Christmas Books

I bought this book for my 95 year-old mother-in-law for Chistmas this year. We told her to open it as soon as it was delivered to her so she could get in the Christmas spirit. She told me she is enjoying this book so much! She especially likes the stories of Christmas in other countries and the beautiful illustrations. One of these pictures reminded her of a postcard send to her when she was young. This brought back some fond memories for her. Maybe she'll let me borrow it now!

Wallowing in happy Christmas memories has caused me to start buying books of this nature. Although several times the narrative has been similar in various books, this one stands out not only for the concise text, but the beautiful graphics and selection of images. The country by country detail of traditions was really nice.

I put my little heap of Christmas books beside me, fix a cup of hot cocoa, crank up the air conditioning, and sink happily into a winter wonderland of Christmas in August!

In The Christmas Pony Laura is very determined to keep Mr. Crumbs, a pony who belongs to a neighbor who is moving away. Laura and her friends must find a way to keep Mr. Crumbs by raising money and doing jobs for people. My favorite part is when Laura got mad at her brother, Ben, and then said she was sorry. It was very sweet of her to do that. Mr. Jakes is a mean neighbor who the kids do not like, but then he becomes nice and helps them keep Mr. Crumbs. I did not expect this! This is a great book that you will enjoy, especially if you like horses. (Review written by Hannah, daughter).

* If you like horse books you'll love this book my favorite character is *??? Because * she is determined to save a horse but people tell her she can't get enough money to take care of the horse. I liked the time my character got a fair so they could get money to save a horse her friends helped her get enough money to save the horse. Will ????? Have enough time to save the horse. Isabella is my nickname.

I have seldom read such a well written, solidly constructed story. As I read this for the very first time, I found myself reading aloud, because the pure simplicity of the story pulled from me a long buried story teller. I will be telling this story to the children around the tree this year, and probably for years to come. It is an easy read, with a very strong and clear message. The story gives a glimpse of life in another time, and the yet the message is modern and poignant.

More than anything else I've ever read, this story captures the essence of Christmas. It is very inspirational, well written and delivers great impact.

I highly recommed it for readers of all ages, all backgrounds, and all religions.

This is a keeper you will want to share.

It shows that families can't be apart and the pictures are pretty. the book is also based on a true story.

"Another pup is in the Christmas spotlight with this touching chapter book. Sprinkled with supple water colors ...this gifty looking volume gently tugs the heartstrings."

Note from the author: I couldn't access the author's review page so I am using this venue to ask you to please include this excerpt of a starred review from Publisher's Weekly (Children's Holiday Books, Oct. 1999.) If you have room, you may want to include the entire review: "Another pup is in the Christmas spotlight with this touching chapter book wherein boy meets dog, boy loses dog, boy gives dog away. Zach and his family adopt Tina, a rascally puppy whom they grow to love dearly, and they're heartbroken when she disappears. She's eventually discovered in the company of a homeless man, and Zach makes the ultimate sacrifice when he decides that the stranger needs a friend even more than he does. Sprinkled with supple watercolors and trimmed with thin red borders on each page, this gifty-looking volume gently tugs the heartstrings."

Thank you, Roberta Grobel Intrater

We bought the version of this collection that came with a CD, which includes performances of over half of the selections. We've enjoyed it annually over the holidays for the past three years, and while the CD is playing, can get the score and sing along off-key whenever we want. The selection of Christmas songs is quite good, and many of the songs we have never seen elsewhere--English, American shape-note songs, gaelic. This is a real find.

On every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas (four and sometimes five weekends a year) there are about 35 to 50 of us costumed actors and reenactors who participate in putting on the Holly Old Tyme Dickens Festival up in Holly, Michigan. Held outside in the closed off streets of this beautiful Victorian village, we literally turn it into London of 1843 with vendors of all types (food, hot roasted chestnuts, and other oddities) hawking their wares, A Christmas Carol play put on twice daily, many different types of street entertainment, and, of course, Christmas music. Choirs, waits, wassailers, musicians...a constant flow of music can be heard at any given time.
I happen to manage a group of high schoolers (and recent grads) who go by the name Simply Dickens. They are a vocal quartet (and sometimes a trio) that performs at the above said Dickens Festival. Much of their time is spent learning and singing the traditional old world carols, many of which have been long forgot. But the Christmas Revels have revived, through their numerous Christmas CD's, a multitude of these long lost gems. And now the Christmas Revels put a large chunk of what they have recorded into music book form! And it's from this music book that Simply Dickens get much of their material that they perform at the Holly Dickens Festival.
The song titles may seem strange at first (Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, Cherry Tree Carol, Wondrous Love, Gower Wassail, Wexford Carol, etc.) which is why I would recommend getting the CD's first so you could actually hear what these wonderful old tunes sound like, THEN order the music book.
I don't believe there is a finer collection of Christmas music available in one set - CD or book - and I would highly recommend this set to anyone whose Christmas Music interests go beyond Santa Coming To Town, Grandma getting run over by a reindeer, and Rudolph's shiny nose.

