Festivals Books

The books arrived in great condition, in good time.
They were great gifts for Christmas. Thankyou . One of them is going to the Soldiers in Iraq. Our soldiers can use a laugh. Please remember them.

I bought this book thinking my kids would think it was hysterical- they are 4 1/2 and 3 1/2 - don't think they caught on to the humor. It is beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written. I recommend it but to older kids.

What a wonderful, laugh-out-loud story! Even though our son is only 6 months old, his babysitter and I read it to him and all three of us were squealing with delight (the baby might have had gas himself). This is the kind of story that a comical father might make up for his children, a tale that they will remember fondly long into adulthood, and perhaps even pass on to their own little ones. Enjoy!

This is such a funny take on The Night Before Christmas. If you can't bear to read the classic tale one more time.....this is an hysterical alternative. Our entire family was in tears laughing.

We've owned this delightful, short pop-up book since our children were young, some time in the 1980s. It's always been part of our Advent tradition, and works very nicely as a weekly Advent calendar (in conjunction with Advent candles, if you wish).

The first page features the Annunciation.
The second shows Joseph taking Mary into Bethlehem.
On the third we see the innkeeper showing them the stable.
Then a glorious angel appears to the shepherds, followed by the three wise men following a bright (expanding) star and finally the shepherds and wise men coming to the stable to see Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.

This year we read this visually appealing book to our now grown-up children on Christmas Eve, still to the delight of all.

This is a lovely book that we have had for many years. Our children have worn it out looking at the wonderful pop up illustrations. It also sticks very closely to the text from the Bible. A Christmas treasure!

As usual with dePaola's books,the illustrations are fantastic. The story is Jesus in the manger...6 pages.

This is a simple story explaining the story of Christ's birth. I read this book to my children when they were small and I have ordered one now to give my daughter when she has children. I love Tomie de Paola's writing techinque and unique art.

For those who yearn to share the true meaning and beauty of Easter, yet long also to rejoice in the childlike joys of the season, The First Easter Bunny offers the gift to do just that! As a former campus minister in a jr/sr high school, this book was first given to me in its original form in 1996... since that time, I have sought to purchase it to include in Easter baskets for friends and family - young and old alike! The simple yet profound message of this Easter story is one that will capture the heart over and over again.. .it is a daily gift to read at day-end, a lullabye for the heart to ensure peaceful and hopeful sleep. If you are seeking to begin a new tradition this Easter, the treasure of The First Easter Bunny is it!

The First Easter Bunny makes a wonderful gift for that special child at Easter time or anytime. I bought two; one for each of my friend's children. Both children loved the book and have read it over and over again.

Great Book! The children are drawn to the story. They have read it again and again. Grandparents love to read it to the family at Easter and all year long.

A unique look at the Easter season. The story is well developed and illustrated. It is a must for children to help them tie the secular and religious themes of the season.

My family loved Lark Carrier's Halloween book, so I knew they'd love this one. I was right. My little ones love to turn the pages and follow the chicks on their Easter adventure. The art is beautiful. Ms. Carrier is right in touch with children.

I have 3 children who are big fans of Lark Carrier. We were so excited to have a "sequal" to her recent Halloween books! The art is beautiful, the story is charming, and fun to read with the little ones on my lap. I just bought 15 more to pass along to sisters with kids, my daughter's teacher, and friends with young children. We couldn't think a a more precious gift for spring! WE LOVE IT!

A real little ones book. They love to go back through it again and again to fing the added little characters sprinkled on every page. A real treat for the season.

This will be a great addition to a toddler's Easter Basket! Charming and enchanting with cute details on each page to point out for little readers. My 3 year old loved it -- and there is still snow on the ground!

I borrowed this book from the public library for my 3 year old daughter and after I returned it, she kept asking for the "flower book." The illustrations are beautiful and the concept is really nice.

We have a two-year-old daughter who picks this book out every day and every night to read. The illustrations are breathtaking. The story is simple but relevant; we follow every detail as the father and daughter walk the city street and ride the bus. We love to watch the daughter planting the flowers with her father; the mother coming home from school to see her birthday surprise. I have no doubt that this book will be with us for another generation or more (at least in our house). Thank you to the two wonderful artists who created such a special book.

