Christmas Books

When Jessica selfishly wants Christmas Eve to be her night instead of Elizabeth,She doesn't buy a gift for Elizabeth[Her Secret Santa] instead she buys an Santa Dress. It looks good on janet but not her. She steals everyone elses Gifts instead of like Ellen's Gift of saying it was Elizabeth's gift from her. She also steals Winston's gift for Elizabeth.

Another Sweet Valley Twins fantasy edition.IOt is a copy of Groundhog Day.Jessica has to relive Christmas Eve over and over again until she learns to stop acting selfishly.Will Christmas Day ever come?!

This is a great book containing the story about two sisters, twins, who are throwing a Christmas party, hosted by the two great twins. But when Elizabeth leaks her ideas to their parents and they decide to do the party Elizabeths way and not Jessica's. Then she wishes that it never happened. Duh!the days happen all over again. In my openion, it is a very sexy and nice book.

I enjoyed this book, but i think the SV books are not original enough. Jessica is being selfish again and ends up ruining everyones christmas eve and really hurting her twin sister, Elizabeth. But when she wakes up she just keeps waking up into christmas eve's. I dont think its realistic because you'd realise that you had to stop being selfish. But its still a a good book.

I loved this book how it involved everybody in the storys mostly.

I kept up reading this at night.

I really liked the book

I was read this book in gradeschool by our school principal. It is a story that stuck with me 30 years as a much loved telling of the life of Saint Nicholas. I was so glad to see this gem once again available and have purchased several copies for my nieces and nephews to enjoy.

Make this a holiday tradition for your family!

An excellent explanation of the customs followed surrounding Santa Claus

I have had this book since I was a child. My husband and I read it aloud each Christmas until we had a child and now it is part of our Christmas tradition with our 10 year old. It provided the perfect transition from the belief in Santa Claus to the true spirit of Christmas. Last year the book disappeared and we were so disappointed. Since I couldn't remember the author or the exact title I couldn't reorder it. I am delighted that it is still available and heartily recommend it to all parents.

When I was in 6th grade and far past the years of still believing, my teacher read this book to the class during the month of December. It really gives you a whole new belief in Santa adn Christmas. Since this time, my teacher loaned this book to another, and it was never returned. Now that I am a mother, I have been DESPERATELY searching high and low for a copy. (...)

This is a story that you will read every year at Christmas! If you can you will read it to someone:if not to someone for yourself. It will remind you why "you believe in Santa".
You will find yourself thinking that it MUST be all true. I have read this every year since the early 70s to a classroom of children. (Usally 6th Graders) They don't believe anymore, until after I read them this story, and once again they do!
The story tells everything about Nicholas in a VERY believable way.
If you can find this book I would recommend that you pay whatever it takes to get a copy! You will NOT be sorry!

I was so happy we ordered this on our child's Scholastic choices for the month! The illustrations are gorgeous as previous reviewers have said. They are almost kind of medieval in appearance.

The book is written in verse and has a beautiful lyrical quality to it.

Of course, the best part is the message. An angel goes to a stable and calls out some animals. Each of the animals has to choose what it will carry. It starts with the horse who chooses the strongest looking person. It then goes to a "lower" animal who chooses the good Samaritan. Although the Samaritan is good, he's not the best. The next animal chooses one of the wise men. The angel acknowledges he is wise and will discover what's at the star. The lowest animal, the donkey chooses Mary because she needs to be carried. The angel says that's the best choice as Mary is carrying the best of all. What a cute way of sharing the story of Jesus! I found myself just as entranced as my children!

This is one of the most beautiful books one could ever own. It's the story of the first Christmas told in lilting verse through the eyes of the animals. Richly illustrated with special embossed details make this book a treasure for many, many generations. I am proud to own it in my own personal collection, and will purchase many copies as Christmas gifts for my family and friends.

I gave this book to my 3 1/2 year old son for Christmas and was afraid it would be too sophisticated for him. But he loved it as much as I do because of the rhythm of the lovely poem and the absolutely gorgeous artwork with golden accents and embossed pages. A book not only to read and look at but also to "feel". It is different from the many other Christmas books and I highly recommend it.

In ancient Nazareth an angel had a riddle for the barn animals. Who was the greatest of the four travelers and which would carry him? One by one the creatures answered--the horse first picked the soldier. Two other animals answered before the donkey told the angel, "the lady waiting here who needs bearing most of all." The three other travelers and their beasts of burden followed the donkey to the stall where Jesus was born.

This retelling of the Christmas story flows gently through a simple poem. It is stunningly illustrated for young children. With thick embossed pages, and rich colors, many will buy the book for the illustrations alone. Its simple message will become a classic in many households. - Carol Stratton, Christian Book Previews.com

I was given this book as a gift. Words cannot describe how amazingly beautiful the illustrations are. The pages are high quality and textured so the kids love how it feels. The colors are vibrant and it is a nice and easily understandable version of the story of the first Christmas.

