Kyle Preston remembers standing in court at the age of twelve when his father gave him to the state. Foster homes didn't seem to want the boy as much as the check, until his adoptive parents gave him the love he needed. Now Kyle is an affluent real estate developer playing Santa Claus in his own mall. When little Kristen gives her a letter, his heart can't help being touched. Rather than doll houses or easy-bake ovens, little Kristen only wants a daddy to help her momma. With Christmas three weeks away, Kyle finds himself sidestepping the promise.

But Christmas is the time of magic, touching hearts and bringing them together. Perhaps a dead battery can be a blessing if two hearts can be led to find one another. And author Lisa Mondello certainly knows how to bring magic together with love. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS proves a charming novel whether the time be Christmas or summer. With warm characters, a enduring child, and house full of wonderful secondary characters, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS comes highly recommended.

I was delighted to find Apple Tree Christmas is in print again. As a child who grew up in the area where Trinka grew up, I cherish the images the story churns up in my own childhood. The story is a perfect illustration of the real meaning of Christmas. It captures the snowy whimsical nature of Christmas in Michigan perfectly. A must have for any mid-western child, or any child that matter!

I used to check this book out from the library for my children evey year, and the beautiful story with the gentle surprise ending always touched me and my kids. Family togetherness, simple gifts, and overcoming hardship and disappointment are themes here. It is not religious, and so should be appreciated by parents and families of diverse faiths who try to keep Christmas but aren't ready to emphasize the theology found in so many Christmas books.

I wrote the original publisher last year asking for a re-issue so I could send this as a gift, and it is delightful to see it again in print thanks to Sleeping Bear Press. Buy several and support small publishers!

Originally published more than twenty years ago, "Apple Tree Christmas" is an entertainingly written picturebook by award-winning children's book author Trinka Hakes Noble which is enhanced with her watercolor artistry. The old apple tree on the Ansterburg family farm next to their barn had provided sweet apples for pies and apple butter. It's twining vines provided a place to swing and climb. And one special branch was Katrina's spot to sit and sketch and daydream of her future as an artist. But just before Christmas, an ice storm brought down the lovely old tree, and along with it, Katrina's special place to draw and create and dream. Christmas will be ruined this year and for many years to come! Until Papa did some very special things that enabled the old apple tree to continue as a part of an Ansterburg Christmas. Sweet, charming, entertaining, Sleeping Bear Press is to be congratulated for bringing Trinka Hakes Noble's "Apple Tree Christmas" back into print for the Christmas season enjoyment of a whole new generation of young readers.

When I was a little girl, my elementary school library carried this book and I constantly checked it out. I loved the beautiful illustrations. This book and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder greatly shaped my childhood and present outlook on life. Simplicity.

In Apple Tree Christmas, Trinka Hakes Noble gives us a glimpse into her own childhood, although the setting is a Midwestern farm in 1881. Katrina is a budding artist, whose favorite "studio" is the old apple tree. Here she gets her best ideas and dreams of the future. After a blizzard/ice storm, the apple tree is no longer standing. Katrina can't believe that Father and Mother are happy to use its old branches for firewood. Nothing seems right anymore, and even Christmas doesn't feel happy. But Christmas morning brings a surprise for our young artist. Mrs. Noble's illustrations are lovely, filled with much detail of life before the turn of the century -- life without all of our modern conveniences. Be sure to add this book to your collection!

Many (many!) years ago I read this story; years later, I saw the film "Smoke" with Harvey Keitel and William Hurt. I was so deeply influenced by both that I suggested that the Great Books discussion group I was in should read this story for our December reading (never mind that half of us are Jewish).

However, back in the day, the story was only a figment of my fevered imagination, if you searched the libraries or the internet (young then). The story had been published only once, in the New York Times, and then dropped to the bottom of the sea. Meanwhile, director Wang had gotten in touch with Auster and they had agreed to make it into a film. So it HAD to exist somewhere, right?

