Festivals Books

This book has such cute pictures and simple words. I would recommend it for all toddlers. My 14 month old wants me to read it over and over. It is his favorite book.

My one-year-old is in love with this book! It has the cutest pictures of babies dressed up as snowman, angels and even a Christmas gift! Babies love looking at other babies, so this is a wonderful book if you have a child between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. I highly recommend it, and all the other books by Tom Arma.

My son LOVES this book. We read it every night, he is so fascinated with the babies and the images. The photographs are very clever and I enjoy looking at them also. The words are sparse and easy to follow for younger children.

As a member of Louise Borden's family, I'd deffinatly say that this book is worth buying. This book gave me the joyful feeling of being home for Christmas because my family has so many of the same traditions because the author is my aunt. The story is based on her life and ways of selebrating Christmas. A few months ago my family had to move to a diffrent location. When we were driveing to our new home I held this book in my arms thinking of the fact that when all of this moving was done then finaly my family would be home for Christmas. This book is deffinately worth buying!

My first experience with this book was through a book read aloud given at a writing workshop I recently attended. The teacher reading the book had invited Mrs. Borden to her classroom to read and discuss her writing. The story inspired me to remember some of the special Christmas traditions shared in our family. I'm going to read this book aloud to my class of seventh graders this coming week and ask them to recall some of those special Christmas memories of their own.

My first experience with this book was through a book read aloud given at a writing workshop I recently attended. The teacher reading the book had invited Mrs. Borden to her classroom to read and discuss her writing. The story inspired me to remember some of the special Christmas traditions shared in our family. I'm going to read this book aloud to my class of seventh graders this coming week and ask them to recall some of those special Christmas memories of their own.

This is the story of Kipper, a quite sweetly painted watercolour dog by Mick Inkpen. Gorgeously simply, but beautifully coloured drawings. Kipper is out in the snow on Christmas Eve choosing a tree. He can't get it out but finally figures out how to do it. At the same time he dislodges a mouse. The only thing to notice this is Arnold who is a young pig (who doesn't talk yet) and his brother Pig. Pig helps Kipper get the tree back home, Arnold watches the mouse.

There are two parallel but intersecting stories in this and it is actually quite conceptually complex for children to understand. Firstly there is Arnold, who doesn't speak and his pursuit of the mouse - quietly - which none of the others notice or realise is there - so Kipper and Pig are decorating thinking the things Arnold is doing are decorating too. There is the strange appearance of Tiger one of Kipper's other dog friends who drops round iwth a present and a snowball to throw at Kipper. And Pig who goes to wrap up Kipper's present and comes back with it badly wrapped.

It is all the small things of life in a children's book - and all based around Kipper wondering if he likes Christmas day with its presents, or Christmas Eve with its anticipation of Christmas day the best. The really lovely thing about this book is that on the last page is a small flashing light which is the reindeer hat which Kipper has given Arnold. Arnold is wearing standing in the window waiting for Santa. The bulb takes quite a bit of hard wear from little fingers which have endlessly picked away at it since we got this book 3 years ago - it still works, so full marks for reliability!

My three year old daughter has had this book for two weeks (we got it after Christmas!) and asks me to read it to her at least several times a day - without giving too much away the surprise on the last page has her fascinated! The story is a really lovely one, Mum's and Dad's will enjoy it as much as the littlies!

Kipper's Christmas Eve is a delightful holiday book that will be a hit with all young children. Mick Inkpen's Kipper characters are darling as ever as they prepare for Christmas by finding and decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and waiting for Santa. There is a cute little stowaway mouse that children will enjoy looking for on each page and the lighted surprise at the end will be fun for all. This will be a great holiday book to read and reread.

My 10-year old son is not the first one to run to the books every night to read! However, when we picked this book up he looked forward to picking up the story where he had left off and seemed to really enjoy the characters.

Danny's life is baseball. Though when his divorced mother starts to go out with someone, Danny is worried she will get remarried. Since his dad can't come to his games anymore because he's travelling too much with his new wife nobody will come and see him play. Also, Passover is coming up and his mom won't let him go to any games on Passover because of a seder he has to go to. With all this going on he is afraid to tell his coach he can't play in a game against their biggest rivalry. Will Danny stop worrying about everything and continue to concentrate on baseball? Read the story to find out.

