Festivals Books

This is a valuable buy for anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and loves to snuggle up with a good story on a cold evening. My parents had purchased this book for my little sister and asked me to read it to her one night before bed. I had expected dreading the little children's stories, but as I opened the book and began reading, I found the artwork so enchanting and interesting and the stories so enthralling that I had a great time. I would recommend this compilation to anyone who loves Christmastime.

This is a valuable buy for anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and loves to snuggle up with a good story on a cold evening. My parents had purchased this book for my little sister and asked me to read it to her one night before bed. I had expected dreading the little children's stories, but as I opened the book and began reading, I found the artwork so enchanting and interesting and the stories so enthralling that I had a great time. I would recommend this compilation to anyone who loves Christmastime.

I bought this book for my little daughter and I'm sure she will enjoy reading it as much as I did!

This is a valuable buy for anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork and loves to snuggle up with a good story on a cold evening. My parents had purchased this book for my little sister and asked me to read it to her one night before bed. I had expected dreading the little children's stories, but as I opened the book and began reading, I found the artwork so enchanting and interesting and the stories so enthralling that I had a great time. I would recommend this compilation to anyone who loves Christmastime.

I love this book! Content selection is good and illustrations are wonderful. The artist has created a fascinating world of characters and images. The quality of print is excellent too.
I bought this book as a Christimas gift for my son and will now order another one for my friends' kids.

This book is about a boy that makes a mix-up machine for show and tell. After he makes it everything starts going bonkers!!... This would be a good read aloud book for 4th grade or under. I really liked this book and if you like funny books than I think you will too

I don't know who enjoyed this book more -- me or my kids! The imagination displayed in the book is wonderful, the rhymes are hilarious (and inventive), and the story brings back my own "show and tell" days, vividly! I'm already picking up extra copies as holiday gifts for friends and their kids!

This is a great book for early readers and more importantly, a lot of fun for parents to read over and over! If Dr. Seuss were to mate with Marge Simpson, Mike Reiss would be the result! Buy and enjoy.

Bart Simpson has never been more hilarious than in this rollicking adventure! Our spiky-haired hero is in over his head this time, when his out-of-control invention turns Springfield inside out! Mike Reiss deserves a Grammy for this delightfully clever ode -- or should I say -- an ANAGRAMMY! Eat my shorts -- or should I say -- "TEA YM THORSS"

Poor Ned, today is show and tell and he has nothing to bring. So he goes to his closet and checks out his stash. "A rusty eggbeater, a toy laser beam,/A handheld electronic spelling machine./A Slinky with kinks and an old ping-pong paddle,/A snow globe that said "Having Fun in Seattle."/He smushed them together with duct tape and glue./He had an invention, but what did it do?" So he points and he clicks and the SHOE on his bed becomes a HOSE spraying cold water. He tries it again and his LAMP becomes a PALM, and it is then that he realizes he'd invented a Mixed-Up Ray, a contraption that takes words and makes crazy anagrams. His AUNT becomes a TUNA, PEAS become APES, and as soon as he points his ray at the kids at school, they begin to change. CATHY becomes a YACHT, NAT an ANT, BRIAN a BRAIN "with a big throbbing thinker",and his teacher, MRS ETON, a MONSTER. But things really become interesting when the class leaves on an art museum field trip..... Mike Reiss has written an engaging, manic romp that gets wilder and sillier with each page turn. His hilarious, rhyming text is full of energy and motion, and complemented by Mike Cressy's bold, bright, and busy cartoon-like illustrations. Together they've authored an entertaining chain of events story with a wonderfully clever solution. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, The Great Show-and-Tell Disaster is a delightful, high-spirited story kids will beg to read again and again.

My children loved this book. If you have children, buy this book for they will really enjoy it, and if you still have a little child inside yourself you, are really going to enjoy it also!

Millions know Jamie Farr by his beloved M*A*S*H character, Maxwell Klinger. What few remember is the fictional camel named Habeebe "Klinger" introduced in one episode. In this book, Jamie and his wife Joy tell the rest of the story that will delight a whole new generation of fans. You meet not just Habeebee and wife Habeeba, but their young one named, you guessed it, Hababy. And with Hababy come several other friends from the animal kingdom. The story is fun and it has a point. The pictures are bright and sure to delight any youngster. I hope this isn't the last time we meet this wonderful family ... both the camels and the Farrs.