After digging into the internet, I located a gentleman who had published a limited edition, William Drenttel. He had published it in a small run of very nicely bound books for a lot of money, or a REALLY limited edition for well over $100.

I wrote (humbly) to him, and here is what he said:

Lori, happy to send you the text for the limited use of your reading group.
I've attached it as a Word file, as well as posted it below. Hope you have a great evening on 1/19. Best, Bill Drenttel


Published by William Drenttel New York & The Delos Press
December 1992
Printed by Libranus Press, England, in an edition of 450
Story Þrst published in The New York Times on December 25, 1990.


Auggie Wren¹s Christmas Story
Paul Auster
Illustration by Brian Cronin

So that is how my book group was able to discuss "Auggie Wren" years before this book became an affordable reality.

Of course I think it is a wonderful and complex story about growth, redemption, sadness, joy, pain, and how to move on with one's life...instruction of a sort.

Auster is brilliant, as always.

Auggie Wren's Christmas Story by Paul Auster is one of those short books which is fun to read either before, during or even after the holidays.

Paul Auster, the highly regarded author, is asked to write an editorial piece which will appear on Christmas morning in the NY Times. At first Mr. Auster doesn't even want to write the article fearing he has nothing to say, but then he's worn down and agrees to do this. One thing the author knows is he doesn't want to write
anything sentimental. Readers should think of his thoughts as a non Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. When in fact he sits down to write the article, though, he has trouble actually write this unsentimental tale. Days go by and he has nothing written on paper to show for his efforts.

Fearing he may never write this article, Mr. Auster mentions his problem one day to the man who owns a small newspaper and cigar store in his neighborhood. The man, Auggie Wren promises to tell him a Christmas story if he treats him to lunch. And so over lunch the author listens to a tale which is both sentimental and poignant which asks what does a wallet, a blind woman and a camera have to do with each other. More important than the answer which these questions raise are the more important ones like what is true, what is lying and did any or all of these events really ever happen.

This is a warm and somewhat sentimental story, despite what the author hoped for, about the spirit of the holidays in the tradition of O. Henry's Gift of the Magi. Consider buying this title for next Christmas. This book is just perfect as a holiday gift and sure to be a keeper in the future.

Auggie Wren runs a store where you can buy tobacco and magazines. One day a youth steels a few paperbacks and Augggie Wren runs after him. The young man loses his wallet and Auggie stops to pick it up. He looks in the wallet and finds the address
of what turns out to be the grandmother of our young delinquent. ( I can't tell anymore without spoiling the plot ).

Film director Wayne Wang was seduced by this little story and it was he who persuaded Paul Auster to write the script for "Smoke". (1994).

The present edition of "Auggie Wren's Christmas Story" has two parts. The first part is a kind of introduction and uses a scene from the film where Auggie shows his photo collection to Paul. Even in this introduction reality and fiction are intertwined to become one and the same.(And isn't this the true value of literature, to erase the borderline between dreams and every day reality ?).
The second part is the story like it was told by Harvey Keitel in "Smoke".
At the end Paul Auster says: " As long as there's one person to believe it, there's no story that can't be true."

Auster succeeded in what he attempted to accomplish: to create an unsentimental Christmas story. The story is surprisingly effective, in that the reader is not entirely certain of what direction the plot is going. This slim book -- little more than an elongated article -- is pure, forced action. One event closely follows another. What I enjoyed about it is the series of moral dilemmas offered up to the reader. Should Auggie have turned in the thief? Was it a wise choice to visit the thief's home? Should he have stayed with the grandmother? And should he have taken the camera that he found in the bathroom? If he had not done any of these actions, then we would not have today the collection of Auggie Wren's a-picture-a-day. Does the end justify the means? I read this book to my two sons and had a very interesting discussion regarding the choices that Auggie made. This book, in combination with Auster's "I Thought My Father Was God," makes for worthwhile discussions around small, fascinating stories. The beautiful illustrations by the artist ISOL merit close study.

