Festivals Books

The Perfect Present is a very sweet Christmas story with wonderful pictures. Kind of Beatrice Potter looking. And many of the pages open up to one really big page. It's just a wonderful book to read to young children.

This is the story of two rabbits looking for each other, each hoping to give the other a "perfect present." Hague's illustrations are the most cheerful and bright I've seen in any of his books. The children love looking through each page for the miniature kangaroo that is madly hopping away from the young rabbit lad. The fold-out pages are fun, but since they are so large, this is a better book for children who are old enough to be trusted not to pull too hard or smash the pages back in crooked. My 6 & 8 year olds both love this book and have for several years. A fun addition to your Christmas library.

Peter's First Easter lends itself to being read aloud. There is so much emotion. Last year, I had friends over for a Lent get-together. I read this aloud to the kids and my *adult friends* actually cried at the rendering. Peter's point-of-view in the story makes it fresh. And his guilt and desire to be forgiven are so human.

Mary's First Christmas is similar in emotion and read-aloud-ability. My kids laugh when the Child Jesus says, "Elefunk."

Both of these are must-reads for Lent and Advent. Kids love them from preschool to ... well ... to 100!

I just read this book last night. It tells the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of Peter. It opens at the last supper (he didn't know it was the last) and draws the reader into the events at a gut-level but appropriate way for children. I've told my children the easter story before, but the emotion and drama here make it clearer. The outstanding illustrations illuminate the story even more fully. I encourage you to buy it and make it an easter tradition at your house.

Not too complicated and not boring to read, that really helps this book become one of the best Passover books for kids. I really think my students will enjoy this book and learn more about Passover as a holiday.

Grandpa Boris and Minka lead the Passover seder for Tommy and all the babies and adults, who are there as family and guests. As Boris tells the story, Chuckie wisely wonders, if the Hebrews were in such a hurry to flee Egypt, why they didn't just get fast food at the local Matzoh King. Lil ponders if bitter herbs are like yucky medicine. Angelica mutters that charoses must taste like sticky glue. Look at the illustrations: the pyramids are being built by Hebrew slaves from large lego blocks, and the Egyptians open umbrellas to shield themselves from the plague of frogs and vermin. Part the Red Sea? Chuckie, obviously a wise child, imagines that the sea is being PARTED with a very large hair comb. In the last half of the book, the babies search for the Afikomen (or is it Afiko-women if Angelica finds it?)

I used this book and the similar Camino Portugues book for my pilgrimage in April 2006. They are both superb. I followed Brierley's suggestions pretty much to the letter. The book contains excruciating details as well as a longer and spiritual view.

I think of the book as a personal gift to each of us pilgrims. Brierley obviously loves his work and the Camino. He kept me on track, put me to bed early and awake early when it was important, encouraged me to appreciate the wonderful people and sights along the camino. He offers history lessons, lists of practicalities, maps and directions. This book is all you need!

Same format as the Camino Frances guide - laid out in three stages. One stage per day, one map per stage total of 95 pages. In addition to covering the route, it has a section of practical information on when to go, covers Galician history and culture. A beautiful full color guide.

So you are planning a party for your youngster and are trying to remember some fun games from way back, but your mind goes suddenly blank? Here is a collection of twenty fun and simple games for young children, that also very easily lend themselves to variations as you go along. The games described don't involve complicated rules or require elaborate preparations and are clearly and attractively presented. For each game, there is also some advice on safety issues and some ideas for variations. A very useful resource. Worked very well for my four year old's recent birthday party.

I recently gave a party for my 7 year old using games from this book. They had a blast! The games are VERY simple and definitely only for the age group that was recommended by Amazon. Most are the classics that you probably know already but when you sit down to think of things to do, you forget. Its a handy reference guide and not expensive. If you are looking for more complex or unique games, this isn't for you. But for the purpose it was intended, they nailed it. Oh, and it comes with the game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey...I bet that is at least $2-3 by itself in the store!

This is a great book from start to finish. My family enjoy the illustrations and the story. It has become a tradition each yr to read this.

This is the second book we own by this author. As parents we really love the message and the kids enjoy the story over and over again! Great illustrations and a wonderful message that is not based just on being a "Christmas" book. Great story.

This adorable story was enjoyed by the entire family! We laughed out loud when we first saw the book and we laughed out loud when we shared it with the children. It is clever and beautifully presented. Smiles lingered long after the story was over. Everything is marvelous: the title, the message, the text, and the illustrations. It has quickly become a favorite at our house and we were inspired to try out many of the dances, expecially the Conga Line. This book made a charming addition to our home library. In the Fall, Lily will be taking another trip...to my elementary school classroom! Applause, Applause for PRANCING DANCING LILY!!!

"Prancing, Dancing Lily" is bound to become a picture book classic. A perfect marriage between Marsha Arnold's charming text (complete with rhymed messages from her unsinkable cow heroine) and John Mander's laugh-out-loud illustrations, this book will have children prancing and dancing right along with Lily. And they'll even pick up a little geography along the way!

My 18 month old loves Little Bill. The shows and the books intrigue him and hold his attention. He loves identifying the characters in the books and listening to me read to him. I highly recommend the entire series.

This interactive book is great for toddler that want to participate in reading. Parents will love this book because of its content. This book was so great that I have purchase the others in the series. Check out the Saturday morning show too!

I read THE PROMISE and loved it. It's a great Christmas story for kids. I know they will love it too!

I read The Promise as a chapter book to my children (ages 3 to 7 yrs) at bedtime, around Christmas this year. I have never seen my children more anxious to get to bed than that week or two that it took to finsih the story. I was as interested as they were to find out how Sara, Jamie and Matt would make out on this Enchanted Christmas Eve. Great Story!

My 3-year-old granddaughters can't get enough of this book - we read it at bedtime, over and over, every night. They love the pictures and the rhymes, and recite them along with me. When is Simon Davies going to give up more of the same?

This book not only contains bright, spectacular illustrations, but includes large flaps and a variety of textures that will keep a toddler's interest and contains humor that a older sibling would enjoy. The theme is about kisses which makes it a perfect choice for Valentine's Day or any occasion.