3 comments about Three Kings and a Star.

1. I have been a fan of Fred Crump for years, but he has out done himself this time. Three Kings and a Star is so beautiful and is a great variation on the traditional holiday story. I can't wait to read this book to my children over and over again this Christmas.



2. Intentionally designed to apple to a young African American readership, Three Kings And A Star, written and illustrated by Fred Crump, Jr. (a public school art teacher for more than 30 years and illustrator of more than 40 children's books, all contextualized for African American children), is a vivid retelling of the wise men's journey to find the baby Jesus. This picturebook retelling features Crump's detailed artwork. From the moment Mary discovers she will have a son, to the arrival of the three wise men laying their gifts before the newborn King, this remarkable and enthusiastically recommended picturebook engages the total attention of young readers in a vibrant and thoroughly entertaining retelling of an ageless and classic Christmas story.



3. This book is beautifully illustrated. I shared it with my sons first grade class and they loved it so much I donated it to the class. It tells the story of the Nativity as well as the part the 3 Kings play. I especially liked the fact that the people in the story are depicted True to life as African & Arab people. Its refreshing!

No comments about Merry Christmas! Stained Glass Coloring Book.

5 comments about Elton the Elf (Canadian Edition).

1. Elton the Elf is a wonderful storyline about a little elf who finds his way home after traveling through various holidays. The unusual idea of traveling through holidays is a unique one. Both the author and illustrator, who has bright and colorful illustrations, mesh their talents together creating a children's book that will bring a smile to both adults and children's faces.



2. Elton the Elf is a wonderful book for young children. I teach at a preschool and this book tells about an elf who goes through the whole year trying to find his holiday. The story beautifully explains what happens to the elf as he travels through the year until he finds his home. The book illustrations along with the story shows the children what happens at each month from January to December. The young children love hearing about the elf (...).



3. This book was absolutely wonderful. The story is adorable, and the illustrations were splendid. Traveling through the holidays was great fun. I highly recommend this unique book!



4. Elton the Elf is an outstanding book. It's fun for my class to help Elton through the various holidays and find the holiday he belongs to. The children are able to see many holidays that are celebrated throughout the year. They want to read it again and again.



5. My first grade class at St. Theresa School really enjoyed this story. It's a great way to explore the seasons and holidays!

5 comments about There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein.

1. I first read this book in 1983. It was my feeling then, and remains my belief now, that Ms. Sussman accurately captured the spirit of the religious experience of each of the girls. I believe the story is validating and meaningful for youngsters of both traditions, as it was intended. It also contains valuable insight for now-Jewish adults who may have minimal understanding of the Jewish experience. Each Christmas, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A CHANUKAH BUSH, SANDY GOLDSTEIN is displayed in my library along with the Christmas books. I found it to be a validation of both the Jewish and Christian traditions. If I were to make a suggestion, it would be to further explore the feelings of the Christian child whose best friend is Jewish. Christian children are not necessarily oblivious to the conflict presented to Jewish children each December.



2. Dear editors, I am writing re: my review of 1-25-99. There is a one-word error in the fifth line that changes the meaning entirely. It should read, ".....insight for NON Jewish adults...", not "insight for now Jewish adults." Would you kindly change this wording. As it reads now, it is misleading for your potential future customers, and embarrasing for me. (p.s. I actually AM Heather's mother. Susan Sussman wrote the book using our two daughters as the models for her characters Robin and Heather.)



3. "Do you have your tree yet," Heather asked Robin. "There it was! That question. Only this time it was worse, because of what Sandy Goldstein had done." Sandy's family had put up a Christmas tree and called it a Chanukah bush.

   This nub of the first pages in this 9-chapter, 48-page easy reader captures the conflicted feelings of Robin, the main Jewish character whose best friend Heather was Christian. Heather naturally wanted Robin to share the joy of Christmas. Robin wanted to share it too. But of course, being Jewish, her family did not have a Christmas tree, and she had to tell her friend, "There is no such thing as a Chanukah bush."

   Things got worse in school, when Robin's teacher directed the children to construct holiday decorations and Sandy Goldstein sat next to Robin, making the ugliest paper chains she had ever seen. Then all the other children started talking about their tree decorations and Santa Claus. Robin felt so, so, left out.

   At home, Robin had a conversation with her mother about different ways of being Jewish. Robin's mother finished by saying that if Sandy Goldstein's family had a Christmas tree that was their business, but she would not have one in her house. They lit Chanukah candles.

   Then Robin's Grandpa entered. His union was holding a Christmas party and he wanted Robin to go. The story travels through another five chapters and 28 pages before the girls reach an understanding about one another and their holidays. And that understanding is truly magnificent.

   This book shows children the respect that they can and should have for others of varied faiths. Children (and people) can be different, but nevertheless help and love one another, deeply.
   