A "Christmas Ribbonry" is a wonderful book. The ornaments are so different! The one that initially caught my eye was the galette on page 40. I ran out and bought ribbon to make it. It did take some time, but after it was finished I had the most adorable little "cookie". The directions were very clear as were the illustrations. What a beautiful house where all the pictures were taken!

I can't wait to start on another Christmas ornament. What's also nice is that there are ideas in it to create useful decorations throughout the year. For instance, you can make covered boxes in pastels for Sringtime.

Thanks for making my holiday a little more special. I highly recommend this book and give it five stars plus!

This is a well-written and informative book. The instructions are clear and allow a novice to complete many of the creations. A book like this gives readers hours of enjoyment; plus you can learn a skill. I feel that Mrs. Nitschke is a creative genius and thank her for her hard work in compiling this book.

I highly recommend this book to readers who want to be creatively challenged.

A great Christmas gift for your artistic friends.

I have read this book and find it extremely inspirational. Depending on what emotion I am feeling at the time I read it, I can find new meanings in what the author is saying.

This book sells out at every autograph signing. It is an inspirational story for all ages. It is an excellent gift book that says if you believe in something strongly, you will achieve whatever you wish.

These patterns are really great... I'm a beginner at scroll sawing, but with those patterns in hand, my work looks good... If your a Christmas fan, if you like all those Santa with flying reindeers and different ornaments, this is the book you need.

Looking for a good selection of Christmas Patterns ? Look no further, the Spielman's present another excellent scroll saw selection of patterns and different techniques to allow the user to create unique and quite attractive projects.

Not much instuction in this book, about 4 pages of different techniques of stack sawing, segmentation and various ways to utilize patterns. There are four pages of color photos giving the user an exellent idea of the different projects available. Also, laced throughout the book, are black and white photos and brief helpful hints on how to make the project something everyone would be happy to receive as a Christmas present. The tips on segmentation are excellent with just enough photos to not allow the user to feel they were left out in the cold.

This is an excellent pattern book for both the beginner and the more experienced sawyer, with enough selection of various types of projects to allow the user to make something to be very proud to give as a gift, or sell at a craft show.

With the townsfolk gone before the big snow storm hit, Daniel Creed can't believe he let Katherine Rose a.k.a. Mary Kaye Dowd leave before he arrested her. Actually, he didn't have any intent on arresting her. It probably had to do with his ever increasing emotions for her, but Daniel can never act on his feelings.

When checking the town one last time, Daniel is shocked to discover the object of his desire is still in town. As he checks out her establishment, the heat between Katherine and Daniel flare to life bringing about their mutual feelings. A bounty hunter comes to town intent on capturing her, but will Daniel and Katherine manage to elude him?

Christmas Showdown is a good western story set in 1885. The setting and the characters jump off the pages in this quick read. Daniel and Katherine can't deny what they feel and they go with it bringing much life and passion between these pages.

Klarissa
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Katherine Winter swore when she got out of her abusive second marriage that no woman under her protection would ever suffer the horrendous abuse that she herself suffered. Having catered to men and their baser needs, Katherine pretty much knows what she does and doesn't want; and what she wants is Sheriff Daniel Creed. She recognizes that he is one man who can satisfy her needs while offering her protection.

Sheriff Daniel Creed never expected Madam Katherine to still be in town. When he sees a light in her bordello during a blizzard, he can't stop himself from checking on her. When she opens her doors and admits him into her sanctum, he finds himself powerless to resist her charms. No matter that her face is on the wanted poster in his pocket and that the money alone from turning her in would make him a rich man.

Daniel and Katherine find comfort and love in each other's arms. Their scorching interlude is disrupted when a man bent on revenge comes to call. Daniel quickly realizes that for Katherine to remain safe, he must take the other man down.

CHRISTMAS SHOWDOWN had all the elements of a story that I love. It was a western historical, the hero was a sexy half-breed lawman determined to protect the woman he loved, and the heroine was an innocent victim fighting to forget past abuse. I was in complete reading nirvana!

Janette Kenny has woven a moving tale that I couldn't put down. I found it poignant, extremely sensual, and just a very good storyline. Janette Kenny is going to be an author that I intend to watch for coming novels. *** Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies ***

Lee Shargell is certainly one of the new brilliant writers of today. He weaves a beautiful story in Christmas Siren. It is masterfully told, a modern classic, complete with a surprise ending! This story had to be told and Lee Shargell tells it wonderfully. It's a hard novel to put down and very hard to keep a dry eye, especially at the story's conclusion. I wholeheartedly and highly reccomend the Christmas Siren. It'll probably change your life!

This book is one of the greatest stories I have ever read. I couldn't put it down. The story made me cry tears of sadness and tears of joy. Lee Shargel is probably the most visual writer I have ever seen. His words not only come to life and leap off the page, they pull you into the story as a witness to the events as they unfold. I recommend this story to everyone. This book could end racism forever. How can any be prejudiced after reading this book? This is a story of one man's sacrifice under the most horrendous circumstances. He saved the lives of his persecutors and changed their lives forever. A book like this comes maybe once every 50 years. I know you will enjoy reading it many times.