I enjoyed this book. It is about the importance of observing one's holidays and preserving one's traditions. But not at all costs and not without compromise, flexibility and change. When his mother insists that Danny miss the Little League opening game in order to attend a Passover seder. Danny is miffed. But eventually he does realize that loyalty to his family and faith can be achieved without disloyalty to his team. Along the way Danny also comes to terms with his parents' divorce, learns alot about the fallibility of adults and matures in general. I particularly appreciated the fact that the way in which the Passover seder is observed is non-traditonal and thus very realistic for a large segment of the Jewish population. Attendance at a Passover seder is something that 90% of Jews do, most of them in a not strictly traditional way. Well done with lovely illustrations

This is a terrific pictorial that realisticly portrays the GLBT community on a day commemorating an important moment in history. Because of Stonewall and because of the Gay Pride celebration and all the sacrifices that have been made since 1969, generations of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and trans people have been and continue to be encouraged to come out and be proud.

I was actually at this particular event. It's one of my most memorable. I had no idea why my photo was being taken, but it ended up in this book....a friend of mine called me to let me know. Imagine my surprise!

I highly recommend this book because it captures the essence and spirit of this celebration in a beautiful full color format. It looks great on the coffee table and is a great conversation piece.

(...)

The book The Last Sunday in June captures photographs of the many faces of the people who are proud of who they are and are comfortable with their lifestyle.The photographer is not afraid to capture the real world that we live in. I felt that the photographer's work was excellent and I am looking forward to
seeing more work by this photographer.

Jamel Shabazz has the magic touch.I loved the book.This is the real world we live in but hid behind closed doors.His Pictures show the real emotions of real people not afraid anymore.He has a gift and is a truly great photographer.The pictures are beautiful.I been to many of his events and enjoyed each and every one.I hope this book will be a best seller.

THIS IS A LOVELY BOOK WHICH WILL GIVE HOURS OF PLEASURE. WELL WORTH BUYING.

Our daughter's name is Laura, so it is extra-special at our house. It is a great addition to our Christmas collection. Always a favorite bedtime story at holiday time!!

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS AND BELIEVING IN MAGIC.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COLORFUL AND THE SPARKLE OF STARLIGHT GIVE CHILDREN SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO PAGE AFTER PAGE

In "Leaving Maggie Hope", David, the young protagonist, witnesses a fight between his mother and stepfather that changes the course of his life. Instead of growing up in the bosom of his comforting, albeit troubled family, David is sent to boarding school while his mother, stepfather, and sister disperse separately to New York City.

He is troubled by a slight physical disability from his youth and "coping strategies" that set him apart from the other boys. As David negotiates through life in the rarefied environment of an East Coast boys' school, he learns that his is not the only family that is unraveling, and how to cultivate the assets that truly make him valuable as a friend and student. Under the surface of all his adjustments at school runs the distress caused by his mother's descent into alcoholism.

David is a character that almost everyone can relate to. He is the butt of pranks as well as the perpetrator of them. He is very smart, but has to learn to strive for the real value of education, rather than for the purpose of accumulating accolades. This story is so beautifully written (the author is a poet) that experiencing the language is as rewarding as the culmination of David's story. Enjoy!

I really wish the whole world could know Dr. Abbott, the author of this book. He is this adorably handsome man with eyes that twinkle when he speaks and a laugh that can leave you smiling all afternoon. In his classes in college, I often had difficulty taking notes because I was so swept away by his expression of the English language. He is poetic in everything that he does, and this book is a great example of that.

David Lear, the protagonist of this tale, who reminds me a great deal of what Dr. Abbott might have been like as a boy, is a fantastic character filled with so many demons yet able to conquer them all. Almost like a Harry-Potter-for-adults, Leaving Maggie Hope takes us through David's adolesence and leaves us warm with the hope of what will come for this extraodinary boy.

What's even greater than the story, though, is the language that Dr. Abbott uses to tell his tale. It's simply breathtaking in places. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who marvels in the magic of putting words together in beautiful ways.

The story of this young man, and how he comes to terms with some unique circumstances, as well as those challenges univeral to us all, will pull you in from the very beginning. This is one of those "read the 1st chapter, and you're hooked" books. I wanted to curl up with a quilt and a good cup of coffee and just not put it down. You'll find your own favorite teacher, your own best friend, your own worst enemy and your own heart at the heart of this story. I want to cast the movie version, and have high hopes for a sequel!