I am a student teacher in a three year old preschool classroom. We recently planted mums outside our window, and afterwards read this story to the children. They loved the beautiful pictures and the contrast between the city flowerbox and our daycare garden.

my pre-school class found the book to be very exciting and could'nt wait for me to turn the next page.the bright colors of the cover and pages were so liking a good childrens book,that we planted a garden like described in the book.i have had parents ask where can they get this wonderful book for their own child. we really enjoyed it!this book described a family so close and loving,you can't help but smell the flowers and feel the love in that household.

If "The Flying Witch" Has "Psycho", You're In Deep Trouble!

I checked this book out of the library and am now looking to buy it. My 6 year old just loves it, both the story and the illistrations. (A girl that falls off her father's turnip truck!?!?!). Great! And I sub and share this story with students and they just sit and listen and always want to hear it again and again. Love it!!!

By: Elizabeth age 8

I like the flying witch because I thought that the witch Baba Yaga was going to eat the girl she saw in the woods but she did not. The witch made a friend girl named Yummy.

This is my favorite part, Yummy (Y-um-mee) told Baba Yaga to get some beets so she can make beet soup. While her father was at the market selling beets and Baba Yaga ask to buy them all, Yummy's dad was worried and his daughter was missing from the car. His daughter fell off the car. When Baba Yaga got home, Yummy's dad followed Baba Yaga. When Yummy fed the witch she asked if this is better than a little girl.

This is my favorite part of the book because I like when Baba Yaga says that she wants to buy them all because it could make her sick. Yummy's dad follows the witch into her house so he could get his daughter.

The illustrations were so good I wouldn't be able to understand the book without them.

I think that ages 3-5 is good to read out loud, but to read to her/him self should be 6-9.

I think that the theme of this book is don't judge a person by they look.

The Flying Witch is not a series.

"The Flying Witch," by Jane Yolen, is illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. The book tells the story of Baba Yaga, a Russian witch who flies around in a giant mortar-and-pestle. Her goal: to kidnap and eat a child!

In the afterword, Yolen notes that she read a number of Baba Yaga stories in 3 books, but that the story here is her own. I imagine that a story whose main character wants to abduct and eat a child might not suit all tastes (forgive the pun), and that the portrayal of such a villainous witch might offend some Wiccan readers. But those issues aside, this is a wacky, fun, deliciously macabre book. The illustrations are really wonderful; Vagin successfully combines down-to-earth detail with fantastic imagery. Together the text and illustrations create a fairy tale world that has color and bite.

The Friday Nights of Nana is a really terrific, sweet book for kids on Shabbat. It's more about family traditions than religion per se; it shows a young girl home for the day, helping her grandmother get ready for the weekly family get-together. I love how Hest's simple words and Nivola's absolutely beautiful artwork work together to emphasize the specialness of the day. A little treasure.

A wonderful book to share with your family on a cozy night!

It is early Friday morning (7 A.M. if you look at the tiny clock in the intricate illustration), when a young girl meets her Nana for bread and sweet peach jam. But there are bed to be made, ironing to do, china to place, cadlesticks to polish, a pie to roll out and bake, challah to braid and make. They go on a windy walk along a geese filled riverside park. There are violet colored flowers to purchase; Shabbat is approaching. The relatives arrive, the candles are kindled, it's cold outside, but a warm Shabbat inside. Great illustrations with intricately detailed gems

"The Friday nights of Nana begin early Friday morning..." There's so much for little Jennie and her Grandmother to do. Clean and straighten the house, iron the good tablecloth and fold the lace napkins. Then off to the kitchen to bake challahs and pie and polish the candlesticks. After lunch it's time to buy their favorite violet-colored flowers for the table, put the chicken and potatoes in the oven, set the table with Nana's best china and silver and get changed into their special blue dresses for the Sabbath. And as darkness falls, the doorbell rings and in comes the family, Jennie's parents and baby brother, aunts, uncles and cousins. Outside, it's cold, the wind blows and it begins to snow. But inside, Nana lights the candles and quietly says the prayers as the whole family sits down together for Sabbath dinner..... Amy Hest has written a tender and gentle story that transports children to Nana's house and shows them the joy of special family traditions. Her warm and simple text is beautifully complemented by Claire Nivola's evocative illustrations, full of wonderfully expressive detail. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, The Friday Nights Of Nana is a lovely read-aloud story the whole family can share, that will warm your heart and maybe, be the start of a new tradition in your house.

