Christmas Books

This is a marvelous Christmas book of faith that everyone from the young to the old will enjoy. Alissa Dunn has written 5 short stories that really touches the readers heart with the true meaning of Christmas. It is now the first book I will read to my grandchildren during the Christmas season.

Review: The Unclaimed Christmas Gift.

I had the great pleasure to read and review Alissa Dunn's book "The Unclaimed Christmas Gift." This book is a collection of short stories that displays to its readers, the true meaning of Christmas. Alissa's book is very well written. I read the entire book aloud and each word flowed one from another in almost a musical tone. Children of all ages will relate to Floyd's Christmas Wish, A Christmas Hero and An Undersea Christmas. Teens and adults will find Christmas Sentiments and The Homecoming heartwarming stories of faith. All ages will relate to In Shelter 17.
In Floyd's Christmas Wish, we are introduced to Floyd Hoppermeyer, a young grasshopper with secret hopes and dreams of finding the North Pole. Floyd learns of this magical place while listening to the human's Christmas preparations. A secret wish soon turned into an obsession that consumes his every thought and at one point risk his own life to make his Christmas wish come true. In the end Floyd learns a very valuable lesson and that love of family is more important than any obsession.
In A Christmas Hero, a young boy named Malcolm is obsessed with obtaining the perfect gift and meeting his super hero. Malcolm learns that through a good deed to someone in need, brings him more happiness than any gift.
Christmas Sentiments, brings an elderly inventor his very first good Christmas memory. His invention works his entire life to have just one wonderful Christmas memory, even if that special memory belonged to a stranger.
I believe The Homecoming will have great meaning for young people who are not yet adults, but still not children. This beautiful story describes the consequences of one young man's actions. The path he chose took him away from all he had once held dear. Jason learns this Christmas its real meaning--a Christmas, when the prayers of others are answered.
We see in the final story, In Shelter 17, Gabrielle and Willie are the same age and both youngsters are dealing with tragedy in their young lives. Gabrielle never strays from her faith in God, while Willie pushes away his Christian upbringing. Both teens learn the power of prayer and that God is always there, even when all seems lost.
In each of these magical stories, we the readers not only learn the true meaning of Christmas--we learn that through prayer all things are possible. There is a story for everyone in Alissa Dunn's book, from the very young to the elderly. When it comes to Christmas, we are all children at heart and The Unclaimed Christmas Gift brings out the child in all of us. The true unclaimed Christmas gift is the gift God gave to the world over two thousand years ago--His Son, Jesus.

I had the opportunity to read The Unclaimed Christmas Gift written my Alissa Dunn and what an opportunity it was. This book is a collection of fictional short stories centered on Christmas. Alissa Dunn has written this book in such away that adults, and children alike will find meaning in this book. It is evident of the deep faith that this author has by the way that she takes Biblical truths and turns them into stories of inspiration, encouragement and faith. The stories in this book will warm your heart. Some stories will make you laugh and others will tug at your heart. Regardless of the story all of them will make you aware that regardless of the situation that you find yourself in, there is a God who loves you, cares for you and desires a relationship with you.
The Unclaimed Christmas Gift reminds us that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus--nothing else. Regardless of the way that you celebrate this special season, this book will help you to focus on the real reason for the season.
Alissa Dunn, tell us in her book "regardless of how rich or how poor; which race or social status; which country you are from or which language you speak, Jesus is a gift to all of us. He understands you no matter what you have been through or who you have become. He understands sadness and suffering more than we realize."
Many of us live our fast paced lives with bitterness, frustration, and hatred as our motivating factors and we never accept The Unclaimed Christmas Gift of love and peace. The book will definitely be a cherished possession to your personal library and one that you will want to read over and over, time and time again. Kudos to the author, Alissa Dunn for writing such an inspirational, Biblically based book centered on the birth of Jesus Christ. I highly recommend The Unclaimed Christmas Gift to anyone who desires to find peace, unconditional acceptance and love in their lives.

Tom Ward, author
The Enemy Within
Outposts of Hell or Portals to Heaven
Now, I'm Saved, What's Next?

If you are looking for a set of fiction stories that will warm your heart, make you laugh, make you cry, and make you feel joyous, then this is the book for you. This one book can provide entertainment for children, teens, and adults. The only lesson taught in this book is one of love and hope. Christian based, and uplifting, this book is made for anyone who needs to feel loved and cared about this Christmas season.

We received this book as a Christmas gift for my three-year-old son and it's quite extraordinary and made a wonderful gift. I've since given it as a gift myself to children as well as a confirmed-bachelor friend! It's an oversized book with amazing engraved illustrations and a charming rhymed text.

