Festivals Books

I read this book to my first grade class. It really got them involved and wanting to know more. They were so engaged! I suggest this book to anyone who has young children! It tells all about how the reindeer came to be the ones to pull Santa's sleigh!

Moe Price's simple but effective humor is the perfect tone for this tongue-in-cheek telling of Santa's first sleigh and the search for the proper "livestock" to pull it. Morozumi's illustrations lend a lovely holiday atmosphere without gooey sugar coating to glop up this funny Christmas "tail."

Without a doubt, Morozumi's illustrations are the most beautiful we have seen. The story tells of Santa's decision to use reindeer instead of other animals to make his deliveries. Read this book to see how they were chosen. This continues to be a favorite in our household.

Reviewed by Leslie Granier and Nicholas Lopez (age 5) for Reader Views (10/07)

Sammy Spider and his mother live on the ceiling of the Shapiro family's house. On the first night of Hanukkah, the Shapiros light one candle in the menorah and their son Josh is given a dreidel to spin. Sammy likes to warm his cold feet by the candles. He also enjoys watching the dreidel spin and asks his mother for one of his own. His mother tells him that spiders spin webs, not dreidels. Each consecutive night an additional candle is lit and Josh is given a different colored dreidel. Sammy keeps asking his mother for a dreidel but gets the same response. At the end of Hanukkah, Sammy is sad because he still has no dreidel of his own. His mother presents him with a clever gift - eight different colored socks (the same colors as the dreidels Josh received) each with a little dreidel spun on the end.

Nicholas had no trouble recognizing the colors (except rose because it appeared to be the same color as brown) and liked seeing the names of the colors so he could learn how to spell them. He thought it was funny that Sammy could wear eight socks that were all different colors and was happy his feet would not be cold anymore. He was also happy that Sammy finally got the dreidel that he wanted. He was not thrilled with the illustrations of the Shapiro family's faces. (They were a little abstract).

"Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah" is a good source for teaching young children about colors and numbers and at the same time explaining certain Jewish traditions.

Sammy's First Hanukkah not only introduces preschoolers to Hanukkah in a way that is right on their level, it also reviews numbers and colors as well. A perfect book for the holidays.

This book is an ideal choice for very young children, as it portrays a fun and interesting view of Hanukkah that is very much in keeping with a small child's own perceptions of the holiday, namely, candle lighting, dreidel playing and latke eating. The story is simply told and the illustrations are colorful and reminiscent of Eric Carle's work. It is a quick reading book that my two and half year old enjoyed a great deal.

Sandra Claus brings a new tradition to Christmas - a child for Santa and Mrs. Claus, and Christmas for the animals! All beautifully illustrated!

We sat in front of a cozy fire . . . and read Sandra Claus out loud. We always read a 'Christmas Story' . . . a routine for us for 10-15 years. We look forward to many more years of sharingSandra Claus out loud on Christmas Eve; Meredith & John W., Oxford, Maryland.

Sandra Claus is a charmingly crafted story with enough complexity to captivate adults, but enough magic to enthrall children. Linda & Parris F., Virginia Beach, Virginia

Santa is up to all the work that makes Christmas merry for all of us. But, how to really enjoy it, himself?

Mrs. Santa comes up with a great idea. Why not stop off at the last house on his route and play for a while!

Children will delight in this little book and beg to hear it again and again. Cute illustrations!

This reissued Golden book will be a hit with three and four year olds! The busy elves, the too-busy-to-play Santa, and his solution (to play at the last house on the route) will make grownups smile even after the billionth reading.

This is a refreshing Christmas tale of Santa
and his beloved elves. Busy in his home at the North pole, the story shows you all the wonders of Christmas toys being made.

Santa was so busy that he never got to play with any of the toys, that is when Mrs. Clause had an idea. "Why not stop at the very last house on your list and play a while." she told Santa. What a wonderful idea! Santa thought and smiled.

A delightful children's story with colorful illustrations and a hope that maybe you
will be the last house that Santa stops at next year! You never know!

There are many times that people, as a whole, seem to forget what the true meaning of Christmas is. It's not about the gifts, or the commercialism, but about the birth of Christ. SILENT NIGHT, featuring the artwork of Thomas Kinkade Studios, is a subtle reminder that Christmas is truly about giving, and not receiving.

