5 comments about Scratch and Sniff: Halloween.

1. I introduced my daughter to the world of scratch and sniff, and she is hooked. Unfortunately there are not a lot of good scratch and sniff books out there. DK seems to do a great job at them, so that's why we bought this book months before Halloween. We've had so much fun reading and smelling this book, the scents are truly divine. I agree with the other reviewer though, and we couldn't smell the lollipop on the last page either. Too bad... but we still loved the book!



2. My 2-year-old (who was born in the month of October) is a big-time Halloween fan and talks incessantly about trick-or-treat, pumpkins, ghosts, and everything else Halloween ALL...YEAR...LONG (aauugh!). As such, she really loves this book. I think it is cute with good pictures. Most of the smells are pretty good, although my two gripes would be the pumpkin smell (as it STINKS to high heaven, in my opinion) and the lollipop (which we can't smell at all).



3. My boys (4 & 6) love this book and have been reading it for the past couple of years. They really enjoy halloween and this is such a great book for kids from 1 through 6. The smells are great, and for the two years we have had this book the smells are still working well.
   
   We read this around halloween and also my youngest son will pull this one out at least 3-4 times per month. It is a fun book for a gift or for your kids.



4. The scent faded away after about a week, needless to say my kids were disappointed and I too after I bought the book new and wasted money.



5. My kids absolutely love this book. We have had it now for a couple months and they still read it all the time. The smells are so fun. So far it hasnt lost its smell at all.

3 comments about The Light at Tern Rock (Puffin Newbery Library).

1. "The Light at Tern Rock" is an excellent book to read to your class or have your class read as a trade book during the holiday season. It teaches students to think of others at this time of year and not to always concentrate on themselves. It is suitable for third through fifth graders. It also gives the reader the feeling for living in a lighthouse and what life was like for these people living in desolation. It is an excellent history lesson along with a strong moral lesson. You never tire of the words year after year.



2. This book tells the story of Ronnie and his aunt Martha Morse. The two are tending the lighthouse as volunteers so the official lighthouse tender can spend time with his daughter. They must take care of the Tern Rock Light until December 15. They must dust, clean, and take care of it. But the fifteenth of December comes, and no one is there to pick the two up. Will they have to spend Christmas in an isolated and remote lighthouse?
   In this wonderful book, Ronnie and his aunt learn that Christmas is beautiful anywhere, and the importance of a promise.
   This 1952 Newbery Honor Book is for ages 6-13.



3. This is such a great book for young readers because the detail on every page is exalent.Though in parts of the book it can get confusing but if you try to stick with it you will get it a whole lot better.Believe me this comes from my own experience!!!!!!I would definately recomend this book because dont let its looks diceve you, it may be short but its filled with lots of information!

5 comments about Eloise At Christmastime.

1. Now that the Plaza Hotel has closed for renovations and will never be quite the same again, is all the more reason to buy this book about a little girl named Eloise who lived at the Plaza in its glory days.Eloise makes friends of the hotel staff and in spite of her dear nanny who is supposed to be in charge, Eloise manages to have many adventures within the Plaza during the festive Christmas season. The surprise ending is delightful. A book for all ages, but especially nice for someone who grew up in the 1950's.



2. Celebrate Christmas (no, not "holiday" folks, CHRISTMAS) year-round with New York's favorite poor litle rich girl, Eloise! Inside this book we not only get to re-visit the ball of energy that is Eloise, but we're treated to an always more-insightful-than-it-seems view of life and society, circa 1950, as the Plaza Hotel girds itself top to bottom for that most festive of celebratory occasions. Eloise is in high form here, and so is Nanny. The usual cast of characters is back and it's a rawthur cheerful read that has made me smile since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.



3. My 4 year old got this book from grandparents, which I observe appears to be the same generation that has written all the glowing reviews of this book. I guess it paints a picture that appeals to another generation, but I really don't get it.
   
   This is the worst book I've ever read my child. I've read her quite a lot, and I am very progressive in my choice of books.
   
   The English in the story doesn't make sense, including incomplete sentences and fragments of ideas. The story is almost stream of consciousness, but not quite. There is also a random attempt to rhyme, but often the rhyming words are several lines apart, after the child would recognize a rhyme had happened.
   
