Festivals Books

I read this book in the book store, I couldn't put it down and bought it right after with tears still in my eyes. Thomas Kinkade is an extremely talented illustrator and the story is amazing. I read it in church as the message one week, it is just terrific!

I have been collecting and reading Christmas books with my children for over ten years, and this is one of our Top Ten! A warm and thoughtful story, with glorious illustrations. This book is an absolute 'must have' for your library and is a perfect gift!

REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation by Eric Chipps, Chipps Management Consultants
In today's world of international conflicts, religious strife, North and South disparities, terrorism, extremism and unilateralism, harmony renaissance is the only common value universal solution. The tide of Harmony Renaissance is inevitable. All present will become pioneers of Harmony Renaissance. Harmony advocates non-violence. Its' premises are tolerance, acceptance, respect, equity, patience and humility. As powerful as we are we will not have nobility and hope unless we practice humility. This is the new global awareness. Harmony is the conduit to facilitate multi-directional cultural flow not just from West to East and North to South. Harmony is the all-embracing unifying force for unity in diversity.

Dr. Fung has initiated the World Harmony Organization in North America and has already attracted interest and support. It is a growing influence in North America, Europe and China from important figures in academic and social circles, economics and politics, as well as a growing number of concerned citizens in many countries.

Clearly, the policies of confrontation currently contributing so much to world tensions are unproductive, as well as damaging to the progress of society. By developing the ancient Chinese promotion of harmony, the Organization hopes to become again the third pillar in supporting democracy and religious principle as the foundation of a more peaceful and productive world.

More information can be obtained from the Organization's website at WorldHarmonyorg.net which allows a measure of the extent to which harmony is increasingly an influence. You may also contribute opinion via WorldHarmonyforum.blogspot.com By his talk today, Dr. Fung hopes to generate recognition among influential people of the role that a young, dynamic America, endowed with resources should be advocating harmony renaissance.



Excerpt from Jan 2007 speech by Hon. John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State, United Kingdom:
There's been a great deal of talk about harmony in recent times. In fact, the academic, Francis Fung, has argued in his recent paper "Chinese Harmony Culture: Old and New - Promise for a Less Confrontational World" that China is witnessing a harmony renaissance.
He claims that great debates are happening today in China over whether Socialism with Chinese characteristics can be Socialism with harmony. And Fung maintains that China's harmony socialism will provide an alternative model, as the leading system of governance in the 21st Century.
Indeed, I note that in October the Chinese Communist Party launched a national campaign to build a more harmonious society. In doing so, China appears to be reaffirming its own rich cultural tradition of harmony.
And now, opening the Sheffield Confucius Institute, I reflect on the fact that this emphasis on harmony between man and nature is part of a tradition of Chinese thought going back 2,500 years. This tradition has, of course, evolved and changed over time."



Blog Response by Morgan Steacy

I have been reading professor Fung's letters and articles, posted to his blog site for the last week, and have become comlpetely enraptured by the hope of future possibility that they bring. Although there is nothing that I could do physically, as I am in Toronto, and the World Harmony Festival is taking place in San Francisco, if there were anything that I could do from home to volunteer my time over the summer months, I would be thrilled to be a part of something that I have been advocating myself for some time privately.
I am currently a student at York University in Toronto, Canada, studying East Asia focusing on China. My main area of concern lies squarely within your realm of thought insofar as ascertaining the facets of Chinese thought that may be able to ameliorate the social situation of my country and the world at large. I am certain that I would be able to contribute to your organisation with great success.
Please feel free to contact me by any means, and I look forward to being in touch.



REVIEW OF HARMONY ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Francis C. W. Fung's most recent essay, "Harmony Essential to Human Rights" has struck a cord that I believe to be invaluable at this stage of human existence. His focus here is clear from the title but his approach to the topic is unique and insightful. With contributions to this topic as common as they are, it is difficult to find an article that sheds new light on the subject, but this is just what Fung has done.
Human rights are considered by most to be equal and inalienable for all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or nationality. Fung has posited that, while this is an ideal goal to strive for, it is necessary to understand that each individual nation has limitations that create obstacles in the path of human rights development. He further notes that it is possible that behaviour that could be perceived as a human rights violation in one place may well be a legitimate course of action in another. China's one baby policy exemplifies his point perfectly because of the fact that this is a case where the seeming infringement of one's human rights is, in fact, a boon to the greater good.

