No comments about Caleb Crosses the Country: A Camel's Tale (God Can Use Me Series).

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.

4 comments about How the Grinch Stole Hollywood: The Making of the Movie.

1. How the Grinch Stole Hollywood: The Making of the Movie: 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' by Andy Lipschultz. Andy Lipschultz, an entertainment journalist, has produced another the-making-of a movie book that delivers the goods for those who relish the

   behind-the-scenes details involved in any Hollywood creation. Here creation is definitely the operative word, for Universal Studios' 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' entailed the daunting task of bringing to life the uniquely imaginative vision of Dr. Seuss, beloved writer/illustrator of picture books for children and the young at heart of all ages. The book includes interviews with the key persons involved in the Grinch live-action feature film project, from director Ron Howard, to star Jim Carrey, to make-up designer Rick Baker, to production designer Michael Corenblith, to costume designer Rita Ryack, to provide those juicy details that backstage buffs crave. If the text at times is a bit sparse, this is more than compensated for by the profuse, gorgeous, full-color photos (and frequently production sketches) that adorn every page of this large-format, glossy trade paperback. Lipschultz documents the process by which a team of talented folks collaborate to bring an invented world to life for the cinema screen, for the Grinch project in particular embodies an effort of near unprecedented scale. Dr. Seuss' world of Whoville and its not-quite-human inhabitants (and their heroic efforts to save their beloved Christmas holiday from the selfishness of the mean green one), had to be built and dressed from scratch and this challenging task is revealed in fascinating detail. Make-up magic involved the evolution of Jim Carrey's Grinch face which took over 3 hours to apply with its 3 custom-made facial appliances and yellow contact lenses not to mention some 200-odd Whoville residents all of whom required make-up, wigs and distinct costumes of their own. Whoville, a quintessentially Seussian world with no straight lines or right angles, was an architectural challenge that required special engineering consultations and the expertise or authorities on Antoni Gaudi, the world-famous architect who inspired Dr. Seuss to begin with. To flesh out the simple, yet timeless and appealing story of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' to full-length feature format required the dramatic license of scriptwriters whose solutions (approved by Audrey Geisel, widow of the 'source of all'), included adding newly invented characters and to portray them there had to be recruited a cast of talented, dedicated actors willing to endure cosmetic applications nearly as complex as Jim Carrey's. Then the wildly inventive sets all had to be specially lit, photographed,and enhanced by CGI special effects, but the devil of believability is in the details---thus, all the props were custom-crafted and employed along with 600 miles of Styrofoam, 50,000 Christmas lights, 8,000 ornaments, tons of artificial snow, and thousands of candy canes and other seasonal objects.

   Through all this production minutiae, Lipschultz makes one thing abundantly clear---all the producers, cast members and crew signed on to the the 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' project out of love of the Dr. Seuss books on which they all grew up and they poured their enthusiasm and creativity into attempting to be as true to the spirit of their source of inspiration as they could be. They did this in the hopes that their efforts would communicate the original, ingenious and magical invention of this giant of juvenilia in a movie that would 'steal Hollywood' and engender box office magic! Judging from the profusion of sketches, photos and never-before-seen scenes contained in this document of the production process, 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' looks exceedingly promising and tantalizing (as though their goal has been achieved), thus 'How the Grinch Stole Hollywood' may indeed be prophetic and not be yet another artifact of filmic folly.




2. I recently finished reading this book, and really enjoyed it. If you enjoyed the movie (or maybe even if you didn't) and are interested in "behind the scenes" information about it, I'd definitely recommend getting this book. It has lots of great pictures, and it's interesting reading, too.



3. If you are preparing for your appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, this is the book to fill your mind with production trivia about the movie. The main appeal of this book comes from a description of how the artistic decisions were made about make-up, sets, costumes, and props. The photographs are often reproduced out of focus, in sizes so small you cannot see the details, or with too much ink to accurately portray the original. The potential is mostly missed in the book to get lots of insights into the outstanding work of Jim Carrey and Ron Howard in making the movie.

