Christmas Books

If you like primitive and old-fashioned Santa's but can't afford the real antiques, then this is the book for you!! The Santa's in this book are wonderful. You will want to make them all!!!

I love this book, I have read it from cover to cover a few times. Just yesterday, at our county fair in NY, I won first place and best of show for my version of the pinecone santa shown in this book. Thankyou for helping me achieve a real personal 'high', it's a feeling that doesn't come along very often. ALL projects in this book are excelant!

I have never found any other craft book quite like this one. It is filled with very striking projects and most projects have a little history included. Some of my friends are restoring Victorian homes in a local historic district. Any of the projects in this book would make very welcome gifts that would be displayed proudly next Christmas.

All the patterns are full sized with very easily understood instructions. These projects are actually very similar to items I have admired in a friend's antique ornament collection. There are also a couple of projects that are nearly identical to beautiful items I saw recently at a rather upscale winter arts and crafts show.

This is a book well worth searching for.

I checked this book out from the library and loved it so much that I'm going to purchase a copy to own. Other reviewers have covered the fiction/fact aspect of the book, so I'll limit my comments to the beauty of the story and the illustrations. Adult readers familiar with Joseph Campbell will recognize elements of the hero-tale framework in the narrative. The story itself is compelling and captivating to children and adults alike. My 5 1/2 year old son eagerly chose it as his bed-time story every night until we finished it. (It's a long read-aloud for one sitting -- too long for a 5 year old at bedtime.) My 7 year old daughter and I were equally enthralled.

The illustrations are incredibly rich and detailed, with African-influenced stylization. They are fully up to the task of supporting the beautiful narrative. The paintings, along with some illustrative detail inserted into the text areas of the story give the book a regal, special feel, almost as if it should be handled reverently.

This book would be a wonderful addition to anyone's book collection and would make a beautiful gift. I also recommend the book "Sundiata: Lion King of Mali" by David Wisniewski as a prequel. Sundiata is portrayed as Mansa Musa's grandfather in the Burns book -- a detail which may or may not be factual. Regardless, it's another well told and nicely illustrated Mali legend.

If you are looking for a strictly historical book, go elsewhere. The main story is entirely fictional. However, it is beautifully told and gorgeously illustrated, and it is well researched historical fiction. No, we know nothing of the childhood of the famous Mansa Musa--however, the portrayal of the cultures and ways of life of the people is vivid and accurate, and this legend-like tale will surely gain a deserving place in the canon of children's literature.

For educational use, this is of fairly limited *factual* use because of the dearth of written accounts about Mansa Musa and his reign and, as a result, the fictional nature of the main narrative. However, the epilogue is factual (if not completely impervious to debate), and the entire book would be great as a fictional supplement to the study of the Middle Ages, especially as it takes the point of view of a non-Western culture and focuses upon an important historical figure who is often glossed over (because of lack of information and his lack of impact upon the West) in typical courses of study.

This book would be excellent for people of any background who enjoy history, good story-telling, and breathtaking illustrations.

For other great, beautifully illustrated, African-oriented picture books, try these:

Why do Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears? - an animal myth

The Marriage of the Rain-Goddess - based on a South African myth, it contains many elements common to African folklore and fairytales (such as the substitute bride)

African Princess - nonfiction about 6 royal women of Africa, from ancient Egypt to the 20th (and 21st) century. Painted illustrations are limited to one portrait per woman, but the book is fascinating and unusual, and photographs are skillfully chosen to complement the text.

African Princes - Complement to African Princesses.