Jamie and Joy Farr's book, "Hababy's Christmas Eve" is so delightful. Habeebee, Habeeba and Hababy are almost lifelike and sends a joyful message about Christmas. Illustrations by Alice io Oglesby bring the Camel family to life. This book is a great read and I would recommend it to all adults and children.

Joyce Rapier, author: "Windy John's me 'n tut" and "Windy John's, Rainbow and the Pot o' Gold"

I bought Jamie & Joy Farr's book to read to my great-grandchildren, and I think it's an inspirational little story about the camel family that Jamie first introduced on M.A.S.H. I especially enjoy the little fantasy that HABABY's ancestors were the camels that carried the wisemen as they followed the star to Baby Jesus.
The book is well-made and beautifully designed, too; the paper slick, and the illustrations especially colorful. My grand-children really loved it, and kept pointing to details in the fabulous illustrations.
Thanks, Jamie, Joy, & illustrator Alice for entertaining us in such a delightful way. I plan to place this book on our table every Christmas and hope it becomes an annual tradition ... reading it to our youngest ones ... beside a cozy fireplace.
Reviewer: BETTY DRAVIS, author of THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY and MILLENNIUM BABE: THE PROPHECY



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I received an eBook for review and the pages progress slowly, however it is worth the wait while the wonderful illustrations move into place. I would be interested to see the paper copy of the book. This is a children's 32 page picture book I am happy to recommend for use by teachers, and parents.-Molly Martin, 20+ years teacher

This book is so touching and adorable. One of those books that not many people are familiar with b/c it's older. I highly reccommend it. I believe it's out of print and so Amazon is a great place to find it! A must have for Santa belivers!

We have to read this book multiple times every Christmas season. My son loves the great trouble that Santa will go to in order to reach poor little Harvey Slumfenburger on top of the Roly Poly Mountain, who will not be getting any other Christmas presents this year. It also gets us talking about how many people do not have enough money to buy everything they need or want. It has a message AND it's funny and entertaining. We really love this book.

I disagree with the designation of 4 - 8 years old as the reading level for this book. Students of 4 to 5 years old could not read this book themselves. I would say some first-graders, and most second and third-graders could read it independently. But it's a great story, whether it's read to children or by children. This story about a determined Santa, rope-climbing, skiing and traversing impossible terrain to reach Harvey on Roly Poly Mountain, is just inspired. Harvey is a little boy from a poor family who only gets one present each year - the one Santa brings. When Santa gets home and realizes the one present left in his sack was supposed to have reached Harvey, he immediately sets out to reach him - despite the fact he must get there without his sick and exhausted reindeer. This story captivated a class of kindergarteners - and it's not a really short book. When I got to the end, the students were clearly touched, and one sighed, "I love Santa." A second-grade teacher wants to borrow it now, to read to his class. Great Christmas story!

This is a heartwarming story about Santa's determination to ensure that every child has a wonderful Christmas morning. Santa's journey to Harvey's house on the top of Roly Poly Mountain teaches children and reminds adults that it is better to give than receive. The ending will spark conversations between all ages! Read this story every year to remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.

This book reveals Santa as he's never been revealed, starting with an exhausted Mr. Claus who is home after a long Christmas Eve journey. He really just wants to nurse a sick reindeer and get some sleep. Except, to his chagrin, he notices a lump in his sack and realizes he forgot to deliver a package. And this package, unfortunately, will be missed. It's for Harvey Slumfenburger, and it represents the sole Christmas booty that the young boy will get. You just know how much Santa wants to go back out to deliver this gift, but he does so without complaint.

Of course, the reindeer are tired and sick, so Santa has to find creative and sundry ways to the top of Roly Poly Mountain, where Harvey lives. He gets the present to Harvey and finds his way back, although it's a long and tiring journey.

My children love this story. The idea that Santa would go to such lengths is really appealing, and they adore trying to guess what Harvey's gift is. (The author smartly leaves us wondering). The story is about love, and any parent who has tried to obtain a hard-to-find toy or move mountains to get from work to the school play would completely relate.

Don't be put off by the monotonous aspect of Santa's trip, or the unfortunate tongue-tying name of the young boy. This book will be a Christmas favorite, one that brings parent and child together in understanding sacrifice and love and generosity of spirit, truly the things that make Santa and the season magical.

I have four children, ages 8 through 3, and this is their hands-down favorite Christmas book. Well, possibly, all-time book. Each page has tons of details for the kids to notice and find -- even as an adult, I seem to find new things in it each time we read it. And thanks to this book, they are learning all the words to the song.

