3 comments about Franklin's Christmas Gift (Franklin).

1. As a mother of three small children, I love all of the Franklin series books. This book was particularly poignant at this time of year when children get focussed on the recieving part of their holidays. It lead us into a discussion about giving and how that can feel just as wonderful as getting. After that, my children were actually eager to participate in donating toys to our local church.



2. In "Franklin's Christmas Gift," Mr. Owl tells Franklin and his classmates that they should pick out a toy to donate to the school toy drive. Franklin gets home, but can't seem to find anything he wants to give away except an old, rusty truck. But when he starts to see what everyone else is bringing and learns how important it is, he reconsiders.
   
   Another great "Franklin" story about sharing what you have to make others happy. Featuring the same sort of warm illustrations as other books in this series and a neat character --- Franklin's Great Aunt Harriet.



3. "Franklin loved Christmas. He could name all of Santa's reindeer. He could tie ribbons into bows and play 'Silent Night' on his recorder. Franklin liked to give presents and to receive them. But this year he couldn't decide what to give to the Christmas toy drive." -- From the book
   
   Every Decemember, Mr. Owl's students donate toys to needy families--toys that could either be brand new or gently used.
   
   This year, Franklin sifts through his toy box to select something for the holiday toy drive. He discovers some forgotten toys, like a shiny red car and a stuffed elephant. Finally, he decides that he wants to keep everything--except for a rusty truck with a missing wheel.
   
   Franklin asks his father to help him fix the truck, but his Dad tells him that it won't look new or even gently used. Franklin replies that "everything else is too special to give away".
   
   Franklin's Dad then talks to him about the importance of generosity.
   
   The next day, Franklin realizes that all his friends are giving away their FAVORITE toys--causing Franklin to re-think his selection for the toy drive. Now, he worries that he won't be able to find a toy that's special *enough*!
   
   Featuring gorgeous, colorful illustrations, Franklin's Christmas Gift is a wonderful holiday tale showing that the best gifts come from a willing heart--and that giving special gifts can generate feelings just as wonderful as those experienced when receiving them.

4 comments about The Principal's Night Before Christmas (Night Before Christmas Series).

1. If you have ever worked in a school the week before Christmas, you will love this book. It captures the chaotic Christmas atmosphere in a very funny way. A great gift for a principal.



2. What a wonderful book. What a wonderful gift this would make for your local principal, or any teacher, for that matter. The author has used the old Night Before Christmas poem and modified it to fit school principals. The book is actually hilarious as it is so, so true. The author has pulled no punches here, from some of the brat kids in this school, to the impossible to please parent, to the poor harrassed bus driver to has threatened to quit - all the very day, real life problems are there. The text is easy to read as it is quite familiar and the art work by James Rice is first rate. No spoilers here, so I won't tell you how it ends. Recommend this one for both kids and adults.



3. I gave this to my Princial for Christmas and she made a point of telling me how much she "loved it"! Creative 'take-off' of a classic!



4. I had seen the "teacher's night before" book and needed something special for my favorite principal. While it focuses on an elementary school, the high school principal found it every bit as fun! Better than even a home-baked something because it is calorie free!

2 comments about Santa's Big Big Book to Color (Jumbo Coloring Book).

1. This book has great pictures without a lot of the preshaded areas you find in other books. The adults even enjoyed it.



2. The pictures are really great and fun to coloring. I bought this for my son to color and I also ended up coloring pictures. Its worth buying.

3 comments about Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol: The Heirloom Edition (Heirloom).

1. Although the artwork in this book is great, readers should be warned that the text is a heavy-handed abridgement of Charles Dickens's wonderful little novel. It omits far too much of the rich and colorful language of this stirring novelette.



2. I bought this book to replace my old copy that was lost during a recent move. The book is finely illustrated but the narrative is so full of gaping wounds that the entire charm of the story is lost. I should have searched a little harder for a COMPLETE version.



3. This is a beautifully illustrated book of the classic story. Wonderful to share with the entire family and a great excuse to start a new tradition at this holiday season.

5 comments about Instant Christmas Pageant: The Not So Silent Night (Instant Christmas Pageant).

1. It's important to know it's for a cast of 24 characters. I bought it hoping it would work for a total of 6 kids, but there's no way to cut it down that far.

   If you have a larger number of children as cast members, I think it would be a fun production.




