Christmas Books

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus Lane. And for Darrell Bain, life at home is filled with more funny and unusual experiences than a stocking is filled with goodies on Christmas morning.

Life on Santa Claus Lane is a collection of amusing stories detailing Bain's life on a Christmas tree farm in East Texas along with his spouse, dog, and two cats. You certainly won't be disappointed with Bain's down-home, tongue-in-cheek style and quirky perceptions of life. (Per evidence of his definition of the actual use of a tape measure: "There is no actual use for this tool because it mysteriously disappears whenever anything needs measuring.") But don't look for any talk about sex, because that topic is emphatically off limits. Just ask Darrell's wife. The exploits of their dog, Biscuit, however, is fair game.

Through it all Bain spins a sequence of tales that provide smirks of familiarity, chuckles of amusement, or downright, out-loud laughter. Wait till you read about "The Great Closet Expedition" or learn of his ironclad memory in "A Simple Errand." Even putting up a garden tent can be quite an adventure where Bain is concerned.

Whatever happens on Santa Claus Lane, you can be sure Darrel Bain will tell us about it in a fun and entertaining fashion. This book is a great read, and I highly recommend it!

Reviewer: Gene Berger

I will never look at a Christmas tree the same again. What a funny, funny recounting of life in the not so fast lane of a Christmas tree farmer and his long suffering wife Betty.

If you've had a hard day at the office and want to relax while reading about the hilarious trials and tribulations of someone else, this book is the one. This is better than cherry vanilla ice cream.

This just has to be the funniest book I have ever read. I was doing a job for the publisher Bookmice, improving the appearance and usability of the HTML versions of several books: background, headings, internal links and so on.This kind of work doesn't involve much reading from the book, but when I started on 'Santa Claus Lane', my eyes were caught by a sentence, and I got to reading, then I went to the start of the chapter to make sense of it. Before long, I gave away all pretense of working on the book, and simply read it from end to end. Even then, the content wouldn't let me alone. Many of the stories were well worth a second read, and now weeks later, they still make me chuckle. Darrel has a wicked turn of phrase: * "I was watching a football game through closed eyelids (this is something only men can do)." * "...anyone who has been owned by kittens..." * "What's that noise?" she asked. "The wall," I said. "Walls don't make noise." "They do when I bump them with my head." He describes perfectly ordinary domestic episodes in a way that'll have you laugh. I suspect this book is not for youngsters, but the more mature among us will identify with this self-effacing rogue and his ever-victorious wife Betty.

"The Light at Tern Rock" is an excellent book to read to your class or have your class read as a trade book during the holiday season. It teaches students to think of others at this time of year and not to always concentrate on themselves. It is suitable for third through fifth graders. It also gives the reader the feeling for living in a lighthouse and what life was like for these people living in desolation. It is an excellent history lesson along with a strong moral lesson. You never tire of the words year after year.

This is such a great book for young readers because the detail on every page is exalent.Though in parts of the book it can get confusing but if you try to stick with it you will get it a whole lot better.Believe me this comes from my own experience!!!!!!I would definately recomend this book because dont let its looks diceve you, it may be short but its filled with lots of information!

This book tells the story of Ronnie and his aunt Martha Morse. The two are tending the lighthouse as volunteers so the official lighthouse tender can spend time with his daughter. They must take care of the Tern Rock Light until December 15. They must dust, clean, and take care of it. But the fifteenth of December comes, and no one is there to pick the two up. Will they have to spend Christmas in an isolated and remote lighthouse?
In this wonderful book, Ronnie and his aunt learn that Christmas is beautiful anywhere, and the importance of a promise.
This 1952 Newbery Honor Book is for ages 6-13.

Thomas A. Pilgrim, personal friend for forty years, has published his seventh book. I have found all seven of them most creative and helpful.
In "The Light of Bethlehem Shines On," the incarnation comes alive again. How we need its guiding light in this day of terrorism and uncertainty. Having visited Bethlehem twice myself, I believe that the hopes and fears of all the years are met in him who was born 2000 years ago in that humble stable.
As usual Tom's stories and humor are gripping. With Advent only a short time away, this is a book that will prepare the thoughtful and sensitive preacher for one of the most hopeful seasons of the year.
Therefore, let us all pray, "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem Shine On."

Dr. Pilgrim has skillfully given us what the publisher describes as "a steady lighthouse while we navigate the shoals of life." He takes us week by week through the seven Sundays of Advent and Christmas and Epiphany Sunday, presenting a sermon, a children's message, a prayer, and liturgy for each Sunday. He's a fine preacher and writer, and his themes are universal: finding light in the darkness of despair, suffering, oppression, fear, anxiety, uncertainly, and suspicion. Busy pastors will find this both inspirational and helpful at a hectic time of year. Christian readers will find here powerful words to see them through life's tough times. His book is a treasure!

"The Light of Bethlehem Shines On" is about the birth of Jesus in Bethlenhem and although this birth took place two thousand years ago, Jesus' birth is still a light of hope that appears in the darkness of our despair, in the darkness of our suffering, in the darkness of our oppression, in the darkness of our fear, in the darkness of our anxiety, in the darkness of our uncertainty, and in the darkness of our suspicion.

