Christmas Books

When Santa needs a vacation, all the other holiday characters pitch in to help with Christmas. Reiss and Catrow make a great pair. A silly story with many tongue-in-cheek jokes makes this funny for both adults and kids. Be sure to look at the illustrations for further humor. Great detail in the artwork.

We bought "Santa Claustrophobia" for our annual Christmas book (year 12). The author has created another fun story with witty writing and wonderful illustrations. Kids and adults will find this book is filled with Christmas fun!
I also recommend Mike Reiss' "How Murray Saved Christmas" ; you will not be disappointed!

What a great writer with an amazingly creative mind! How Murray Saved Christmas & Santa Claustrophobia are my 2 favorite Christmas books to read to our kids. I cannot recommend them enough. I have purchased them for my nieces and nephews too!

My family and I have already enjoyed a couple of other books by Mike Reiss, and this one shares his lively wit and terrific way with language. The illustrations are gorgeous, and almost as funny as the text. If you read to your kids, and you've got "Santa Claustrophobia" on hand, you'll look forward to the story hour as much as they do.

Poor Santa is burned out. He asks for advice from Doc Holiday. Doc suggests a sunny vacation in Aruba. What about Christmas? No problem! The residents of Stinky Cigar agree to fill in for Santa. Stinky Cigar is the town where holiday icons like the Easter Bunny and April Fool rest in between their holiday duties. With good intentions but no organization, chaos insues. The Easter Bunny is painting little fire trucks easter egg pastels. Cupid is making romantic cards for xmas gifts? Of course, Santa comes back just in time to save xmas. He has a lovely tan and is 19 lbs. lighter. All of this is told in rhyme!! I bought 2 copies today. Both the adults and kids will laugh out loud.

This beautifully illustrated and emotionally charged childrens book left me teary eyed and filled with the spirit of Gods love for all creatures. The ever familiar nativity story of the birth of Jesus is refreshingly told through the eyes of a pack rat named Sarah. As a gift to the Crist Child she yields her most treasured possession, a shiny bead tied about the new born king's wrist with a special thread from King Davids robe, a gift from a pack rat travelling with the Three Wise Men. In so doing she experiences Gods love and understands the miracle taking place. The book makes an ideal holiday gift and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. As a childrens book for reading it is ideally suited for ages 5 to 9.

This unusual story for children, which is lyrically and beautifully ilustrated and written by Caroline Garrett combines a wonderful imagination with a spiritual vision and a love for children and animals. The book exudes gentleness and calm as well communicating its profound message in a clear way.

This beautifully illustrated and emotionally charged childrens book left me teary eyed and filled with the spirit of Gods love for all creatures. The ever familiar nativity story of the birth of Jesus is refreshingly told through the eyes of a pack rat named Sarah. As a gift to the Crist Child she yields her most treasured possession, a shiny bead tied about the new born king's wrist with a special thread from King Davids robe, a gift from a pack rat travelling with the Three Wise Men. In so doing she experiences Gods love and understands the miracle taking place. The book makes an ideal holiday gift and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. As a childrens book for reading it is ideally suited for ages 5 to 9.

The nativity story, one that is familiar to many, is retold from the perspective of a pack-rat named Sarah. In this children's book, Sarah learns about hope and love by giving the Baby King her most prized possession--a lovely green bead! The full-page color illustrations bring the story to life as they capture the magic and wonder of the miracle of the birth of Christ. Sarah's Bead is a delightful story that is appropriate for both young and old and would be a wonderful treasure in any family's storybook collection!

Sarah's Bead is a refreshing, warm retelling of an ageless story. I was deeply touched by this book. As a creative writing teacher, I often look for books to share with my students as a read aloud. This books explores with students and adults the joys of sacrifice, of giving, and of love. The book not only touches on a Christian theme, but a universal one that can be shared by all people of different faiths. The words of the story are beautifully enhanced by the illustrations.

