Christmas Books

There are many times that people, as a whole, seem to forget what the true meaning of Christmas is. It's not about the gifts, or the commercialism, but about the birth of Christ. SILENT NIGHT, featuring the artwork of Thomas Kinkade Studios, is a subtle reminder that Christmas is truly about giving, and not receiving.

SILENT NIGHT uses the words from that oh-so-powerful and well-known song to accompany beautiful illustrations that feature scenes that truly bring to life the spirit of Christmas. Included at the end of the book is the actual sheet music for the song SILENT NIGHT, penned long ago by Josef Mohr. That simple, haunting melody will play in the back of your mind as you focus not just on the gorgeous pictures, but on the meaning behind the Austrian priest's lyrics.

A beautiful, priceless book to be shared with your family to remind them about the true meaning of Christmas.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Beautiful illustrations by Thomas Kinkade. Touching book about the birth of the Savior. Traditional Christas Carol "Silent Night" is the text but the illustrations are what make this a great book.

While many people seem to get wrapped up in the commercialism of the holidays, Thomas Kinkade manages to keep himself grounded, and embrace the true meaning of the holidays. To showcase the birth of Christ in the manger, and bring the true glory and light of the holidays to life.

In SILENT NIGHT, Thomas Kinkade Studios pairs gorgeous full-color illustrations that depict scenes of cottages with Christmas lights strung on them - snow and icicles dripping from their roofs - animals such as raccoons and deer hibernating in the snow, shepherds watching the moon rise on the mountains, their sheep surrounding them; bustling people traipsing through the snow-laced streets on their way to church, or various functions where they will celebrate Christ's birth with friends and family, exchanging gifts with one another. And, to make it even more splendid, all of these illustrations are paired with the lyrics of SILENT NIGHT, penned all those centuries ago by Austrian priest, Josef Mohr.

SILENT NIGHT brings the true meaning of Christmas to life, and will touch all those who glimpse at this beautiful book.

Erika Sorocco

What a great way to get the uniqueness of all 4 of the writers' perspectives into an easy-to-read flow. It also includes plenty of explanatory notes about the culture and politcal environment that Western readers may not know.

I've taught Sunday School to adults for years. This new Harmony is super. Great layout, beautiful cover, clear and concise writing. Simplified, but not pablum. Serious scholarship, but crystal clear. The format makes for a very easy and short read. I especially like the way the words in the text to be amplified are set out in bold and matched with the notes at thhe bottom of each page without footnote numbers or fine print. Easy to use. Considering using it as a text for my class to teach the life of Christ. Am looking for companion study guide with review questions or workbook for students. Would welcome suggestions.

For people who want to read a unified, simplified account of the four Gospels, this is the book for you! The author uses the new and very readable Holman Christian Standard Bible translation and chocks each page with lots of explanatory notes. Anyone desiring a deeper understanding of the life and ministry of Christ will be greatly aided by this work. A great first "harmony of the Gospels."

Terry Willits offers affordable, easy, and yet classic and elegant ideas for creating a sense-sational Christmas. You can have a Martha Stewart home without the fuss and the expense. And it is much more than a decorating book. Organized around the five senses, the book gives you ideas how to make your home not only LOOK sensesational, but SMELL and SOUND wonderful also. And you'll find ways to tantalize the TASTE buds and tease you to TOUCH. The book--repleat with full-color photographs. I highly recommend this book.

This is an excellent source to find inexpensive ways to create a cozy home for the holidays. I am passing mine around to all of my friends. As someone who is lacking in creativity, I love the easy ideas that Terry shares.

Absolutely a great buy! Terry Willits offers practical, easy advice on making your home warm and inviting for Christmas. The pictures in the book are beautiful and classy. Every page is so well written. Your heart will be blessed by each page in this book. I highly recommend buying it!

I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber's Promise Texas series. I was excited when I picked up the book Small Town Christmas and seen that Return to Promise was in it. I was a nice book to catch up with Jane and Cal. I especially liked the second story Mail Order Bride. It was a little far fetched but it was funny and had a sweet ending.

I loved this book. I am so happy Debbie took us back to Promise, TX. Even better she took us back into the lives of Cal and Jane Patterson. This couple is taken through the ringers and back again, but there love for one another shines through. The book had both love and drama in it. The second story was great as well, but if you are a fan of the Promise series then you will love this story. Please Debbie, write more about Promise TX and the characters from the stories, because they are amazing to read.

I read all the Debbie Macomber books and I am now waiting for the next one to come out.

A wonderful Holiday book! I have read this book to many classes. They loved each page.

I bought this book to help explain Santa Claus and Christmas to my two year old son. (He was afraid of Santa last year.) As I turned the pages, my son kept saying "WOOOWW" at all the pop-ups. It is a very colorful book and fun to read. It is definitely on a two year old level (just enough wording). And now he's asking to go see Santa!!

