Festivals Books

This is a gorgeously done telling of the 12th Century carol. The drawings make some of the language more understandable to modern readers. Sweet book for teaching the song to younger children.

I loved the pictures. My son (7 y.o.) read the book in school and asked for it for a Christmas present. I am very pleased
Great for all ages.

This book is an eyeful! Tomie dePaola's gorgeous illustrations to this simple story have a sort of pre-Raphaelite glow to them, and the animals' faces seem almost soulful. I also appreciated the music in the back that enabled me to sing the words rather than simply telling them. Reading the book to a one-year-old, I would prefer that more of the pictures actually show the baby Jesus rather than implying his presence, which is a little hard to explain to a very young child. But all in all, it's a lovely Christmas book for children and lovers of Christmas carols alike.

I have loved this Christmas carol since my children learned it in their Episcopalian school. It captures the essence of the season...giving of yourself is the most precious gift of all. Each "beast" in the stable honors the Christ child by giving of itself. What a powerful message illustrated by one of the finest authors/illustrators, Tomie dePaola. I have urged every parent I know to purchase a copy.

I believe this is a 12th Century French Carol -- and not an old English Carol,as stated. Well, regardless of which side of the Channel it comes from, it's charming. If ever you have the chance to hear this sung by little ones, don't miss it -- it was meant for their sweet voices.

The country where you were born rarely stops being home. Especially if you lived there for very long. This book highlights a family from the United States whose parents come from Mexico. The parents still feel very strongly that Mexico is home though they are firmly planted in the US. The kids are very uncomfortable with the knowledge. They prefer to speak English and feel that the US is home. What is this place their parents call home? What if they want to stay there? How do their parents really about about home in the US which the kids consider home? It's a confusing dilemma for kids and parents have to have mixed feelings too.

Eve Bunting takes her readers on journey with a Mexican family going home for Christmas. The text she uses is elegantly written. Through the feelings expressed by Carlos and his family you get a real sense of the Mexican culture and the importance of family. David Diaz's illustrations lead you into the journey with Carlos and his family. With the use of collaged background and inset illustrations the pages come alive. The text of Bunting and the illustrations of Diaz give you the sense of being there. This is a book that a child of any age would enjoy.

This book is very touching...it sensitively portrays the sacrafices Mexican immigrants have to make to move to America for their children to have a better life. Very well done themes of parental love, long car trips, the sadness of leaving one's home country, sibling realtionships, husband and wife being romantic (tasteful and age-appropriate), and a child's growing understanding of the complexities of life. Buy and read it to every child (and adult) you know.

This story is well told, with a nice pace and sense of language. Diaz is up to his usual standards, creating a colorful world that you just want to hop right into. Judge this book by its cover - it's beautiful!

Eve Bunting's books have a wisdom that transcends their simple stories. As an ESL teacher and a teacher in classes with immigrant students, I have often shared this book with middle school students and adults. In a brief and poetic narrative, it tells the universal story of parents sacrificing so their children will have a better life, through the eyes of a child. The adults in my ESL classes love it and take it home to read to their children.

This is a cute, easy to read book that discusses the basic elements of Chinese New Year.

This is a simply written and beautifully illustrated book about the Chinese New Year. Through delicate line drawings and jewel like colors the author/illustrator captures the essence of Chinese mythical creatures, flora, fauna, heavenly creatures and mortals. We learn about Chinese zodiac symbols, gods, how Chinese people prepare for the New Year, why they eat special kinds of foods on New Year's Day, the symbolism of specific flowers as gifts, and the meanings of Chinese characters hung on doorways. Demi is the talented author and illustrator of many children's books with Chinese themes. This book is definitely one of my favorites.

Need an excuse to explore ethnic and religious holidays and practices? This is your vehicle. The interesting and exciting practices surrounding Chinese New Year can so easily be compared in writing, drama and story-telling of many other cultures. You cannot go wrong with this book.

I haven't found a book by Demi that isn't terrific. This is a great book for young children, it gives lots of great information on the Chinese New Year and what one does to get ready for the New Year celebration! A must have for anyone with an who wants their child to know about their hertitage!

This is a nice introduction to chinese new year. I will use it as a informational guide and have my Chinese-Vietnamese students look it over to facilitate a discussion about their new year. Thanks.

My Grandaughter now has the complete "Tucker" series and this one does not dissapoint! Another winner... hat's off to "Tucker" and McGuirk.

