3 comments about The Three Bears' Christmas.

1. I received this book and was greeted by the cheerful cover. The story is sweet and full of surprises while the illustrations are interesting yet also have a nostalgic feel. I especially like the "What do I see?" game the family plays while walking through the woods. Overall, I see this book as a great story to share with a child to make the holidays even more special! Thank you, Ms. Duval!



2. Children will love this tale of bears and the magic of the Christmas season. With suspense and mystery, Baby Bear discovers the identity of a visitor. The images and delightful text make it a book a child will want to hear over and over.



3. My 2-year-old son loved this book. We read it over and over again. It's great for the younger kids who already know the traditional story of the three bears. Add a magical visit from Santa to the mix and you've got a story that will keep them fascinated.

No comments about Mario's Angels: A Story About the Artist Giotto.

3 comments about A Child Is Born: Child is Born, A.

1. I borrowed this book from the public library and found that it took my breath away. Author Margaret Wise Brown has done many of what are now considered classics such as RUNAWAY BUNNY,LITTLE ISLAND and GOODNIGHT MOON has one more to add to her collection. The illustrations by Cooper are amazing. The realistic pictures of the newborn baby (which remind me so much of my own sons when they were that small)in the manger are very moving. Some narrow-minded people may be put off by the fact that the main characters are African American and the book "appears" to be depicting the Holy family, although Brown's text does not actually indicate this. I also find it ironic that two different online bookstores that I went to for this title do not actually have the cover displayed. The illustrations depicting angels are absolutely gorgeous. I took the book to work to share it with my co-workers who would appreciate it and they agreed with me. I was very reluctant to take it back because I knew I would not be able to have it over the Christmas holiday. I just have to have this book for my personal collection to share with my two sons. This book celebrates the miracle of life and the joy of two parents gazing upon their son with hopes for the future. I hope this book wins an ALA (Caldecott or Coretta Scott King) award or awards this year.



2. My two year old son loves looking at the pictures in this book. The baby looks so real. I was pleased to find a book that is simple enough for a 2 year old to enjoy it and so beautiful that an adult will love reading it as well. My son especially likes the picture of the lovely mother gazing down at her child. Although the art work and Wise's poetry are what make the book enjoyable, the fact that the characters are people of color make this book a must have for our family. Because it seems very unlikely that Jesus was a blonde with blue eyes, I want to present images of a more colorful Jesus to my son. I also appreciate the depiction of many wise men from the East, not just 3.



3. I ran across this book when looking for Christmas books to read to my son. This is a wonderful book that tells the story of Christ's birth with vivid illustration that reflect us as African-Americans. Easy read for the young reader and reading aloud (as we did before we opened gifts). With delightful illustration for everyone as well.

5 comments about Morris' Disappearing Bag (Picture Puffins).

1. Ok so i was sitting in my kid's pediatricians office waiting (as usual) and reading one of the books in the room to my child. it was one of the Max books by Rosemary Wells. So, i'm sitting there looking at the book thinking...gosh! this art work looks soooo familiar! what it is about this book...then an old story comes to mind that i can barely recall. but it kept bugging me and in moments I recall this book i had as a kid about a bunny or something (looked a lot like the Max charactor in the authors more recent books) that got a magic bag for xmas. I couldn't rmember the title though. it's been on my mind on and off since then and I just found the authors name a minute ago on amazon while looking for kids books and decided i was going to investigate and surely find out if she is connected to that old favorite of mine. i could have whooped out loud when I finally spotted "morrie's Disappearing bag" on the list! i'd found it! now I HAVE to buy it for my two littlw ones! I love this book! it's so cute! funny thing is...my little boys name is max! not that this book is about max the bunny.....anyway, i highly recommend this cute book!



2. Now a quick note: In the original publication of "Morris's Disappearing Bag", Morris is a little white bunny. He has now been colored brown. Very interesting choice on the part of the publisher.

   I hereby nominate Rosemary Wells the winner of the Cute But Never Saccharine Picture Book Award printed between the years of 1800-2589. You are familiar with her work, even if you have never read it. Best known for her early board books starring the irascible Max and his patient elder sibling, the author also did slightly older fare. In every book, however, Wells takes the side of the underdog. The littlest sibling. The one most prone to feeling left out. In "Morris's Disappearing Bag" this theme has become all encompassing. Here is a story that truly captures what it feels like to be ignored and unwanted by your siblings.
   
   It is Christmas Day and Morris is delighted. As he and his three elder siblings open their presents, each rabbit (for so they are) is enraptured by their gift. Victor gets a hockey outfit, Rose a beauty kit, and Betty (just to smash a couple stereotypes while we're at it) a chemistry set. Morris gets a lovely bear, but it soon occurs to him that his siblings don't appreciate his present. While they switch one another's gifts and experiment with them, Morris is left all alone. No one wants to play with his bear. It isn't until Morris locates an extra unwrapped present containing a bag of invisibility that Morris finally has a gift cool enough to lure his elder sibs with.

   Is there a moral to be learned here? I dunno. If there was it would probably be something along the lines of "Get a better toy and win the love of your fellow man". I don't buy it, personally. I think this is just a fun adorable tale illustrated with Rosemary Wells's fantastic pictures. No one draws adorable bunnies like this woman. Or so perfectly evokes a child feeling sorry for himself. Morris sitting all by himself with his ears at half mast is so simultaneously cute and pitiful, you just want to give his roly-poly little body a big big hug. All in all, this is a fantastic book (the older brother applying make-up to his face is worth the price of admission alone). A great story for Christmas, and a wonderful tale for all the year round. Grab yourself a copy.