There is a great deal of historical evidence in support of the mighty empire of Mali and the trek of the great king Mansa Musa across the Sahara Desert to Mecca. Some European historical accounts have him listed as the king of all of Africa. There is solid historical evidence that he lived in the early 1300's and further evidence that a mighty fleet of ships departed from the kingdom and made landfall in the Western Hemisphere during his reign. This would mean that their arrival predated the voyage of Christopher Columbus by almost two centuries.
This story is an account of the life of Mansa Musa before he became king, and while the background is historically accurate, most of the account of his life before he became king is fictional. Some of it is based on cultural myths that are still part of the Mali culture, but it is clear that there were once mighty empires in Africa. I found this book very interesting because it tells of an aspect of African history that we in the west rarely if ever hear about. The empires of Egypt and Nubia are part of the historical education of every western child, but the mighty nations that once existed in other parts of Africa are largely ignored. Most of the Africans captured and sold into slavery were from the northwest section of Africa and it is a western cultural myth that they were savages. From the historical events on which this book is based, a strong and civilized nation existed in that area several centuries before the slave trade began.
The authors do a good job in writing about the early life of Mansa Musa. It is an appropriate blend of a story for children with just enough adult features to make it appeal to all ages. Once I completed the book, my interest was so aroused that I did an online search for books on Mansa Musa and the empire of Mali.

This wonderful little book uses a repetitious pattern (ala "A Hole in the Ground" or "The House that Jack Built") to explain the events of a family Passover Seder. The text is full of rhythm and the illustrations are beautiful, warm, and soft bringing to life the closeness of community and illustrating the importance of family during such an important celebration. Those familiar with the traditions described herein will enjoy the book for the memories it can help evoke and those unfamiliar with such things as "matzah", "Dayenu", and "afikoman" will delight in learning about them.

Although this is a child's book, like Tevye, it drinks to life. It's a real seder! No one sits down! Someone spills something. A kid falls alseep! The tateh can read and see naughtiness out of the same eye! Here is genuine glee and warmth. A well-meaning Protestant reviewer called its form "The House that Jack Built," but it is, of course, "Chad Gadyoh" Everything in the contextual information at the back is clear and accurate - I used it at a seder for a mixed crowd who, after they understood the references, fell in love with the rhymes. And with the girl who Reads the Four Questions Nice and Loud.

This book, especially the illustrations, captures all the warmth and poignancy of family sedars. The subtleties in the pictures (Papa's hand clutching the son's arm, who is reaching for the matzah; the child asleep on the table; the many conversations being held at once) bring back so many childhood memories. A beautifully written and magnificently illustrated book for all ages!

Currently the amazon detail page for this 28 page product lists the Ignatius Press itself as the author, yet their website lists a Frances Johnson as author, the cover image here being to blurry to see. Therefore I have submitted a request for product update to list the author as listed by the publisher.*

Nevertheless, as the publisher's own product description page mentions in detail the RSV's translation of Saint Luke and of Saint Matthew as source of the text, and three other artists as illustrators, perhaps Ms. Johnson's role might better be described as editor or compiler. Here in part is the publisher's presentation of the pictures's provenance:

"Gerard Horenbout, one of the illuminators of The Sforza Hours, illustrates a simple Nativity using rich reds, greens and blues; the Annunciation to the Shepherds, depicted by the Master of the Duke of Bedford, is marvelously detailed and surrounded by classic miniatures; the Master of the Dresden Hours, a prolific Flemish artist of the late 1400's, has strewn his Epiphany with flowers, so realistic that it seems possible to pick them off the page."

Certainly a slim selection at 28 pages but one worthwhile, despite any scholar sniffing at the exact date when the medieval age drew to a close.

For further reading along these lines please see the numerous Christmas commentaries, in particular the meditations of Charles De Foucauld in the Poor Claire's garden in Bethlehem, the Reverend Father John Dear's Mary of Nazareth: Prophet of Peace, and of course Father Leonardo Boff's new book on the Hail Mary and Our Father, etc.

*please note that our great and mighty amazon has made the corrections as requested. We must all give thanks each and every one of us for this remarkable service unimaginable just a generation ago.

I'm just writing to correct the Midwestern Book Review's review. The translation is the Revised (not "Roman") Standard Version, Catholic Edition. The RSV is the finest translation available, in my opinion. The RSV-CE Bible is available by Ignatius Press as the Ignatius Holy Bible.

If you want to see the cover of the book, go to the Ignatius Press homepage.

