No comments about Celebrations/Celebraciones: Holidays of the United States of America and Mexico.

3 comments about Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift.

1. I love this book! Instead of simply telling the familiar story of Jesus' birth, this book starts with Adam and Eve. Using plain words and ideas, "Ordinary Baby" tells the story of God's relationship with his creation, how is was broken, and how God sent Jesus to restore it.

   Starting in the Garden, "...God and people were best friends. They were glad to see each other whenever they got together, and when they went for walks in the beautiful garden God had made, they laughed and told each other secrets..." Then comes the Fall "... the two people to break their promises to God and to ruin the wonderful friendship between the people and God".

   The book then talks about how there were "special listeners" who could hear God trying to talk to people. "The listeners said God would send someone to introduce people to him again, so that God's people could get together with him in a place they called "God's kingdom."

   Jesus finally comes as an ordinary baby, "...because no one would be afraid of a baby". "Like the first people in the garden, children and God would know each other...and not be afraid."

   The illustrations in this book are lovely; colorful, open, inclusive. Although the book cover says ages 4 and up, it was my 8 year old who found this book and encouraged me to buy it.




2. Making use of her song Ordinary Baby, Gloria Gaither not only tells the story of the birth of Christ but explains why it was necessary that He come, starting in the beginning of time in the garden. She goes on to explain the possible reason God came to us as a baby.
   "That's the way he planned it, maybe, so that we would come to him and not be afraid."
   
   The illustrator, Barbara Hranilovich's artwork is imaginative and beautifully colorful. She creates a fascinating portrayal of the character in each face - even the animals.
   
   It is 40 lovely pages and includes an audio cassette
   
   Children will love listening to the cassette when their parents aren't available to read to them. Also on the cassette is the song Ordinary Baby performed by a choir of sweet children's voices.
   
   It is suggested for children, ages 4 to 8 but I think the parents and grandparents will love it too.
   
   I bought this book as a Christmas gift but I have enjoyed it so much that I may have purchase another copy for the gift and keep this one for myself. It is a heart-warming Christmas story that is likely to become a family tradition. I think this is the perfect way to introduce a child to the gospel of Jesus Christ in a simple, easy to understand story.



3. This was a really good book.
   
   I did have a hard time keeping 22 preschoolers focused on the story, but in all fairness it was Christmas time and they were having a hard time focusing on anything.
   
   I will definitely try reading it in a smaller group setting, because it is a wonderfully written story.

No comments about A New Beginning.

5 comments about Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World.

1. I just got this book and flipped through it. The illustrations look like bad computer art - pixelated. I wish I could return it. The text seems well written.



2. Finally here is a book that explores the Holidays for all cultures, all people. I am raising my son to respect other cultures and their traditions. I loved how this book honored our differences and also showed how much we have in common. I have given this book to friends and they love it also. My son's teacher borrowed our copy to read to her class and she told me it was a wonderful way to expose the children to different cultures. This is a great book and I am very glad it is part of our family library!!!



3. I'm back for my third book! My neighbor's kids loved it and my nephews love this book! The many holidays are described in clear language and the brightly colored pictures, like Las Posadas on the cover, are cute and simple--child art, not adult art. Kids love finding the dog and cat hidden in each illustration. My nephew's preschool teacher was thrilled to have a book that talks about different winter holidays, several of which her students celebrate at home. This little book is a great find!



4. Lights of Winter is an excellent children's' book. It tells kids about all the holidays people from all different cultures celebrate in the winter. Not only that, but it has wonderful illustrations to really get the idea of that holiday in peoples' heads. The language in this book is wonderful and descriptive. It covers most big cultures, and I think, as a child of 14 years old, is a pleasure to read.



5. I bought this book for my preschooler son to share with his class. Since it arrived yesterday, he has requested me to read it to him twice. The book features short descriptions of 10 winter holidays, written in simple language that is easily understood by preschoolers. While the pictures are of poor computer art quality (think MS Paint), my son enjoyed them and said one looked like a scene from the game Runescape. This is a nice book to share with children, and does a nice job of introducing children to the different Winter holidays people celebrate.

No comments about Birthday Happy, Contrary Mary (Giggle Club (in pbk)).

1 comments about Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom.

1. There are many books on Juneteenth, but none so informative and accessible for both kids and adults as this one. Learn why the Emancipation Proclamation did not free any slaves and other things not often taught in school. Great book for anyone interested in United States history. Very colorful.

1 comments about Independence Day (Best Holiday Books).

1. It was about a party for the Independence Day. They watch the parades. It was called Fourth of July. They love the parades so much.

1 comments about The Firefighters' Thanksgiving.

1. This is the story of 10 firefighters of Station 1 on Thanksgiving Day. One of the firemen says he can cook dinner and off they go to the store. With a full cart, a call comes in and they must all leave the cart and rush off to the call. Smoky & sooty they return to the store for their cart and even help the people at the market clean their melted ice cream. Back to the station, it's time to start to begin their dinner; there is peeling, cutting, rolling and mixing. Another call comes in. And then another. A fireman is hurt, but they soon find out he'll be OK.
   
   Will the fireman ever get their turkey in the oven and be able to enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner? I'm not going to ruin the story for you, you'll just have to get the book and read!
   I will give you one hint... there is kindness from their local neighborhood and a happy ending as well.
   
   
   The author of this book grew up around a fire station and then married a fireman! I think she knows her way around a fire station. The illustrator also included a woman as one of the 10 firefighter, which I like a lot. The story has 2 pages of words with nice illustrations, then there are 2 pages with no words just the illustrations and then repeats the pattern until the end of the book. This is a terrific book for any child interested in firefighters and the ending shows the true meaning of Thanksgiving!
   
   
   Definitely a wonderful book to read to your child around Thanksgiving!

No comments about Australia (Festivals of the World).

No comments about Castle of Intrigue (Usborne Puzzle Adventures).