   The book focuses successfully on Jim Carrey's makeup, as developed by Rick Baker. As you will read many times in the book, it took three hours to apply and a half hour to remove daily. Each of the 80 wearings required a different mask be prepared. Jim Carrey presuaded director Ron Howard to wear the makeup himself one day, sans the yellow contact lenses over the whole eye. Mr. Howard reported being "highly uncomfortable" by the end of the day.

   The artistic issue on the makeup was how to make Carrey look like the Grinch, yet allow him the facial and body mobility required to act like Jim Carrey. Reviews of the movie differ on how well this was accomplished with regard to Carrey's facial expressions. You can decide for yourself from the movie and the book how well this was accomplished.

   With so many actors needing so much makeup (many of whom were children), there was also the challenge of how to get it all on in time for some daily shooting. Also, what does a Who look like? The decision was made to make Whos more human than in the story in order better to attract the sympathies of the audience.

   The sets designed by Michael Corenblith were a compromise as well. It was felt that matching the drawings in Dr. Seuss's work would make the movie look like a cheap local theatrical production. So the designs come from a number of Seuss books to make a little World's Fair, emphasizing Gaudi-like designs. Designs were drawn from many standard sources including Gaudi's Barcelona work, Carlsbad Caverns, and even the winding stairway in New York's Guggenheim Museum by Frank Lloyd Wright.

   Props were built (as were the sets) with the rule that there would be no straight lines (not even for a pencil). In many cases, old items from the 30s and 40s bought at flea markets provided components. No materials from after 1957 were used.

   Costume designer Rita Ryack produced 400 outfits (including 200 hats) in less than 9 months. How's that for keeping busy?

   Cirque de Soleil stunt people were used for the unusual acrobatic sequences.

   Special effects were explained mostly by showing how blue screens were used.

   Everyone who worked on the project seems to have been in awe of Dr. Seuss's work, and dedicated to creating something special. In doing so, they clearly developed and expanded the story and everything else well beyond the original. Purists will say they went too far. Those who don't know the original will probably like it well enough.

   Those who know film making will learn relatively little from the book. The trivia buffs will have a field day.

   After you have finished enjoying the book, I suggest that you sit back and think about how you would like to have something you have worked on reproduced by others. How would you ensure that the results matched your desires? How would you grant them the freedom to improve on what you had done? How would you want the results to be judged?

   Remember the real spirit of Christmas, always . . . even when in Hollywood!




4. to go along with a great movie. i love all the behind the scences stuff... so cool!!

No comments about El Regalo del Pastor (A Shepherd's Gift, Spanish Language Edition).

1 comments about Wenceslas: The Eternal Christmas Story.

1. STORY
   Based on the well know Christmas song, Geraldine McCaughrean has written a wonderful adaptation that is just perfect for winter reading to your children. A story of warmth, compassion and Yuletide spirit, this book should do great with both parents and children alike.
   
   ILLUSTRATIONS
   Somewhere online someone (I think it was a publisher) wrote that if ever any artist was perfect for his chosen medium, it was Christian Birmingham. With 'Wenceslas', this amazing artist shows once again how true that remark is. I could go on and on about the amazing textures this craftsman has created with his pastels, brilliant choices of colour (beautiful hues of blue, purple, yello and orange) and other artistic choices Birmingham has made here, but it all comes down to this: this is a gorgeous book, you'll be paging through it again and again just for gazing at the artwork.

2 comments about Christmas at Stony Creek.

1. Pipsqueak "Pip" has always been more of a bookworm than anything else. While she loves foraging in the great outdoors occasionally, her true passion lies in curling up with a great book, and staying toasty warm in the house with her mother, father, and siblings. The fact that her older brother, Will, was recently the victim of a horrible attack in the great outdoors has only made her even more of a home dweller. But then things change drastically.
   
   Christmas is just days away, and the food is in short supply. With Will out of commission, nursing his bruised body, it is up to Father to find enough food to provide his family with a feast fit for royalty for Christmas Day dinner. When Father fails to return after countless days, it is obvious that something bad has happened. As the food continues to run low, Mother enlists Pip to help forage for something to eat. But on Christmas Eve, when the little ones are dreaming of Christmas Day dinner, it is quite obvious that there is no food left. As frightened as Pip is, she knows that she must return to the scene of Will's grizzly injury - Land's End. Land's End is an enormous mansion full of delightful food that will keep Pip's family satisfied for months. The only thing standing in Pip's way is her fear. Fear that could be the difference between a Christmas full of giggles and full-tummies, or sadness and hunger pains.
   
   Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year, and I adore stories about mice and their families. So when I stumbled upon Stephanie Greene's CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK, I knew it would be the perfect fit for my tastes. Greene's lovely narrative truly brings the holiday spirit to life, as Pip navigates her way through fear, love, joy, and danger. Her refusal to give up, no matter how tough things get is admirable; and her non-stop bravery makes her a heroine who will not soon be forgotten. Paired with Chris Sheban's adorable black-and-white sketches, CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK will appeal to many. Especially those looking for a holiday story that the whole family can enjoy. A tale that will warm you up, even on the chilliest of days!
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Freelance Reviewer



2. Pipsqueak is a mouse. Her papa calls her "Pip" for short. Because Pip was so small when she was born, Mama and Papa made a nest for her in a teacup. Pip loves to skate on the pond at Stony Creek. On winter nights, Pip and her family sit in front of the fireplace roasting chestnuts, which they all share.
   
   One night Papa tells Pip and the rest of the family that he must leave to find food. He promises to return in two days --- three at the most. While he is gone, Pip must help Mama care for the family.
   
   Pip is the quiet one. When she isn't outside skating, she's reading a book. Her brother Kit likes to whittle. Twins Nan and Nibs play together, and baby Finny enjoys eating and making noise. Will is the oldest and the bravest; he walks with a limp after being mauled by a cat in the house at Land's End, which is also where Pip's beloved Uncle Hank died.
   
   Land's End is "the house perched at the edge of a cliff overlooking the woods." The people who live there built the house by cutting down trees and destroying the homes of the animals living in the woods. Food is plentiful at Land's End, but it is also a very dangerous place. Besides the hungry cat, there is a deadly trap, which is what killed Uncle Hank. After Will's injury and Uncle Hank's death, Mama has made Pip promise never to go near Land's End. Pip has always been too afraid to even think about disobeying her.
   
   After Papa is gone for more than a week, Pip is sent outside to look for food, but all she finds are some seeds and a small piece of corncob. On her way back she stops to skate and doesn't notice how late it is. She struggles to make it home with the help of her special walking stick, which her Uncle Hank had helped make. It is made of hickory wood; he once told her there is "nothing stronger."
   
   With two days left until Christmas, Papa has yet to return. Mama sends Pip to visit Aunt Pitty, an old rabbit, whose warren smells of apples and cinnamon. Aunt Pitty gives Pip seeds and berries to take home for the family and tells her to be brave. On her way back to the nest, Pip is stalked by a huge owl. With the help of her special walking stick, she barely escapes the owl's talons but loses the food from Aunt Pitty and returns home empty-handed.
   
   By Christmas Eve Papa still isn't home. Mama has saved up some food for the Christmas celebration, but the family is still hungry. Pip asks Will about Land's End. He warns her to be careful and makes her promise not to go near the trap. After Mama falls asleep, she slips outside. It is cold and dark, but Pip knows what she must do.
   
   Will Pip make it to Land's End? Will she bring back food for the family? And what has happened to Papa? Will he return home in time for Christmas?
   
   CHRISTMAS AT STONY CREEK is a warm and whimsical story with a gentle message of love, bravery, sacrifice and the blessings of being a family. It is a delightful book for families to read together in front of a warm fireplace on a cold winter's night --- and to pick up again any time of the year.
   
   --- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

1 comments about Christmas Angel (Clifford's Puppy Days).

1. I was surprised that while listing what Christmas was about - presents, decorations, food, sharing the holiday with friends and family - there was no mention of the religious aspect of the holiday, after all, that's what Christmas is REALLY about.

No comments about The A B C's of Christmas.

1 comments about The Night Before A Dogtown Christmas.

1. Terrific story. My Daughter loves it. The pictures are nice and colorful! awesome book! Thank so much for creating such a fun story...She wants to read it all year long. its become her favorite Book!

No comments about Joseph's Christmas Story: Mathew 1:18-24; Luke 2:1-20 (Arch Books) (Arch Books).