I personally like this series because Froggy has two good friends, Max and Travis. Both are my son's names. It's nice to see their names in books. The story lines are genuine and teach good lessons too.

They also use fun sounds "Zap, Zup, Zoom" etc.

My class loves the Froggy Series. I know they'll love this book too. Great condition. Prompt service.

Another great Jonathon London book! My daughter has all of his books and just absolutely loves reading these fantastic books over and over again! And the illustrations by Frank Remkiewicz are just marvelous!

All I can say is if you want a good book for your child that is enjoyable and pleasant and has a wonderful character then you need to invest in the Froggy series of books!

Poor Froggy, he sleeps all winter and has never been able to celebrate Christmas. But this year, his friend Max the beaver has other plans. He wakes Froggy up from his long winter nap to not only wish him a Merry Christmas, but to give him his first Christmas present ever...a Christmas tree. Froggy and Max hurry to wake up Matthew, the turtle and Travis, the bear from their winter hibernations (because Christmas is about friends) and all four head out to find the perfect tree. They carry it back to Froggy's house, decorate it, make home-made presents for Froggy's family (because Christmas is about family too) and then it's time for Froggy to put the star on top of the tree. Over goes the tree as Max shouts "timber"! This wakes Froggy's mom and dad and they have a wonderful celebration, doing everything...opening presents, roasting chestnuts, singing, eating and even having a snowball fight. And as the day ends, Froggy wishes "Merry Christmas to All" Jonathan London has written a funny, happy, gentle story about the real meaning of Christmas...spending time with friends and family. His easy to read text, full of cheerful animal dialogue and wonderful sound effects is complimented by Frank Remkiewicz's colorful, busy, detailed illustrations. Together they've created a wonderful holiday story that's just perfect for pre-schoolers and that's sure to become an instant favorite in your house.

I'm not a little kid, just one heavily into middle age. I
enjoy books with great illustrations. This one is fun...
absolutely delightful! I love the ghosts with binoculars and
MacGhost is marvelous. Kids of all ages will find themselves
smiling as they read.

My 3 year old and I happened upon this book at the library. We have checked it out continually ever since while waiting for out copy to arrive. She has memorized the words to this book and to "The Ghost's Dinner". It's a fun book that I enjoy as much as she does.

So does my daughter, who is 2 years old. This is a delightful, cute comedy of errors and mishaps that ends in a happy discovery for this marvelously inept family of ghosts. If you like Scotland or Nessie you'll love this book.

Four friendly ghosts set off for Scotland in search of the Loch Ness monster. They try to stay occupied while waiting for the monster to appear. However, their antics always distract them from viewing the monster...The pictures are priceless...Amusing and entertaining even for the kids.

The best book I have ever read regarding the birth of Christ from an aboriginal viewpoint. Those in the pulpit need to move over and make room.

The Give-Away is beautifully written and illustrated. Mr. Buckley's story is simply the story of Christmas, based on the tradition shared by many Native people known as 'the give-away." A friend recommended this book and I share that recommendation with you. The Native people have much to teach in their tradition of the give-away.

Both the illustrations and the story are wonderful. The book artfully combines Native American spirituality aspects with Christian aspects. I used this book in a "children's church" class at our Native American / Catholic church at Christmas. The kids loved the story and afterwards made a collage of Jesus in the manager surrounded by all the animals mentioned in the story. The book could be used during Easter as well or during a discussion about Native American give-aways.

I became aware of this book yesterday when I heard Ray Buckley read it at a Christmas Tea & Tree for the Red Bird Missionary Conference. The book touched the hearts of each of those present. Small children, youth and adults were warmed with the story.

The Give-Away is for all families, with children and without. It would be an excellent resource to give to families that do not attend church.

Ray re-presents God's story of love and self-giving by sharing from his tradition the story of giving.