SILENT NIGHT uses the words from that oh-so-powerful and well-known song to accompany beautiful illustrations that feature scenes that truly bring to life the spirit of Christmas. Included at the end of the book is the actual sheet music for the song SILENT NIGHT, penned long ago by Josef Mohr. That simple, haunting melody will play in the back of your mind as you focus not just on the gorgeous pictures, but on the meaning behind the Austrian priest's lyrics.

A beautiful, priceless book to be shared with your family to remind them about the true meaning of Christmas.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Beautiful illustrations by Thomas Kinkade. Touching book about the birth of the Savior. Traditional Christas Carol "Silent Night" is the text but the illustrations are what make this a great book.

While many people seem to get wrapped up in the commercialism of the holidays, Thomas Kinkade manages to keep himself grounded, and embrace the true meaning of the holidays. To showcase the birth of Christ in the manger, and bring the true glory and light of the holidays to life.

In SILENT NIGHT, Thomas Kinkade Studios pairs gorgeous full-color illustrations that depict scenes of cottages with Christmas lights strung on them - snow and icicles dripping from their roofs - animals such as raccoons and deer hibernating in the snow, shepherds watching the moon rise on the mountains, their sheep surrounding them; bustling people traipsing through the snow-laced streets on their way to church, or various functions where they will celebrate Christ's birth with friends and family, exchanging gifts with one another. And, to make it even more splendid, all of these illustrations are paired with the lyrics of SILENT NIGHT, penned all those centuries ago by Austrian priest, Josef Mohr.

SILENT NIGHT brings the true meaning of Christmas to life, and will touch all those who glimpse at this beautiful book.

Erika Sorocco

We bought this a month ago to add to our collection and it is definitely a favorite. Some of the songs are familiar and some of them are new to us. I have an eight month old, an eight yo and a thirteen yo - all boys - who are enjoying adding songs to our daily activities. Music and songs just make everything smoother.

THE SINGING DAY has been a fabulous find for us. We picked up a copy at a local store run by a Waldorf expert. We have absolutely loved THE SINGING DAY! My son just turned two. We bought THE SINGING DAY 5 months ago, and have gotten a lot of use out of it.

The illustrations are excellent. We have even spent time with our son talking about the cover illustration, which depicts events in a child's day. The black and white drawings inside are simple and appealing, and our child pages through the book to look at those as well.

THE SINGING DAY book contains simple music and verses for over 100 songs. When I say simple, I mean that the music shows the melody only. I can follow along using our little xylophone. The book also contains extra verses for many songs, so that once you learn a song, you can go to the book to learn more verses.

THE SINGING DAY CD is very nicely done. The singing is a capella (voice only), with almost always just one singer (though there several singers overall). The songs are grouped by time of day and activity, so you can work your way through, for example, a set of songs to sing while cleaning, doing errands, or the like. I think there is only one song that I do not much enjoy -- the singer seems to be trying to sing in a southern accent that sounds artificial to my southern ear. But that is a minor quibble. Overall, this is excellent work.

As a mother, I love having songs to share with my child for all these activities. My son loves to sing them with me, and has asked us to play the CD "again, again, again!" He has been a big fan of nursery rhymes and other rhymes, and these simple songs fit nicely with that.

Thank you to the authors and to the publisher, should any of you ever read this. Your book and CD have enriched our lives.

We are really enjoying the accapela CD. They have several different vioces, male and female. They can all be clearly understood, helpful when one doesn't read music. Great companion to the book! Over 100 songs and verses, it does included some short prayers and graces, although not professing any particular religion, instead simply spiritual. Personally I like them, but I know it is an issue for some. There was a huge varity of useful songs from those for greeting the day to cooking to washing hands to soothing hurts, and more. Before each section there is a quick introduction of how the following songs could be used, such as "to help with household activities". Wonderful for the under 10 set, best for those with kids in the preschool and lower grades.

A wonderful Holiday book! I have read this book to many classes. They loved each page.

I bought this book to help explain Santa Claus and Christmas to my two year old son. (He was afraid of Santa last year.) As I turned the pages, my son kept saying "WOOOWW" at all the pop-ups. It is a very colorful book and fun to read. It is definitely on a two year old level (just enough wording). And now he's asking to go see Santa!!