People my age were taught citizenship in school and were taught to respect the President. I have always been fascinated with the personal lives of the Presidents and the folklore of the White House. This book does not disappoint if you like the "behind the scenes" information on the White House and its past residents. I also recommend the one written for children by the same author. This puts politics aside and restores some pride in the institution of our Presidency and their families.

Season's Greetings from the White House is an excellent source of presidential Christmas/holiday items from the early part of the twentieth century to the present. Each President's holiday greetings along with staff gifts are shown. Mrs. Seeley has written an superb book which continues to grow with each new edition. The quality of photographs and the amount of them in the book make it worth the price. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in not only presidential items, but for anyone who has any interest in the holiday season.

Anyone who has ever been interested in Christmas and what it means to the residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue MUST get this book. A treasure that will be loved forever....a history that is important to America! Mary Evans Seeley has it all here! Thanks! Chis Allen

Mary Evans Seeley is an expert on Christmas celebrations in the White House. Several years ago, she decided to share her knowledge and research dealing with personal First Family recollections and the result is the wonderful book "Season's Greetings from the White House."

It is a book for historians, Americana fans, Christmas collectors and art lovers. More than just behind-the-scenes stories, this richly illustrated volume shows, in full color throughout, the actual cards, prints and other Presidential gifts of sterling silver, pewter, glass, wood and leather. Most of the gifts were designed for distribution to White House staffers.

Seeley, who resides in Tampa, Florida, shares with the reader, the personal experiences of the wide variety of artists whose works came to grace Presidential cards and gift prints. To bring in historical color, the author interviewed a number of First Ladies and children of First Families.

The book's frontispiece displays the magnificent Neapolitan Baroque crèche in the White House East Room in 1963. The photograph was selected by President and Mrs. Kennedy for their Christmas card scheduled to be sent in December. Less than 30 were personally signed by both the President and First Lady prior to their fateful Dallas trip. These dual-signed Christmas cards are among the rarest of all Presidential Christmas memorabilia.

The photos of Seeley's historical collection of White House Christmas cards offers an interesting glimpse of our nation's culture and its values through the years.

It's no matter if you look upon the book as a major scholarly effort or simply a beautiful insight into the traditions of our First Families, "Season's Greetings from the White House" makes an excellent gift for the holidays and is a wonderful reference book for historians who are seeking the human side of Christmas in the Presidential Mansion.

All White House Christmas books will be measured by this one in the future. It is incredible. A must for all collectors of White House Christmas memorabilia. Every home and office should have this book on display during Christmas time.

Not only do I now have all of Marlene Sorosky's books, but I took cooking classes from her for several years prior to her writing. Her main objective was to do ahead so as to enjoy time spent with guests. Accomplished!Marlene Sorosky's Cookery for Entertaining

I immediately went out and purchased this book after attending a party in which the hostess presented a beautiful and tasty appetizer buffet using eight different recipes from Season's Greetings. The recipes are all eye appealing, delicious and in most cases easy to make. Recipes also include make-ahead tips. I highly recommend it for the beginner as well as the seasoned hostess.

Season's Greetings is a cookbook for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. It has classics from Roast Turkey and Gravy to fruitcake. It also has unique recipes such as Cranberry Cream Pie, Thai-Inspired Turkey salad to Banana Chocolate Chip Scones. So far I've made the Peach fruitcake and found it quite divine.

I didn't care for this book's layout. Recipes are placed in 3 descending columns, and are slightly difficult to read. I also would prefer more pictures of the various dishes, and at times the recipes didn't seem to fit the particular holiday or seemed rather generic.

Overall, though this was a good book, well worth picking up for the Fruitcake recipe alone.

I have owned this Holiday cookbook for at least 10 years
and it's fantastic. I am now buying a copy for my parents
'cause they are hooked on a couple of recipes and want their own copy.

