Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

by Carol18 Comments
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham I adore holiday books, especially those centered around Christmas, but this is one I wish I had skipped. I actually listened to the audio version of this, read by Dennis Boutsikaris and finished it on my lunch break today(while eating a plate of leftover spaghetti and sauce from my mom's - my absolute favorite meal). At least it was short. It's the story of Luther and Nora Krank who have decided to skip Christmas this year since their daughter is in Peru and instead go on a cruise that leaves Christmas Day. Of course, their daughter calls Christmas Eve and tells them she is on her way home with her new fiancé and expects the traditional Christmas celebration. The Kranks have to forget about the cruise and scurry around to pull Christmas together. First of all, I didn't like anybody through 7/8 of the book. Mr. Krank, is, well, a crank. His wife agrees with his skipping Christmas...
Read More

Esther’s Miracle at the Manger by Mitzi Probert

by Carol2 Comments
Esther's Miracle at the Manger by Mitzi Probert, illustrated by Ty Schafrath (Suggested reading level: Kindergarten thru Grade 3) I have to admit that I've known Mitzi for years, but I didn't know that she had written a children's book until she did a talk at one of our Wednesday church services a few weeks ago. She talked about the journey she took from coming up with the story to actually having it published and then read the story. This is a cute Christmas story that was actual event. Esther, a young cow, is leery of being in the living nativity at a local church. When she arrives, instead of joining the other animals, she gets scared and takes off running down the highway. To escape from the noise and flashing police lights, she jumps in the river. She does make it to the other side, but she's still lost. After days of being hungry, lonely and tired, she finds her way to...
Read More

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Chuck Fischer

by Carol49 Comments
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Chuck Fisher The Blurb: This beautiful re-imagining of Charles Dickens's timeless fable, A Christmas Carol: A Pop-Up Book features artist Chuck Fischer's richly painted depictions of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, brought to life in intricate pop-up scenes by paper engineer Bruce Foster. The entire text of A Christmas Carol is reproduced in five removable, illustrated, keepsake booklets. An introductory booklet provides a biography of Dickens and an illustrated feature on the enduring appeal of this beloved story. The perfect gift, A Christmas Carol, now in pop-up form, will brighten the holidays for young and old. My Thoughts: This is simply gorgeous! Pop-up books have evolved so much from the ones I can remember from when I was a child. It's magical, seeing the story I know and love brought to life in this way. I also love that the...
Read More

The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne

by Carol7 Comments
The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne The term "cowboy" is a little misleading. Carson McRaven is no ordinary cowboy. He does own a new ranch with horses and cattle, but he also owns a billion dollar multinational tech company. Jenna Wheeler, a widow with four children, is his neighbor and the former owner of his land. The two manage to live near each other in relative peace, although the kids always run amok on Carson's land. But, when Carson has business associates come in to town right before Christmas, he needs some help, and Jenna is the perfect chef to turn to. Of course, sparks fly, gazes are lingering and passion-filled. Carson learns to open his heart and Jenna learns that he's the perfect man for her. She smiled against his chest, even as she fought tears of joy. "I get it now. You just love me for my snickerdoodles." He laughed softly and it was the sweetest sound she had ever heard....
Read More

Brigid’s Cloak by Bryce Milligan

by Carol2 Comments
Brigid's Cloak by Bryce Milligan, illustrated by Helen Cann (Suggested reading level: According to Amazon, ages 9-12. I think it should be closer to ages 6-9.) This story based on an ancient tale about on of Ireland's most beloved saints. On the day she is born Brigid receives a brilliant blue cloak from a mysterious Druid. Years later, the young girl still wears the now tattered cloak while she tends sheep.Then one night in December, when she is ten, after saying a prayer of thans at the end of the day, Brigid is transported to Bethlehem in time to help Mary and Joseph find the stable and make it comfortable. After she returns home, she is asked what happened. Brigid pulled the old blue cloth from her shoulders only to find it changed. It was a deep rich blue again, blue like the easter sky at twilight, and on it were dozens of tiny glowing start. "I was in Bethlehem...," she began I had never...
Read More

What’s Cooking, Jamela? by Niki Daly

by Carol1 Comment
What's Cooking, Jamela? by Niki Daly (Suggested reading level: Ages 4-8) Usually, when I think of Christmas stories, I think of re-tellings of the first Christmas.  Or I think of snow and pine trees, cold weather and hot chocolate. Basically, I tend to read Christmas stories that are similar to my Christmases. What's Cooking, Jamela? however, takes place in modern South Africa—no snow for sure, but lots of love. Jamela's mama and grandmother make plans for Christmas, including buying a chicken to fatten up for dinner.  Jamela feeds the chicken, who she names Christmas, water and corn everyday. It even eats food from her hand. As Christmas gets closer, Jamela and the other kids put on a nativity play at school, complete with traditional clothing and instruments. On the day before Christmas, before the chicken can be killed, Jamela tries to help it escape, but it ends up running through town, causing havoc. "Christmas in not a chicken," cried Jamela. "Christmas is my friend....
Read More