1 comments about Little Mike and Maddie's Christmas Book (Little Mike and Maddie).

1. "Little Mike & Maddie's Christmas Book" is the third in this series from Miriam Aronson and Jeff Aronson. Like the first two, "Little Mike & Maddie's First Motorcycle Ride" and "Little Mike & Maddie's Black Hills Adventure," this book captures the heart & spirit of not just motorcycling and puppy dog pets, but also the Christmas holiday. Our two year old twins really love looking at all the illustrations as we read the story to them at bedtime. Our six year old daughter loves the story and the illustrations, but especially loves discussing the events in the storyline. This book has all the amazingly great qualities of the first two: It's intelligently written on levels for all children - young & old alike, it's awesomely illustrated to capture the imaginations of all ages, it's just the right length to be the perfect bedtime story, it's a book that encourages learning readers to stretch their abilities, and we never grow tired of reading it to the kids at bedtime. And, just like the first two, we bought copies for each of our three children so that they'd have a copy of their own to read to their children when the time comes.
   Little Mike and Maddie's First Motorcycle Ride
   Little Mike and Maddie's Black Hills Adventure
   Little Mike and Maddie's Christmas Book

No comments about Little Bunny Finds Christmas.

1 comments about A Simply Wonderful Christmas.

1. Compiled and organized by Silke Leffler, "A Simply Wonderful Christmas: A Literary Adventure Calendar" offers children of elementary school age a wonderful and enthusiastically recommended collection of twenty-four seasonally appropriate stories meant to be read one at a time for each day in December leading up to Christmas. The stories are enhanced with Leffler's lovely and whimsical illustrations reflecting the enchantment and magic of the three weeks leading up to Christmas Day. There are even pages set aside where young readers (and their parents) can record personal holiday memories making "A Simply Wonderful Christmas" a truly enduring family legacy and keepsake.

3 comments about Silent Night.

1. There are many times that people, as a whole, seem to forget what the true meaning of Christmas is. It's not about the gifts, or the commercialism, but about the birth of Christ. SILENT NIGHT, featuring the artwork of Thomas Kinkade Studios, is a subtle reminder that Christmas is truly about giving, and not receiving.
   
   SILENT NIGHT uses the words from that oh-so-powerful and well-known song to accompany beautiful illustrations that feature scenes that truly bring to life the spirit of Christmas. Included at the end of the book is the actual sheet music for the song SILENT NIGHT, penned long ago by Josef Mohr. That simple, haunting melody will play in the back of your mind as you focus not just on the gorgeous pictures, but on the meaning behind the Austrian priest's lyrics.
   
   A beautiful, priceless book to be shared with your family to remind them about the true meaning of Christmas.
   
   Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"



2. While many people seem to get wrapped up in the commercialism of the holidays, Thomas Kinkade manages to keep himself grounded, and embrace the true meaning of the holidays. To showcase the birth of Christ in the manger, and bring the true glory and light of the holidays to life.
   
   In SILENT NIGHT, Thomas Kinkade Studios pairs gorgeous full-color illustrations that depict scenes of cottages with Christmas lights strung on them - snow and icicles dripping from their roofs - animals such as raccoons and deer hibernating in the snow, shepherds watching the moon rise on the mountains, their sheep surrounding them; bustling people traipsing through the snow-laced streets on their way to church, or various functions where they will celebrate Christ's birth with friends and family, exchanging gifts with one another. And, to make it even more splendid, all of these illustrations are paired with the lyrics of SILENT NIGHT, penned all those centuries ago by Austrian priest, Josef Mohr.
   
   SILENT NIGHT brings the true meaning of Christmas to life, and will touch all those who glimpse at this beautiful book.
   
   Erika Sorocco



3. Beautiful illustrations by Thomas Kinkade. Touching book about the birth of the Savior. Traditional Christas Carol "Silent Night" is the text but the illustrations are what make this a great book.

2 comments about Christmas Trucks (Tonka Power Reading).

1. My three year old son loves this book. It's great how it gets him involved in reading the story. He gets upset if I read the picture clues. He often asks me to point to certain words again so he can see what the word looks like. He is getting the concept of reading. This helps enforce the idea that we read from left to right, all those letters form words and all those words create the story.