Hilary Knight's Twelve Days Of Christmas tells of a bear who struggles with an overabundance of holiday gifts from her sweetheart. Whimsical animals parade in each scene as poor Bedelia struggles with a house increasingly filled with odd gifts. The illustrations are especially whimsical.

This is a definte must for the Holiday Season. Wonderful details of a courtship between two bears using the song the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each page is a treasure trove!

I've loved Hilary Knight's work since I was a child feasting on his *Hilary Knight's ABC.* In his *Twelve Days of Christmas," Knight provides an original and meaningful interpretation of the traditional carol. I especially love the way Bedelia returns the "true love" of her beloved gift-bringer by making a fair for him to enjoy--love is reciprocal in this book! The second thing I love about this book is the subplot, in which the raccoon struggles to open the mysterious can, only to find a true love of his own. Finally, the concept of each day as a "pick-up," in which Benjamin brings a partridge and a pear tree (and ensuing gifts) on *each* day, adds a new dimension to the story. Well-planned, beautifully executed, and the finest children's picture book version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" that I've seen.

It's Christmastime, and Benjamin Bear looks out his window, and down the path to his beloved, Bedelia Bear's little cottage, and you can almost see the gift ideas popping into his furry head. So, on the first day of Christmas, he arrives with a partridge in a pear tree, and the fun begins..... Hilary Knight, author of Where's Wallace and The Owl And The Pussy-Cat, and illustrator of Kay Thompson's Eloise books, takes this old familiar holiday song, and turns it into a joyous and engaging picture book. His marvelous artwork, full of bold, bright color, and expressive detail, grows busier, and more intricate with each page turn, until it almost spills off the paper. Young and old alike will be mesmerized as they pore over the pictures, finding something new and fun each time they open the book. With a delightful and creative surprise at the end to get everyone in the holiday spirit, Hilary Knight's The Twelve Days Of Christmas is a wonderful read-aloud book the whole family can share together, and is sure to become a "must have" classic to help usher in the Christmas season, year after year.

This is a lovely book with clear, fluid prose and gorgeous photographs. I loved the fact that Jews from such a wide range of countries were depicted and the sense of reverence yet childlike excitement that shines through the whole book.

This book was a delight to read with both my 7 year old and 10 year old daughters.

Each page launched us into a discussion about our own traditions, as well as Judaism in general.

We discussed our love of latkes, and our tradtion to share them with Grandma and Grandpa.

My daughters also discussed the desire to put the words "I am proud to be Jewish" in the window. We also taked about the possibility of visiting Israel together.

This beautifully written book inspired us to take pride in our traditions, and to learn more about Jews around the world.

Although I've heard the Hanukkah story many, many times, I enjoyed reading this book with my children to experience the many ways this holiday and history is celebrated throughout the world. The author relates the shared story in a beautiful, poignant and delightful way.

Books explaining the celebration of Hanukkah abound - who would have thought there was anything new to say to children on this topic? However, Heiligman's excellent book, published by National Geographic as part of the Holidays around the World series, offers a unique perspective. The historical roots of the story are told succinctly, and the rest of the book centers around how the holiday is celebrated. What sets this book apart are the first-rate, full-page photographs that depict Jews celebrating Hanukkah all over the world. In places as far-flung as South Korea, Uganda and Peru, the story of Hanukkah is still alive and still holds meaning. Through the photos, it becomes clear that although these Jews are living in a variety of cultures and countries, they all celebrate the holiday in much the same way.

In addition, unusually thorough end notes supplement the text. Here is a summary of facts, information on how to light a menorah, a simple, yet exacting recipe for making latkes, and complete instructions on how to play dreidel. The bibliography and glossary include valuable resources and definitions, and a world map spotlights the countries where the book's photographs were taken. Finally, there is a wonderfully written afterword about Hanukkah's meaning and message written by Rabbi Shira Stern,who consulted in the writing of the book. Highly recommended for synagogue, school and public libraries. REVIEWED BY NANCY AUSTEIN (Temple Emanu-El, Dallas, TX)

Full-color photographs and an attractive layout combine with an interesting, informative text to create a stunning introduction to Hanukkah focusing on light, Jewish identity, freedom, and the celebration of miracles. The photographs include contemporary Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Israel, India, Peru, Uganda, Poland, Los Angeles, Ghana, and Rome, and are all paired with descriptive captions. Phrases like "It was a miracle," "We are proud to be Jewish" and "We share the light in our hearts" are integrated into each page spread. The impressive "More About Hanukkah" section includes basic facts, instructions for lighting the menorah and playing dreidel, a potato latke recipe, books and websites for further reading, a glossary, and a world map indicating the places where the photos were taken. Part of National Geographic's "Holidays Around the World" series, this will be a welcome addition for all libraries. Jewish libraries in particular will anxiously await the upcoming titles on Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Ages 6 and up. Reviewed by Rachel Kamin

This was my absolute favorite book as a child and now I can read it to my daughter. The other reviews do a great job of summarizing it accurately, so I won't repeat that, I just wanted to post my 5 stars and if I could I would give it 5 more. It's a fabulously creative book and an absolute joy to read!