   The plot seems to consist of: Eloise ran around the hotel, opened presents, got the annual call from her an absent parent, and ends with her proclaiming her nanny her best friend:
   
   "Here is who my absolutely best friend
   in this whole wide world is
   Nanny"
   
   The morals of the story seem to be:
   
   -have fun at the cost of others
   -you can leave your child with a nanny during Christmas as long as you phone
   -christmas is about presents
   -money is everything
   
   Did I mention how long this book is? It's three or four times longer than any children's story has a right to be--and I enjoy reading books to my kids.



4. I was thrilled to see a holiday Eloise book for me to share with my granddaughter. It was truly a holiday treat!



5. It was one of my favorite books as a child and was one of my daughters favorites, as well. We loved reading it together. It is always tops on my list of books to give a baby girl for Christmas.

5 comments about Jingle Bell Christmas (The Backyardigans).

1. The story is nice and simple for my daughter to follow. But I am not a fan of the flap books. I did know it had the flaps before I bought it, but am always upset when they get ripped off or bent or what have you.. ruined.



2. Just like the "Monster Halloween Party" book, this book is wonderful for any Backyardigan fan and budding book lover. The flaps are so cute, and pretty durable. I would recommend this for any Backyardigan fan.



3. My three-year-old loves to be read to, especially from books that have flaps. This book fits right into her wheelhouse and our reading sessions are more interactive as she lifts the flaps, points out what's underneath, and giggles. This is a must for parents who (like myself) are trying to limit that daily tug-of-war with television.



4. This book is absolutely adorable, any child that loves the Backyardigans will absolutely love this book. If you are anything like me you find that you will have a hard time just reading the book. It's written to the rhythm of the song Jingle Bells, so I find it almost impossible to just read it. I have to sing the words to the rhythm of the song. My son gets such a kick out of it. We've spent many nights laughing and enjoying this book. I highly recommend it.



5. I bought this for my 2-year-old son who loves the Backyardigans. I love that this book has beautiful illustrations and the foils add something extra too. There are a few flips on each page and keeps my son interested in the book when he gets tired of listening to me reading. (he has ripped a few off, though) The text rhymes and I sing the book's words to my son in the tune of "Jingle Bells" sometimes and he laughs. This is one book he wants to look at and have me read to him. In fact, he got two for Christmas (one from me and grandma) and he loves them both!

5 comments about Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent.

1. My wife and I started reading the Jotham "trilogy" years ago and we are now on a second reading of "Bartholomew's Passage." I cannot imagine not including these books in our advent schedule. Our four kids (ages 11,9,7,3) all look forward to each nights reading - and so do my wife and I. These stories are just great. The author manages to combine some of the harsh, gritty realities of this time along with some great and noble characters who befriend the titled "Jotham", "Bartholomew" or "Tabitha," each with a struggle to overcome. A great set of stories that honorably intersect with the "greatest story ever told."



2. What a wonderful book. There is something so satisfying about sitting together in our living room, with Advent candles burning and the kids spellbound, listening to every word of this story. We are on our fourth week reading, and the kids still come running when we say it is time to light the Advent candles.
   
   The story follows Jotham's journey to find his family after he gets angry at his father and runs away. He has many exciting cliff-hanger adventures that may seem contrived to adults but believe me, the kids won't care and will beg you to read the next day's section. Jotham ultimately ends up in Bethlehem and his life intersects the lives of Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Christ child in a lovely way that brings home Christ's divinity as well as the humanity of his infancy.
   
   As a homeschooling mother, I really appreciate the way Jotham's Journey makes biblical times come alive. Even though there are very few illustrations in the book, the text provides many details about daily life that raised good questions from the kids, showing their engagement with the story and their desire to understand the setting.
   
   One reviewer said this book is written for "conservative, evangelical Christians". I have to dispute that. Jotham's Journey IS a Christian story that tries to bring to life the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of the Savior. But presumably this is a given to a family that wants to celebrate Advent.
   
   A couple of times the book emphasizes the importance of children being completely obedient to their parents/caretakers (Jotham's disobedience gets him into his mess), and it also refers to corporal punishment a couple of times as a natural consequence of disobedience. And there is some violence, which is used for the purposes of both evil and good. I suppose this could also be inconsistent with the moral beliefs of some families.
   
