Christmas Books

the whole family loves the I spy books.. I sat amazed as I realized the four of us were there piling over each other to find the bear.

The I Spy books are fun books to read and do with your children. This book is no exception. It's not too hard for the younger children or too easy for the older ones (adults included).

Sit cozy in your recliner under an afghan and explore this gorgeous book with the little person in your life. So much to look at and search for. The I Spy books are all fun and this one is particularly well done. Children get so excited when they spot the items listed to search for...and find so many more interesting things along the way! All these books hold their attention, stimulate minds, and promote conversation! No batteries required, does not make electronic sounds, does not plug in.

My, almost three, twin grandsons and I, spend many fun times looking for the objects in this book. They get so excited when they find something asked for! My 5 older grandchildren always loved all of the I Spy books too.

This is your classic yet up to date version of "find it" on a picture page. Items are listed on the bottom of the page that must be found by the reader. Some are very challenging! It's great for parents as much as it is for kids! Enjoy!

The entire idea behind The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman was the fact that this was a 'real' romance. She mentioned how she hated romance novels and how this was her realistic romance- it was real. But as I was reading, I couldn't help but notice that this was just another corny romance story. The tall girl with the glasses, who's always loved her brother's best friend, ends up with him. Of course, there's the gorgeous, sexy girl who is caught by the main character kissing the brother's best friend, but he's forgiven in the end. Of course he's handsome, masculine, extremely nice, funny, and smart. There aren't really any faults in his character, and Kate Bjorkman is the typical romance novel girl. I was extremely disappointed. It was way too cliche- even the names were typical! This was no way a 'real' romance, but another corny and hopelessly romantic love story that should have come from Disney.

I read this book for the first time over ten years ago, and it still holds up as one of the best YA novels I have ever read. Superficially, the writing is quick and bright, the characters are engaging, and the pace is spot on. Don't even finish this review, just go read the book.

If you're still on the fence, here is my list of three great things about TURoKB:
1. Kate...Here is a protagonist that anyone love, and bookish young women the world over can identify with. She's intelligent, she's a genuinely good person, and she doesn't spill any ink on youthful indulgences like self-pity or unnecessary rebelliousness. Cheers to strong, self-possessed women.

2. Kate's family...At one point in the novel, Kate decides that her parents are simply too darling and sympathetic, so she makes lists of their faults to incorporate. The resulting lists are some of the funniest moments in the book, and only serve to make her parents seem more endearing. It's hard to write convincingly about a good, stable family without making it seem utterly boring. Plummer succeeds, making us believe that the Bjorkmans really could live down the street.

3. Fleur St. Germaine...She is the revelation of the novel. First, we see one of the loveliest depictions of female friendship and generosity in print when she mentors Kate through romance that the title promises (a necessary counterbalance to the supposed friendship between Kate and Ashley). Second, she makes explicit the undercurrent of feminist ideas that Kate and her family subtly embody. Third, if the reader is so inclines, Fleur can be read as a lesbian. Nothing in the text contradicts a queer reading, and several of Fleur's jokes establish the supporting subtext. As a young woman who's access to even the tamest queer material was restricted, this book was a godsend.

I got this book from the library in the eighth grade and absolutely loved it! Kate's story is so easy to relate to and her commentaries are absolutely hilarious! Every teenage girl I know has been in her situation and she makes it so funny that you can't help but love the story. The Christmas backdrop maskes the book perfect. It's romantic, funny, and a great holiday read!

I picked this up today and just finished it. I don't remember laughing that hard in a book for a long time. Wonderfully cheesy in just the right way, Kate's unlikely romance is, in my opinion, one of the best romance books out there. Kate is a great protagonist that is (thank goodness) nothing like a real romance novel heroine. Her honesty as a story teller and character is what makes the book great. Its an easy, enjoyable read. Louise Plummer has done a fantastic job!

I loved this book so much that I read it every winter-- 6 years later I am still captivated by the story...even at 20 years old. It's like reading it for the first time all over again. You can get emotionally interwined in the pages and there are certain parts that always give me this warm fuzzy feeling accompanied by a smile..no matter how many times I read it.

I absolutely love this book. It's one of my favorites and I read it several times a year. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book, especially if you are looking for something involving romance.

