No comments about Tres Regalos Para El Nino Jesus (Arch Bks).

1 comments about The Nutcracker.

1. This was bought for the grandchildren at Christmas, appropriately enough. The parents and grandparents enjoyed the story as much as the children. Wonderful picture book, too, as well as the story was captivating.

2 comments about Rudolph's Second Christmas.

1. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it . . . " Now that I have you in the mood for this book, let me ask you a question. Did you know who wrote the original story of Rudolph? Well, it was Robert L. May. Did you also know that Mr. May had written a sequel? Have you read the sequel? If not, you should and this is it.

   Mr. May died in 1976. In 1991, his daughter was working in the family attic and found several drafts of a sequel written in 1947. These were edited into this story and published in 1992. New illustrations were developed by Michael Emberley to bring the story humorously up-to-date.

   Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

   To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. Rudolph's Second Christmas was one of her picks.

   This book is the story of what happened in the year following Rudolph's famous trip with Santa Claus on that "foggy Christmas Eve." When Santa and Rudolph get back from some time off, they start reading thank you letters from children. Unfortunately, they find one complaint letter. They had missed two children with a circus who had been good. Rudolph volunteers to find out how they can avoid missing the children next Christmas. Along the way, he comes up with wonderful solutions that make the whole year better . . . as well as next Christmas.

   The book's story line builds nicely around the problems that the children and some unusual animals perceive they have by being different. Rudolph shows them how differences become advantages when brought to bear in the right time and in the right place. So the original story's theme of overcoming being shunned because of being different using Rudolph as the example is much more thoroughly explored in this book. I like the idea of Rudolph taking that lesson and teaching it to others. In many ways, that makes this book more intersting and valuable than the original, well-beloved story.

   Children are very aware of and critical about differences in other people and in themselves versus "the norm." This story gives you a nice chance to counterbalance that false conclusion that only sameness should be celebrated. In this way you can encourage your child to be both a keen observer of differences and an innovative thinker about how to turn them to advantage.

   There is a television commercial out now that does this well, for example. Two groups of children are being formed into teams by having captains choose players. The assumption is that this will be a sports contest. One side is glad to get a large child, while another side is discouraged about getting a smaller one. Then the contest turns out to be a debate, and the team with the smaller child is ecstatic. That commercial is a good one to discuss in the context of this story.

   After you have finished enjoying the story with your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or godchild, I suggest that the two of you have a discussion about what the child perceives of his or her differences as being disadvantages. Then think together about how those could be advantages instead. This will open up a whole new world of possibility for the child. You will be like Rudolph in dispelling the fog so that Christmas can come again this year.

   Won't you guide someone's sleigh to greater self worth tonight?

   By the way, it's great fun to read this book while playing a recording of the Rudolph song in the background at the same time.

   Have a very Merry Christmas, and share the gift of good will with others.

   If you do not celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season for what you do celebrate. May God be with you!




2. Most people who know the story of Rudolph are familiar only with the famous Johnny Marks song. However, not many people know that Rudolph was created by a Montgomery Wards employee named Robert May, and that he also wrote two furtuer Rudolph stories that chronicle his adventures and character development. This story, Rudolph's Second Christmas, proves every bit as enjoyable as the other two Rudolph stories, and shows Rudolph in a more active and charitable position.
   
   I know that this story alternates between prose and verse, but this can't be helped since this Rudolph episode was a posthumous publication after Robert May's death. Nevertheless, it allows Rudolph's heart of gold to shine through every moment of this enchanting episode in his 3-part saga. Rudolph's desire to make this Christmas better can be seen in the sympathy he showed towards the complaint letter he found among the letters that Santa Claus received, and also in his determination and faith in helping the children's circus improve in the quality of its performances. We also get to show Rudolph's inspirational example in allowing the misfit animals to improve the circus, because here, although we know that Rudolph set a positive example by celebrating difference, he was able to help other animals celebrate being different, until he is inspired to continue to serve Santa Claus at Christmas.
   
   Nevertheless, this unfamiliar and not-so-well-known Rudolph sequel, which is a different breath of fresh air from the TV specials, is deserving of a permanent place in any library of any Christmas lover and sensitive human being who can appreciate inspirational fables like this. I highly recommend this as well as the other two Rudolph stories in this 3-part saga, because Rudolph's quest to discover what makes him tick is a heartwarming Christmas parable that can serve every season.

No comments about A Christmas Treasury: The Children's Classic Edition.

No comments about The Very Special Christmas.

1 comments about The Symbols Speak / Los Simbolos Nos Hablan: A Story for Easter / Una Historia Para Resurreccion.

1. This book is short and sweet but all the symbols that are mentioned are common sense. I would not waist my money!

No comments about The Santa Secret: Level 2 (Holiday House Reader).

No comments about Holiday Classics from Sleeping Bear Press: Redheaded Robbie's Christmas Story, Apple Tree Christmas, The Legend of Papa Noel; and A Wish to be a Christmas Tree.

3 comments about DK Classics: The Nutcracker.

1. My daughter and I have been reading (and re-reading!) the DK Classics (of which "The Nutcracker" is a part of) for several years, since she was 5. These books are very colorful, with lots of illustrations and photos of genuine artifacts, maps, and people from the era in which the story is set. Side panel text gives background information about the author, pictures and story. These "additions" (which do not detract from, but only enhance the story) help the young reader (and the adult too!) put the story into context. It is like getting both a classic and a pictorial history book rolled into one! The text is easy to read. My daughter is now 9, and reading the books on her own. Not only has she developed an appreciation for classic literature, but for history as well. These are great books for parents to read with their children. I highly recommend them!



2. When I first saw this ballet, I had no idea as to the background or even what the story was really about. While it is now my favorite ballet, I wish I had purchased a book like this before attending.
   
   There is a certain richness in knowing the details behind the story. Here you will find photography, illustrations and historical information.
   
   There is information about Anna Pavlova who danced the role of Clara/Marie in a 1912 production at the Palace Theatre in London. You will also be reading a lively retelling of the classic fantasy tale by David Clement-Davies. James Mayhew has illustrated this book with an old world flavor.
   
   After you read the book, definitely
   take your children to see the ballet!
   
   It will be an experience they won't soon forget.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



3. Marie is a little girl who is given a Nutcracker for Christmas. A present from her dear Uncle Drosselmeier. She soon learns that Nutcracker is actually a boy, who will be turned back into a Prince if someone loves him for who he is, and not what he looks like. With Marie's help this will happen.

   Not only does this book have the story of The Nutcracker, it also has information about Christmas in Germany, and the ballet.

   This book is perfect for everyone. Young or old. If you loved the ballet you will love this book. If you're looking for a great present, especially at Christmas, you will love this book. I recommend this book to everyone.

No comments about Pooh Christmas With Friends: Sticker and Coloring Fun.