A Medieval Christmas illustrates words of scripture (taken verbatim from the Roman Standard Version, Catholic edition, of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke). Gorgeous medieval-style color illustrations of humans and angels illuminate the scriptural tale of the birth and early life of Jesus Christ. A Medieval Christmas is an enthusiastically recommended holiday season treasure for all ages.

(The two books have been combined and are available in audiobook)

A Memory of Christmas Tea is the long-awaited sequel to the beloved bestseller, A Cup of Christmas Tea, written 25 years ago.

In A Cup of Christmas Tea, the man had to go visit an old aunt--and tried to get out of it. Many of us can identify with that. But once there, their time together was precious.

"...I didn't know that this would be our final cup of tea, I only knew that my Great Aunt was listening to me."

Now years later, the nephew tells us that his old Great Aunt always believed in him, and listened to him talk about his life. Before she died, she made him promise her something, but he writes:

"My life was an emergency, a crisis, and a race, with problems running after me and at me at a place that only was accelerating as the years flew by. So if I couldn't stop for tea, I had my reasons why."

His promise to his aunt was that every year he would take time to invite someone in for Christmas tea, served out of her beautiful Christmas tea set she willed to him.

The book has some reminiscing about the good times, big family gatherings of when he (and I) was young, but the message for today is to take that time to do something special for someone else, to have that cup of tea.

Warren Hanson's wonderful illustrations match the first book. The teaming up of Hegg and Hanson has provided many wonderful books as they complement each other so well.

This book would be a nice addition to those special books you bring out when you need to be reminded about those who have gone before us--and the role they played in our life--at holidays or all year long.

Armchair Interviews says: Raise a cup of tea to another special Christmas story.

I know Tom Hegg personaly, he is a great guy. The book is very warm and sentimental. If you liked "A Cup..." you'll love this one. BUY IT PLEASE

Tom Hegg seems quite unashamed to be sentimental. Revisiting the themes of his first book, A Cup of Christmas Tea, Hegg again gently chides his reader to remember the important things in life; taking the time to take time for others is central to his work. As always with Hegg's work, this is not a poem for the cynical, or indeed for those whose poetry must be "deep". It is straightforward, and unabashedly honest. Hegg revisits his narrator's great aunt, and the message she taught him many years before, but does so in such a way that avoids being sugary sweet. Her influence, gentle but firm, prompts the narrator to make time to find Christmas within, and share a cup of Christmas Tea with "someone"...we never know who, and it doesn't really matter. If you are a fan of Hegg and Hanson's work, you will love A Memory of Christmas Tea. If you're new to this pair, read A Cup of Christmas Tea first. The echoes in words, and in Hanson's nuanced illustrations of the first book make the sequel all the richer.

Although the price is rather high the coupons are definitely worth it! Editor Stocke really has a talent for creating easy, simple, get you off the hook, Christmas presents. I haven't seen a present of this sort since graduating grade school. It's the same as the third grade art projects but it's much more polished and paid for. My parents wonder why the gift seems so familiar . . . The only change I would make is to somehow include a method of magnetically attaching it to the refrigerator.

Words won't really suffice. Let us hope that Stocke and his staff--which must be a mighty talented staff indeed!--have what it takes to create an Arbor Day Coupon book as well.

A great book, edited by a great man, for a great time.

If you're like me, then you love CHRISTMAS!!! If you're like me, then you love COUPONS!!! If you're like me, then you will want to give Todd Stocke (editor) a fat kiss on the mouth and a free trip to Mozambique for giving you all these fantastimorphically fabulicious ideas! It's the best thing to happen to my holidays since my leg went bad and I had to have a chimney sweep come out and rip the soot out of my fireplace, allowing me and the missus to have a rip-roaring fire burning dangerously close to our Douglas Fir. A HAP-DAPPILY WONDERIFFIC BOOK, AND A ZIP-ZIPPIDY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Y'ALL!!!

This is an great idea! I made it for my father two years ago and he absolutely loved it I would recomend it 100%. I must warn you it does take time and patience but it is well worth it!

This book is extremely creative. A neat idea for collecting, sorting and assembling photos of your children. A wonderful gift for Mom. It motivated me!

