No comments about Lars Arctic Christmas Advent Calendar.

No comments about Disney Handy Manny Ultimate Sticker Activity Book.

1 comments about A Christmas Odyssey (Adventures in Odyssey).

1. The kids listen to these at bedtime. They were real excited to get a Christmas edition.

No comments about Keepsake Storybook Collection (Merry Christmas).

3 comments about An Amish Christmas (Aladdin Picture Books).

1. The beautiful illustrations in this book only enhance the simple story of how the Amish celebrate the Christmas holiday. Narrated by a young Amish boy, readers are quickly transported into the Amish world and the Christmas season. Great for readers of all ages.



2. "An Amish Christmas" combines an informative text by Richard Ammon with illutrations by Pamela Patrick. The text is the first-person narration of an Amish boy who tells about his life and the way his family celebrates Christmas.

   The text captures many interesting details of Amish life. Particularly interesting is the presentation of the bilingual culture of this Amish community, whose members speak both Pennsylvania Dutch (which is actually a dialect of German) and English. Ammon includes a number of Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases, with translations, in the text. Example: "Siss am schneea" ("It's snowing").

   Ammon's intelligent text is wonderfully complemented by Patrick's beautiful illustrations. Her style is realistic and colorful, and she superbly captures the facial expressions of the Amish children. There are many wonderful images and details: a horse's breath visible on a frosty December day, a colorful patterned quilt, a friendly snowball "fight," and more. Simply marvelous.




3. This book is filled with the details of how Christmas is celebrated in the Amish community. It traces the actions of a boy and his younger sister, during Christmas Eve, the two days of Christmas, and the following day. We meet the boy's family and learn about their Christmas customs. Interspersed in the text are Pennsylvania Dutch phrases, together with their meanings. The book both satisfies and develops curiosity about cultural differences. It shows children an example of how people do things differently, yet deep-down, many of the beliefs are the same. The book is suitable for older kids, with about 2000 words.

2 comments about A Perfect Snowman.

1. THE PICTURES ARE SO LOVELY ALL BROWNS & CREAMS & ELEGANT & NEVER SEEN SUCH A PERFECTLY WELL TOLD STORY BY THE SNOWMAN HIMSELF... I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE WITH CHILDREN OR ANYONE WHO'S A CHILD AT HEART TO MISS THIS TALE! WILL ALWAYS TREASURE THIS BOOK! WOW WHAT A SURPRIZE ENDING!



2. The sepia-toned illustrations are beautiful, the opening is delightful as a privileged child builds a wonderful snowman, but the plot becomes a sentimental mishmash of two stories by Oscar Wilde, "The Selfish Giant" and "The Happy Prince." The snowman learns to share by giving of the items (carrot, hat, scarf, coal, and umbrella) that made him special, and a humble visitor becomes a heavenly guide, ideas taken from Wilde's tales.
   I would have much preferred it if McDaniels had chosen to illustrate a book of the Wilde fantasy tales. A lovely book.

1 comments about Holly Pond Hill ChristmasTreasury (Holly Pond Hill).

1. This is one of the most darling books I have seen in a long time. It is perfect to read while sitting on the couch in front of a warm fireplace on a cold snowy evening just before Christmas. The characters that have been created to live in Holly Pond Hill, are just precious. I have found a new delight with each page I turned.
   The book is just the size to hold in one hand, in front a a child, while they look at the pictures as you read the poems. As a child, I would have loved these pictures of home and happiness. As a Mother, or Aunt, or Grandmother, I love the deep rich colors and borders and tho the poems are more for my enjoyment, I can then talk with my child about their warm gloves and the times we made gingerbread man cookies. It is wonderful for both the reader and child.
   I believe it is just the size and shape to be placed on the table under the lamp right next to the chair, where it can be taken out and gone over many times during the holiday. What a treasure to find such a book and know how to share it with your child. I can just imagine it now, "Remember when we went to the Christmas Tree Farm and you picked ...."

No comments about The Story of Christmas (Miniature Editions).

2 comments about The Truth about Santa Claus.

1. I loved this book! The vintage graphics are beautiful and really brought my child and I back to a different era.



2. Be sure to read the product description closely: this is a picture book with very little text that speculates about Santa Claus based on drawings taken from various time periods. The pictures ARE very nice and the book is beautifully done in that respect, but know that it does not include much, if any, of the real history of the origin of the Santa Claus tradition.
   
   Also, a heads-up to parents: Page 10 describes how Santa Claus "loves to smoke" and also "loves wine" and is accompanied by pictures showing this. Other parts of the book do talk about his great kindness and love for children, but I would have liked to have known about the smoking and drinking part before I ordered it.

4 comments about Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas: A Pop-Up Book.

1. This book...is a must for any Nightmare collector. Along with a summarized version of Tim Burton's genious story, the charazters and scenes pop up along with a few movable pieces and "hot spots" that when you touch them something appears!!! The only thing wrong is that it's too short!!



2. First time i saw this book, it gave me a shock! It's so beautiful and neat with those complicate stencils! therefore, really want to own one and look at it whenever i like! \(^o^)/



3. This book represents the pure genius of Tim Burton. It is a beautiful and fun book to open. Every page is a story into itself with the delightful grphic pop-ups. A real treat for adults.



4. This book is one of the best pop-ups I have ever seen. The graphics are bright and fanciful. If you were fortunate to see the film, you will certainly enjoy looking at this book for many good times to come. The ultimate coffee table book.