2. I coordinate our Sunday School which has around 30 - 40 kids. We ran 'electives' rather than ordinary classes for the 4 weeks prior to our play. The 'drama' elective practiced and memorised the speaking parts, the 'angels' learnt a dance, the music people learnt one of the songs from the CD and practised carols for the play. The rest did crafty things and became the nativity scene cast on the night. They only had to arrive on stage at the appropriate moment while the speaking parts described the scene. Then they remained during the rest of the play. It was a minimum of work as the bits were divided up between leaders and it all came together beautifully on the night.
   The quirky story line provided a really interesting promo for the other members of the congregation who were fascinated to come see the end.
   I would recommend it for any group of 15 or more kids.



3. We did this play last year (2006) and it was great. The teens acted out the dramatical scene and the younger kids (grades 1-6) sang the songs. The plot is very funny and a new twist on the Christmas story. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the music. For it being a children's play, the music was sang by adults and in a very complex way. It was beautiful but not very kid-friendly. So I just bought a kids' Christmas cd from the local Christian bookstore and replaced the music with kids' versions. The kids and I loved it.



4. I love this series of 5 books!! Each one offers a different perspective on the Christmas story. Each book comes with a CD with all the music and spoken lines on it. All children do is act along with what is being said on the CD. Audience members are encouraged to participate through singing as well. The costumes are super easy to make and there are great tips for adjusting the program to fit the number of actors. I love all 5 of these books and HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for an easy to do, fun and professional looking Christmas Pageant for children!



5. The dialogue is cleverly comic keeping the audience engaged and wondering what wacky character will be the next to be cross-examined. Costuming is a cinch. Staging is simple. The children pantomime their roles so there is no dialogue to memorize or microphones needed.
   If you are looking for a traditional children's choral presentation with anthems, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a program that is unique, easy to plan, produce and rehearse, then The Not-So-Silent Night will delight you, the children and your congregation.

3 comments about My Catholic Advent And Christmas Book.

1. Jennifer Galvin's books are WONDERFUL! They keep my kids busy for hours, and the illustrations are ADORABLE. We hope Jennifer Galvin and Paulist Press keep these books coming! We also recommend My Catholic Pray and Play and My Catholic Easter and Lent activity books, also by Jennifer Galvin.
   
   WE LOVE THESE BOOKS!



2. My five-year-old and my ten-year old both adored this book. Jennifer Galvin understands children. She knows what they like and she knows how they think and learn. Her charming illustrations pleased my children no end--she instinctively knows what little kids want to see. (John the Baptist not only has his camel-hair-coat and bare feet--he also has toes and toenails--details my son gleefully pointed out to me).
   
   The "what's wrong with this picture" puzzles had my son in stitches, especially the donkey in the party hat and the presents behind the bushes (subtle hints of the true meaning of Christmas). The word search and word scrambles were not only clever enough to challenge my daughter, they were brilliantly organized, leaving her with a much more thorough understanding of Advent. This book was so much fun that my children didn't even catch on to the sneaky way the author educated them along the way. As my son followed the maze to take the shepherds to Bethlehem, he told me, "They all want to see the baby Jesus, because Christmas is his birthday." My son knows the true meaning of the holiday season now, and it's all Jennifer Galvin's fault. :)



3. I really loved this book, as I've loved all the ones in the series. Filled with drawings that capture the simple essence of the holidays, and activities that actually make it fun for kids to learn about Advent and the meaning of the Christmas miracle. I used it with my kids to open a discussion as we put together our Nativity set, and it inspired each of them to create a Nativity of their own in their rooms! Galvin's work is accessible, warm and friendly. A must buy if you have children!

No comments about A Scratch & Sniff Night Before Christmas (Scratch & Sniff).

5 comments about The Polar Express Twentieth Anniversary Edition.

1. I am a huge fan of books and loved this as a child, so I got it for my 17-month-old daughter to share with her the joys in this masterpiece. I have yet to see the movie, but the captivating story and artwork makes the book well worth it. You will teasure it for years to come!!!



2. What this book speaks to me about is the magic of Christmas, not the commmercialism, something I try hard to capture each year amid the avalanche of enticements to buy and consume. I grew up not believing in the Santa that just brings presents but in the magic and spirit of giving and receiving and the joy and wonder of the season and by reading and sharing this book with my family each Christmas, I hope to capture some of that magic and wonder, for each of us to hold in amongst the chaos that surrounds us at this time of year.