   And PS, this book is not just for girls. Our copy was a gift from a relative whose son loved the story too. Alyssa A. Lappen




4. As a Christian who's best friend was Jewish in elementary school (and to this very day) the two of us found this story to be such an entertainment that we joke about it to this very day, some nearly twenty years later. It helped to bridge a gap in understanding about what Hanukkah means to the faithful, and even now I fondly remember feeling so special being the one Christian invited to light the candles and "tell the story of God and His glory and how precious freedom was won." Even now, I tell people I was raised by a Jewish mother too, with much pride, and look forward to the festival of lights year after year.



5. This book contains a universal theme that left me saying, "That's me." I was the odd one out. We've all been there at some point, and this book is outstanding. I also feel like it's a great way for kids outside of the Jewish faith to get that small perspective of what it is like for a Jewish child at Christmastime. It's one of those books that I remember fondly and remember well, even though I haven't read it in twenty years.

No comments about Big Book of Christmas Things to Make and Do Collection (Christmas Activity).

No comments about Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present.

No comments about Favorite Christmas Stories Treasury.

5 comments about A Christmas Without Elizabeth (Sweet Valley Twins).

1. Sweet Valley Twins always manages to be touching,moralistic,funny and EVERYTHING all et the same time! Elizabeth meets her guardian angel,a smart-talking hippy chic from the 6os.Putting it plainly,its a ItsAWondefulLife type story



2. Elizabeth Wakefield plays a modern-day Robin Hood,taking money from a party fund and giving it to a poor,homeless family at Christmas time.When she is caught she feels absolutely awful,everyone is mad at her and she whispers,"I wish I had never been born."Enter her guardian angel,Laura,a wise-cracking hippy chick from the 1960's.Just like in the classic film,It's a Wonderful Life,Elizabethh will be shown what life would be like without her,and realizes that we are all here for a reason and that she is very special.Also,Laura is fun to read about as she is so funny!



3. Elizabeth takes The Unicorns treasury money to give to a family to pay for a new apartment for the holidays,She feels guilty.Elizabeth Wishes she had never been born,so a hippy guardian angel named Laura takes her on an Adventure she'll never forget. Mary would have never Been Mary Wallace If not Elizabeth had reunited Mary with her mother. Denny Jacobson died of a surfing accident,because Elizabeth wasn't there to save him,so did Sarah Thomas,She died too,of falling down the stairs. Elizabeth did lots of things.



4. Elizabeth takes the Unicorns party money so a homeless family can have a good Christmas.Jessica finds out,and wishes she never had a twin.Elizabeth is heartbroken,so she decides to run away.She wishes she were never born.A 60's style gaurdian angel named Laura shows her what it would be like.Denny Jacabson and Sarah Thomas would be dead,her parents would be divorced,much more.But when Jessica falls off a building,Elizabeth decides the world needs her after all.This wonderful story made me cry.It is my favorite book.



5. In this book Elizabeth does something really bad, and every one hates her for it. She gets really sad and wishes she was never born. Lucky (or unlucky)for her her guardian angel Laura is listening, and shows her what Sweet Valley would be like with out her. Laura is really funny, and she is the best part of the book! You should really read this book!!!

3 comments about A Very Wiggly Christmas (The Wiggles).

1. My own reason why I think that The Wiggles: A Very Wiggly Christms is just like the DVD, Yule Be Wiggling, is because Santa Claus, needed help from The Wiggles. Since one of Santa's reindeer was sick and couldn't pull the slaigh, The Big Red Car was The Wiggles only hope-and delivering presents to children from around the world worked so magically well.
   All I have to say now is that today, I've already read this new book. I'll wish The Wiggles my very own Wiggly Christmas to them, in December.



2. I bought this book as a special treat for potty training and boy, did it work! The story is so very cute and really helps with introducing the different celebrations of Christmas throughout the world. It's nice that there's someone out there finally caring about the quality of books and videos that children are seeing and reading, and the Wiggles are simply the best, in my opinion. Thanks so much Wiggles for providing such educational, fun, and enjoying items!



3. We got this book for my soon to be two year old son at Christmastime, it's now February and he wants it read to him every night and even sleeps with it! I would highly recommend it, especially to help your young child get used to Santa.

1 comments about Happy New Year, Julie (American Girls Collection).

1. Christmas is here, but it's different this year. For the first time, Julie and her older sister Tracy will be celebrating Christmas twice: once with their mother and once with their father. The girls are still getting used to their parents' divorce, but it's proving especially hard for Tracy. She initially doesn't want to go to their dad's house - their old house, which now looks and feels empty and strange - and even though she eventually goes along, she ends up leaving early. Shortly thereafter, Julie gets involved in preparations for Chinese New Year with her best friend Ivy and her family.
   
   Happy New Year, Julie is the third book in the Julie line written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Robert Hunt. Julie Albright is one of the American Girls, books which offer realistic glimpses into America's past through the eyes of young girls. Throughout the series, Julie has grown more optimistic and thoughtful. This book in particular shows how she always finds things to celebrate and appreciate, including her family.