In this slim book, Paul Auster authors a new version of a Christmas Story. The book recounts a very interesting story about what Christmas means to so many. It represents a time of hopefullness and wishes that people have and how they may come true.

The obvious similarity between Auster's story and O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" involves the giving of gifts, one person to another, but not in the regular way we give gifts at Christmas. In this book, by a simple twist of fate, Auggie Wren, the protagonist comes upon a wallet, that was dropped. For a long time, Auggie just keeps the wallet, but eventually he attempts to give it back to its owner.

Upon arrival at the owner's house, it turns out, that he is not there at the time. However, the grandmother of the wallet owner is there. And she is blind. Yet, she allows herself to accept the visit and perhaps the spirit of Christmas by allowing Auggie to represent her grandson, as the Grandmother to believe that he is who she wishes him to be. Likewise, Auggie allows himself to accept a gift that is given in a very unusual manner.

While Auggie believes that even blind, the women knew he was not her grandson, yet she allows Auggie to act as the grandson, because that is her most personal wish at that time. In return for this favor, the grandmother in turn gives unknowingly, a gift to Auggie. Auggie though is bothered by the manner in which he acquired the gift and goes back to return it. When he arrives, the Grandmother no longer is resident at the apartment.

What actually happens to her, Auster never reveals. However, the concept of the story is tightly bound to the giving of gifts, one to another, and with the gifts, there is both sorrow and love. As each gives what they have, and each sacrifices what they have, in order to please the other.

Such is the case in this book as well. The book is highly recommemded for those who have a familiarity with "The Gift of the Magi" and also with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. A good familiarity with those stories enhances the reader's understanding of Auster's point.

Because of the books short text, it can be read in lest than 30 minutes, but it is strongly advised that the reader reread the book immediately after finishing it the first time, in order to get the full flavor and impact of Auster's version of Christmas.

Children enjoy alphabet books, rhyming couplets and the story of Christ Jesus' birth, so this book combines three winning elements. In addition, the illustrations are especially appealing. I frequently give this book as a gift and highly recommend it. When my twenty-something daughter saw my copy of this book, she wanted one, too. You won't be disappointed.

I think that this book is excelent for young readers who are just beginning. This Catholic Book expresses the spirit of Christmas in a jolly form! When I first turned the page of this book in Kindergarten, I absolutly loved it!

This is a wonderful book for both children and adults. It was written by a second grade teacher for her class to perform and it goes through each letter of the alphabet in order telling the Christmas story. "A is for Augustus who sent out the decree..." I originally discovered it because it was recommended in "The Godparent Book", when I found the library I was in awe. It is one of the few intelligent books the aims to tell the who Christmas story without dumbing it down or putting in overly cutetsy or sentimental pictures. The pictures are lavish and brightly colored. It goes far beyond the standard alphabet format so that even adults will enjoy reading and re-reading it year after year. My family reads one Christmas story every day leading upto the 25th, this is a definate must have for your collection if you do the same thing.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. It depicts the glory of the Christmas season. Not only is this my favorite Christmas story for children, it is also my daughters' favorite Christmas story.

This is a beautifully illustrated book with a simple and wonderful text. I find it a joyful experience to look at the colorful and interesting illustrations. I share it with my daughter, but I purchased the book for myself!

This book is for children of ALL ages. Its beautifully done and the authors creativity is mind-blowing. I could not think of a better Christmas gift. Its the type of book that will be passed from generation to generation

This book is an excellant book. I bought it for my children for Christmas, but decided to read it to them early. They enjoyed it so much, that I had to read it a few times. The loved all the bears, the costumes, the storyline. The book was done so well. It will be a Christmas classic in our household. This is a must have book for all children.

book, outstanding quality, the bears are beautiful, children will love the pictures. A truely wonderful gift for Children and Adults alike. Karen has excelled herself with this book .... a masterpiece!