The Merry Christmas Mother book that Ms. Jameson has put together is truely an interactive heirloom. My children and I went through our family photograph albums, choosing our favorites. Then we matched the wonderful quotations to the photos! It turned out to be a fun family project and the result is a very high quality book of our family to treasure forever. I can't wait to see if there is more in Ms. Jameson's series.

I could not put this book down. It was so good it added just the right touch to my holiday.

Mistletoe means kissing, and four favorite authors each create a story about love and relationships during the holiday season in this anthology.

New Year's Eve equals a time for new beginnings, and Maxine can't wait for her high school BFF's famous Christmas party. However, being at home during her college break and pining away for the perfect but pricey party dress in the window leaves her feeling a little depressed. Her old crush just might have all the answers she's looking for, including a job, so all her New Year's Eve dreams just might come true. There is, of course, just one little catch--she's working as an elf in a Winter Wonderland, but she's Jewish. (WORKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND by Aimee Friedman)

A broken up foursome reunites in Hailey Abbott's tale, HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE BREAKUP, with Emily's return home from college. But things aren't really what they seem to be. Her boyfriend, with the help of her best friend, buys her a last minute gift; she doesn't know what to talk to her best friend about; and no one seems to remember that she has a whole new life...or do they?

One Hollywood superstar's New Year's turns out very different than the one he's expecting. Instead of skiing, a JLo cancellation changes his departure plans. Instead of flying, he drives towards his destination, breaking down about halfway there in a ghost town. From that point on, something shifts. He falls hard for a girl and takes a deep look at himself and sees that the world may be more than just his plaything. (SCENES FROM A CINEMATIC NEW YEAR'S by Nina Malkin)

Finally, Melissa de la Cruz spins a modern twist on an old Christmas tale from the heart in THE CHRISTMAS CHOOS. Kelsey's determination to find her boyfriend a perfect gift for the holidays leads her down a path she'd never thought she'd take. On top of present stress, she's invited to her friend's Sweet Sixteen party in the gated community in town. Will she wear the same boring dress she's worn three times in a year again and have the snobs humiliate her, or will she finally wear her inheritance?

Four unique tales from favorite authors will help readers feel the iciness of winter, yet also leave them full of warmth. Hailey Abbott, Aimee Friedman, Nina Malkin, and Melissa de la Cruz bring festival treats filled with relationships and their concerns during the holiday season.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

WORKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND (Aimee Friedman) - Maxine "Max" Silver, is your typical New York City gal, who loves shopping during the holiday season, trying on dresses that she'll never be able to afford, and scarfing down hot chocolate and cookies in Rockefeller Center. The strange part is that she doesn't celebrate Christmas, and feels that there is a serious lack of Hanukkah songs available to all of those dreidel-spinning masses. However, her thoughts regarding holiday music instantly go out the window when this college freshman runs into her high school crush, the scrumptious Heath Barton, whose father happens to own Barton's Department Store. Before Max knows what's happening, she's working in the Christmas Corner at Barton's, dressed as a holiday elf, singing Christmas Carols with a Nutcracker Prince, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Santa Claus, while making goo-goo eyes at Heath. But on Christmas Eve, this New York City fashionista finds true love with someone she least expected. 5/5 stars.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE BREAKUP (Hailey Abbott) - Aria, Emily, Marcus, and Jason have been best friends for years. Double dating at the dingy diner known as Matthew's, and sharing heaping plates of greasy chili-cheese fries for as long as they can remember. But when Emily leaves for college, waving goodbye to Aria, Marcus, and Jason, who are all seniors, the foursome splits up. That is, until Christmas rolls around, and Aria believes that everything will go back to normal. But Emily returns home with a new personality. Gone is the funny Emily who left, and in her place is a more mature, composed Emily, who has no time for football games, and high school drama. She also has no time for her boyfriend, Marcus, who seems to be getting a little too cozy with Aria lately, leaving the two wondering, on New Year's Eve, who, exactly, they'll be kissing when the clock strikes twelve. 5/5 stars.