Creating the elaborate web of infrastructure necessary to operate a fully functional society bereft of so-called human rights violations requires discernment of the needs of that particular society along with a stable economy. Given the fact that China's population crisis has created a situation wherein many are unable to provide the necessities of life for children due to a lack of facilities and resources, it seems unconscionable that the North American media should pass judgment so readily without sufficient knowledge or personal contact with the situation. The idea that a blanket of human rights, conceived by the Western world, is able to cover any situation is egocentric and more importantly inaccurate.

Having identified the problem as being an inability to understand the varied needs and values of nations as they relate to the implementation of human rights, Fung goes on to suggest that it is the imminent Harmony Renaissance that could reveal the solutions. Harmony requires that people allow for the differences between cultures without passing judgment. It requires that people take the time to ask questions and make decisions after they have heard the answers.

The concept of ritual is instrumental to Confucianism and may lend itself well to this discussion. The tenet holds that in carrying out ritual properly one becomes a human being. The performance of ritual requires genuine interaction with another individual or individuals. If we were to think of every moment as being ritualized, we would be forced to connect to the other that we intend to judge rather than simply imposing our own standards upon the other on whom those standards have no bearing.

Excusing nations for all violations of human rights is certainly not what is being called for. Nor is Fung necessarily claiming that each nation should independently determine the degree to which human rights can be provided. Rather the importance of what Fung is claiming lies in the acknowledgement and acceptance of difference. The manner in which a country behaves is determined by its history, its geography, its current socio-economic make-up and intangible cultural traits. Without a profound understanding of all factors involved it is impossible to understand decisions made. It is with this outlook that modern leaders and citizens must enter the global-political realm and replace careless judgments with calculated decisions based in the growing tide of harmony.
Morgan Steacy, York University, Department of East Asian Studies


Dear Francis,

Thanks for the update, I hope you and the family are well. I think it is wonderful to see the concept of a "harmony" paradigm being promoted in the media. So much of Western cultural history has been based on a conflict paradigm (crusades, competition for scarce resources, clash of civilizations, political struggle, etc.). It is extremely important to open people's minds to unity, universal love and harmony as governing principles of society, the world and the universe.
Best regards,

Peter Neumann



REVIEW BY MORGAN STEACY, YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, EAST ASIAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Freedom, Democracy and Harmony Diplomacy: A Review by Morgan Steacy, York University, Toronto, East Asian Studies Department.

