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.

1 comments about Celebrate Seasons/Book & cassette kit (Celebrate (Jordan Paperback)).

1. Sara Jordan surpasses other music producers for children yet again with "Celebrate the Seasons". I've exclusively used other Sara Jordan products to reinforce concepts for early learners, children experiencing difficulty in school and in production of school musicals. Her production values are great, the songs are catchy and she provides high content, interesting activities in addition to the music. What a boon for busy teachers. I'd also highly recommend "The President's Rap"for teaching American History.

1 comments about Curious George at the Parade.

1. I love all the curious George books. Who Doesn't?
   
   author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

No comments about Going to the Fair (Turn of the Century).

No comments about St. Patrick's Day (Heinemann First Library).

1 comments about Russia (Festivals of the World).

1. I am a real fan of the "Festivals of the World" series. The Russian book was interesting because the authors divided the holidays into the religious and political. This make sense since Russia was under the influence of Soviet communistic political system for a long time and it influenced its culture in general . In that time the religious ceremonies were almost completely banned.
   
   The information about Russia and its culture is brief but interesting. The photographs wonderful. I also liked the activities - the Russian dolls made of cans. We will try to do it in our enrichment class soon. It looks like a great fun for children!

1 comments about Straight from the Heart: A Make-Your-Own Valentine Card Kit (Pretty Simple Stuff).

1. The kit supplied several sheets of patterned paper that could be used to make Valentines. It also offered stickers, as well as guidelines for creative Valentine's Cards. I was very pleased with it, and I thought that the price was just right.

No comments about Buttons Goes to a Bunny Show in Seattle.

2 comments about Michael Le Souffle and the April Fool.

1. This is Pete Welling's best book yet. Although I didn't think he could top Andrew McGroundhog and His Shady Shadow, I think Michael Le Soufflé's illustrations are the best of any children's book I have seen in recent memory.

   The story, a comical tale about a happy-go-lucky rooster and an irritable pig, is original to say the least. While I think children (and adults) will enjoy the story, it's the illustrations that steal the show. I was laughing more at the illustrations than at the story. Each page is packed full of humor within humor; the book may be a short 32 pages but it took me half an hour to get through it because I spent so much time on each page looking at the complex, yet fanciful, drawings.

   If you have a young child just learning to read or an older child who still enjoys being read to while looking at great illustrations, then buy this book. It will be cherished for years to come.




2. Michael Le Souffle and the April Fool is the imaginative account of the start of April Fools Day. The mayor of Bakonneggs in France is a horribly grouchy man who doesn't want anyone to have fun. He has even outlawed laughing! But when the mayor decides to change the date of New Years Day, everyone is sure he is pulling a prank.
   
   Michael Le Souffle and the April Fool tells an entertaining, humour filled story while teaching children a little about French culture and vocabulary. Throughout the pages of the story are French words for the objects shown. The book even includes an easy to use French- English translation and pronunciation guide at the back.

No comments about Let's Party!: Celebrate with Children All Around the World!.