SCENES FROM A CINEMATIC NEW YEAR'S (Nina Malkin) - Connor Moline doesn't have stars in his eyes, but just about every girl who looks in his direction does. For he plays Danny Stiles on TV's "Pinot's Point," and he's hanging out in the middle of a Hollywood mall, as faux snow falls from the ceilings. But all he can think about is the great time he'll be having when he and his buddies get to Lake Tahoe, where they'll be ringing in the New Year with some really gorgeous girls in a couple of hot tubs. 4/5 stars.

THE CHRISTMAS CHOOS (Melissa de la Cruz) - Kelsey Cooper is considered one of the beautiful people at Parker High School, but it's not because she has fancy clothes, or an expensive car. And it's certainly not because she lives in the rich part of town - because she doesn't. No, the only reason why she's accepted into Gigi McClusky's uber-trendy group is because Kelsey is the prettiest girl in school, and no group of Beautiful People can be complete without the prettiest girl in school. But when Kelsey begins searching for the perfect gift for her longtime boyfriend, and best friend, Brenden Molloy, she realizes that the forty-five dollars burning a hole in her pocket is certainly not enough to purchase something that will show him how much he truly means to her. Brenden feels the same way. So the happy couple do something drastic to afford gifts for one another. Gifts that will bring a smile to the others face, while forcing them to make the ultimate sacrifice. 5/5 stars.

I have been waiting for the release of MISTLETOE for months, and was ecstatic when it finally arrived earlier this week. Each story brought a sense of holiday warmth into my heart, even though it's only October, and there are still Halloween decorations dotting people's front doors. Hailey Abbott's HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE BREAKUP presented amazing character development, and fabulous dialogue that truly made you interested in what would happen next in the story; while Melissa de la Cruz's THE CHRISTMAS CHOO's managed to mix a bit of MTV's MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEEN and THE GIFT OF THE MAGI together to create a beautiful, heartwarming holiday story that contained two lovable characters, whose chemistry between one another was impeccable. Nina Malkin's SCENES FROM A CINEMATIC NEW YEAR'S confused me a bit, as the various scenes seemed to zap the characters from location to location without a moment's notice, and the content seemed a little less holiday-ish than some of the other tales, but it was still enjoyable. However, it was Aimee Friedman's WORKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND that I enjoyed the absolute most. Max was your typical New Yorker with a sarcastic personality, hip lingo, and a flair for the dramatics. The fact that she had the job of working as a department store elf - something I've wanted to do for years - was hilarious, and the romantic interludes shared between her and her surprising love interest were absolutely adorable, sending warmth through the reader's entire body. Flannel pajamas and hot cocoa are a necessity while reading these toe-tingling tales of holiday romance.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

OK, I don't see the spot where authors can comment on their books anymore - or maybe I missed it, so I shall review us instead! First of all, the stories are all different, all fun, some touching, & mine (Here Comes Santa Claus) inspired because I was in a grumpy holiday mood. Not everyone is perky at Christmas - I'd been shopping & fighting in line for Pokemon Yellow. So my story tells the tale of two rebel elves who get booted from the North Pole for annoying Santa, and who when pitched together must at last face their feelings for each other. Unfortunately, this results in a planned ambush of the Father of Christmas. (which is pretty much what I planned to do to the Mall Santa myself)

I loved this book. I am always eager for the new holiday books to come out. I really couldn't wait for this one. It was a really great read.My favorite was here comes Santa Claus by Stobie Piel.

The Fairy Godmother - Lynsay Sands (10*) - Roswald Keep, England, 1324 --- Lady Odel Roswald watched the sarchophagus settle over her fathers burial vault and just stood there, feeling nothing and wondering what she should be doing next. That her father had never shown her any feelings of affection, her grief was non-existent. Fortunately, she hadn't been alone very long when a round, little gray haired lady came rolling bursting upon her - a woman Odel would later discover was her fairy godmother whose sole purpose was to find Odel a husband. The problem was, in Odel's experience in dealing with a man, particularly the miserly and totally miserable one that was her father, she finally felt free and wanted no part of men - ever!
*** Typical Lynsay Sands brilliance in creating unique characters with humor and passion - total fun read!