I purchased this book and found it to be a truly wonderful children's book for the holidays. I didn't realize it was geared toward the older child, and I gave it to my 1 1/2 yr. old. As you can guess he ripped all the pop-ups out shortly there after. I fell in love with the pop-ups and the colors. It is very easy to read and keeps your child's attention. I paid 12.95 for it in Chicago. I am purchasing it today for about $9. This time it will get put away after the holidays!

Bob & Stella McCarty's Planet of the Dog book series just keeps getting better and better. In this delightful Christmas tale, the dog heroes of the Planet of the Dogs come down to earth to save Christmas, when the King of the North kidnaps two of Santa's reindeer.

All the favorite Planet of the Dog characters are back in this, the third book in the series.

Stella Mustanoja McCarty's illustrations are hauntingly beautiful in this volume, and Bob McCarty hits his stride as a masterful storyteller, as he weaves a story that is both exciting and fun. Children and dog lovers of all ages will enjoy this book and its vivid imagery.

- C.A.Wulff, author of Born Without a Tail

I was totally caught up in the suspense after two of Santa's reindeer are missing right before Christmas. The evil King of the North has abducted Dasher and Dancer and is keeping them hidden in his Ice Castle, and putting the delivery of toys by Santa in serious jeapordy. But never fear...the brave and loyal dogs have been beckoned yet again to help in resolving another crisis, but not with weapons or fighting. They save the day with love and kindness toward their enemy while bringing peace, and Christmas, to Snow Valley. It is a message everyone, especially children, needs to hear. As in the other books about the Planet of the Dogs, the mystical illustrations only add to the quality of the book and its message. This is the third installation of the Robert McCarty's delightful series, Planet of the Dogs, which also includes Castle in the Mist. This is a wonderful series of books for children of ALL ages, so be sure to order the whole collection in time for giving to the dog lovers in your life this holiday season.

Debbie Eades, author of EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE: Stories from the Dog Rescue Railroad

Following soon on the heels, er, Paws of their successful prevention of war in Castle in the Mist, the magnificent creatures return once more from the Planet of the Dogs. Snow Valley Heroes, Volume 3 of this continuing saga, again exemplifies the optimum that exists in nature in the form of human kinds best friend. Author Robert J. McCarty has certainly found his voice in this timeless and classic saga of Christmas. His is the gentle, and reassuring voice which comforts the reader as this untold legend of how the Dogs rescued Christmas from the cruel King of the North is finally revealed. More than ever, the illustrations of Stella Mustanoja McCarty provide an added spiritual dimension with their ethereal aura of otherness. Together, the McCarty's have created a world where conflict can and will be resolved by the forces of love and loyalty rather than by the force of might. Mr. McCarty has created a unique body of legends on a Planet of Dogs, which at the conclusion of the third account in his imaginative series brought a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat of this reader long past his adolescence. And so it is.

My eighteen month old loves this book (and the movie)! It is usually her first choice. When she sees me sitting down this is the book she runs for!

oh the book is a snowman shape and i like it happy. This is how the snowman likes I christmastime. I read it twice already, want more to read it!

tony

29 months baby, My daughter,Eugene really likes this book!! She learned about snow through this book! This snowman-shaped book is her good friend. Thanx a million, snowman!

I did not know this was a book, I thought I was buying the c.d. my fault for not reading more carefully.

As a classically-trained pianist I sometimes find new-age music a bit cheesy and not of the best quality of writing. Liz Story's music is definitely not either of those. Her style is a mix of new age improvisation and jazz. It is incredibly well-written, classy, and gorgeous. She has some new and original takes on the old classics.

These arrangements are some of my absolute favorites to play during the holidays. Some personal favorites in this collection include the beautiful, introspective "Angels We Have Heard On High" with its thick chords and harmonies, the medleys "Bring A Torch/When Blossoms Flowerd Mid the Snow" and "O Come Little Children/We'll Dress the House," and my absolute favorite "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - this rendition is gorgeous with its jazzy harmonies.

I would recommend this book to any pianist.

If you want to hear what the arrangements sound like in this book of piano music, the album Gift has the arrangements Liz Story creates from classic Christmas music.

These are really excellent pieces for something different for your next Christmas party or church celebration.

Spanky's message applies not only at Christmas but all year long. This is a story adults will delight in reading to their children over and over again.

I know you'll enjoy "Spanky: The Cat Who Loved Christmas" as much as I did!

I have really enjoyed reading Spanky : The Cat Who Loved Christmas! It's wonderful fun, and I would like to recommend it to you.

We've really enjoyed this book. It's a sweet story about animal families that are seeing signs of Christ's arrival in the stable. It doesn't ever mention Jesus or God, but the implication is clear at the end. My one year old likes to look at the animals and we practice making their sounds. At the end of the story, when the star is seen in full over the stable, there are little flashing LED (?) lights that make the star "twinkle."

Really cute story. I wasn't aware that the star "twinkled" on the last page when I bought it. I discovered that when I brought it home. It would have been nice to have a note somewhere in the book to let you know that not only did it twinkle but you needed bright light to make it work. Reasding it in dim light isn;t enough light to make it work. It's a great touch to the story.

This book has beautiful illustrations and the end part is really nice!
I strongly recommend it for reading out loud!