   Otherwise I am mystified as to what the reviewer found as inconsistent with "liberal Christianity" or "an inclusive view of God's love". I don't know what the reviewer meant by "liberal Christianity", but I will say our family has a very inclusive view of God's love and we love this book.
   
   This is our first year celebrating Advent. Previously, the holidays were pretty much a blur of decorating, wrapping, baking, and shopping, shopping, shopping. Christmas would arrive before I knew it and I would be exhausted, the kids would be hyper and focused on the presents. It occurred to me that from my children's perspective, Christmas was about gifts, decorations, and a frazzled mother.
   
   One of the most effective things we've done to change that has been lighting Advent candles every night and reading this book by candlelight. It has been a simple and completely rewarding way to draw our family together.



3. My family ranges in age from 5 (my youngest son) to 50 (me). Let me just say at the outset that every one of us loved this book. This is a good story, well told. But before I continue with the review, I want to tell you how we stumbled across this book.
   
   Back in July our church called a new pastor. I'm from a denomination that doesn't typically observe the Advent season, but our new pastor, who had never celebrated Advent either, wanted the church to try it. His goal was to help both the church and the families in our church to focus on Christ. It worked!
   
   In conjunction with the special services we had at church, each family was encouraged to find a way to set aside some time every day to put everything else aside for a family devotional. We did some extensive research and made a list of resources (which you can see at 4jesu.homestead.com/files/advent.doc).
   
   My family chose this book. It's sectioned into daily readings, usually just 2 or 3 pages. We made an advent wreath and gathered around it each evening to read. The story is engaging.
   
   The central character, a young boy named Jotham, finds his life unexpectedly intertwined with the birth of the Messiah, and learns some important lessons about obedience and responsibility along the way. The story even attempts to show some of the unpleasant consequences of disobedience, and the sometimes harsh realities of life.
   
   My only caveat is that the short devotional thought at the end of each day's chapter is a little weak, but I was able to improvise easily and give it a little more substance. That doesn't affect my recommendation. This book gets 5 stars. If you're looking for a way to revitalize your family celebration of Christ's birth, this is a great place to start.



4. This was our family's best Advent yet! Occasionally "Jotham's Journey" was a bit too action-packed for our daughter (age 5), but she and our son (age 8) couldn't wait for each day's segment. Arnold Ytreeide is a master storyteller. His intricate blending of facts about biblical times into a fast-paced storyline captured our imaginations. We'll never look at Advent the same again. Our family can't wait to read Ytreeide's other books in 2006 and beyond.



5. accurate description of book, prompt service, and a great book in general- but especially for Advent and preparation for Christmas- I didn't want to stick to the Advent timeline they give because I wanted to keep reading

5 comments about Wombat Divine.

1. Wombat Divine is an Australian Classic and in my opinion one of Mem Fox's best. My family now own hundreds of childrens' picture books, but this was the first one I ever bought my son. It still remains a firm favourite with us. The illustrations are delightful, as is the story. It's a must have for the Christmas book collection - something a little different and makes a great gift. You can't help but fall in love with Wombat.



2. See my review for Time for Bed. This is another book from Mem Fox and an animal from Australia.



3. Although not the best of Mem Fox's work Wombat Divine is a very good story about an enthusiastic main character who doesn't quite have the ability to be initially succeed where he wants but has his dream come through in the end. A wombat has always dreamed of being in a nativity play but each character he tries out for, he finds out he is unsuited for.
   
   The great story though is let down by very average illustrations by Kerry Argent, which is a shame as those who have read the wombat tale Sebastian Lives in a Hat know she can do a very good job when she puts in the effort and can draw very realistic looking wombats. None of the Australian animals in Wombat Devine actually resemble the Australian wildlife they are supposed to be. Wombat looks like a bear, the emu for some reason has wings that can come out of the front of its body like arms which emus in real life no doubt wish for but don't have, the echidna is just the platypus with a lot of yellow triangles coming out of its body, the bilby looks like a rabbit (no wonder Mem Fox dumped this illustrator and went with Pamela Lofts for the sensational Hunwick's Egg where the bilby actually looks like a bilby.