I purchased this book and the accompanying stuffed toy for Christmas 2001 for a nephew - a very bright boy, by the way. At our family gathering Christmas Day, I read it aloud to him and his entranced family. The illustrations are first rate, the humor is wonderful, the value of caring well expressed. I'm so glad I got it.

Whether you're a bulldog enthusiast or have a special child in mind, this is a wonderful book! Fabulous illustrations (look closely for the not-so-obvious bulldogs!) and a truly uplifting tale. I highly recommend this book -- maybe it'll even foster a warmer sense about bulldogs!

This book is great and I should know because I co-wrote it with Eric and did the illustrations ( silver Medal from The Society of Illustrators) and Published it myself with the help of Mr. Jerry McConnell at Madison Square Press. The good news is the book is not out of print and you can get a personally inscribed copy from me by contacting me at traglin@horizon.hit.net. Thank you!!

This is a great little book. I am starting new Christmas traditions since my family has all gone separate ways, and I have my own home and husband and child now, and everything just has changed so much from my holidays as a child. And I am finding the Victorian traditions to be so much fun and to feel so cozy and warm and fulfilling.

This book is easy to read even for your children (well, I'd say from about 4th grade or so and up). And it has some nice color illustrations in it. Great for wanting to get some nice Christmas ideas, or if you have kids studying or doing a paper on the Victorian era or the history of Christmas. Or if you yourself would just like to learn a little more about it, or have something sweet and cozy to read come November or December.

Victorian Christmas by Kalman and Bedell is a small volume in pages(32) but packed full of information with beautiful illustrations. It could be read by a teen or adult or even an older elementary student. We used the information to make our Dickens Christmas Party more in keeping with the period.

Being heavily into Victorian I buy as many items as I can that relate to the subject. And being even more into Christmas (I do a Victorian Christmas, putting up 14 trees and all of the attendant decorations)I do collect items on Victorian Christmas. This book was a very nice addition to my library.

This may be for children but it is a great source on how the Victorians spent Christmas. Lots of information and charming illustrations. With the help of this book, I will be able to create a credible Victorian Christmas at home.

I just received this book and was so impressed with the message to help remind us all (big or small) the reason for celebrating Christmas while still acknowledging other activities of the season many enjoy. This book really provides a good balance while still stressing that the reason for season is the birth of Jesus. I will be recomending this book on my site www.christmasorganizing.com as a top pick for children's Christmas books.

My daughter, 18 months, really likes this book. She called it the "Kissing Book" for the first month we had it because of the page that says, "Is it about the mistletoe where Mom and Daddy kiss?" Great book for remembering that while Christmas trees, Santa, and presents are okay, Jesus is the real reason we have a Christmas Day. We also like the Easter book, which has a similar cadence, and "I Love You", both by Candy Cane Press.

It is nice to see a book written about why we celebrate Christmas. So much has been lost over the years with all the comercialization of Christmas. I enjoyed the flow of the book and the poetry.

This book is a great way to explain to our children that Christmas is not just for gifts and all the other great things that go with celebrating Christmas. It shows that Jesus is the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
Great Christmas book

finally a book I could read in one night and feel good about the whole next day. Actually, I find myself thinking about all of the characters, especially Angelo. I don't know what it was about story, but in the end it all made sense. Like, three cheers for love and life and pink floyd!

it's romantic and simple and touched my heart again and again. I'm probably going to read it again tonight.

Seriously, I read this book because a friend gave it to me. At first it was going to be one of those books I'd give a four page try and then probably toss into my closet. But once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I was more than pleasantly surprised.

I'm still trying to figure out what I liked best about the book. It's really weird how I can't explain it. I think the only thing that I can say is that there is something about this story that was magic. There were certain lines of dialogue I know I'll never forget. And the moon, I don't think I'll ever look at it quite the same way anymore.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be "moved" . This book has changed my life. Gosh I feel like I'm being so cliche(sp.) by saying these things but sincerely, While The Moon Looked Up To Heaven was a pure JOY and so romantic.

The journey that one goes through while reading this book is one of hope and courage. I was reminded of the power of love and fate. If one listens to the whispers of their heart they will find the love that was destined to be. As always, I was utterly enthraled.

i happened to be on a flight from tampa, florida to detroit, michigan in december and found this book in the seat back cover...imagine, when i looked out the window...only to see the full moon you wrote about. needless to say, i got caught up in the (few hours) and gently, effortlessly, miraculously, joined your characters. best of the season to you and yours!!! roberto rossellini st. petersburg, fl

My boys were 3.5 and 2.5 last year when I bought this book for them around the holiday season. It was easily their favorite Christmas book. They wanted me to read it over and over and over to them...and when I wasn't reading it, they were looking at the pictures and reading it themselves. This book went with us to every family holiday gathering so that the boys could share their love of it with other family members. I am looking forward to pulling it out this year to share with them all over again. The illustrations are wonderful. The story is fast and funny. This is a fantastic book! Buy it for any child in your life!