I'm a grandmother and I would recommend this book to anybody who loves Christmas and what it stands for. A treasured keepsake. Wonderful stories to read your children, Poems, food for thought, a few stories could be used for programs in church etc. It's an enjoyable read and I wouldn't part with it.The pictures are beautiful and I can't say enough. It was even nicer than I had expected. Love it!

This book's gilt-edged pages, charming colorful illustrations and classic Christmas treats including among many, O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and the nostalgic holiday song, "Over the River and Through the Woods" make for merry family holiday pleasure. Splendid! This book is called a treasury for good reason.

What a beautiful book - and a great gift idea! I saw this at the bookstore a few weeks ago and loved it. I ordered it as a gift for a friend out of state off of amazon.com and was pleasantly surprised when 2nd day air and the book came to less than the cost of the book at the bookstore. Add this book to your Christmas collection!

This is a great collection of Christmas stories, songs and other treasures. All of them are beautifully illustrated by Mary Engelbreit.

If you love Christmas and Mary Engelbreit this book must be in your collection.

You'll love it!

This is a book to be passed on from generation to generation. The illustrations are exquisite, and the poetry and stories and vignettes are extremely well chosen.

This is a great christmas book and not only am I not from Chicago, I'm not even from the USA. Doesn't matter.

This book is filled with great pictures of christmas displays throughout Chicago and no matter where you live, if you like to look at christmas displays, you should like this book.

Each display gives you some information about that particular display, not just directions but sometimes history, personal feelings/descriptions, reasons why the person/people used what they used, etc........ A real nice christmas mood book.

It would have been nice to have larger pictures, though, so as to really capture the full beauty of the displays, but don't worry about that as it's only minor. The pictures are still big enough to enjoy and the writing/descriptions with each picture add a really nice 'christmas' touch to this most recommended book.

Oh, and on a plus side (despite the small, but not too small pictures), there are a ton of pictures so you will really get a visual, eye-candy, christmas treat with this book.

100% recommeded for those who like christmas displays/christmas images.

Some of my fondest memories are of driving around with my parents, and later with my children, to wonder at the displays of those few festive folks that help make Christmas more joyous for us all. My mother and father drove us to the two streets in our small town where people bothered to sparkle as a community in tribute to the birth of love. In Chicago, those communities are in abundance....but who would ever know...unless somebody told them. In her book Mary Edsey tells everybody . She shows them, too. She seems to know everything about Christmas lights in Chicago...the history, the story behind the families that make the displays, the whereabouts, the types of bulbs and figurines used. And she shows us everything in detailed photos. It's like looking at a family album. Plus...She has maps to every display! It's great table entertainment as well as a wonderful guide. I highly recommend this book to any lover of Christmas and the lights that come with it!

This book has it all! It has precise directions and maps that make it easy to find the most spectacular holiday displays; it has fascinating stories about the decorators; and it even has helpful hints on decorating your own home for Christmas. The photographs are beautiful--they really inspire the yuletide spirit! This book helped my family experience a delightful holiday adventure--my kids are still talking about it! I think we've created a new Christmastime tradition with the help of Ms. Edsey''s glorious book!

Perhaps one of the fondest memories of any Chicago childhood is the Christmas lights. We love our decorations, and in some parts of the city, we go all out, turning our homes into little "winter wonderlands" for our own pleasure and that of our friends, neighbors, and often carloads of strangers who cruise the more decorated neighborhoods. That's why I snarfed up this book as soon as I knew it existed, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed. Edsey covers a lot of the best areas for decorations, gives some historical background, and displays a real love for her subject, which strikes a responsive chord in me. However, I was disappointed in the photography which was a bit fuzzy and rather darker than I would have liked. Now, granted, all this has to be shot in the dark for maximum effect, but holiday magazines manage to make their photographs crisp and clear, with little loss of architectural detail. And I know it's not about the architecture, but that always will inform the way the decorations appear to onlookers. To lose those details is to lose some of what makes the lights and decorations so appealing.

However, nothing else like this exists, and I have to give high marks to this volume if only on that count. It's way better than nothing! So if you're a Christmas junkie and a Chicago lover, then by all means, buy this book, and enjoy.

This uplifting book provides numerous photographs of creatively-decorated properties. Of course, this was now 12 or more Christmases ago. The decorations are secular and religious, and traditional as well as non-traditional. For example, some have tropical motifs.

A very helpful feature of this book is the division of the Chicago area into areas, each of which has a map that locates every photographed property. The homes are indexed by name. One of the best-known decorated properties occurs in the Sauganash community on the north side of Chicago.