I bought this book on sale due to the food pictures in thebook. A person who love cooking usually can tell if the author isgood by looking at the pictures of the final product. What attracted me to get this book was her recipe for pick up drumsticks. That is the most simple recipe I had seen for baking up drumpsticks that looked like they were fried. Other ideas in the book are also great and time saving. Our church always having special holiday dinner or special dinner gets together for rivival meeting nights, etc. It is so hard to finds people who are willing to cook for such large audience. This is a life saver for ladies who are in charge of the food for those special occasion, even for a Chinese church. I had already shared some of the recipes with friends at church and they just can't wait to try them out (This also include busy guys who help their wives out with cooking). I highly recommend you to get a copy of this book. END

During the last few years our family has been grieving a tremendous loss. This year we are determined to get on with life and to make new traditions and memories. In anticipation of the up and coming holiday I pulled this title off my book shelf and reread it.

It is just a wonderful book of short stories sure to inspire love, hope, family, trust and faith. Each story begins with a beautiful color drawing which has a classic charm and feel. Clearly hits a personal note for Catholics and Italians and most stories will ring a personal chord of truth and others may bring a laugh or two.

As a reader it made me feel for the past and wonder about how our society continues to evolve in a cooler less personal social strata. It is hard not to think of simplier times that are grounded in basic life lessons of love and family. This is a book to read at the beginning of the holiday season and probably at intervals throughout.

There is hope, love and warmth in all of the "Seven Stories of Christmas Love."

This tape came to me as a gift. I enjoyed it the first listening several years ago. Each year before Christmas I listen to it again. I nearly know the script by heart, and it means just as much, if not more. Each year of those 10-15 years that the tape has been part of my Christmas, has brought changes in my life. However, the lessons of the seven stories of Christmas love are imprinted on me. I am grateful for the tape, and find the familiarity of the stories an anchor in a sometimes difficult and busy season.

Christmas just isn't Christmas without any Leo. In book form or his excellent video of the same name, Seven Stories of Christmas Love is Leo doing what he did best: sharing stories of holiday's past and using them to illustrate why love and memories matter throughout the year. We watch the video every Christmas and I've yet to escape dry-eyed through the section where he expresses how important it is to remember the wonder and awe of childhood because our memories and the love we give to others are all that make us immortal.

If you need inspiration in an increasingly confusing world, or just want to laugh, hope and consider the true meanings of Christmas, this book (and the great video) are must-haves.

This is such a beautiful little book! The illustrations, by Tom Newsom, have a Norman Rockwell quality, and the borders around the pages match the first page illustration, which is different for each story.

The stories, by Leo Buscaglia, who a lot of people know from PBS in the 80s, take Christmas out of the Norman Rockwell cliche and brings it into the world! One touching story is about the reaction people in Bali had to Mary and Joseph being turned away at the inn. Another, "Two Festivals of Light," blends the Jewish and Christian "festivals of light" through at-first distrusting neighbors.

You should be happy to pull this book out of your Christmas treasure box year after year!

Reading from this book is one of my family's all time favorite Christmas traditions. The stories are short enough that we can read one together as a family each night before bedtime. I have loaned this book to several friends and they have all loved it.

My children all know what it means if we tell them that they are going to get a peach branch in their Christmas stocking.

I love the messages of these stories. They always get me in the Christmas spirit!

From the back cover: ONCE HIS MISTRESS...NOW HIS BRIDE!
Milly doesn't remember Gianni D'Angelo. All she knows is that she was found after a hit-and-run accident, pregnant and with her memory gone.
So Milly is horrified when she learns that she was once Gianni's mistress...and now he's claiming her little boy is his son! Gianni's solution is simple marriage!