Allan Drummond brings to life the factual events of how Lady Liberty came to America, all through the eyes of a small boy. Drummond leads the reader through events leading up to and including the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. The anticipation and enthusiasm for the coming of the Statue of Liberty that is felt in the people of New York and France is wonderfully shown in Drummond's writing. His delightful illustrations use wonderful colors to help portray this story of America's ideals of Liberty and Freedom.

Written and illustrated by Allan Drummond, Liberty! is an enthusiastic, full-color picturebook for young readers about the Statue of Liberty, which France gave to the United States in 1886. Telling its story through the eyes of a young boy, Liberty! follows the great statue's steamship voyage with imaginative pen-and-wash artwork and enthusiasm for the treasure that is Liberty. Highly recommended for both school and community library picturebook collections.

"Imagine this...New York City, October 28, 1886... A small boy stands at the foot of an enormous statue, his heart bursting with excitement, for today he has been given the most important job in the world..." Based on true events, and seen through the eyes of a little boy, Allan Drummond details the momentous day the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor. As the rained poured down, the harbor was teaming with ships and boats, filled with thousands of cheering people, flying French and American flags. Everyone was there, Mr Bartholdi, the sculptor, the many workers who helped build the statue in France, and erect it here in America, the sailors who brought her over from France, the press, businessmen, dignitaries, and even the President of the United States, all waiting for the signal that would reveal Lady Liberty's beautiful face for the first time..... Mr Drummond's simple text is engaging, entertaining, and full of energy, as the excitement of that day builds with each page turn. His marvelous bright and busy illustrations, in shades of red, white, and blue, dazzle as they swirl around the pages, creating a joyous feast for the eyes. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Liberty is an evocative masterpiece, best read aloud and shared, that leaves behind a gentle and unforgettable message. "Freedom is like a flame we must all hold high and give to others and keep burning bright all around the world."

"The Light at Tern Rock" is an excellent book to read to your class or have your class read as a trade book during the holiday season. It teaches students to think of others at this time of year and not to always concentrate on themselves. It is suitable for third through fifth graders. It also gives the reader the feeling for living in a lighthouse and what life was like for these people living in desolation. It is an excellent history lesson along with a strong moral lesson. You never tire of the words year after year.

This is such a great book for young readers because the detail on every page is exalent.Though in parts of the book it can get confusing but if you try to stick with it you will get it a whole lot better.Believe me this comes from my own experience!!!!!!I would definately recomend this book because dont let its looks diceve you, it may be short but its filled with lots of information!

This book tells the story of Ronnie and his aunt Martha Morse. The two are tending the lighthouse as volunteers so the official lighthouse tender can spend time with his daughter. They must take care of the Tern Rock Light until December 15. They must dust, clean, and take care of it. But the fifteenth of December comes, and no one is there to pick the two up. Will they have to spend Christmas in an isolated and remote lighthouse?
In this wonderful book, Ronnie and his aunt learn that Christmas is beautiful anywhere, and the importance of a promise.
This 1952 Newbery Honor Book is for ages 6-13.

I began the reading of Pipa's book believing the Sabbath had been abrogated....

I suppose I am still in the same position, but Pipa has certainly made my foundation for that thinking start to shake. I plan on reading it again sometime and perhaps this time I will be convinced. As of yet I am not. Still this book is highly recommended. Pipa argues for his position from the Bible. This book is well worth your time and money.

This book belongs on the shelf of every Christian's library. Pipa does a wonderful job communicating the theology of the Sabbath, which needs to be done more in Christendom. The Sabbath has not been abrogated, as so many Christians purport. It has been fulfilled in Christ, but the principle of its keeping is perpetual. Pipa addresses key Scripture which others use to show the Sabbath's abrogation, such as Col. 2 and Heb. 4. (He could also use Mt. 24:20 to punctuate his argument.)

Pipa explores the meaning of Is. 58:13,14 to show how the Sabbath day is to be observed. He shows it's not a day to delight is ourselves, but is to be solely Christ-focused, with works of mercy and necessity.

If you are a Christian, don't let this book pass you by! It's very readable and non-technical.

Joey Pipa is a living example of what he writes. As President of Greenville Theological Seminary, former professor at Westminster Seminary, West, and pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, he has been talking about the proper observance of the Lord's Day for many years. He was my pastor for a couple of years, and I observed first-hand his love for the Lord and his delight in the Lord's Day. He is a Reformed Presbyterian and a modern-day Puritan. I highly recommend this book - it is one of only a handful of books that exalts the fourth commandment.