Christmas Eve Books

This book will become a classic and traditional item in your Christmas collection. Within the richly-textured, red cloth covers and between the excellent quality, thick and smooth pages, you and your family will experience the beautiful story of Christmas Eve. The story is told with biblical excerpts and the illustrations were created with awe-inspiring engravings. My favorite parts of this book are when traditional Christmas carols/music are inserted throughout the book in perfect places. For example, after the passage about Mary giving birth comes the song, "Away in a Manger" and after the part of the story when the shepherds hear the news, you and your family members can all break into singing, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" This book ties it all together! It's a must-have for owning as well as for your gift-giving list.

This is a real treasure that we will use each Christmas Eve. It includes songs and scriptures that tell the Christmas story. We are looking forward to using it with our entire family on Christmas Eve!

This is a lovely, well-designed book featuring the real Christmas story (the one that everyone seems to have forgotten)and is accompanied with striking black and white engravings. A definite must for your family Christmas collection.

This music is beautiful. You too can sound just like David Lanz on the piano! My favorite pieces are What Child is This, The First Noel/Christmas Eve Waltz, and Silent Night. An intermediate level player can bring tears to your eyes playing those songs. I'm sure you will love it.Christmas Eve

I have owned this for about 9 years now, and my family and friends beg me to play songs from the book every Christmas. If you like David Lanz's Christmas Eve cd, this is perfect because the songs are basically the same as he plays. His style is unique and beautiful.

Around the holidays, nearly all of my students want to play Christmas music. It can become really tiresome, but I love this book. Joy to the World, O Come O Come Emmanuel, The Christmas Eve Waltz/The First Noel, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Angels We Have Heard On High are played at just about all of my student Christmas recitals. A few of the arrangements are less than stellar, but the good ones are GREAT! The shorter improvised pieces with the theme of angels from the recording are also included. If you are an intermediate or above pianist, I highly recommend this collection. The arrangements are faithful to the traditional melodies, but add a new spirit to them.

This book is wonderful! Full of stories and delicious recipes. I have the book, and it is one of my treasures!

THE EVE OF SEVEN FISHES

Life is funny. Once upon a time I set out to write FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES - a story set against the backdrop of an Italian-American family cooking the Christmas Eve seafood feast. Much of the inspiration for writing the story, in addition to my wonderful childhood memories of my family dinners, came from my first Christmas Eve with my wife Shannon - who was then my girlfriend. That was a very special time - the first time I ever told her I loved her. Now, like I said, life is funny. Robert Germano is someone I've known for years. But unbeknownst to me, at the same time I was writing my book, Robert was doing the same, albeit in a different fashion. Not a fictional book - but a cookbook dedicated to his family's take on the Feast. More with the funniness: it was Robert who played matchmaker and introduced me to Shannon. Shannon who wrote the cookbook portion of my Feast book. Did I mention life is funny?

So obviously I owe the man, which I disclose freely. You can stop reading now if you're worried my review will be in some way tainted.

Okay, for those of you who have faith in my impartiality and general integrity here's the skinny on Robert's book:

If you like those slick, smug cookbooks put out by celebrity chefs and snobby foodies move along. You don't want to come to Robert's dinner party. However, if you enjoy someone who very simply and lovingly bares their soul through their actions and obvious affections, sit down and pour a glass of chianti. On the surface THE EVE OF SEVEN FISHES is a collection of recipes for the Feast as practiced by folks from the Molise region of Italy. But it's more than that. Reading both the text and between the lines you experience one man's plaintive plea to re-connect - not only with his immediate family and childhood and holiday memories - but with a more ancient past. Robert Germano wasn't content to simply scribble down what his mom and aunts and so on had to say. No, Robert got on a plane and went to Italy to get things straight from the source. I think it blew his mind.

When I did Feast one of my main motivations was to capture the moment where we're on the verge of losing our ethnicity as Italian-Americans - that was part of the story in a sense. Robert, however, refuses to surrender. He's passionate about preserving and celebrating these culinary traditions. He does it in the voice of your dad, your uncle or your next door neighbor. He's not trying to impress you - he's too desperate for that. Desperate to try and preserve something that is beautiful and delicious and real.

If that's not reason enough to buy the book I don't know what to tell you (actually, I'd buy it just for the pasta with anchovies - but maybe that's just me).

I have yet to see the actual book but being a long time friend of Robert's, I had the opportunity to review his final draft while back in the "Burg" this past July. A great christmas gift for everyone,,,, even if you are not Italian! This book made my Christmas shopping a cake-walk this year! Janet Lee Knizner-Enders

This is the story of Kipper, a quite sweetly painted watercolour dog by Mick Inkpen. Gorgeously simply, but beautifully coloured drawings. Kipper is out in the snow on Christmas Eve choosing a tree. He can't get it out but finally figures out how to do it. At the same time he dislodges a mouse. The only thing to notice this is Arnold who is a young pig (who doesn't talk yet) and his brother Pig. Pig helps Kipper get the tree back home, Arnold watches the mouse.

There are two parallel but intersecting stories in this and it is actually quite conceptually complex for children to understand. Firstly there is Arnold, who doesn't speak and his pursuit of the mouse - quietly - which none of the others notice or realise is there - so Kipper and Pig are decorating thinking the things Arnold is doing are decorating too. There is the strange appearance of Tiger one of Kipper's other dog friends who drops round iwth a present and a snowball to throw at Kipper. And Pig who goes to wrap up Kipper's present and comes back with it badly wrapped.

It is all the small things of life in a children's book - and all based around Kipper wondering if he likes Christmas day with its presents, or Christmas Eve with its anticipation of Christmas day the best. The really lovely thing about this book is that on the last page is a small flashing light which is the reindeer hat which Kipper has given Arnold. Arnold is wearing standing in the window waiting for Santa. The bulb takes quite a bit of hard wear from little fingers which have endlessly picked away at it since we got this book 3 years ago - it still works, so full marks for reliability!

My three year old daughter has had this book for two weeks (we got it after Christmas!) and asks me to read it to her at least several times a day - without giving too much away the surprise on the last page has her fascinated! The story is a really lovely one, Mum's and Dad's will enjoy it as much as the littlies!

Kipper's Christmas Eve is a delightful holiday book that will be a hit with all young children. Mick Inkpen's Kipper characters are darling as ever as they prepare for Christmas by finding and decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and waiting for Santa. There is a cute little stowaway mouse that children will enjoy looking for on each page and the lighted surprise at the end will be fun for all. This will be a great holiday book to read and reread.

Great story for kids. My 8 year old son loved listening to these stories and now wants me to buy more "Hank" stories for us to listen to on the way to school.

The case of the Vampire Cat is one of our family's top three Hank stories. We often listen to it on car trips. Our boys are 18 and 11 now, and they've both been listening to that story most of their lives. We never get tired of it.

In this two-book audio pack, you can listen to two more adventures from Hank, that hilarious cowdog. In the first story, Hank book #5: Faded Love, Hank goes to visit his One True Love, Beulah the collie. In the second, book #6: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, Hank must find out who's been murdering chickens before he gets blamed. I wouldn;t miss them!

With overtones of "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life," this small, satisfying book from veteran author Van Doren answers to the paradoxical angst we all feel during the holidays. Van Doren quickly establishes a clear voice as he recounts a Christmas Eve adventure that wouldn't be out of place in Alice's Wonderland. Employing his hometown landscape and universal themes of too-much-work/too-little-time, the story sleds along an ever-surprising slope, accelerating steadily -- with the occasional pause for breath -- to a conclusion that is both simple and profound. A quick read, the book is a perfect gift and a primer for the ages.

I slipped away from the family holiday doings on the afternoon of December 23rd to take a nap and nurse a nasty cold, but my 2-year-old nephew's one-volume voice (loud) kept sleep away, so I picked up this lovely little red book. Not a whole lot more than 47 minutes later, I was able to rejoin the crowd, still sleepy but filled with Christmas goodwill.
It even lasted until said nephew woke me up at about 5:30 a.m. the next day.
If you need a reminder that finding beauty in everyday things can save not only your holiday spirit but also your sanity, READ THIS BOOK!

Set on the east side of Manhattan, Cecil's New Year's Eve Tail is a children's picturebook following Cecil the wealthy and well-dressed snake. Though Cecil carries himself with impeccable poise, he is distressed that the human world seems to reject him. Just as he is on the verge of giving up, his friends remind him to take part in their holiday celebration - and Cecil learns that fitting in the human world is not as important as being oneself in the company of true friends. A glossary of words that may be unfamiliar to young people rounds out this kindly holiday tale, featuring simple color illustrations of a snake who tries to dress like humans.

What a wonderful book to share with children during the holidays! There are so few books out there that cover New Year's as a holiday, and Cecil's Tail, is one you'll love to add to your library.

Cecil lives in Manhattan, and is a highly respected citizen. His family was wealthy and well thought of in England. The Queen even knighted his grandfather for his services to the court. But one day, Cecil finds himself an outcast among his peers when he receives an invitation to a New Year's Eve Ball. All the guests are asked to wear their finest things and patent leather dancing shoes. Cecil is beside himself because he doesn't own a pair of patent leather dancing shoes. Why doesn't he just buy a pair? This is easier said than done. You see, Cecil is a Snake!

Cecil's New Year's Eve Tail is the second book in Marie Fritz Perry's career that she has written and illustrated. The illustrations are done in wonderful watercolor, ink, and colored pencil - all of which bring the story to life. Perry's also done a wonderful job wrapping us with her words about the craziness of finding the perfect outfit for a party, wanting to hide from our problems, and reminding us that our friends like us no matter who we are.

Stories for Children Editor, VS Grenier

My third graders like this book very much and it sparks a lot of discussion about America and freedom. It's about a family that must flee a Caribbean island because of political persecution. They escape in a crowded boat, where they face hunger and fear. On their trip they are even robbed and shot at. Finally, they reach a friendly shore where they are welcomed and invited to share a feast, for it is Thanksgiving Day in America. They agree there is much to be thankful for. The text is very simple and the illustrations convey the mood of fear and uncertainty. This little book may bring tears to your eyes, and will definitely make you proud to be an American.

Eve Bunting has managed to describe at a child's level the fear, anticipation and exhaustion that often accompanied many of our ancestors as they came to America. This book is a reminder of the people who both came before us and those that still come with hope to America.

It is a beautiful, meaningful and heartwarming book to share with elementary students and families either during the Thanksgiving season or while studying history and immigration.

I have several of the santa books from Julie Sykes and Tim Warnes and they are so much fun to read. the preschoolers ask again and again to read them. Santa has lots of silly accidents. Santa's animal friends give him encouragement and freindship and sometimes get into some trouble of their own. In this book, santa wakes up late, trips and falls over his pants, can't find the reindeer in the woods, gets hit by a snowball by the reindeer, who are having a snow ball fight, crashes his sled that becomes stuck and then is rescued by a large beautiful horse on the farm while a rooster shouts out encouragement. Santa gets to open the last present, which is an alarm clock, ofcourse.

This is a fun romp with the jovial fellow. Having over-slept, will he make it in time to deliver all the presents? Brightly illustrated, heaps of fun. Young children in the throes of Santa-believe and excitement will love it. (And what would the reindeer and other animals give a Santa who didn't wake up on time? )

"Merry Christmas, Davy!" is the fifth book in Brigitte Weninger and Eve Tharlets' "Davy" series. These books are all about a young bunny boy who is sweet and kind, but sometimes gets into trouble because his good intentions cause him to make mistakes. Or at least, they seem like mistakes, but especially around Christmas, doing nice things has a way of making others open their hearts as well.

In this story, Father Rabbit reminds the kids of Santa Claus and the way that he likes children to behave. They remember their lessons well --- Santa Claus rewards being good, helping one another, sharing things and kindness. When Davy notices animals in need of food due to a harsh winter, he decides to share his family's food, not realizing that this will deprive his family. At first, the Rabbits are mad, but when they think about what Davy has done, they band together in a wonderful show of generosity.

The illustrations are soft, charming, and touching. The text is good for read-aloud, but may be a bit lengthy for younger readers to read on their own. So this is a story probably best shared by families and the lesson it teaches is great for all families.

As a storyteller, every Christmas was a struggle, which books will I read this year? They were all nice stories, but none was better. Until I read this one. It was an instant hit. ALL the children loved it. Davy is an admirable character, he is like a regular 4 years old, innocent and willing to do some good... not thinking he can do some arm to his own family. A touching story that brings parents and children together.