5 comments about God Gave Us Christmas (God Gave Us...).

1. A great book to teach kids (mine are 8 & 11) about the wonderful things God gave us especially his son at Christmas. Love it!



2. This book continues in the wonderful style of Lisa Tawn Bergens other books. What a blessing to share with my children. The real and complete meaning of Christmas, Jesus. Excellent book. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I read it!



3. This book is perfect! We have an annual tradition of getting our kids a new book each Christmas Eve. This year's choice was "God Gave Us Christmas." The message is perfect! Recognizes Santa...but honors God. Very nice story...cute illustrations! Highly recommended for little children!



4. This amazing book provides an insight to the true meaning of Christmas and allows for my children to ask questions relevant to their age. Wonderfully written!



5. Little Cub wants to know who invented Christmas. Mama takes Little Cub on a polar expedition to find God & see how He gave us Christmas.
   A beautiful story showing God in creation (enhanced by wonderful illustrations), discovering the true meaning of Christmas & how very much God loves us all.

No comments about Gingerbread Friends.

2 comments about Geronimo Stilton: A Christmas Tale (Geronimo Stilton).

1. If you would like to read a great book, I would recommend the Geronimo Stilton Books. I like these books because they are humorous. The Geronimo Stilton Books have a lot of detail. You can't put them down.
   
   Spencer
   3rd Grader
   Michigan



2. My 8 year old son just loves the Geronimo Stilton series. I have only read one of the books, and they are very cute. I like the creative way the author uses fonts and colors to express emotion in the story.

5 comments about Christmas Toy Factory (Geronimo Stilton).

1. Geronimo Stilton, publisher of the Rodents' Gazette, is taking the fun out of Christmas. He thinks that if he doesn't work hard enough, he will loose his job. Then Santa Clau becomes sick and he has to take Santa's job. What will happen to Christmas? This book is okay, but others in the series are far better.



2. All of the Geronimo Stilton books are entertaining. The pictures are on most pages and the characters are interesting. I bought this for my 7 year old daughter who raced through the book in two days. She loved the Christmas theme. The whole series is great!



3. This book is part of the Geronimo Stilton series. Geronimo Stilton is a famous mouse that runs a newspaper called The Rodent's Gazett, the most popular paper in New Mouse City were Geronimo lives. This story takes place during Christmas and Geronimo is about to do his Christmas stuff when Grandpa Williams who founded the paper comes in and tells Geronimo that if he does not do his work then he will be kicked out of the boss chair. So Geronimo works and misses his favorite nephew Benjamin's play and Benjamin is sad and runs home when Geronimo comes to say sorry. He also says his workers can't have a party and turns down all his friends because he has too much work. The on Christmas Eve during the time Santa should be delivering presents, Geronimo has a dream and end up at the North Pole. When Geronimo sees Santa, Santa has thee measles and can't deliver the presents so he ask Geronimo to do it. Does Geronimo deliver the preasents and dose he learn the true meaning of Christmas? I think this is a good book about Christmas and it will make you laugh.



4. The Geronimo Stilton series is entertaining and fun to read. This is a humorous tale for the Christmas season. Be sure to check out the others too.
   
   Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"



5. This is one of my favorite Geronimo Stilton books, because in this book Geronimo meets Santa. Geronimo also got to fly Santa's sleigh and give out the presents. Geronimo's Grandfather William tells Geronimo to work. So Geronimo thinks that he has to work over the holiday, but Grandfather William was just playing a joke on him. Then Geronimo dreams that he meets Santa and learns that his grandfather was just playing a trick on him.

4 comments about The Give-Away: A Christmas Story.

1. Both the illustrations and the story are wonderful. The book artfully combines Native American spirituality aspects with Christian aspects. I used this book in a "children's church" class at our Native American / Catholic church at Christmas. The kids loved the story and afterwards made a collage of Jesus in the manager surrounded by all the animals mentioned in the story. The book could be used during Easter as well or during a discussion about Native American give-aways.



2. The Give-Away is beautifully written and illustrated. Mr. Buckley's story is simply the story of Christmas, based on the tradition shared by many Native people known as 'the give-away." A friend recommended this book and I share that recommendation with you. The Native people have much to teach in their tradition of the give-away.



3. I became aware of this book yesterday when I heard Ray Buckley read it at a Christmas Tea & Tree for the Red Bird Missionary Conference. The book touched the hearts of each of those present. Small children, youth and adults were warmed with the story.

   The Give-Away is for all families, with children and without. It would be an excellent resource to give to families that do not attend church.

   Ray re-presents God's story of love and self-giving by sharing from his tradition the story of giving.




4. The best book I have ever read regarding the birth of Christ from an aboriginal viewpoint. Those in the pulpit need to move over and make room.