I grew up reading this book and would look forward to Easter especially so that I could read it. The colors always fascinated me, and the dual story line always hooked me. When I finally grew up, I bought it and have been reading it to kids since then!

My family has owned this book for many years, and we've worn it out. Ms. Balain has written a sweet story in several "layers". The illustrations are just perfect and so detailed. We've loved watching the flowers grow and the birds build their nest and wait for their family to hatch as we turn the pages. All of this in addition to the story of the Rabbit Family below ground and Granny and her grandchildren above ground. You'll love it, too. "The mouse told me so."

I began reading this book to my five children almost 25 years ago. The older ones would listen while I read to the younger ones. Now I read it to my grandson and he loves it as much as the others. It's a wonderful book to read aloud and an equally wonderful book for children to explore themselves. The illustrations take many "looks" before you see everything. It's kept the children in our family engrossed (and quiet) on long car trips for a long time.

THIS DELIGHTFUL STORY OF A GRANDMOTHER PREPARING FOR AN EASTER VISIT FROM HER GRANDCHILDREN IS ACCOMPANIED BY WONDERFUL ILLUSTRATIONS. THERE ARE IN FACT TWO STORIES, ONE BELOW GROUND, AND A SECOND ABOVE GROUND. BELOW GROUND A MOUSE HAS CONVINCED THE RABBIT CHILDREN THAT THEIR FATHER IS THE EASTER BUNNY, A FACT HE REPEATEDLY DENIES TO NO AVAIL. ABOVE GROUND THE CAT IS STEALING THE EGGS FROM THE HEN CONFOUNDING BOTH THE HEN AND GRANNY AND PUTTING INTO JEAPORDAY THE EASTER CELEBRATIONS. HOW THESE STORIES COME TOGETHER WILL PROMPT YOU TO LAUGH OUT LOUD. IN ADDITION AS WE TURN THE PAGES WE WATCH WINTER TURN TO SPRING. SUBTLE CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE DRAWINGS CAUSE YOU TO LINGER OVER THEM LOOKING FOR SURPRISES. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE READ THIS STORY OVER AND OVER ALWAYS WITH PLEASURE AND HAVE PRESENTED MANY COPIES OF THE BOOK AS GIFTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO SPRING WHEN I CAN TAKE OUT MY COPY AND PLACE IT ON THE COFFEE TABLE FOR FAMILY AND GUESTS TO ENJOY.

This book is destined to be an American classic. Beautifully designed, this book delivers family fun on the Thanksgiving holiday!

This book is a fantastic gift for kids for the Thanksgiving holiday. This book includes information and games for the whole family to participate in. The pictures are atractive and colorful and the recipes help make the Thanksgiving meal better. The book is designed in a style to bring the family together in sharing the Thanksgiving holidays. I learned many interesting things while reading it and had fun too.

What a great idea to write a fun and interactive book about the history of Thanksgiving!! My kids loved it, it brought the story of our great-great-grandparents back into our lives. The entire family enjoyed the games and the "Think About It" sections. It will make our next Thanksgiving a bit more special and may even bring some hard-core football addicts back to the family Thanksgiving dinner table.

I was so jazzed about finding this book! I still can't believe how much more there is to the story of Thanksgiving than the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. It blew me away! Kids will absolutely love all the creative exercises the book offers and the illustrations are fabulous! I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and putting to task all the recommendations the author makes for making Thanksgiving a more meaningful holiday. No more missed educational opportunities for my kids! I very very highly recommend this book for any family - and teachers too!

I found this book to be a joyful read. We can hardly wait for Thanksgiving to use it at our table, but already I have learned more about my own history than I knew before. A retired teacher visiting from Germany saw the book laying on the table and read it, delighted with its illustrations and information. She was sure, she said, that this book would make a wonderful English lesson book for the children in Germany. I agreed, and suggest that the author consider submitting the book to some schools in the States as a text. Here is a charming treatment of a wonderful American holiday, and one which should help bring the family together--as we once were on Thanksgiving--giving thanks, for each other, for God's goodness and especially for our opportunity to live in this great nation.