Since Tom Pilgrim has actually traveled to the Holy Land at least eight times, he writes in such a delightful and entertaining way that you can see what he is saying. Indeed, there are some great illustrations painted by Tom Pilgrim, and in great detail, too. The illustrations are deliriously hilarious, and they make simple healing spiritual points.

What I like best about this book of sermons is that you find within its pages there is something for everyone. There is a message for adults, youth and children.

In this book, Tom Pilgrim says in one of his sermons entitled "In Darkness of Fear, There is the Light of Joy", that when his children were small, they would have a long list of things they wanted for Christmas. Down at the bottom of the list, they would write, "Lots of surprises."

That's what you will find in this book--"The Light of Bethlehem Shines On"--lots of surprises."

You will also find healing. With heartfelt conviction, Tom Pilgrim enters your pain with soul-shaking stories and anecdotes, shoots adrenaline into your soul, and converts your weeping into laughter and your grief into joy. So, if you need a light for the dark places in your life, if you need encouragement, if you need peace, if you need your heart filled with joy, if you need new direction, this book is a must read!

I read this story in one sitting and I can honestly say that it is, by far, one of the most poignant books I've ever read. The descriptions found on these pages are the makings of heaven. You will find just where Smith's inspiration comes from on these pages and you will begin to understand why she became such a warrior for the early civil rights movement as she also demonstrates her deep devotion to family values and the family unit.

Most of all, the section about the chain gang still captivates me - and althought I'm not a betting man, I'd bet the farm that it will have the same affect on you.

Please buy this book - or borrow it!

I received this book at the age of eight. Every November since then my brother insisted I read the entire book aloud to him. A true Christmas tradition at our home.
Somehow I misplaced the original over the years and I'm thrilled to be able to order another copy at this time.
All children, young and old can learn/relearn about a true country Christmas.
Written about a much simpler, less commercial Holiday season; where love of family IS what Christmas is about, this book is a must-have for the family library.

Lilian Smith's recollection of Christmas as a child at the turn of the century transports one to a kinder and gentler time--one where the anticipation of hog killing is at once a wondrous and dreaded occasion! My family and I roll with laughter at the exploits of a large family in the south. Our mouths water at the descriptions of traditional southern delights. Truly a book of rare insight and warmth. A must read every Christmas season.

This is one of the sweetest books I have ever read. I don't want to spoil the ending but basically it is about three little angels in heaven. They are best of friends, until one by one it is their turn to be born on earth. The story mainly focuses on the littlest and the last angel who feels left behind in heaven after his two friends were gone. He goes on a journey to search for them. The illustrations are charming -- with soft colors and expressive faces.

This is my favorite children's story. It is the most touching story I have ever read. I reccommend it very highly. I only wished they would bring it back into print! It is such a beautiful story and really will tug at your heart strings!

The Little Luv Angel by Toby Bluth was one of the most interesting children's books I have ever read. It was written with such a compassion to be instilled within the hearts of all children. Teaching them that even if they have a heavy heart, as so many of us do, you can still believe that you will make it through. I read this book at least 100 times to my children when they were growing up, and still till this day, they are fighting over which one will get the book. The illustrations are delightful and wonderfully done. My hats go off to Toby Bluth. He is one author who should have written so many, many more!

This is a GREAT book! My mother bought it for my 2 daughters after we all got lost in Boston. I have been reading this book to my oldest (age 3 1/2) daughter for over six months and neither she nor I have tired of it yet. The words flow well and the illustrations are beautiful! I just ordered 2 more books by the same author ("Sisters" and "Santa's Name book") for my two daughters. I anticipate that we all will enjoy them just as much!

Great book! McPhail does a wonderful job with the topic of being lost. A boy, a bear, friendship and finding the way home. I enjoyed it as much as my child.

This is a great book! And like so many of David McPhails books, it's worth buying the hardcover. Who's lost, the boy or the bear? A friendship develops while trying to find the way home. McPhail does a wonderful job covering the topic of being lost.

I ordered just because the cover was so beautiful and put me in the holiday mood--but both stories inside were great reads! I'll read this author again!!

A Lumberjack Christmas proves that love is like a plum pudding, you only get out what you put in. And for this couple there is more than one generation throwing in love and luck. It takes a Christmas Miracle spanning the generations to bring the ultimate Christmas gift.

Looking for a holiday story that will make you smile? Here's the book you need. A Lumberjack Christmas...Revisited is actually two stories which take place generations apart, but the second tale also provides the first one's real conclusion.

Not long after the Civil War, two young people are headed toward a winter-bound settlement in the Minnesota woods. Martha Tinker is on her way to Sawbill Landing because her mail-order fiance's there, and he's the only person left on earth to whom she has a tie. Physician and war veteran Byron Ferguson has been called in to treat the victims of a mysterious epidemic. Even without that complication, the Landing in December would be no place for a lady - especially not a Boston-reared one with a finishing school education. But Martha's father was a doctor...and her faith makes her a whole lot tougher than she looks.

Fast forward to the present. The descendants of people we've met before, in now-abandoned Sawbill Landing, live in a nearby town. They've got their own set of troubles, and they need a Christmas miracle. Or should that be miracles? Once again, faith and love work magic. And once again, as she's done in both installments of her Patrick and Grace mystery series, Janet Elaine Smith breathes life into an elderly couple whose romance is sure to touch your heart.