5 comments about SantaKid.

1. Just tried to read this story to my 4 1/2 year old. Unfortunately it didn't hole either of our interests. Half way through I just couldn't go on and had to put the book down and pick something else!
   Here are the main problems: the story was incredibly thin. An entire page of the story would likely only include 1 or 2 relevant sentences that actually moved the storyline - the rest was all filler, like "pretty cool huh?" and "don't giggle. This isn't funny. Well, sometimes it is", and "all those who want to live at the north pole , holler I WANT TO LIVE AT THE NORTH POLE"
   
   Do you see a pattern? The main character breaks from the story on every page to give pointless comments to the reader, and none of it makes sense (or is even funny.)
   
   the plot is so thin. The villain lands at the North Pole with absolutely no set-up, and each turn of events (and the villain himself) is very implausible. There's just no believability in the motives or events. Yes, I know this is a kid's book, but I've read plenty of great kid's books!
   
   The dialogue is really stale too. like "Not nice." "Not nice at all". This repetitive, bland dialogue just drve me crazy.
   
   Like I said, I only scanned the last half of the book it was so poor. I appreciate that the author was trying to teach the evils of Corporate America to children, but it just didn't come off well. It feels like Patterson wrote this book in 10 minutes.



2. My daughter, who's almost 3, selected this book among many others when we went to the library several weeks ago. When we gathered all of the books to take back to the library, she took this book from the pile and said, "Can we keep this one?" We have since renewed it, and she asks me to read it to her every night. No matter how many times we read it, I enjoy it just as much as she does. The illustrations are charming, the story is funny and engaging, and the message is one any kid can take to heart: Kids are smart and know what truly matters.



3. SANTAKID IS A SPECIAL BOOK TO ENJOY WITH YOUR FAVORITE KID OR KIDS! GREAT EYECANDY PICTURES & A COOL ENOUGH STORY DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER XMAS TALES... VERY HAPPY TO ADD TO OUR TIS THE SEASON STASH! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN ON NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER & WAS $18.99 TO START! IT ALSO HAS A CHRISTMAS PAPER LIKE COVERING (FOIL-ISH) & THERE IS SUCH A NICE SURPRIZE 2FT APPROX. GREETING CARD FOR THE FAMILY TO FIND WHEN THEY FINISH READING IT! (LIKE KID TO KID) LOVE IT!



4. We received this as a gift (so glad it wasn't my money that was wasted on this book!) and I don't know what I'm going to do with it now b/c the story is an utter disappointment. The story is told from the point of view of Santa's daughter and explains that most of the year Santa looks like any other dad--he just stuffs his costume to look fat for Christmas and grows a beard that her mom bleaches to look white. What?!! The writing is full of lame filler lines like, "Don't shake your head--something might come loose in your brain....Anyway, here's what happened." I liked the big bold illustrations, but reading about an attempted corporate takeover of the North Pole just doesn't do it for me, and only older children would get the concept anyhow. More than anything, I suppose I was annoyed by the "just believe" theme that was constantly reiterated without any deeper message about the true spirit of giving. Even if it's not a religiously themed story, I still expect a Christmas story to have some underlying reference to kindness, charity, selflessness....something besides a vacuous notion of believing in "something bigger than yourself" (what does that mean to a child anyway?). I doubt I'll read this to my daughter again...and I doubt she'll request it.



5. This book was a delight to read, my grandchildren totally enjoyed it
   and now having read it to them 7 times It is put away with every other
   James Patterson Book I have which is now the entire set.
   Thank you so much.

5 comments about The Legend of the Poinsettia.

1. I love legends. I always have. I am particularly fond of legends that attempt to explain things such as why the robin has a red breast, or why it snows on Christmas, or why the donkey says "hee haw," and other things like that. That is one of the reasons I was drawn to this little book by Tomie dePaola, The Legend of the Poinsettia.
   
   Lucinda is a young girl who lives with her parents and younger siblings in Mexico. The colorful illustrations have that southeastern feel to it. Lucinda's community is preparing for Christmas by preparing gifts for the Christ child on Christmas Eve. I loved that the focus of gift giving was for Christ as opposed to the hustle and bustle and commercialism that is so common in American households. The gifts were labors of love too and involved special crafts, skills or homegrown gifts. Lucind and her mama have been asked to weave the special blanket for Baby Jesus as the one they have used for years is very old and worn.
   
   When Lucinda's mama becomes ill, Lucinda is unable to finish the blanket by herself and the more she tries, the more tangled the yarn in the loom becomes. Lucinda is disheartened and worried about her mother, as well as saddened that her family has no gift to give the Christ child. Suddenly an old woman appears and suggests Lucinda pick some simple native weeds and bring them to Christ. In humility, Lucinda does that, and as you can guess, these become the beautiful poinsettia plants, the flor de la Nochelbuena, that we associate with Christmas today!
   