We got this book for our son's first Christmas and we love the richness of the story and the wonderful pictures. We look forward to reading it every Christmass season!

This is basically an illustrated, Cliff's notes of St. Nicholas' biography. It has nice illustrations and has a lot of information, dates, and locations of events surrounding St. Nic's life. There are aspects of the biography that I just don't believe to be fact, but more lore, such as no toddler would really refuse to eat or drink milk preferring to pray all Holy Saint's Day. There are also some rather graphic images, such as whips, the mention of him being tortured, and the story of 3 young boys being killed then salted in a tub of brine to be served as food. I know this is part of St. Nicholas' life, but for a kid's book it could have been "lightened" up a bit and still get the point across. But this is coming from a Buddhist (I was raised Christian) who wanted a book to teach my son who "Santa Claus" really is and why everyone gives each other presents for Christmas. It will serve it's purpose, but I will have to either skip a few pages when I read it to him or reword several parts of the story so he doesn't have nightmares about being tortured, enslaved, salted and/or eaten!

This book is our most cherished Christmas book. The pictures are absolutely lovely and the story is compelling. The book is truly a work of art.

This Book is inviting and beautiful. Demi's artwork is so well done and inspirational. In some ways the pictures tell the story and the words just carry it along. Charlotte Demi Hunt tells this story with reverence and some humor along the way. Look at her inventive end papers and you will see Santa's from around the world. Little details like Nicholas's donkey, a red stocking, darling dutch children holding wooden shoes offer a light humor to a very straight forward telling of the life of Saint Nicholas and how he became Santa Claus. Yet Demi never goes above childrens heads. Her writing is simple and straight forward and the stories of Nicholas's compassion and faith capture your heart. The best is that of the nobleman and his three daughters and how Nicholas saved the girls from slavery with a gift of gold in a stocking. The whole book is a delight and perfect for reading to children.

Sometimes the best way to be more specific about a story beyond saying that it is "wonderful with beautiful pictures" is to quote what it says on the jacket cover that I can confirm from having read the book. I believe that this statement is very accurate - I couldn't have said it better myself: "In THE LEGEND OF SAINT NICHOLAS, Demi describes pivotal events in the history and life of the saint, weaving a rich tapestry of luminous imagery into the story of his connection with Christmas and our modern day Santa Claus. Demi's gilded artwork brings Nicholas to life in a way sure to mesmerize readers new to the story of this fascinating and important historical figure." I am not new to his story. I first learned about Saint Nicholas when I was a 5 year old child in Germany. I continue to celebrate Saint Nicholas day on his feast day, December 6 with whoever is near me. In the process I have explained again and again who he was and continue to have the highest respect for this historical figure, hoping that I can show some of his love for others. One thing that I realized in reading this book is that he was a bishop in the area of what is now part of what is considered to be that of the Orthodox or Eastern Catholic tradition rather than the Roman Catholic tradition. This is realized from the first time that you look at the cover of the book through the first couple of pages that show artwork of Orthodox orthodox churches and continued in "Middle East" scenery and Orthodox artwork. These pictures are present on every page of the book. As Bishop Nicholas lived in what is now Turkey this is most appropriate. A fun addition to this book is that the inside of the front and back covers have pictures of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus as they are appropriately shown in costumes of various cultures throughout the world - Russian, Chinese, Egyptian, Native American, Mexican, German, Irish etc.. One can spend quite a while just looking at these pages they are so fascinating.

This is an excellent book for diversity in your classroom. Words are defined in the back for easy reference. You can adapt this book for extension lessons every easily.

Both me and my wife (a first grade teacher) really loved this book. It has great artwork (the first thing I look for), a really fun poem that incorporates Halloween words Spanish (teaching them through context), and cute ending. A great Halloween book for the classroom.

My children like this book. The 5 year-old likes the blend of "creepy" characters with common halloween themes, the 16 month-old likes the illustrations, and I like the bilingual aspect. Wonderful illustrations.

Love the concept, love the text. Ah, but the illustrations are the main treat - better than a bagful of Snickers and Atomic Fireballs! So spooky, so rich, and full of delicious details - you can get lost in them for hours!

Los Gatos Black is my all-time favorite Halloween book. It shrieks and howls and creaks and made me laugh and shiver at the same time. Montes' words leap off the page and Morales' artwork shines and shimmers and conjures up images of her native Mexican Day of the Dead. It is breath-taking...