Festivals Books

This book is the best introduction to the story of the first Christmas that I have seen. It provides a short and sweet explaination of Mary and Joseph, their journey to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus, the visitors to the stable, and why we celebrate Christmas today. Fabulous illustrations, especially for those little animal lovers. Wonderful for toddlers...my two year old wouldn't let me put it away after the holidays were over!

This book is a wonderful addition to a Christmas (or anytime) book collection. The text is the familiar story from the Bible, accompanied with beautiful illustrations; my small children are captivated by the images, facial expressions, animals, and settings.
For parents who want to read the biblical text of the Christmas story to their children but want an illustrated form to read with their family -- or for anyone who appreciates gorgeous artwork accompanying the story -- this is a cherished book to have.

Sharyn McIntyre is such an inspirational writer. This book will make your heart shine with new hope and spark the holiday season with enthusiasm. A wonderful addition to any gift giving event. Not just for Christmas.

A must for every little person's library, "Christmas Time" has bright illustrations and simple explanations which can set the stage for Yuletide fun whether read in a school media center or before home craft activities. Good for ages 3-8.

This is a mini book full of stories, Christmas songs and activities to do and things to make for Christmas. The Christmas Treasury is good for age 4 and older. It's a cute, colorful, beautifully illustrated collection for little ones. It has The Christmas Story, The Story of Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, A Visit from Saint Nicholas, The Story of Cinderella going to the Christmas ball, The Story of the Nutcracker, The Little Fir Tree, and Christmas Traditions. Children enjoy hearing these stories read to them and making things for Christmas. Fun book.

This Running Press edition of A Christmas Treasury: The Heirloom Edition is a fantastic picturebook filled cover to cover with classic Christmas carols and short stories, and ornamented with a built-in golden angel bookmark on a yellow ribbon. The beautiful full-color illustrations by Christian Birmingham fairly resonate with holiday warmth and cheer, while the timeless tales reawken the spirit of faith, hope, and love. A superb storybook and read-aloud book to share with the whole family, A Christmas Treasury is a simply wonderful gift with which to celebrate this beloved holiday season.

This book was awesome. I've read it over 100 times. It just reminds me so much of Christmasses at my house. Except I don't have a little brother who likes boogers. This is a must read for anyone who likes Christmas books.

I could hardly believe my good fortune to find my favorite Robert Frost poem had been illustrated by my favorite illustrator! This is much better than another "kiddie book about reindeer" This is a book to read aloud and share with the extended family. What an introduction to real poetry for the younger ones! I would give it 10 stars if I could.

At last! A story that combines the traditional Christmas tale of the birth of Christ with the modern day desire to give presents around that time of the year. The Italians are on the ball when it comes to tying such divergent activities together, and Ilse Plume's "The Christmas Witch", shows us how. No large North Pole dwelling elf for Italian children. They've their very own gift giving witch (complete with invisibility and magic powers too!).

In this classic story, we learn of Befana. Once this woman lived in the hills of Italy, healing the sick and telling fortunes. One day, while bringing in some wood, she came across the Three Wise Men. The Three told Befana of the birth of Christ and she begged to come along. Unfortunately, by the time she'd hauled her wood back to her home and returned to follow, the men were gone. Nonplussed, Befana locates a bag of toys she would give and treks off to find Christ herself. For years and years she traveled, never finding him until one day she was given the job of giving away presents to every child in whom the spirit of Christ lives. Batta bing batta boom, the yearly Christmas witch. Like Santa, she prefers to give coal to naughty children. Unlike Santa, there's a real connection between her penchant for gift giving, and the religious subtext of the season.

The book itself is fun. But while the story is great, the illustrations suffer. A bit flat, they contain a certain 2-dimensional cartoonish feel. Just the same, there's a lot to love in this story. I was particularly taken with how a religious figure like Befana can be a devout Christian and, at the same time, a witch. Take that Harry Potter haters! This would be a particularly good book to read to the kiddies around the Yuletide. It combines a known figure (the person who gives them mysterious X-mas goodies) with an unknown figure (Befana herself). A great read and an interesting story. Parents will find themselves learning just as much as their children, I'll warrant.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was someone who lived his faith. His theology was embodied in his action, and he paid the ultimate price of martyrdom rather than retreat to the safety of far-away places. God called him to be faithful in the midst of a troubled world, and he followed that call. Executed just before the end of World War II, he spent his time under suspicion and in prison not being sorrowful at an unjust fate, but rather ministering to others around him, keeping faith and hope alive, for them, and ultimately, for us, his future readers.

It is quite something to imagine a man in the turmoil of Nazi Germany, eventually being part of the horrible Nazi prison system, being able to write and live in a hopeful and hope-filled manner. In many ways, the Christian story recounts similar themes - the Christ child is born into a world locked in sin, and suffers an unjust fate at the hands of brutal oppressors bent on world domination. Bonhoeffer is a Christ-like figure without his even trying to be. His life and his writings provide a very inspirational element to the holiday season.

This book is a collection of excerpts from Bonhoeffer's works, including poems and sermons. Some of these include `The Manger and the Cross', `God Travels Wonderful Paths', and `Christ Has Taken on Human Form'.

This book was published in 2004 in German; this edition available in 2005 is the first English translation of the same. The book itself is a beautiful piece, with nice typesettings, interesting page-layouts, and photographs that add to the spirit of the writings and the season - pictures of the sun through snow-covered trees, other pastoral scenes show the stark winter and the bright sunshine together;

These are pieces for meditation. The excerpts are often short, poignant or otherwise meaningful, drawing the careful reader in to contemplation and prayer. This book makes a wonderful gift for oneself and for others.