Have you ever heard someone say, "Can't we all just get along?", and thought that it sounded reasonable? This is exactly what I believe happened to Dr. Francis Fung, Director General of the World Harmony Organisation. Dr. Fung has written an article entitled, Freedom Democracy and Harmony Diplomacy that essentially asks this very question. The difference here is that he answers with a resounding, yes.
Up until now no one has ventured to explore the reasons that people have so often asked this question, but have never actually dealt with why the answer that should be YES seems determined to remain NO. So, how does this article evade the puerile nature of the question that it deals with?
Dr. Fung has chosen the USA, as the major world power, to be the primary focus of his urgings. He links historical downfalls of people quite succinctly with the current situation of the world. He describes a world that is so overcome with the notion of "spreading freedom" that there is never a moment to stop and think about the hypocrisy of deciding to "bring freedom" to another nation.
He describes this as "freedom diplomacy", a process which is detrimental to societies because of the fact that they are not determining their own freedom, making it inherently flawed. He further points out that while terrorists have acted in order to destroy our freedom, their success in actually doing so has been ineffective. He claims that it is our reaction to terrorism that has actually limited our freedom. He is not claiming that countries should eliminate counter-terror measures. The point he is making is that we are dealing with the symptoms of a problem rather than the problem itself.
Some believe that the answer to the problem lies in the style of governance that persists in regions where terrorists are able to survive. The answer, to these people, is simple. Spread democracy. If democracy's impact has been felt to the extent that it has in so many other parts of the world, then surely there is no reason for it to fail elsewhere. The truth, unfortunately, lies far from this simplistic view. It is impossible to deny that democracy has been a boon to many societies, and has even been the backbone of success in the modern world, but there are differences in the way that each nation practices democracy. The flexibility that democracy allows within a defined structure is one thing that makes democracy such an amazing concept. Unfortunately, it is often the case that narrow-mindedness and a lack of true cultural understanding inhibits the propagation of actual democracy, and it is only imperialism that perseveres.
Finally, Dr. Fung, having illuminated many of the problematic approaches currently being undertaken, leads the reader to the solution. Harmony is an approach that supports rather than censures, it is tolerant rather than judgemental and it is inclusive instead of being exclusive. Harmony is meant to encompass the fundamental principles that one ought to adhere to in all facets of life. Decision-making processes would be geared towards harmony, rather than personal gain, from an individual level all the way to a global plain.
Dr. Fung has taken a concept that is so seemingly simplistic and breathed a palpable life into it in this essay. The statement that he is making is direly needed and I hope that he continues to make statements like these so that people will start to realize that the solutions that are currently failing to solve the contentious issues of global peace will continue to fail until we realize that it is our very goal that is misguided. We need to establish global harmony before thinking about global peace. Harmony does not imply agreement, only tolerance. It is possible to bring harmony about quickly through education and compliance. Once the people of the world commit to harmony as a means to solve problems, the problems of the world will finally become manageable, and maybe then we will all "just get along".

Finally, Dr. Fung, having illuminated many of the problematic approaches currently being undertaken, leads the reader to the solution. Harmony is an approach that supports rather than censures, it is tolerant rather than judgemental and it is inclusive instead of being exclusive. Harmony is meant to encompass the fundamental principles that one ought to adhere to in all facets of life. Decision-making processes would be geared towards harmony, rather than personal gain, from an individual level all the way to a global plain.
Dr. Fung has taken a concept that is so seemingly simplistic and breathed a palpable life into it in this essay. The statement that he is making is direly needed and I hope that he continues to make statements like these so that people will start to realise that the solutions that are currently failing to solve the contentious issues of global peace will continue to fail until we realise that it is our very goal that is misguided. We need to establish global harmony before thinking about global peace. Harmony does not imply agreement, only tolerance. It is possible to bring harmony about quickly through education and compliance. Once the people of the world commit to harmony as a means to solve problems, the problems of the world will finally become manageable, and maybe then we will all "just get along".
Morgan Steacy,York University, Dept of Asian Studies

Many raves have been accorded to Bob Inman's previous novels. "The Christmas Bus" will endear him to yougsters as well as adults.

Lyle Baskin's full color artwork wonderfully illustrates novelist, playwright and screenwriter Robert Inman's engaging and entertaining story in "The Christmas Bus". Set at the Peaceful Valley Orphanage, this is the picturebook Christmas tale of Mrs. Frump who is trying to find good homes for the holiday for her gaggle of rowdy kids. But when the local busybodies and a suspicious Sheriff Snodgrass intervene, a simple bus ride turns into a terrifically involved and complicated adventure for this band of orphans! Original, heartwarming, and a truly welcome addition to the growing library of Christmas oriented titles, "The Christmas Bus" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to family, school, and community library holiday season collections and reading lists.

Well researched and documented, this Christmas Encyclopedia is a fountain of information on many topics of the Christmas holiday, including: biblical references, history, world customs and celebrations, traditions, foods, stories and books, legends, songs, carols, movies and television specials, and much more.

A great research guide and also an enjoyable book to read for anyone who is interested in learning more about this beloved holiday.

Bill Crump has written a very informative book about the Christmas traditions that answer many questions about the season that many of us have had. I especially liked the customs and traditions of the holiday seasons from the other countries, as I'm sure many other people will who are researching family histories. Way to go Dr. Bill.