   The reference and picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe was a nice touch for Catholic children who are familiar with story, and it was nice to see the shrine to our lady as part of Lucinda's everyday life. My children identified with Lucinda's fears for her mother, and also her fear of being different from the rest of the community. They also felt it was very brave of her to come forward with such a simple gift in the face of much splendor. After reading the story, my kids also became more aware of the poinsettias at church and other places and we even bought our own!
   
   Overall I think this is a very nice book to read during the Advent season in preparation for Christmas, and a nice way for the family to focus on what is most important during this beautiful holiday.



2. Such an endearing story! This book contains beautiful illustrations. It is a Christmastime favorite.



3. Another great addition to my collection. Tomie's illustrations complete this wonderful book.



4. I needed this for Christmas around the world at my school. The book is excellent and the children really enjoyed the story.



5. If you are looking for the true story of the legend of the poinsettia, this is not it!!! The only thing that is the same about the legend from Mexico and this story is the fact that the poinsettias were made red on christmas eve because a little girl brought baby jesus a weed for his birthday because she was so poor. the names, plot, and special saying that the little girl's brother said in the legend is not in this book, which takes away the impact of the story. the drawings although are beautiful and the story is nice if you don't know the real legend.

5 comments about Corgiville Christmas.

1. I was somewhat disappointed in the drawings in this book, as they seemed not crisp and clear. Also it was apparent that one of the pages was out of order!
   Overall, this book did not measure up to expectations. Thank you for the opportunity to express my feelings!



2. This is a delightful book with its wonderful pictures and story. Tasha Tudor's books are always a joy to read and share with others.



3. A lovely story (although not up to par in compared to Corgiville fair) and beautiful art.



4. This book is a delight, fun to read as an adult and fun to read to children as well. Emmie's Birthday Party



5. Great book for anyone who loves Corgi's. Pictures are cute, and it is a good read.

5 comments about The Night Before Christmas Pop-up.

1. This book started my love for pop up books. I now own nearly every Robert Sabuda and/or Matthew Reinhart book. This book is a wonderful representation of a beloved story. It has become a Christmas tradition to read with my children, as dear to them as decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping presents and baking cookies.



2. Very creative and well done. The pages are well thought-out and executed. Complicated and clever. Enjoyable.



3. I purchased this book to read and show to my grandchildren. They love pop up pictures. It brings the story to life. A book you want to pass on down the family.



4. Once again, Robert Sabuda has created a wonderful visual masterpiece based on Clement Clarke Moore's classic tale of The Night Before Christmas. It delights the child in all that open the cover, each page brings new surprises. I'm a 6th grade resource and reading intervention teacher and all my students enjoyed the book, wanting to explore the pages again and again. At home, toddlers to great-grandmothers have enjoyed it. I highly recommend that you add this work of art to your holiday collection.



5. Spectacular Pop-ups, beautifully done, very intricate. Most pages have two separate pop-ups. I will enjoy reading this to my grandchild and we will marvel together at the scenes that magically unfold before our eyes. Not suitable for handling by toddlers without adult supervision because, as with all pop ups, the pages can be torn easily by exuberant little hands!

5 comments about Bear Stays Up for Christmas.

1. This book has wonderful illustrations, and is written in a flowing manner that makes it great fun reading to my first grandson. I plan on getting the entire series for him! I want to make sure he knows there is more to life than sports!



2. I purchased this book for my son after receiving the Bear Snores On as a gift. They are his absolute favorites. The pictures are beautiful and the words are lyrical and rhyming. I also like the way it subtly includes both the religious and secular sides of Christmas beneath the overall message of friendship and giving. He has MANY books, but wants me to read this one every night. It's so nice I din't mind.



3. We have several Christmas books, and this is the favorite in our house. All of Bear's little woodland friends wake him up to join in all the Christmas Eve festivities. The story and illustrations are very simple, yet enchanting. I would love to climb in the pages and stay up for Christmas with Bear!



4. Wow, just adorable. Great gift idea. Great size book. I pull it out for Christmas and the kids LOVE it. It's such a sweet story of friendship. I love these sweet, wholesome stories. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL as always with Karma's books. Even after we read it, the kids love to just look through it at the pictures and can read it to themselves that way. Really, I think each little home needs ALL the Bear books.



5. We've been reading all the 'Bear' books lately and this one too as sort of our Christmas in July. In this story Bear's friends try to keep him up so he can celebrate Christmas. But Bear is sleepy, very, very sleepy.