Jerry Pallotta and David Biedrzycki have created a wonderfully motivating story about teamwork through the guise of a problem for Santa. Santa can't possibly deliver all the toys by himself. Each animal he tries has a different strength and weakness. The drawings in this picture book are outstanding. The hidden facts are wonderful (penquins may flap, but they can't learn to fly).There is wonderful alliteration and funny puns ("I gave the skunks a try. It was a smelly idea!) The kids I've read it to rolled in the aisle laughing at the picture of Santa's candy cane underwear! It's a great book for children of all ages!

THE JOY THE BOOK GAVE MY SONS AGES 9 TO 4YEARS! THEY ALMOST DIDN'T WANT TO BLINK THIS IS VERY EASY & SIMPLY & FAST TO READ. MY 5YEAR OLD READ IT TO US! (BUT IT WAS SO FUNNY TO SEE THE WIDE EYES ON THE BOYS FACES JUST BECAUSE THEY SO LOVED THOSE ANIMALS & THE LARGER THAN LIFE COLORS USED IN THIS LITTLE BOOK. I HAD TO KEEP SAYING CARSON READ.... THE SILLY CHOICES SANTA MAKES TRYING DIFFERENT ANIMALS JUST EXCITED THEM & TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANIMALS & SANTA ON EACH PAGE WE REALLY HAD A BALL! THAT'S WHAT READING TOGETHER IS ALL ABOUT!

This book is beautifully illustrated and his use of different animals is really fun. I gave this to 6 different children as gifts and they all love it.

With the loss of Colonial Homes magazine, Christmas ideas with a American colonial theme are becoming rare. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation along with Libby Hodges Oliver and Mary Miley Theobald have created not only a historical account of early American celebrations, but a beautifully designed and photographed book. Decorating starts outside with simple wreaths and pine roping to more elaborate fruited creations. Inside the greenery continues along with ideas on table decorations,the Christmas feast and best way to spoil Christmas guests. Chapters cover candles to Christmas trees along with colonial revival and twenty first century interpretations. This book will be a welcome inspiration for anyone looking for Christmas ideas and traditions.

With its lively, readable text and beautiful photography, Williamsburg Christmas is a must have book for anyone who enjoys Colonial history and Williamsburg. It makes you want to make that visit to Williamsburg during the Christmas holidays.

Informative (and occasionally surprising!) text accompanied by exquisite photographs of the holiday decorating style known as Colonial Williamsburg.

The text is coordinated effectively with the photographs to which it refers, making this a helpful guide for those interested in recreating or adapting the patterns for their own decorations. Lists of fruits and greenery that are or are not historically valid as well as diagrams for constructing bases for fan-style and pyramid decorations are both practical and helpful. For those preferring merely to look rather than do, it's still a lovely holiday visit to Williamsburg.

You don't have to like Williamsburg to like this book. Decorations can be used in contemporary homes, colonial or traditional homes. Good thoughts on how traditions such as the first Christmas tree began. I am giving the book to family and friends. It makes a great Christmas present.

This is an interesting contrast in life styles and priorities. The portrayal of life on a Michigan island was a fun adventure in itself. Snow and cold are so romantic when I'm reading about them and not suffering from frozen toes,ears, and fingers. A twist to this romance is the age difference of the two parties. This is not a May-December romance, but rather more like an August-December, with the man being the August in this case. Lovable characters are necessary for a good romance. This book supplies them, including Grandma Ella, who is the catalyst for the entire wholesome affair. This one would make a good Hallmark Channel movie at Christmas. If you're in the mood for a light and entertaining love story, start up your snowmobile and visit Mackinac Island via this book. Better wait for the ice bridge to form though!
Donald James Parker
Author of All the Voices of the Wind

With Christmas in His Heart is a sweet Christian romance story about finding love later in life and in the most unexpected places. Christine Powers, a fast-talking, business savvy, advertising executive of a big-city firm decides to take the last of her vacation time to help her grandmother who lives in a small, cozy, tourist town just a few hours away--Mackinac Island. Her life is turned upside down when her grandmother's recovery takes a sharp turn, requiring Christine to make some difficult decisions that may force her to give up her career and lush city lifestyle.

Author Gail Gaymer Martin's writing style is enjoyable to read and it is obvious that she loves this island in real life because of her careful attention to detail. Without giving away too many details about the story, I'll just say that I've already started reading another book that Martin contributed to: Mackinac Island Four Generations Of Romance Enrich A Unique Community. I would love to visit the island some day to explore all of the real-life sites mentioned in these wonderful books! Be looking for more books from this gifted author! ~Shaye of Chadron MOPS

"With Christmas in His Heart" is a charming story that brought back many happy memories of summer vacations spent on Mackinac Island, where the book is set. Since the time of year, as the title suggests, is wintertime on the island, I especially enjoyed the glimpse of what life on the island is like for its full-time residents.

