1 comments about Hanukkah: Jewish Festival of Lights (First Facts).

1. This simple and straightforward introduction to the holiday uses basic vocabulary and large, full-color photographs and illustrations to convey key aspects of Hanukkah's history and customs. Interesting tidbits of information are sprinkled throughout, such as the fact that the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication." The bold presentation of these "Fact!" bubbles will appeal to young readers. A brief glossary is included, as well as a short bibliography of books that offer a more in-depth look at the holiday, and instructions for crafting a milk carton dreidel. While children of faiths other than Judaism may gain more knowledge from this book than those who have celebrated Hanukkah with their families, the easy text and engaging format allows beginning readers to learn about the holiday on their own. Sievert's text provides a similar, though less extensive, treatment of the holiday as any of the typical books marketed to the school library world by publishers specializing in non-fiction. Those who require a simplified version of this holiday aimed at beginning readers would consider this a useful purchase.
   Ages 4-8. Reviewed by Alison Kelly

No comments about A Place to Be.

4 comments about The Tailor's Gift: A Holiday Tale for Everyone.

1. "The Tailor's Gift is a beautiful story about community, friendship, and positive thinking. The illustrations are reminiscent of the early 1920's."
   
   While parents will enjoy the message behind the story, children will love the story for the illustrations and the resemblance the tailor and his sheep have to Santa, his reindeer, and his sleigh.



2. Imaginatively written by screenwriter, journalist, lyricist, and poetry David M. Stern, and enhanced with the artwork of Dave Zaboski (an animator for Disney Studios for such films as "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", Pocahontas", "Fantasia 2000", and seven other classic films), The Tailor's Gift: A Holiday Tale For Everyone" is the story of Shimmel Cloth, a tailor who lived high in the mountains and whose flock of sheep gave him the best wool for making warm clothes for the nearby villagers. Disaster suddenly befalls the village, but Shimmel knows just what he must do. He gathers the warm clothes he has made, then with the help of his sheep he brings them to the village. When the villagers tell Shimmel they can't buy the clothes because they have nothing left, he tells them to look around them. Once they realize the still have each other, they all work together until the village is once again thriving. "The Tailor's Gift" is ideal Christmas holiday picturebook reading (as well as all recommended for all year round for its sheer entertainment and originality!) for children ages 5 to 7 with its message about giving and sharing.



3. A classic story of sharing in a time of disaster, The Tailor's Gift teaches children the importance of helping others. A cold winter wind causes the townspeople to build a huge fire to keep warm but no sooner are they feeling safe and warm than the wind sends the fire embers into the air and burns their village. The tailor and his sheep come to the rescue in this heart-warming story of generosity in difficult times. The Tailor's Gift is highly recommended.



4. "When the road is bumpy and you've just had enough, look inside yourself and make yourself tough."
   
   If you're looking for a new story of giving for the holiday season, look no further than David M. Stern's book, THE TAILOR'S GIFT. A bedtime story within a bedtime story, THE TAILOR'S GIFT just happens to be the story a mother and father sheep tell their restless lambs. Can you guess the heroes of the story? Why, sheep, of course!
   
   In this creative spin on the tale of how Santa Claus might have come to be, Stern creates Shimmel Cloth, an honest and generous tailor with a big heart and a flock of happy, dedicated sheep. When the town below is in need of real warmth, who is better suited than Shimmel and company to help them out?
   
   Despite a treacherous and frigid journey, Shimmel and his sheep forge on in their mission of giving and bring the townspeople what they need most: warmth that comes from the inside. Shimmel and the sheep in turn learn about the good to be gained by gutting it out when odds seem stacked up against you - yet another lesson inside a lesson.
   
   In fact, there are many "timeless" lessons to be had in THE TAILOR'S GIFT - not only the lesson of honesty and giving and the lesson of learning how to handle tough times, but also the lesson of community and sharing, and even of appreciating what you have. There is ample room here for family discussion and what better time than during the season of giving?
   
   THE TAILOR'S GIFT is an attractive book with beautiful illustrations that make the story. Illustrator Dave Zaboski's cute, fuzzy, happy-looking sheep give the story the warmth that it is trying to convey and his picture of a shadowy Shimmel and sheep driving through the sunset is a masterful way of making the Santa/Shimmel link without Stern having to blatantly point it out. No kid would pass that page and not discover a similarity between the two.
   
   THE TAILOR'S GIFT by David M. Stern is touted as "A Holiday Tale for Everyone," and rightfully so. Kids enjoy the story (I know because my three were glued) and grown-ups will delight in the multiple metaphors. With gorgeous pictures everyone will enjoy, THE TAILOR'S GIFT should make it on everyone's must-read list for December and the rest of the year through.

No comments about Birthday: Fit-A-Shape (Fit-a-Shape).

3 comments about The Great Cake Bake.

1. Donna Rae really wants to win the prize in the cake contest this year. She tries her hand a various cakes. She tests her cake out on the mayor. The first cake she bakes is a Boston Tea Party cake that end up spraying liquid all over the mayor. Then she bakes a Statue of Liberty cake that explodes when they light the torch. Her last cake is a replica of the old town of Boston. Find out the mayors plan to make sure Donna Rae is not in the contest next year!
   
   
   What did you like or not like about the book?
   
   The book is full of adventure. You never know what will happen next.
   
   
   
   Would you recommend the book? Why or Why not?
   
   Yes. It is a great book to read around the Fourth of July.



2. This book's illustrations are so well done and enjoyable, with lot's of background detail. They compliment the fun, lighthearted story perfectly. A book you will never be tired of reading!



3. The Great Cake Bake is Matt Collins first picture book; yet, his work surpasses many veteran artists. His illustrations are vivid and polished, shiny is probably a better word. The expressions are animated, and comical. The illustrations are funny, and beg a second look. I also love the animal antics. On nearly every spread Donna Rae's cat and bunny rabbit appear in the scenes. Her pets are either peeking from behind a post, or struggling to get a better view. It's cute, and adds to the fun.
   
   This is my first experience with a Helen Ketteman's work, and I must say I'm impressed. Ketteman's writing is humorous without over embellishing. She's description, yet the terminology is age appropriate. The book is recommended for children 5 to 8, which I think is appropriate as it takes about 5-minutes to read aloud. The author sets the scene, grabs the reader's attention, and keeps us interested until the end. This book has accompanied my 6-year old to bed every night in the last few weeks. He adores it.

No comments about The Birthday Letters.

No comments about What is the Holiday? A Book of Learning for the Seasons.

No comments about Birthdays (Holidays and Celebrations).

No comments about Holiday Happenings.

No comments about Holidays.