I loved the use of teddy bears to tell the story of christmas. The presentation of the bears, their beautiful costumes and the way the bears have been positioned in all the different scenes,and the excellent photography. This book is a feast for the eyes. Both children and adults with thoroughly enjoy this lovely story. And no doubt, will look for more from this author - Karen Schuler

We just got this book and added it to our family Christmas storybook collection. We love it. My 6 and 4 year olds really enjoyed it and have pored over the pictures every day since.

I especially appreciated the fact that the Nativity story is faithful to the Scripture. Add the beautiful bears and wonderful photography and this book is a classic.

Thanks Karen and Jimmy for your beautiful work.

The pictures of the cats in this book were so cute. Any person owned by a cat will know that when the Christmas season arrives, cats seem to have this ability to leave a path of destruction wherever they go. The pictures in this book are really funny, especially to us cat people. On each page, there are a few words to describe the picture but the image says it all. Some of the best ones are a nicely wrapped mouse trap with cheese left right infront of a mouse hole. The 'forbidden fruits'.. all of your glass christmas baubles, reduced to tangled shreds. The Powder Room is my favorite. A cat stands beside a festive litter box. The pictures are so clever. Whether they're shredding your nicely wrapped gifts or attempting to reach the top of your tree, it's still funny. This is a book I'd recommend to anyone who has a cat. It's a really fast read but I'd keep it out on the table at Christmas for others to read.

Bought for a relative Christmas 2000. Cleverly done little picture book much appreciated!

Every once in a while a reviewer has to do something silly to keep from taking themselves too seriously. We get in the habit of waxing eloquent over the latest serial killer novel or thinking deep thought about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and we forget that folks like fun too.

So that explains why this reviewer is about to tell you about an out of print stocking stuffer entitled "Cat's Christmas." I received it as an early Xmas/Hanukkah present from a dear friend. Or rather, my cats did. For some reason they actually like the book and are hanging around now waiting for an opportunity to do their own version of reviewing.

I can tell you right now the book is unbearably saccharine, Starting right out with two sealpoint Siamese kissing under the mistletoe. From there, undaunted, it runs the gamut of silly cat jokes, menus, and sight gags. If your cat is one of the more philosophical kinds then he or she may find this booklet beneath them. I believe my female is making that comment when she sits on the volume.

But my male, the more softhearted of the two, is every bit as softhearted and sweet-tempered as are the cats in the book, so he is right here, helping me type this review. Hopefully we will all take the time this holiday to give little silly things as well as the big expensive toys. And not just to out cats.

This small, well-illustrated book is a must for friends of felines and would make a great gift! It contains hilarious cat thoughts!

Well, right on page 18, there are complete instructions for how to "spruce" up the litter box with snowy white litter peaks and fake fir trees.

Bruce Fogle is the author of The Encyclopedia of the Cat and realizes Christmas brings on a certain neglect of ones feline friends as we rush about buying gifts. So, to rectify this oversight, he and Malcolm Hillier created a sumptuous book reflecting the art of indulgence.

If you are looking for a hilarious stocking stuffer, look no further. For cat lovers, they will be amused to read:

Diary of Destruction: December 24

9:30 Taunted the dog from the safety of the garden fence 10:20 Created a crafty diversion and helped myself to the turkey from the kitchen table next door.....

and so on goes the frivolity....until pg. 29, where the cats sing "Peace on earth, goodwill to all dogs...for now."

Then don't miss out on New Year's Resolutions. "Pay attention to my owner at all times, not just before a meal." And then read up to 10 and see that they will NEVER happen.

A real sense of humor and cat paws clapping everywhere as their happy owners read them this feline Christmas fantasy. I love the "Cat-Tail Party" where you will find recipes for devilishly delectable paw dips, including "Salmon Supreme, Catnip Dip, Liver Mousse."

The book ends with an angelic looking cat with some nice fangs! All the still life photography is by Stephen Hayward and the cat photography is by Jane Burton, Dave King, and Marc Henrie.

~The Rebecca Review