2. Great book for kids who love trucks and snow and Christmas. It has a cute little story about going to the christmas tree farm, etc.

No comments about A Merry Mermaid Christmas (Pictureback(R)).

5 comments about What God Wants for Christmas.

1. This information is taken from the publisher's website.
   
   We've wrapped up all of the anticipation, excitement, and wonder of being a kid at Christmas into What God Wants for Christmas. This kid-friendly, interactive nativity - with seven gift boxes, a colorful pop-up, and an illustrated poem - contains a surprise ending that will open a child's heart to Jesus. Use this hands-on lesson in Sunday schools, outreach events, or family devotions, over multiple days or all at once. It's simple, easy to use, and fun for all ages!
   (...)



2. This is one of the easiest products I've seen that allowes you to interact with your children. At a time when the season is chaotic, this product returns you to the reason we have Christmas.



3. Our kids want to play with this over & over & over...and it's made to do that...we don't have to say, "don't touch". This new FamilyLife product tells the Christmas story in a new, fresh, and very personal way. We think it will have a huge effect on "kids of all ages"....grown ups too !!! Way to go FamilyLife team...we love your Resurrection Eggs too!!!!



4. This is a wonderful resource! It's a creative way to tell the Christmas story and the figures are very nice - not cheap looking. It's very easy to use and great for the whole family!



5. My daughter recently asked me, "So what can we give Jesus for Christmas?" Bingo! This kit is basically a nativity scene with a twist.
   
   Included is a book with 7 sessions that can be done whenever you like (we're doing two a week), 7 reusable presents (one to open at each session), and a manger. Six presents contain pieces to the nativity, and in the seventh box is a mirror. Hence, what can we give Jesus for Christmas? Ourselves!
   
   This has been great for teaching my 3-year-old very visual daughter about Christmas and Jesus' birth, and my 1-year-old son really loves to play with it to. Which brings me to my only complaint: The manger is paper tacked to foam core, which is fine but will probably not last past this Christmas. It has already started to come apart in several places. The figures are tiny yet lovely (though Gabriel does look quite feminine) and should last for some time if not handled too roughly. I plan to use the book and presents next year and the year after.
   
   As a closing note, the book mentions that this is a great way to present the plan of salvation (i.e. give yourself to Jesus), and I think so too!

2 comments about The Trees Kneel at Christmas.

1. Although I read and reread all of the author's Betsy-Tacy books as a child, I had never heard of "The trees kneel at Christmas" until it was rescued and rereleased by Abdo and Daughters several years ago.

   The story was inspired by a legend the author heard from a Lebanese immigrant woman while living in New York. She kept the legend -- that the cedar trees in Lebanon kneel down at midnight on Christmas Eve -- in her mind for quite some time, until a visit to a local school matched the face of a young girl with the story.

   The story is told quite simply and timelessly. Young Afify hears the legend of the kneeling cedars from her grandmother and wonders if the trees kneel in Brooklyn, too. The remainder of the story follows her as she sets out in search of a miracle.




2. This book is a must read for anyone familiar with Lebanese/Syrian immigrants to the US in the last 100 years.

   The characters and customs in the book are so much like the people and things I remember as a child.

   If you are of Lebanese/Syrian descent, you should read this book to your children/grandchildren. It's a great way to keep the values and customs alive of our parents and grandparents.

2 comments about The Night Before Dog-Mas.

1. This is a charming small book that every dog lover would love to have. A great gift.



2. This is an adorable parody of the story The Night Before Christmas. The illustrations are great, and the book is small enough to fit in your pocket. Not only that, it comes with a little charm that you can put on a bracelet.

   This is a must read for any dog lover.

2 comments about Imani's Gift At Kwanzaa (Multicultural Celebrations).

1. This is a great way to introduce children to other cultures, and specifically to Kwanzaa. One child, excited about celebrating Kwanzaa, learns that it is not about just her, but about Umoja or unity with others.



2. This book is a good introduction to Kwanza for children and yes adults too. It explains the meaning of Kwanza, The symbols, and the terminolgy associated with this cultural festival.