A Midnight Clear - Lisa Cach (10*) -- Ooooh, this was so sweet, I'm still wiping the tears from my eyes! When Catherine Linwood had come home for the holidays to her hometown of Woodbridge, Vermont she wasn't sure what she would find that would still be familiar. She had gone off some years ago to Mt. Holyoke College, then spent time with her very wealthy Aunt who showed her a different type of society in New York and the capitals of Europe. She didn't think she'd changed, but home was familiar and when her very wealthy and very handsome suitor, Mr. Rose followed her home she was confidant that he would be the one yet questioned how she would know if it was love. But a wish upon the first snow, from her sister Amy, brought her the things she most needed that Christmas. A pair of spectacles with a cryptic message
See far,
And see near,
But let your heart's
Sight be clear
With a little bit of help, Catherine just might see what was beneath her nose in the quiet unassuming, and very kind Will Goodman, owner of the general store had to offer her.
*** Just loved every sweet morsel of this sweetly romantic homecoming love story!

Angels We Have Heard on High - Amy Elizabeth Saunders (9*) -- This again was a delightful story just made for the holiday season of the magic that seems to settle in around the holiday season. Set in Black Diamond, Washington, 1889 - Rose Shanahan, widowed, eight months pregnant and with two other small children had been asked to vacate her shanty coal miners cabin now that her husband was no longer alive and working the mines. Things couldn't have been worse with little food, little coal to burn and threadbare clothing barely keeping them warm. When young Daniel, decided that their last night would be a warm, he snuck off to steal some extra coal from the mine causing a series of events that brought the mine owner, Joshua Asher, into their lives and proved once again that God works in mysterious ways.... *** Heartwarming and should bring tears to even the eyes of the most skeptical who don't believe in miracles.

Here Comes Santa Claus - Stobie Piel (9*) - Ariana and Taran, two of St. Nicholas' most imaginative elves, were both trying to convince St. Nicholas that one or the other had to be let go. Both were immensely attracted to one another, yet for one reason or another their attraction ended up as a fierce competition between their toymaking abilities. More importantly, their rivalry was causing disruptions in the production of toys for Christmas and St. Nicholas decided they would both be sent back to the place of their birth to redeem themselves by doing a good deed and solving a problem which they would have to discover existed. The biggest problem of all would be for the both of them to work together without killing one another first! --- *** Sweetly sensual tale of elfin matchmaking.

*** Published in 2000 this is one of those really great feel good anthologies that is heartwarming, sweet, and just a superb read for sitting cozily by the fire!! --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

I received a copy of Mog's Christmas for my second Christmas in 1979 from an Aunt. I fell in love with the story and Mog's reaction to all of the changes in "her house" at Christmas time. My favorite part is when Mog thinks: "It was a tree, a tree walking!" What Mog does not see is that Mr. Thomas is carrying the family Christmas tree inside the house.
The author has masterfully interpreted the feline perception of the flurry of Christmas activity. This book is a must for any child or adult who loves cats or the hustle and bustle surrounding Christmas time. I have read this book to or with my family every Christmas since 1979. I even read this book to my second grade students last Christmas, and they really enjoyed it. I plan to make time to read this litte gem to my students every year at Christmas time from now on.

Mog is in shock. Strange things are happening at her house, and she doesn't like it one bit. Everyone is running about the house, hanging up mistletoe and decorations, blowing up balloons, baking loads of food. So Mog runs outside, and climbs up to the roof where she can be away from all of the hectic festivities. Until suddenly she finds herself in the house again, with everyone wishing her a happy holiday.

I adore cats, and Christmas is my favorite holiday, so MOG'S CHRISTMAS quickly won a place in my heart. Judith Kerr has created a lovely children's book that will show the reaction of a cat when anything about his/her house changes, whether it's for a day, a week, or more. The illustrations are absolutely lovely, and will quickly make MOG'S CHRISTMAS a favorite for the winter holidays.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper