4 comments about Maybe The Truth About Santa: A story which takes the mystery out of Santa.

1. Truly not like other children's books. This book is a rare gem for parents looking to give their kids something more than the 'Santa gives presents to everyone Christmas night via their chimney' stories that prevail (and yes, unfortunately, I own some of these). This book instead dives into the real 'spirit' of Santa - a spirit of giving that can take hold at anytime. I wish more authors/publishers would give kids and parents some credit and provide some real substance in their children's books like this one does.
   
   I realize I'm a new generation of parent (twenty somethings) and not everyone is comfortable having really honest discussions about subjects like Santa, but I think that is a shame. Truly, I'm glad I found this book when I did because it gave me a great way to handle the Santa situation with my two-year old. I didn't want to lie to her, but I also didn't just want to tell her that Santa is not real. Maybe the Truth About Santa gave me a great way to talk about Santa in terms that I'm comfortable - giving, joy and spirit. I also appreciate that the book manages to touch on spirituality without getting religous or new agey - something I know other parents I've talked to will like.
   
   In short, this book has something to say but is still colorful, fun and engaging for my two-year old. I think it has something for everyone and I personally think I'll still be reading it with her in elementary school.



2. I think this is a brilliant way to blend both the world of Santa magic and the world of practical truth. Magic doesn't die and neither does trust in what parents tell kids. I am already reading this to my two year old who loves the rhymes and pictures. We are going to present the idea of Santa to her like this book explains from the start!



3. As a parent who has faced the difficult situation of explaining the truth about Santa to my children, I really appreciate this unique and clever story. By relating Santa to the giving spirit inside, this story can help concerned children make the transition from fantasy to reality, while maintaining the magic that we all desire. I will certainly use this approach with my grandchildren.



4. My sister used this book to help her with the growing problem of "Santa" with her young daughter. Though she had tried other avenues, "Maybe the Truth About Santa" gave her the ideas and guidance that let her daughter experience the magic of the holidays while not feeling "led on" by her parents.

No comments about My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas Reusable Sticker Book (My Little Pony).

1 comments about Brother Francis and the Friendly Beasts.

1. This is a good story for children about St. Francis. 3 or 4 year olds would enjoy having it read to them while 3rd graders will enjoy being able to read it for themselves. While it talks a little bit about who St. Francis is in general. While pointing out that it was while he was sick that he seemed to go through an experience of conversion (though it is put on a child's level of understanding) it does not mention anything about the wars involved. While it tells about the father asking for everything back, there is no picture or mention about his standing in front of the bishop and towns people in the process. It focuses on Francis' preaching to the birds, the wolf of Gubbio and the first live Christmas creche. The pages are filled with pictures of the same artistic kind of work shown on the cover. There is about 10 lines of typing for every 2 pages.

No comments about Baby Strawberry's First Christmas (Strawberry Shortcake Baby).

1 comments about The Twelve Days of Christmas in Wisconsin (Twelve Days of Christmas, State By State).

1. I picked this up at Barnes and Noble last week, as it was featured near the check out. I just love it! I think my 7 year old son will adore it. This would make an EXCELLENT Christmas gift for a youngster.
   
   It explains some fun activities and festivites you can explore in Wisconsin, and specifically what makes the state unique and interesting. Also, it lists famous people from Wisconsin and fun facts such as the state bird and state motto. What a darling book and great concept, knowledgeable yet entertaining. Five stars.

No comments about Holidays Around The World: Celebrate Christmas: With Carols, Presents, and Peace (Holidays Around the World).

No comments about Fun-to-Make Crafts for Christmas.

1 comments about Elf: Buddy's Little S(Elf) Help Book (Elf).

1. this book is the perfect gift for anyone who has seen the movie, and can't wait for it to come to video/dvd. it is filled with classic quotes from the movie (which just helps bring back the film every time you read it). It's not a good book for anyone who hasn't seen the film. The pages read like this " Fransisco, that's fun to say." .

2 comments about The Nutcracker.

1. This book belongs in any serious Christmas book collection. The story may be well known, but the illustrations are of extraordinary beauty! Russian born artist Gennady Spirin won several awards for his work on this book. It is like leafing through a book from times gone by. It also makes a great gift for a Christmas enthusiast.



2. I am something of a collector of Hoffmann's Nutcracker stories. Especially the illustrated children's picture books. I have two criteria. One: The full Hoffmann text must be used in the text--no abridgements! Two: The illustrations must be fantastic--in every sense of the word.
   
   The three very best, in no particular order:
   1. Maurice Sendak's version. Sendak designed the costumes and sets for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker Suite. The designs were also used for Nutcracker:The Movie (which, sadly, is not available on DVD. hint!). It is filled with endless color sketches that communicate the strange atmosphere of Hoffmann's text--and Tchaikovsky's music.
   
   2. Carter Goodrich's version. Most notably known for his whimsical New Yorker cartoons, Goodrich's soft, yet dream-like images give his imagination free-reign. The world of the Nutcracker has never been so accessible to young and old alike.
   
   3. Of course, Gennady Spirin's version. Jewel-like, yet with an old-world patina, each painting glitters with the magic of Christmas. Every image can (and should) be poured over to examine the breathless detail of Spirin's baroque dollhouse universe.
   
   There are too many uninspired or bowdlerized versions of this tale littering the market. If I may, I'd like to make some suggestions of others who would be worthy to take a "crack" at this Christmastime masterpiece:
   
   Edward Sorel, of "The Saturday Kid" fame.
   David Wiesner of "Sector 7".
   Peter Malone, who did an excellent job with "The Magic Flute".
   Brian Selznick of "The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins".
   Peter Sis, who created the haunting "The Three Golden Keys".
   and Marc Sutherland, who made the deliriously animistic "MacMurtrey's Wall".

No comments about The First Christmas.