My thoughts: What can I say, this is the third book I've read of Graham and so far I have not been disappointed. This book had the drama and intensity and it was definitely a fast read - coz I wanted to know what was going on and how it would get resolved! It was such an interesting mystery, as to how the heroine ended up being amnesia and of course, after she recovers her memory. Wowweeee! And of course we have the poor hero (SPOILERS ALERT!!!) who wants to have his revenge but is thwarted at first because she doesn't remember him! Anyway, I took out .25 star because I felt the hero got off a little too lightly considering the heroine was totally blameless and she suffered a lot. Grrrr... But then again, he did search for three years and did all these other thoughtful things. Eh, bottomline is: This book is another KEEPER! ^_^

Lynne Graham has excelled with The Sicilian's Mistress. This book has it all- romance, a passionate but vulnerable hero and mystery and tension as well. I sat up until dawn to finish this book. What more can I say?

I loved this story. The characters are full of life, 3-dimensional with many character traits. Whilst the plot was far-fetched,the reader will find themselves going along with it, because you want to see what happens to these characters. Definitely one of Graham's best novels.

I loved it when the heroine, Milly throws plates at the hero, Gianni. This was a fabulous read and I'd recommend it to everybody.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a pretty unbelievable story I will admit, but the characters were very good. It was pretty emotional. I felt feally bad for Milly when she found out about her true identity. Gianni wasn't always the most sensitive guy, but I think he was still a good character. If you like Lynne Graham books, you will enjoy this story.

I was and am extremely pleased with this purchase. The book is leatherbound and flawless. I am very particular about the books I choose to read and how they are packaged and presented. This purchase met my requirements and is now a proud edition to my modest library.

A Christmas Carol is one of the best known holiday stories and still one of the best. Dickens perfectly unfolds his characters and gets the reader into the Christmas mood. He also does the unthinkable by making us sympathize with the moody, unfestive Scrooge. The original version is the one to get, though, as the abridged version makes Scrooge's exciting encounters with the spirits (especially his meeting with Marley) far too short. This book is certainly affordable and will get you into the Christmas spirit, as well as help you rediscover the true meaning of the holiday.

I think this is a great book written by Charles Dickens. Dickens is awesome at describing the setting in the story which gives you a real feeling of the story. The story is about a mean old man named Ebeneezer Scrooge. But with the help of a few ghosts and his dead business partner Jacob Marley, can Scrooge change his way of life before Christmas? This is an awesome book, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good book to read just before Christmas.

Most people in the western world are probably familiar with the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. The story has been made into dozens of television and film versions, but I think the written version still stands above film.

Dickens' language is very descriptive, and he paints clear pictures of his characters. Take Scrooge, for example:
"Oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire, secret and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster."

Another strength of Dickens was showing the common man, sometimes with quiet dignity, as in the case of Bob Cratchit, and sometimes at his lowest, as in the case of the workers at the pawnbrokers hawking Scrooges goods.

The images of Jacob Marley's ghost "wearing the chains he forged in life" are very vivid, as are the souls that Scrooge sees out his window.

Scrooge is forced on a journey by three spirits, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. All of the scenes have distinct images and evoke intense emotions within Scrooge. The reader feels part of his change. I never did quite understand why his father treated him so poorly, but that he did contributes to the man Scrooge becomes.

In the end, Scrooge is a changed man and goes out of his way to share his generosity.

I recommend this book for children and adults alike, because the story is timeless and Dickens practicallly defined the quintessential Victorian Christmas. The name Scrooge and 'Humbug' will forever be linked, and the name has come to define someone miserly or without holiday spirit.

What day is it?
It's Christmas Day!

When I read the Dicken's classic, A Christmas Carol, I was thrilled. The story I had watched so many times on TV had unfolded in my hands. If you loved the movies than you will love the book even more. It is a true classic for all ages

I have been looking for this book for my grand daughter for about a year. It's not in print anymore so the stores don't carry it. I finally went to Amazon.com, and there it was. Thanks for your help. She was delighted.

Madeline

this book was brand new, my granddaughter loves it as her old book has fallen apart from reading it so much. it arrived in record time, before i even thought "when will that book arrive?"

Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians

101 Dalmatians is a very good book. Its about 15 puppies that get kidnapped by a cruel Cruella Di Vil. They are tooken to her mansion where there were a lot more dalmatians. They then go through a lot of trouble getting home. I think that any age of kids would like this book. I really like how Pongo and Perdita save there kids. I think that this book teaches kids that if they steal that bad things will happen.

This beautiful book is a full color adaptation from the disney movie of the same name. The illustrations captured my child's attention and made for great story time. Timeless tale of good vs. evil. A great read for any generation!

Well i think that this book was GREAT it takes me back to 4th grade were this would have been my favorite book becaues it as exitment and love.It just was a wounderful story and i see why they make more of theses not alone dose it show right from wronge but it tell you about how the family love the doge weather there where 13 dogs or 101 dogs it was great!

We bought this for our 3yo on a whim. I think we read it 2 times a day for the months of December and January. It is now April and we still read it at least once a week. We bought several more copies to pass out as gifts.

LOVE IT!!! I actually had tears in my eyes while reading this! I can't wait until next year when I can start reading it on Christmas Eve to my little Army Brat! Great story, great pictures, very very nice.

AWESOME book. My husband is currently serving in Iraq and it was a very difficult Christmas for all of us. I bought multiple copies of the book. I kept one for myself, each of my children have one and I sent 2 copies to Iraq for my husband to share with his fellow soldiers. We all loved the book. I read it to my 12 and 13 year old children on Cristmas Eve before they went to bed and it helped bring us together. My husband was a little like SGT McClaus for his section. thank you for once again putting out another wonderful book.

One Christmas eve in the desert a group of homesick soldiers are visited by the Santa of Soldiers, and in a fine realistic rhyme inspired by the classic 'Night Before Christmas' comes a soldier's observation of this wonder, which will intrigue and comfort military families separated by war. There's a decidedly different holiday atmosphere here: "When what to my thrill and relief should appear, but one of our Blackhawks to give the all clear: more rattles and rumbles! I heard a deep while, then up drove eight Humvees, a jeep close behind...each vehicle painted a bright Christmas green with more lights and gold tinsel than I'd ever seen."

I was given this book as a gift for my daughter and we just LOVE it!! She calls it her "Papi" book. My husband is currently deployed for the second time to Iraq, and this time our 3 year old realizes he is gone, so with this book it gives her a different insite about what Christmas is for him and that Santa wont forget him while he is there!! I have reccomended this to all of my friends that are in the military with kids and I even have it up on our Family Readiness Group website so everyone can find out about it!!!

My daughter and I love this book. She received it as a present last year and we read it often. With the holiday season fast approaching, this would make an excellent gift for a child.

This is a wonderful book. It has a message and a warmth that readers of any age will enjoy. We loved it so much we bought copies as gifts! I am honored to say that Rick is our Pastor, and not surprised that he could have written such a great childrens book.

Book was read to me the first time as part of Rick's sermon. Had no idea how it was going to conclude.

Rick's story about Spinner is light-hearted, entertaining and meaningful. I know Rick personally so I got the book initially out of support for my friend. (Sorry Rick, I missed the sermon that day!) But when I brought it home, and read it, I couldn't wait to share it with my kids. And now my daughter wants to reads it every night! It's a wonderful story that brings your mind and hearts back to the true meaning of Christmas. Great Job!! Everyone should get one!

In the spirit of full disclosure, Rick (author) is my brother in law. But I have heard this book read aloud every year at the Christmas service for years, and was absolutely thrilled by it - it is a rhymed book, with Dr. Seuss style verses, that tell the story of a young boy who gets so excited by a promise of a visit from Jesus that he ignores a cold and hungry young girl who knocks on his door. It's not just a great children's book - it also reminds all of the jaded adults who have the pleasure of reading it aloud to young ones, of the true meaning of Christmas. The illustrations are fantastic as well, fun and full of details and color.