While the storyline is not a new one--big city girl comes to a small town and finds herself drawn to the quieter life there--Gail Gaymer Martin makes it her own with characters I quickly grew to love and wonderfully descriptive settings. Christine's struggle to trust that God's plan for her life is far better than any she could dream of on her own is one that I understand.

This is the first of Gail's books that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I look forward to more of them, especially those set in the Mackinac Island and northern Michigan areas.

Christine Powers has worked hard to climb the corporate ladder until her Grandmother Summers had a stroke, her parents left on a cruise, and Christine was elected to be a reluctant caregiver. There are others who want her job and she's stranded on Mackinac Island for who knows how long and she's not happy. She's not thrilled about her grandmother's border either. He's far too much at home in Grandmother's house to suit Christine. She doesn't want to be there, and she doesn't want Will Lambert underfoot all the time, either.

Will has been bording with Grandma Summers. He loves the elderly woman and has been trying to take care of her. He doesn't understand why Christine is so hostile to him, but he's not about to move out.

Set on a remote island with a simple way of living and good neighbors, where there's time to walk slow, visit, and spend time for God, this is another heartwarming love story from this talented writer.

I loved the last story and would personally suggest readers start there. It would be amazing fun to actually do what that story suggests. As a family, we enjoyed the book and will bring it out each Christmas.

I found THE WONDER OF CHRISMAS a fun-to-read book that brought me right into the Christmas spirit. It was unique in that the stories were all from different viewpoints, looking from unique perspectives. I especially enjoyed the story "Stranded in a Snowstorm." I will read this book again. It will be a Christmas tradition.

I loved the last story and would personally suggest readers start there. It would be amazing fun to actually do what that story suggests. As a family, we enjoyed the book and will bring it out each Christmas.

I found THE WONDER OF CHRISMAS a fun-to-read book that brought me right into the Christmas spirit. It was unique in that the stories were all from different viewpoints, looking from unique perspectives. I especially enjoyed the story "Stranded in a Snowstorm." I will read this book again. It will be a Christmas tradition.

I am a Christian father of two girls ages 5 and 3. I had never considered the ramifications of my explanation of Santa. My biggest fear was the avoidance of ultraconsumerism, not a real word, causing them to miss the point of Jesus being born. This book really opened my eyes and provided a sound approach for turning a potentially damaging situation into a positive learning experience.

This is a wonderful, well researched book. It provides historical and anecdotal information about the nature of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus and offers suggestions on how to have Santa as part of a Christian Christmas. Very interesting and insightful.

I think this is an excellent treatise on the dilemma that parents often
face on how to approach the existence of Santa Claus. Not only does
Glenn Norfleet give a very good history of the origin of Santa Claus, but
he gives a good argument for the inclusion of the Santa as part of Christmas. He does this in a manner that does not minimize honesty with the child, but rather helps the child understand the role of Santa in Christmas. As a bonus, there is a very good table which offers alternatives approaches to the dilemma depending on the child's level of maturity.

I was given this book by a thoughtful friend who remembered a conversation we had regarding teaching children about Christmas and Santa Claus. My three year old was attending preschool, and her teachers were supplying Santa Claus crafts and reading books about reindeer and elves. Meanwhile, she was learning about Baby Jesus through her Sunday school classes and at home as we read to her about the story of Jesus' birth and pretended with a nativity set. It felt like a conflict of interests. I thought, "What does Santa Claus have to do with the birth of Christ?" I found myself becoming anti-Santa Claus. I was rebelling against the tradition with which I was raised in order to support what I felt was the true meaning of Christmas. I was close to ruining a wonderful experience for my child and her younger brother.

Mr. Glenn Norfleet, in his book, Your Child and Santa, has changed my view on our present day Christmas as he clarifies how Santa Claus came into being. He details the existence of Saint Nicholas, a young priest (and later bishop) and heir to a large fortune in Greece(present day Turkey) during the second and third centuries AD, and how he became a saint because of his extraordinary and anonymous generosity to the needy, sick, and suffering, especially children. His tradition of loving and caring for others is the basis for our present day Santa Claus. Mr. Norfleet explains how this process evolved and how we can teach our children to carry on this spirit of love without compromising our Christian principles. He recommends many detailed activites for different ages to help teach your child about this tradition of generosity and love.

This book is easy to follow; yet, it has a depth of understanding that is incredibly well-researched and beautifully written. If you struggle with how to incorporate Santa Claus into the season of the holy birth, then I highly recommend this book for you.