4. This Australian story about a young wombat wanting the lead in the school Christmas play, tugs at the heart strings of those who don't always get what they want. In the end the young wombat learns that all the parts in the Christmas play are important and together the actors create a wonderful experience for all in their animal rendition of the Christmas Story. Beautiful illustrations.



5. Mem Fox has done it again! Fox uses the special animals of Australia to illustrate that eachof us has a special place in life that we're each suited for. Love the illustration and the possitive way the animals handled finding that special place for Wombat. It was a favorite of ours this last Christmas, but we also keep it out year round and visitors to our home love reading it.

2 comments about Dora's Starry Christmas (Dora the Explorer (8x8)).

1. A very special surprise visitor arrives at Dora's house on Christmas Eve. Can you guess who it is?
   
   Just as Dora begins telling her baby brother and sister (and Boots!) a story about Santa, they hear a knock at the door. Turns out that Santa himself needs Dora's help!
   
   Santa's reindeer have gotten colds and can't pull the sleigh to deliver gifts around the world. The man in the red suit is distressed that his Christmas surprises will be ruined!
   
   Dora and her cousin Diego come to the rescue! Diego stays behind to take care of the reindeer (he even makes them special carrot soup!), while Dora, Boots, and her special backpack go with Santa to deliver the presents.
   
   But who is pulling the sleigh? Why, eight of Dora's special star friends--including Supra, Ultra, Mega, Rocket, and Helada Star!
   
   Colorfully illustrated, this tale follows Dora as she and her friends deliver presents all over the world--to the ocean dwellers, denizens of the mountaintops, small towns, big cities...even the rainforest!
   
   Dora and company arrive home just as the sun begins to rise on Christmas day. They helped save Christmas!
   
   But there's one more special present--one that a grateful Santa wants to give to Dora, Boots and a Diego.
   
   Dora's Starry Christmas is a magical tale of a smart, resourceful girl who helps out Santa in his time of need. A great holiday story for bedtime--or anytime!



2. I purchased this book for my five year old granddaughter and she really loved it.

5 comments about The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story.

1. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree tells a memorable story that might have taken place during World War I or today. Set in the North Carolina Mountains, the author and illustrator weave a literary experience children will love! The CD is a winner, too--featuring the stunning illustrations!



2. A heartfelt, inspiring story about Christmas in the Appalachian Mountains. We live in Asheville, NC and our young children love us reading this book to them over and over!



3. I have been collecting Christmas books for my family for years and this was my 2007 pick. The illustrations are lovely and the story simple and sweet. Very interesting for those who enjoy Appalacian literature.



4. I bought this for my kindergarten granddaughter as her Christmas book. I wanted something a little different from the typical Christmas book and this one delivered. She really enjoyed the book.



5. This is a wonderful story that shows the importance of keeping family traditions alive and about the courage it sometimes takes to carry on in the most difficult of times. You will absolutely love Ruthie and will warm up to her really thoughtful and loving mother. This is a story very close to my heart since I grew up close to the Appalachian Mountains and remember how excited we were at Christmastime--- to just be together.
   

5 comments about A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree.

1. I have a 2 and 4 year old, and I would buy this again. They'll understand it more each year, but it's a sweet storyline. I bought it used and it was aok.



2. A very nice story, with great illustrations. Good for all ages. It's not often that you see a book this meaningful, finished off so nicely.



3. I loved this book but from the cover art to the copy there is a tone of sadness. I bought it for a niece who is particulalry sensitive and it bothered her from the beginning. While I stressed the 'happy ending' the cover art really held her captive but in a sad way. It is a beautifully illustrated book but just know the child you are buying for. She is 6 and capable of understanding the difference between a book and reality so I tried to make it a teaching moment. Sadness is a real emotion so we talked about it in the framework of how life can be sad but it also often works out just fine.



4. This is a wonderful book. My grandson loved the story and wanted me to read it to him many times. A nice twist on the sometimes touchy subject of cutting down a tree for Christmas.



5. My daughter brought this book home from her school library and both my husband and I were touched by this book so much that we ordered a copy for our family. This a great book for teaching the true meaning of friendship to all ages. I would recommend this book for anyone who works with children. It will be a tradition in our house for a long no matter what the season.

5 comments about Madeline's Christmas.