3. I gave this book 5 stars because it was a good book. The book is about a magic train that travels to the North Pole. The train took little boys and girls to the North Pole. When the children arrive at the North Pole, they learn that one of them will receive the first gift of Christmas.
   This was a fun book for me, I really enjoyed the train because they had good treats. I also like the pictures of the train.
   Westly
   7
   1st grade
   Germany



4. I gave this book 5 stars because it was a good book. The book is about a magic train that travels to the North Pole. The train took little boys and girls to the North Pole. When the children arrive at the North Pole, they learn that one of them will receive the first gift of Christmas.
   This was a fun book for me, I really enjoyed the train because they had good treats. I also like the pictures of the train.
   Westly
   7
   1st grade
   Germany



5. Before you buy this book, consider whether your child has doubts about Santa Claus and how much you are going to let them in on the secret. This book may plant a seed of doubt that you may regret.
   
   This is the story of a boy who is swept away to the North Pole, gets to meet Santa and his elves, and receives a very special gift which he treasures his whole life. The gift is a sleighbell that rings for anyone who believes in Santa. His parents could never hear the ring. His sister one year didn't hear it ring anymore. And some of his friends never heard it ring either. But he, being taken face to face with Santa, always believes and therefore always hears it ring.
   
   But the flip side of the coin is that everyone else eventually stops believing. If your child is immersed in the tradition, then it may be too early to read the book to him. If your child is already clear on the subject, it might be too late. If your child is on the final step of finding out the truth, it might be a fantastic story to share with them to show how Santa exists for those who believe in him and there is no shame either in believing or disbelieving.
   
   The art is fantastic and the story is very well constructed. It's only problem is finding the right moment to lay this on your kid.

5 comments about Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem.

1. I have the sneaking suspicion that the same team of writers behind Britney Spears platinum single "Hit Me Baby One More Time," also wrote Maya Angelou's bestselling poem "Amazing Peace,"
   Both are full of cliches and obviously attempt to make a lot of money by playing off our emotions, however, Britney Spears song is better because Britney Spears song actually has a beat, whereas Maya Angelou's poem is written in "free verse" (that's an oxymoron by the way)



2. I did not get to read this book myself as it was a belated Christmas gift for one of my wonderful sisters, and she loves anything by Maya Angelou. I am pleased to say that she was absolutely delighted and said this was the most beautiful poem she had ever read.



3. As is typical of Maya Angelou, a beautiful, inspiring book. I put it in my new granddaughter's time capsule, to be opened when she's grown.



4. We all have very strong feelings about peace. Throughout human history, peace has always been lacking. We live in a time when our country is run by corrupt criminals who attack other countries for corporate profiteering. We also continue to live in a world where the three major religions all proclaim they are the one true religion and war on the other two. So, it is definitely a good time for a message of peace!
   
   But this beautifully bound little book containing a cliche'd, trite, and just plain bad poem comes up empty. A message of peace is not sold in a one-poem book for $9.99 as an impulse-buy merchandising scam at Christmas. If Maya Angelou had printed this poem in newspapers, or sent out postcards to the world on her own dime with this poem, I would have more respect for her intentions. But this book is the worst scam, one that plays upon our hearts and souls to milk our pocketbooks. I received this book as a gift from a friend who had bought it for everyone she knew. Her intentions were beautiful: a message of peace.
   
   The end of organized religion will bring us one step closer to a world where the are no wars in the name of God. For those of you who don't know, Christianity was created by the Romans as a method of controlling people. If you have to go through the priest to reach the divine "God", and the priest can tell you what "God" orders you to do, then the priest (the Church) has control over you. The truth is, the divine nature of this universe is inside all of us. We are all made of cosmic stardust, literally, because all matter on this planet was made from exploding stars. We are all sacred. All you have to do to reach the divine is sit quietly and reflect upon your own beautiful luminous nature.
   
   So if you want to give a beautiful message of peace, don't give $9.99 plus tax to Angelou and Random House. Just reach out with your own beautiful nature to those you love (and those you don't). Write your own poem, your own song, whatever. Make your own little book, and make it real. Work for peace. Volunteer. Get involved. It will mean so much more than Angelou's scandalous, commercialized marketing scam of a Christmas Poem.
   
   And if you want to read some real poetry, try Charles Bukowski. His stuff is infinitely better and you'll get hundreds of great poems for the price of one bad one from Angelou.



5. I first heard this poem when it was read on the Oprah Show by the author and the host. It was so moving and I think is it Ms. Angelou's best work. I purchased my copies to give as gifts to friends and to pass on the prayer for universal peace.

1 comments about The Best Christmas Pageant Ever CD.

1. The book was fabulous...but the audio version is hilarious!!! Elaine Stritch brings the story to life as it is meant to be told...great for the whole family! Add this to your annual traditions!