Tucker never disappoints. I purchase the Tucker books for all the children on my list. The colourful illustrations and mischievous adventures of Tucker captivate them as they read it over and over. A wonderful gift to put under the tree for children and adults.

My son (2 yrs) received the board book of this title for xmas this past year. Here it is severl months later and he continues to ask for "Tucker" at bed time. In fact, we have sought out some of the other Tucker stories since he loves them so much.

I have a Tucker myself but he is my 5 year old little boy. He has loved his Tucker books since day one. He just loves that there is a cute westie with his name. What makes it even it more fun to have those books is that we have a westie also.

Another great Tucker book by Leslie McGuirk for babies to pre-schoolers. Tucker, a little white terrier, is an irresistible enchanting character. In Ho,Ho,Ho, Tucker, the delightful mischievous pooch romps through the snow, Christmas decorations, and a tray of hot cookies which burns his nose. After his exhausting day Tucker is anxious to sleep and dream of dancing bones. Little does he know what a remarkable surprise he is about to receive. Tucker meets a new friend who takes him on a great adventure.

Ho,Ho,Ho, Tucker is a tender hearted flight of fancy with charming illustrations. McGuirk's sheer exuberance and artistic creations will captivate any young child as well as any adult reading to them. This artistically illustrated superb treat is a "must have" Christmas book.

My boys have enjoyed this book. It's a fun way to illustrate counting. I would recommend it highly. We even do the voices of the cute animals!

I am a 21 year old college student. My mom read this book to me when I was little. The illustrations were always my favorite part of the book. The mouse finds her way to the ball in a very magical way. I read that book so many times that I can still recite nearly half of it. In my opinion this book was more a visual experience than about counting. Any child should be lucky to own this wonderful piece of work.

I also am the proud owner of an original 1976 copy, and I cannot believe that it is still in one piece. This was my favorite book as a child and cannot wait to get a new copy for my two daughters!

I'm 30 years old and I still remember reading this book as a child. Not only can I recite parts of it to this day, but so can my mother.
It is a fun way to learn to count. The illustrations are enchanting, as well as the entire story involving all sorts of animals preparing for The Butterfly Ball.

I'm 27 and have a very worn copy of the 1976 publication of this book. As a child, I read it so often that I have pieces memorized to this day. It's still my favorite book, and I was afraid I'd never be able to replace it. How wonderful to see such an enchanting and educational book is still in print!

This is one of the best books ever! Our family has enjoyed this book for years! Sometimes we even act out the parts. It is so entertaining. It started us on a Nicholas Allan kick where we seek out his books. Some are rather irreverent, such as The Queen's Knickers, but all in good fun. Jesus' Christmas Party is the best one.

This charming story gives a realistic spin to how things really might have been out there in Bethlehem. It makes me laugh everytime I read it, and it makes a wonderful skit that our family loves to put on at Christmas time

I love this book. I bought three, two to give away and one to keep. I have it sitting on the coffee table. People pick it up, think it's a cute kid's book and read through it. I can always tell when they get to the end...there is a little sigh and a look of peace! It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. That our lives are hectic, just as the inn keepers night was, but he took time to celebrate the baby's birth!

The simple line drawings are accessilble to all. the innkeeper certainly didn't know what he was in for when he let Mary and Joseph use the stable. Despite the bright light and all the interruptions the innkeeper finally gets in the spirit of things. A short, sweet look at the joy everyone had at the birth of a special baby.

The poor inn keeper keeps getting woken up because two tired travelers need a place to stay, they need blankets, there is a bright light in the sky, three wise mencome looking for a baby...finally he storms down to the barn to give them a piece of his mind but stops when he sees the "lovely" baby. In his excitement he runs and wakes all the people staying at the inn to tell them about the baby!

This is a lovely, beautifully written introduction to Judaism that this Catholic found absolutely fascinating. I grew up in an overwhelmingly Jewish neighborhood and was well aware of the vastly different culture that was expressed around me. Rabbi Greenberg's explication of his faith is insightful, passionate, and, in places, just plain fun. He grounds the book in the weekly and yearly liturgical cycle. The book reads like a series of sermons on the meaning of the Sabbath, and the meaning of the greater and lesser feasts of the Jewish liturgical year. I was repeatedly struck by how similar to my own Catholic faith is the stance of the believer before God, even as to the changing nuances of the various feasts throughout the year. Highly recommended.