This book is an excelent source for moms, teachers and any one who works with kids. The pictures tell an intricate story with out one word! What an excellent way to encourage a child to talk (speech therapy). The way each child interprets the story tells you so much more than words could (psychology). Emily McCully's books are too valuable to be out of print!!

The mouse family enjoys Christmas Eve activities then up to bed! On Christmas Day the presents are opened, joy abounds! Off to Grandma and Pop-Pops and one little guy can't leave his Christmas gift behind. Ut oh, disaster strikes - but Grandma knows just what to do - Pop-Pop and the little guy venture into the attic and a long ago gift is passed down a generation. A story of Christmas joy, love and sharing told in a very special way. Just wonderful!

This coloring book has all the characters from the classic movie, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. I am going to keep it forever and just print out the pages for the little ones to color.

During the holiday season, my 2-year-old, my 5-year-old, my wife and I spend many evenings coloring in front of our Christmas tree. This is one of the few coloring books that is truly enjoyed by all. It is based on the classic television show and has 84 pages (rare for a "name brand" like Rudolph) of large, easy to color pictures. The pictures are well drawn and accurately depict all the classic characters, Sam, Herbie, Santa, etc. The book follows the original TV storyline from beginning to end with a few easy to read sentences on each page. There are also a few puzzles like decoding and word search, but nowhere near enough to clutter the book or interfere with coloring or the storyline. I have bought over 20 Christmas coloring books in the past 3 years; this is my family's favorite. I'll be buying it again, so we can start anew next year.

This book is well-designed for young children. Not too many words per page; nice colorful pictures on each page; easy to follow story that keeps a little one's attention.

I am so surprised to see the poor reviews of this book. My girls pull this wonderful book out all year long, and my youngest (5) has most of it memorized. It is a totally endearing book, and pulls you right into the story, so you feel like you are there in the Big Woods. I get such a good feeling from reading it to them. The children in the book received red mittens for Christmas in their stockings, and last year, that is all my girls wanted in their stockings! So I knitted them each a pair and they want to wear them, even though we live out in Nevada now! This is a lovely book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the Little House series.

Tell the publisher to get some more copies out here! This is the best Christmas book for children. A wonderfule story, wonderful pictures - reverential, yet understandable for children.

What more can be said? The story tells the nativity story in a sweet, gentle, non-preaching way. It shares the warmth and love of a child, hearing the story for the first time. A must have for any family with children and should be considered a classic.

I thought that this book is a great book for children. The illustrations are great and the storyline is simple enough for young children. My children thoroughly enjoyed it.

Every year our family finds itself looking at our town's Christmas lights. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a great way to "re-enjoy" our trip.

Christmas Meditations on the Twelve Holy Days
December 26 - January 6
by Merry C. Battles


In this book the author brings us channeled material on these special days of the Christmas season. She explains how she sat down with a lit candle, the intent to share love and enlightened messages with the world and then the words would just effortlessly flow. After reading this precious book, I can understand a lot more about the need to be quiet and listen to our still small voice inside.

The book is broken up into 12 sections given to the 12 days after the celebration of Christmas, but as the author points out can be also used during the months of the zodiac, because each month, as each day has it's own focus, and it's own spiritual message. In one of her many prose, Merry tells us each ray of sunlight shows us the rainbow a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. Love shines on every page through a compilation of words, and wonderful illustrations and I was left feeling so close to God. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels the spirit of Christmas lives on and on in every day and every way. Thanks Merry.

Riki Frahmann

As an in-depth instructional dedication to proper meditations of the the twelve holy Days, Christmas Meditations On The Twelve Holy Days by Merry C Battles guides the reader through the time most important for the spiritualist to be in-tune with their body, mind and being. Christmas Meditations On The Twelve Holy Days informatively explores the intricacies of the season in which Earth travels through each sign of the Zodiac, and the best and most effective adaptation to utilize this limited time. Christmas Meditations On The Twelve Holy Days is highly recommended to all devout spiritual enthusiast, both Christian and otherwise, particular though, to the astrologically inclined.