I read this book five or more years ago, and I loved it. It is one of my most favorite books, I could relate with Ellen so much, and I think anyone can, being in love with someone so much, and yet nothing works out. I think this book should almost be required reading for young girls.

I read this book for the first time when I was 14, I am now 30. I love this book, I reccomend it to every young girl. This book will show them that life ia not always sweet. I will give this book to my daughter someday to read, and all of my neices.

I read this book when I was 12; I still remember the day I bought it. I sat in my bedroom all weekend reading it. I loved it so much, I wanted to be just like Ellen. Every girl has a Michael Tyler in their lives! I have read this book every Christmas for the last 14 years. I just purchased a new copy to give to my daughter when she's a little older. I'll never part with mine.

I purchased this book in the winter of my 7th grade year. The story made such an impact on me at that time in my life that it quickly became a favorite. I have continued to re-read the book every Christmas, and it has become my own holiday tradition. Now, at the age of 25, my Christmas holiday just doesn't seem complete without my yearly read of this innocent love story. I have read the story over at least 10 times and thoroughly enjoy it each time. It's my guilty pleasure!

Once again I am enchanted by Robert Sabuda's imagination and genius. This is a lovely collectors book to enjoy at Christmas, or any time.

I already had this book myself, but I purchased multiple copies to give as Christmas gifts this year. I think they were very well received. I have all of Sabuda's pop up books and this one fits in nicely. If you like Sabuda's books, you'll love this one. If you don't have any of his books yet, this is a nice one to start with.

If you are "into" pop-up books this is another to add to your collection. If want to sit and look and read with kids another great book. I would not give the book to the kids, as with all pop-up books this one is fragile

This is a great book to share for all ages. Kids and adults are fascinated by the ingenius pop-ups. A great low tech reminder of the wide-eyed wonder that makes Christmas fun.

makes you feel like a child again..finding a childish fasination
in each pop up..It makes my face light up and puts a smile on
my face with the realization how much work goes into these pop ups

A wonderful book that sends you on a mystery filled christmas wish. The book will keep you reading for hours. I read this book every Christmas to remind me of virtues such as love, forgiving, and living a Christ-like life. I also love the movie by Debbie Reynolds and Neal Patick Harris on DVD.

This was surely one of the best Christmas family oriented book I've ever read! It had morals and values to each and every page. This story tells of a young man around his early 30's who gave up his Wall Street life to help take over the family real estate business due to his grandfather's sudden death. His sense of determination to find out who the mysterious "Lillian" is keeps the reader itching to turn the page. You will find that the ending will surprise you! I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a little uplifting to their holiday spirit.

I recommend this book, it kept me curious to find out what would happen at the end and the end was I would want it to be.

This is a wonderful book. A very touching story. I highly recommend it.

A heartwarming story about a busy Manhattan executive who ventures back to his small hometown to revamp his deceased grandfather's real estate business. He is swayed by his grandmother to locate a mysterious woman who is believed to have had a special relationship with his grandfather when he was alive. A truly beautiful story about romance, tradition and unfailing loyalty that takes place in a Currier and Ives-like location. The ending will knock your socks off and stay with you long after the book is finished.

FYI: The sequel is entitled _The Christmas Quest_.

Cris Cunningham

This was a wonderful addition to my Christmas advent celebration (audio version)! Others have explained the story line, so I'll only add that I found the quality of the narration and sound to be excellent (one demon has a very funny/cheesy voice, but upon reflection, it seems appropriate that a lesser demon would have to pretend to be scary since the poor things have no true power over us!) This production reminded me of the excellent Focus on the Family Radio Theatre productions which I also enjoy.

I love the fact that this story is presented in visions of warfare and heavenly battles since it is so very easy to forget that the battle that has raged since the beginning of time hasn't ended yet. We are still called to be warriors; remembering that our enemy is not flesh and blood and our weapons are not made by human hands.

Listening to this story will put you in a place of awe and wonder and maybe even cheering out loud for our conquering King! There is love, truth, and redemption in this story. A genuinely uplifting way to prepare for Christmas!

p.s. For those who critique everything "spiritual" by requiring that every word come from the Word and be filtered through your doctrinal beliefs, you are missing the point entirely. God's story didn't end hundreds of years ago when the Bible was written, nor does the Bible contain every bit of human, much less spiritual, history of the world. Nor does it contain all of the future (after all, it doesn't mention each of us who passionately believe and are "on mission" for Christ in this day and age,) and we are very much a part of God's cosmic story!