I am a Christian, and I read this book years ago. Since then it has become a standard on my shelf. If I want inspiration, especially the Jewish view of Sabbath, I pick up this book and read the parts I have highlighted. My heart continues to be stirred by its contents.

A sometimes eloquent, sometimes dry introduction to the Jewish holidays and how they fit in with broader Jewish theology. I especially liked Greenberg's chapter on Shabbos (in which he suggests that Shabbos is intended to be a play-acting of an utopian future, just as Passover is a play-acting of the Exodus from Egypt). A minor quibble: Greenberg's discussion of differing streams of Judaism is inconsistent. Sometimes, he is punctilious in comparing Conservative and Reform views to traditional Judaism; other times, he doesn't bother -- not a problem for the more knowledgeable reader, but perhaps a trap for the unwary. Also, his apparent view that Zionism has triumphed and that anti-Semitism is not a huge problem is a bit dated -- but one could reasonably say the same about most books written by Jewish intellectuals after 1948 and before Sept. 11.

This is more than the usual guide to the holidays. It is written by one of the pre-eminent Jewish thinkers of our time, and therefore rich in insight and wisdom. Rabbi Greenberg's great love of the Jewish tradition and the Jewish people pervades the work.
To read it is to learn and to be inspired to higher prayer and holier service of G-d on the holidays.

A wonderful overview of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. I use it as a refresher before every holiday and recommend it as a resource for friends wanting to learn more.

This book feels like a gourmet multi-course meal. You begin with the appetizer of small reflections on the readings for each of the first few days of Lent. Then you dive into more and more substantial reflections on a diverse array of topics from the necessity of the connection between Christology and Ecclesiology to a beautiful reflection on priesthood. This is truly the sort of nourishing read one needs at any time, and in particular during a season which is geared to helping us grow in love of God and His Church.

Excellent book to help deepen our faith as we journey through the Lenten Season to the beautiful Easter Celebrations.

I found this book deeply inspiring. Pope Benedict is able to convey the most profound truths with extreme clarity and simplicity. His reflections lead the reader to encounter the Person of Christ, to discover Him and eventually to be willing to embrace the challenging invitation to follow Him on the way of true Love and Life. I loved it! I suggest it to anyone!

This is adapted from http://eagleandelephant.blogspot.com/2006/03/jews-and-eucharist-cardinal-ratzinger.html

This book is a re-publication of the earlier book Journey towards Easter, a collection of retreat talks then-Cardinal Ratzinger gave in the Vatican in the presence of Pope John Paul II during the Lenten season of 1983.

All the chapters are worth reading, but one stands out, especially during this time (Lent) of the liturgical year. "Chapter 4: The Paschal Mystery." It is divided into four sections:

1. Holy Thursday
2. The Washing of the Feet
3. The Connection between the Last Supper, the Cross and the Resurrection
4. Risen on the Third Day.

There are some powerful and prevocative thoughts here. Discussing the relation and root of the Songs of the Servant of God to understanding Jesus' death, Ratzinger writes:

"He made of his death an act of prayer, an act of adoration. ... [H]e cried 'with a loud voice' the opening words of Psalm 21, the great Psalm of the just man suffering and set free: 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'

"... [T]his dying cry of Jesus was the messianic prayer of the great Psalm of Israel's suffering and hope, which concludes with the vision of the poor satisfied and all the ends of the earth returning to the Lord. ... [T]he whole story of the passion is shot through with the threads of this Psalm, weaving in and out continually in an interchange between words and reality. ... It thus becomes clear that Jesus is the true subject of this Psalm ....

"... [W]hat took place at the Last Supper is an anticipation of the death, the transformation of the death into an act of love. ...

"The death without the Supper would be empty, without meaning; the Supper without the actual realisation of the death it anticipated would be a gesture without reality. Supper and Cross together ... The Eucharist does not spring from the Supper alone; it springs from this oneness of Supper and Cross ....

"Therefore the Eucharist is not simply Supper .... The Eucharist is the presence of Christ's Sacrifice, ... it is Christ distributing himself under the figure of bread and wine.