3. Another classic from Rosemary Wells! Here, youngest sibling of four, Morris, is not permitted to play with his older siblings' exciting Christmas presents, and no one wants anything to do with Morris's babyish teddy bear until Morris discovers a magic disappearing bag and everyone wants to play with his toy. Any younger sibling -- or even just a young child who feels powerless sometimes -- will relate. I like how Morris gets to live the fantasy of making his siblings "disappear" and getting to play with all their stuff in a gentle, non-violent way. The Christmas aspect of this story makes it extra fun around the holidays, but we read it all year long.



4. What if you were the youngest rabbit in the family and nobody wanted to play with your Christmas bear because it was too babyish? Would you feel left out if your sisters and brother said you were too little to play with THEIR presents? Would you sit in the corner with your ears drooping in sadness?
   
   If that tugs at your heartstrings, meet Morris. He's the dearest little bunny you ever saw, and SO sad on Christmas morning. He loves his new bear but he's too little to play with Rose's beauty kit, Victor's hockey stick, and Betty's chemistry set. While they are having fun, Morris crawls under the tree and finds ONE FORGOTTEN PRESENT, a bag. He pulls himself into the bag and -- DISAPPEARS!
   
   Oho! Now the other bunnies are singing a different song. They all want to share their presents with Morris while they try out his disappearing bag. Who can blame them? Wouldn't we all like a disappearing bag from time to time? Such a fine present. Morris generously gives turns with his bag and has a go with the other presents. He's got the most coveted Christmas gift of all, but all he wants is a little consideration, to be part of the crowd, to be included.
   
   Rosemary Wells writes a terrific story and her illustrations are sheer delight. Little droopy bunny ears, puffy cotton tails sticking out of the bag, hilarious bunny play with the chemicals, the makeup, the hockey kit -- and precious little Morris with all his feelings worn on his sleeve.
   
   I've had this book since my sons were little, and given it to a number of children. I always buy a new copy for myself, just in case I need it. My favorite!
   
   Linda Bulger, 2008



5. It's Christmas morning and Morris gets a teddy bear while his brother and sisters get great gifts that Morris isn't allowed to play with. While Morris mopes he finds a disappearing bag. Suddenly no one can find him. But when he's finally discovered, he gladly shares it with his siblings, who stuff themselves into it all at the same time. While they use the bag he has a fabulous time playing with their toys.
   This is a great book. It's one of my all time favorite Rosemary Wells books that isn't related to her famous Max and Ruby. My children really enjoy it and wish they had a bag just like it!

3 comments about Tell Me the Christmas Story.

1. My children love this Joni Walker board book as much as her others. This book offers a look at the real meaning of Christmas and its symbols even for a very young child. Celebrate the symbolism that is all around us.



2. The symbols of the Christmas season are related to the reason for
   the Christmas celebration. This is done by way of charming art and a
   narative poem. The book is constructed of laminated cardboard. Each
   page is glossy and colorful. The begining page writes"Jesus is all around".The remaing pages illustrates how Christmas trees, snow on the ground,songs we sing, and gift giving relates to "Jesus all around".
   A thoughtfull, concise and beautifully illustrated story about "Jesus all around". You will enjoy this as much as your child.



3. This is a nice little book to introduce the Christmas Story. I thought it would be a little more in depth but it is still a nice little story.

1 comments about Babushka.

1. We started reading Babushka after our son was born, and my [...]twin girls absolutely love this story. With a slight religious tone that's not too overwhelming, the story brings the meaning down to earth and reminds us of the importance of celebrating life, not gifts... these are some of sophie's best illustrations. We're a huge fan of her artwork.

No comments about The Forgotten Toys.

2 comments about A Christmas Treasury: Twelve Unforgettable Holiday Stories.

1. A wonderful book full of the true meaning of Christmas. An exquisite meaning that will touch your heart. A must read book that people of all ages will love. A never to be forgotten treasure.



2. We spent several nights reading through these stories to our children over the holidays. Each one was special. The vocabulary was rich.

4 comments about 101 Questions About Santa Claus.

1. The author does not talk down to kids. But the kids love the puns and clever ideas. This will be a great book for all ages this Christmas.



2. I read Litak's first Christmas book, about his experiences as a Small Town Santa; it was smooth and gentle, but with a real catcher at the end.It was a delight to read, yet it really made you think.

   I expected 101 Questions to be similar; the only similarity turned out to be Santa Claus.

   This was a smooth and quick read, loaded with humor, but also loaded with insight. That insight and humor make it my choice for that gift for the "hard-to-buy-for" on my list.




3. The questions are answered so children no matter how old 3 to 99 could understand the answer from Santa himself. It's a quick read book that can be picked up and read a page or two at a time. Many answers are funny others make one stop and really think about it. Good book for a gift for all ages I loved the answer to "Do elves have to go to school?"



4. My younger brother (age 10) really loved this book, and I (age 15) got a kick out of it as well. It includes the answers to all the questions that anybody has ever asked or idly wondered about Santa Claus.

   Some questions are quite general, and I'm sure every reader thought about them as a kid, for instance, "How can the reindeer fly?" Others are quite specific: "What does Santa eat?"

   What makes this book special is that it puts both children and adults in the Christmas spirit: Although the answers to the 101 questions are filled with jokes, they make it seem that Santa really does exist, and gives explanations why. The answers will be too charming to make anybody but a Grinch want to rebut them.

   Your favorite answer will most certainly be the one to question #101: It is a short, poignant essay on the nature of Santa. It points out that he will exist as long as children keep on believing and looking forward to his visits.

1 comments about Piggy Christmas.

1. If your looking for a wonderful book for your kids or especially a great christmas gift, this book is for you. My daughter loves it. We read it and sing it every night before bed. The illustrations are hilarious. I can't wait for Howard Fine's next book to come out.