A Cosmic Christmas is without doubt one of the best books ever. I'm 11 years old, in the 4th grade, and want the book for Christmas. Even if you're not a Christian you should read a Cosmic Christmas because it is so entertaining. The plot makes you want to keep reading and holds you in suspense. This book is a major contribution to our world literature, and I think it is just as good, if not better, than Harry Potter.

Max Lucado looks at the Christmas story from a very different angle in his first novel. Loosely based upon the scriptures, the story tells of Gabriel being summoned by the Lord to go to Earth and deliver a great message3 that is reminiscent of the opening scenes of "It's a Wonderful Life". There are some fictional angels who appear now and then, but it helps to flesh out the story. The most poignant scenes are when Gabriel does arrive on Earth and actually is protecting Mary from Satan just before the birth of the Messiah - this is, of course, a fictionalized account.

However, the book does have its drawbacks. First, the size and shape of the book make it awkward to hold and read. This sounds petty, but it was a real problem for me. Also, the illustrations did not add to the story and were misplaced. I could have done without them. Most importantly however is that the book is just too short. There are not enough details and it really feels more like an outline than a compete story.

Why 3 stars?:
While Lucado's first novel is an interesting take on the story of the Nativity, it was not designed particularly well. It will make a nice addition to Lucado fans' bookshelves, but otherwise it could be skipped.

what i understood the intent of this book to be was that lucado wanted to convey the message of the vast love of God. i think he did this exceptionally. the books reads quickly (about 2 hours), and is worth buying for your personal library.

I am especially intrigued by how lucado described the Godhead (oneness) -- very accurate!

I always imagined Jesus' birth as a peaceful event, lambs lowing, all's right with the world. This book opened my eyes to other possibilities and it's probably much closer to the truth.

This is a great book!! The stories are a wonderful collection for anyone who was a child OR adult during this time frame. If not read it anyway, it's very enjoyable to read. I took this book on a flight to Denver and had many people as me where I got it.

This book brings back memories of Christmas past. It is informative and entertaining. I gave this as a gift to four different people and got a copy for myself.

This book was an incredible walk down Memory Lane! I couldn't put it down. For all those reminiscing and hungry for "how it used to be" I highly recommend this book!

I bought this book for my mom (81 years old), and it brought back amazing memories for her from her teenage years through the first 20 years of her marriage. The package of ornaments shown on page 11 is the identical one my parents had bought (which we still have - most of them, anyway!). She (and I) enjoyed it so much, I also got copies for my aunt and a family friend of the same age as my mom. They both loved the book, and talked of all the memories it brought back for them, as well. It's a fun book that wil bring back memories for anyone who lived through those years.

I bought this book last year and again this year sat down to enjoy the wonderful photos. It brought back wonderful memories of a time before consumer advocacy when we used lead and fiber glass all over our homes, and especially during the holidays when we pulled out the painted ornaments (and ashtrays and candy dishes and ceramic figurines of Santa and the Baby Jesus) and angel hair for the tree. I can still feel the itching as I write this :-)

I highly recommend this book for anyone who remembers Christmas anywhere between 1940 and 1965. It brought back some lovely memories (aside from the itching).

Elizabeth types a gift for Jessica for Christmas about their 7th Birthday,and Jessica thinks Elizabeth is selfish.Elizabeth also throws in concert tickets to Johnny Buck.When Grandma and Grandpa Robertson come over they give the twins Harequin dolls and solve the riddle to the puzzle and their medallions.The dolls become real princes named Adair and Dorain.Their kingdom is under a spell of Medwin,an evil Socerer.Adair,Dorain[both twins and Elizabeth and Jessica, freed them from the doll spell Medwin put them under,have to along with Elizabeth and Jessica have to use magic to defeat Medwin.You'll never guess where Medwin ends up when defeated.

When Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield give each other perfect present for each other, they argue about who is being selfish. This leads to the dolls.
To help stop arguing, their grandparents give them twins dolls! Dolls are for babies, the think. Then when they solve a riddle, magic unfolds. An evil sorcerer and two princes are the main focus. Will the twins ever get back to Sweet Valley? And more important - will they ever see each other again?