I purchased this book and found it to be a truly wonderful children's book for the holidays. I didn't realize it was geared toward the older child, and I gave it to my 1 1/2 yr. old. As you can guess he ripped all the pop-ups out shortly there after. I fell in love with the pop-ups and the colors. It is very easy to read and keeps your child's attention. I paid 12.95 for it in Chicago. I am purchasing it today for about $9. This time it will get put away after the holidays!

My eighteen month old loves this book (and the movie)! It is usually her first choice. When she sees me sitting down this is the book she runs for!

oh the book is a snowman shape and i like it happy. This is how the snowman likes I christmastime. I read it twice already, want more to read it!

tony

29 months baby, My daughter,Eugene really likes this book!! She learned about snow through this book! This snowman-shaped book is her good friend. Thanx a million, snowman!

Spanky's message applies not only at Christmas but all year long. This is a story adults will delight in reading to their children over and over again.

I know you'll enjoy "Spanky: The Cat Who Loved Christmas" as much as I did!

I have really enjoyed reading Spanky : The Cat Who Loved Christmas! It's wonderful fun, and I would like to recommend it to you.

This is one of my 3 year olds favorite books. We read it a least every-other day and he always loves it. After we read the book we have to "act it out" he pretends to make me breakfast, make a card with hearts on it, while mimicking what the little pig says..."no peeking Mommy"..."Did I surprise you Mommy?" The pictures are great and very cute.

Little Pig sets out to surprise her mommy on her special day, but in the process, she leaves a trail of mess for mommy to take care of. In the end, Mommy loves all of her treats, despite the work. The reader never finds out just why this was mommy's special day, leaving you free to use the story for a number of ocassions-- Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or even a birthday.

The illustrations are simple and uncluttered, yet have interesting detail, as in the rust stains seeping down the walls of the basement and the colored dots on the bread wrapper, reminiscent of Wonder bread.

The book comes with a free greeting card, blank inside, that any child will be happy to sign for an instant "I love you." A Special Day For Mommy is aimed at ages 3 to 6, and will make a wonderful read aloud for all mommys and daddys to read to their children.

"Mommy" and her daughter burst out of a circular frame on the book's cover, in one of many oblique tributes to Porky Pig and the spirit of early animation. There's a real 40's feeling to this book, with its thickly three-dimensional interior objects that look like they're made from marshmallows and foam rubber. While it's true that there's not a tremendous amount of action in the story, the oversized objects, the images of globby glue and jam spilling on the floor, the strewn toilet paper, and the smiling eyes on the faces of the watchful clock and the framed duck painting give this book an emotive quality full of real and potential energy. I think it will hold the attention of the toddlers for which it was intended.

The story is simple but heartfelt and recognizable. It's Mother's day in pig suburbia, and the little pig girl (or boy, it's kinda difficult to tell) wants to treat Mommy on her special day. The adorable little pig's desires are greater than her skill,; however, and such surprises as breakfast in bed, a homemade greeting, and a cake turn out, well, badly. The mother, in a familiar motif, winds up doing more than she normally would as she somewhat secretly cleans up behind her child. It's touching, because both Mother and little pig are showing their love for each other, whether it's the little one tearing out the planted daffodils ("Mommy loves yellow daffodils. I know because she planted them all around the house") or the Mom cleaning the messy house or the messy piglet who spilled everything! Some of the scenes are a bit jumpy, you have to infer that the little pig did something to make breakfast in bed turn into breakfast on the floor beside the bed (maybe the pig excitedly jumped up and down). If you're prepared for these few discontinuities beforehand, you can have fun with your audience by asking, "Now how do you suppose that happened?"

This is a funny and fun book that shows how even the best-laid plans of pigs and people often go awry, but need not diminish the thought and effort that went into them. Dan Andreasen's pastel colors shows a real warmth between the two porcine ones, and his setting is a simple, uncomplicated one where pigs--not possessions--matter most. There's a real warmth evoked by the look of the 40's and the old-fashioned look of claymation and the stylizations of the 1940's. An excellent book for the young toddler set.