"... 'given for you', 'poured our for many for the remission of sins'. These words are found in the Songs of the Servant of God handed down to us in the book of the prophet Isaiah. These Songs presuppose the exilic period: Israel no longer has its Temple, the only legitimate place in which to adore God. So it seems exiled from God also--forlorn in the desert. No longer can sacrifices or expiation and praise be offered. The inevitable question arises: how can there now exist any relationship with God, on which depends the salvation of the people and of the world? In this passion, in this suffering of a life lived away from their homeland, a life far from their own culture, Israel underwent a new experience: the solemn praises of God could no longer be celebrated. The only possibility for drawing near to God was suffering for God. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Prophets understood that the suffering of believing Israel was the true sacrifice, the new liturgy, and that in this true litrugy Israel represented the world before the face of God. ... The hope found in their passion was that the suffering people were an anticipation of the true servant of God, and so, as 'sacramentum futuri' [a sacrament of things to come] , shared in his grace. By applying to the Last Supper these words about the Servant of God, Jesus says: I am this Servant of God. My passion and death are that definitive liturgy, that glorification of God which is the light and salvation of the world."

Here is where one experiences the preceding as a crescendo of sorts as Ratzinger builds up to then deliver the powerful and--to some or perhaps even to many--provacative lines about the people of Israel and their relation to the sacrifice of Christ in the Eucharist:

"Here we touch upon an important point for the celebration of the Eucharist. Israel concelebrated the Eucharist with Jesus, in that they shared in the sufferings of the Servant of God. To participate in the Eucharist, to communicate with the body and blood of Christ, demands the liturgy of our life, a sharing the passion of the Servant of God. In this participation our sufferings become 'sacrifice' and so we can complete 'in [our] flesh what is lacking in Christ's affliction' (Col 1, 24)."

Pp. 103-107.

Do not be dismayed by the few year's old publication date of this excellent collection of meditations upon this liturgical season, thinking that this is not therefore the "latest thing" in Lenten and Paschaltide theology. These reflections were actually first given as part of Pope John Paul II's Lenten retreat by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1983, already now a quarter century ago, and yet ring as truly and profoundly now as then.

As a former and respected seminary professor, who first recieved his position through the recomendations of fellow Catholic theologian, the influential and even infamous Reverend Father Hans Kung, who served as seminary professor for such influential Catholic theologians as Friar Leonardo Boff in Munich and who no doubt influenced the Basque Roman Catholic theologian, the Reverend and Jesuit Father Jon Sobrino studying in Frankfort, he who later served closely the martyred Jesuit community at the UCA in San Salvador, this talented seminary professor who also served with the Reverend Father Edward Schillebeeckx on the influential serial publication Concilium's editorial board, Pope Benedict XVI has the ability and the wisdom and the preparation to present for us the infinite mysteries, to express in human words the ineffable Spirit, to unfold for us that which is hidden deeply within the Lenten and Paschal Season, through the very words of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here we may read the genesis of these words, many of which spring from the Psalms, as explained here by Pope Benedict XVI, who thereby explains the fulfillment of the Messianic and prophetic promises of the Old Testament within the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as the good professor ably wweaves the intimate communication between the Old and the New.

This book, so accessible here upon the amazon, therefore presents for us faithful Roman Catholics seeking true and pure waters as we wander in the wilderness a rich fountain of Faith, a source of confidence and of wisdom, as these talks were given for Pope John Paul II by an able professor of Catholic dogma, and thus ought to be good enough for us as well, far better and richer and deeper for instance than the popularized and watered down offerings by Liguori of random writings by GK Chesterton around a Lenten theme. Read here instead in its fullness our Faith, our Roman Catholic theology, by one of its greatest authorities.

Of special interest to those who read this book and who realize this Pope and his predecessor condemn the US invasion and occupation of Iraq will be the Reverend Father Andrew Greeley's excellent collection of essays: A Stupid, Unjust, and Criminal War: Iraq, 2001-2007. Intriguing works by other approved authors of Roman Catholic theology mentioned in this review include Jesus in Latin America, Mysterium Liberations: Fundamental Concepts of Liberation Theology, Lord's Prayer: The Prayer of Integral Liberation, Praying With Jesus And Mary: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Lord Is My Shepherd: Divine Consolation in Times of Abandonment. Other recommended reading for this Lenten period include of course as ever Disarming the Heart: Toward a Vow of Nonviolence.