I read this book about a year ago. A friend lent it to me and I loved it! I then sadley realized that it was out of print. But, I love it so much, I've been thinking of buying it used.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

The writer's imagination was working very well when she invented this marvellous fantasy,one to rival Enid Blyton.At Christmas time,Elizabeth and Jessica (identical twins) follow their dolls,which have come to life,into a vortex that transports them to a strange and scary land.Meet monsters,mermaids,unicorns and one meeeean wizard.Will the twins make it back to the world they know?To do so,they will have to pass the ultimate test.

I probably first read this book 6 or 7 years ago, but I make a point of reading it every year since then around Christmas time. I'm 19 now, and I still find this book extremely entertaining. When I was 12, this book inspired me to write a fantasy book. I'm still working on revising it to this day. I would recommend The Magic Christmas not only to Sweet Valley fans, but also to any fan of magic or fantasy.

A Child's Christmas In Wales CD: And Five Poems
Hurrah! Now I won't have to wait for the radio to play Dylan Thomas reading his wonderful Child's Christmas every Christmas. Truly a beautiful recording of the other poems as well.

My goodness, these illustrations are ugly. They completely detract from the beauty of the language. Either read it out loud to a blind person or stick with the version illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.

This reading of A Child's Christmas in Wales is tops! It wouldn't be Christmas for us without hearing Dylan Thomas tell his story. He recounts a holiday of simple, family and neighborhood doings, and paints a picture of snowy, seaside Wales of the 1920's.

I love this story, as do all my children, who, from their earliest years, have not much struggled with the density of the language nor the scatteredness of the story. 5 of my 8 great-grandparents are from Wales, and the remaining 3 have the blood in them as well, so maybe it is like drinking water for us.:-D Our minds are all scattered, and words, even English words ;-D, fall on us in clumps....which makes it doubly hard to keep a clean house. LOL

The sort of prose-poetry imaginative way of seeing and describing the world unique to Welshwomen and Welshmen and Welshchildren, which does not seek to keep up the pretense that history can be separated from myth, story and desire, and which requires loving with eyes wide open to [and eventually embracing] one's own and others' bumps, bruises and idiosyncracies included, is extraordinarily well represented here. So, by the way, is speaking and listening to the close and Holy darkness!

My favorite version isthe one illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. To me she has captured the complexity of the Welsh personality best, though i have nothing to say against the other illustrators praised in these reviews. I DO have a warning for you: there are some skinny versions flying about which do not have the poem-story complete and correct. This sort of work cannot suffer removal or modification, IMHO.

gbg

If you have read A Child's Christmas in Wales, you know that it has to be a classic. But you can't fully appreciate it until you have heard Dylan Thomas read it. What a deep, expressive, poetic voice. For years, I have listened to the recording on a Caedman record. It is wonderful to have it on a CD.

Ok.. So who cares about cards? they go in the trash anyway... WRONG... These cards were such a big hit last year I look forward to sending them out again this year. While you won't be able to write a novel, you can elevate having to write the ususal mumbo-jumbo because there's not much space. (I'm seeing the glass 1/2 full) The cards are special and interesting works of art. If you are tired of the same old boring cards, give these a try. I am now a loyal fan.

Robert Sabuda's pop-up Christmas cards are absolutely wonderful! I have to buy a 2nd set to keep for myself, or there's no way I'm going to be able to send any out to friends and family. I love that the greeting inside is "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays", so I can give them to friends of various faiths. They're truly exquisite, and are sure to be loved by all. We've been impressed by his books, but these cards really wowed us! It's like opening a little gift each time. My family and I spent a good deal of time going through them when our order arrived, each of us choosing our favorites. What a treat! Robert Sabuda is a master at his craft.

They are just to unique too give away and will make better holiday decorations than holiday greetings. Sabuda is genius.

The cards in this collection are just beautiful, and my friends and family look forward to receiving them each year. I keep a record of which letter of the alphabet I send to each grandchild, although I mix them up, and now they are collecting the cards and working on learning their letters.

By my title of this review I mean, buy one for yourself as well as buying to send. With every letter of the alphabet represented in a small pop-up card it really is great to have one tin in the house to look at the whole set together. They are small but like all Sabuda's pop-up art a real treat to open.