1. "Madeline's Christmas" was originally published as a special book insert in the 1956 Christmas edition of "McCall's" magazine (which is where a shorter version of "Madeline and the Gypsies" would appear a couple of years later). It is the shortest of Ludwig Bemelmans six Madeline books and the only one in which all of the pages have full color illustrations instead of those familiar ones that are predominantly yellow. The story seems at first like it might be a take off on "The Night Before Christmas," since it interjects the first four lines of that poem after beginning with the familiar recap of the old house covered with vines, the twelve girls, and Madeline's inevitable retort to the tiger at the zoo. But it turns out that everybody in the house, from Miss Clavel to a poor mouse, are in bed with cold. Everyone, of course, except for brave little Madeline.
   
   Madeline is taking care of everybody, cleaning and cooking, and when a rug merchant shows up with 12 rugs to sell, she buys them so everybody in the house will not have to put their feet on the cold floor when they get out of bed. Without his rugs the merchant gets frozen and Madeline has to take care of him. By this point you are wondering why this is a Christmas story as opposed one where it is just snowy and cold, but it seems the merchant is also a magician and you know what that makes those rugs.
   
   This is a minor Madeline story and while we finally get to see Madeline's parents, it does make you wonder why the twelve little girls are still at the house all covered with vines at Christmas time. But then it was never clear if Miss Clavel was running a boarding school or an orphanage or what, and I am afraid "Madeline's Christmas" only confuses things (I did a bit of research and discovered Bemelmans was working on the stories his mother told him about life in a convent school in Altotting). So this effort is a trifle all things considered and you will not really find anything inside the book as you find on the cover, with the Eiffel Tower done up like a Christmas tree.



2. This is my favorite Madeline book and one of my favorite books in general. I think it's very sweet that Madeline, the littlest girl in the old house covered with vines, should be the one doing all the cooking and cleaning when everyone else in the house is sick. It's also sweet that she makes the important decision of purchasing carpets from a rug merchant to warm everyone else in the house; in many households, little children hardly have anything important to do, so this story is a lovely fantasy that children might enjoy. I also liked the part where the magic carpets brought all the little girls home to their families, and they were able to give their parents hugs for Christmas. A charming story.



3. Very funny book (as all the others of L. Bemelmans), and a very good Christmas gift for children of all ages!



4. Im not exactly sure what people are looking for with this book. It was written quite some time ago,and times have changed. So this book wont have santa in it. Not so bad. It doesnt really carry a religious theme, but I guess that could make it more "readable" for children of every faith? I grew up reading Madeline. My 4 yr old daughter loves every Madeline story, and not because they are simply Madeline stories, but because they have a unique, vintage read to them. This story, I did not purchase due to the previous reviews so I checked it out at the Library, but will be purchasing it after reading it with my daughter. The illustrations are typical Bemelmans, so I am not sure what that former reviewer was referring to. These are the older versions, the original versions and perhaps some people that are "newcomers" to the Madeline scene are use to the newer look of Madeline? The verse of the story did not seem "forced" to me or odd at all. It does not read like a Dr.Seuss, and does not flow perfectly all the time; but neither do any of the other Madeline stories. As for the storyline itself, I found it a subtle Christmas story; not drenched in Christmas, but rather in fancy and imagination. I am a Christian, but I personally see nothing wrong with a story at Christmas time that teaches giving, makebelieve, and kindness even if it leaves out the religious aspects. Madeline is shown taking care of everyone, even a stranger who comes to her door, and returns again to her door when he finds himself in a bad way. My daughter, upon having this read to her responded that she liked it because it showed how nice Madeline was to everyone, and how the Carpet Merchant repaid kindness with giving something fun and special to the children (the magic carpet ride home to see their parents) for Christmas. That was good enough reason for me to say it was a good book. The great thing about reviews is that anyone can leave one, and everyone has different opinions about books because we are all individuals, so it is probably best to read all the reviews and then if you are still unsure, check it out at the library first.



5. The book with printed story and pictures is excellent, deserving a 5-star rating. The CD, however, seems totally inappropriate for an audience of 3- to 6-year-olds. The combination of English, French, and French accented English is more confusing than enlightening. The CD content goes far beyond the content of the printed pages, adding to the confusion potential. The print-audio combination might work for some older children, but the story is most likely to interest younger ages.