This is the best book on the Passover Seder feast and all its symbolic meanings that I have ever seen. Author Rabbi Nathan Laufer finds the scriptural and historic roots to the foods and items on the Seder plate. His insights are genious, and very enlightening!

This book is one of the best I've read. You can tell by the complete detail of the amazing information unfolded in this book that the author not only took great care in researching the topic but that he is also passionate about the profound meaning found in Passover. I have been touched greatly by this book. I thank the author greatly for writting this book and forever changing the meaning of Passover for me and my family and many families alike. You have to buy this book!

Rabbi Nathan Laufer presents Leading The Passover Journey: The Seder's Meaning Revealed, The Haggadah's Story Retold, brings the fifteen pieces of the traditional Seder into plain-terms, contemporary rendition of the Passover story. Combining scholarly insight with an uplifting conviction in the power and meaning of the Passover journey to reinforce one's Jewish identity and relationship with God, Leading The Passover Journey transforms the experience and the history behind it into a message readily accessible to readers of all backgrounds and levels of familiarity with Jewish tradition. Highly recommended particularly as an introductory to lay readers and novice scholars striving to better understand the Seder and the Haggadah's story.

I found this book so fascinating that I couldn't put it down! I will incorporate the book's teachings into my family's Seders this year. Rabbi Laufer takes the reader step-by-step through the Seder and offers many interesting insights along the way. A must read!

Put an end to boring Seders. This is a great Haggadah, the best in years, perfect for anyone who wants to have intelligent comments to make at their Seder. Even for those who are familiar with the text of the Haggadah, there are many, many original thoughts that seem so obvious that you wonder why you didn't think of them yourself. The layout of the book makes it easy for those who use a non-traditional text at their Seder to find the texts relevant to their Seder and to use them.

My son (2yrs) got this book and loves it so much!
the colors and real life action!!

he loves to watch kids do karate!
i recommend highly!

This is a great non-fiction about Chinese New Year, for ages 4-12! The text is simple enough for younger children and detailed enough to really be informative for older children. Following a young child through his preparations for the celebration immediately brings young readers (and listeners)into the story. Vivid photographs of familiar and novel scenes help children to relate to Ernie Wan while learning about a significant aspect of his culture. Rather than lecturing the reader, this book invites the reader to share in one boy's celebration of the Chinese New Year while teaching about the holiday at the same time. This book has been well-loved by my children (now ages 8, 10, 12) for many years. We are now on our second copy of the book! It comes out every Chinese New Year, and even some other times through out the year. My children often ask to take this book to school to share at Chinese New Year. (Bonus: inside the back cover is an explanation of the Chinese zodiac with years and personality traits.)

Follow Ernie Wan and his family throughout a traditional Chinese (Cantonese) New Year Celebration! Colorful photos and detailed text provide good insight to a fascinating and beautiful culture! Photos of New York's Chinatown and Chinese schools are accompanied by cultural facts. From kung fu school to New Year traditions, this book is more than I expected. The Lion Dance is covered very well, but is certainly not the sole topic of this outstanding book! Ages 4 and up.

For my preschool class, I am pairing this book with an 11' long paper dragon and a stuffed dragon puppet. The children will be making paper lanterns and sampling various Chinese foods. They should really enjoy the unit on Chinese New Year!

Gung-Hey-Fat-Choy! Happy New Year!

If you have small children,their first encounter with the lion can be the stuff bad dreams are made of. Our 16-month-old son was both frightened and intrigued by the lion that came to the Chinese restaurant where our friends' son was enjoying his first birthday. The book follows Ernie Wan through his preparation to his first lion dance one Chinese New Year's day in New York's Chinatown. You see the customs and rituals that lead up to his debut. More important, you see the closeness of his family and the value of rites of passage in gathering people together. My family is not Chinese but my wife and I have immigrant parents. If you are trying to demonstrate why maintaining your cultural heritage is worthwhile, Lion Dancer will support your cause. My son literally drools on the pictures of the Chinese dishes and the kung-fu kicks of the lions amid the firecracker smoke. If I have a single criticism, it's that the pages of this paperback will fall out after repeated reading. And if I'm entitled to menion one mature indulgence, the book includes a section describing the personalities of the various animals in the Chinese lunar year. You might agree that the year you were born is more telling than the month.

I thought the book was very interesting with wonderful pictures
for children to look at. Despite being written for children to enjoy, it gave some insight to anyone, curious about this aspect of Chinese culture.