Great book and an easy read! I love the story of Weezie and Daniel. The only thing I would have liked is more info on Bebe and Harry, but maybe in her next book??? I would love another book with all four of these characters (and Manny & Cookie - what a hoot!).

Wonderful holiday story with just the right touch of sentiment and no gooiness. A great read anytime of the year.

I just read this book for the second time, something I do fairly rarely, so it says a lot. I really love it, it's so charming and heartwarming. Weezie is a character that the author has in a few other of her books and I've really enjoyed them, as well (Savannah Blues - outstanding, and Savannah Breeze - pretty good). I would highly recommend this if you're looking for something cozy to cuddle up with. I will say that it has more 'meat' in the story than some of those Christmas book novellas that are out there, and for that, I am grateful.

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. I had purchased this book when it was first released last year, but waited to read it over the holidays and am I glad I did!!! I just LOVE her main character Weezie (from Savannah Blues) and am so glad she brought her back in this book. I love antiquing also, so to read about her adventures on her "junking" travels is such fun! An unexpected twist in the book was a pleasant surprise and so well done!!! I can't wait to read Deep Dish - hurry and write another one Mary Kay - your books are fabulous and can't come quick enough.

Thank you for an amazing and funny book. It is a wonderfully descriptive story that I couldn't put down and just a few hours later, I put it down wanting more. I can't wait to read more of her books.

A wonderful christmas story with all the trimmings. I enjoyed all of the characters (and there were many)and how they all went through a heart change. It showed how sometimes the littlest act of faith and kindness can have the hugest impacts in our lives. Debbie has a way of writing that draws you in so that you actually feel as though you are part of the story.

This book was cute and easy to read. It is the classic scenario but none the less very uplifting and wonderful!!! Keeping these books around remind us all of what is important and I am glad to add it to my collection!

"Can This Be Christmas" is a short, nevertheless touching story which will hopefully become a classic must-read for all. Twenty-four hours is such a short period of time unless your plans have suddenly been drastically changed and you have no control over them. The cast of characters learn quickly that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in each of them. That spirit does present itself once a "child" shows them the way. Even the most hard hearted will get a little teary-eyed with this quaint tale.

I read this cute little story in the dead of summer and it seemed to transport me back in time to Christmas. This was a beautiful story - I plan to keep mine and read it to my child one day.

This isn't one of Debbie Macomber's usual books. This isn't a romance, but it is wonderful all the same. People stuck in a New England train depot, each with their own baggage, wind up helping to make the birthday of our Saviour better for each one. I thought it was a great story.

Suzanne Olsson is to be commended for her perseverance in trying to get the world community involved in the scientific and archeaological study of these graves and the people of Kashmir. This book is so much more than her personal travel journal, which it started out to be. The ideas and ancient eastern history are fascinating to consider. Any one who is on their own personal journey to understand and appreciate the historical Jesus will gain much from reading this book. The world thanks you, Suzanne!!!

As a lifetime resident of Kashmir,and author of several books about the life of Jesus in Kashmir, I have devoted my life to research into the tomb of Roza Bal.I feel this book will help
change the world.

The references, the words, and the thoughts are about the real story of Jesus, written by his decendent.

Here you will follow the family sagas as they roamed between worlds. What had begun with Adam and Noah, ended with the deaths of Mother Mary and Jesus. You will learn surprising new clues for the real reasons of the crucifixion: why Jesus, the new king, was brought before Pilate. You will visit the tomb of Roza Bal in Kashmir, and be shocked to find out what has been deliberately hidden from the world because of petty religious intolerances, jealousy, ego, and greed. The ancient tomb and its artifacts and documents will prove the identity of the man buried within. Jesus died in his old age: at his side was his lifetime companion John, the Bishop of Edessa, member of the White Brotherhood who was known to the Buddhists as Anjuna. You will find how Jesus' life and teachings touched upon every culture and religion in the world in ways you could never have imagined. Readers will be startled, then pleased to see these new details about this most extraordinary man's life, and the most extraordinary adventures he lived.
What you will find is an affirmation of many faiths. Approach this new information in the spirit of seeking
the "what-if" truths, for scattered herein is an incredibly new trail of leads for you to follow. There are places herein for an occasional smile as well as some frowns, and this perks up the reading of lengthy genealogies and confusing names and connections weaving across the millennium.

Kashmir had been a secret place of refuge for this Hebrew family for many millenniums.The aim of this book is clearly to inform the west that the east does have more unpublished
information about the historical Jesus. The life and works of Jesus are of vital interest to the people of the whole world. The wonderful prophecy made in Isaiah is clear that Jesus, being descended of King David, was to live. To have survived the crucifixion is to have truly fulfilled the prophecies. To have survived the crucifixion is the true message of the cross. To understand the true historical Jesus, this book is an absolute requirement.
Professor Fida Hassnain, Srinagar, Kashmir
author: 'Search for the Historical Jesus'
http://www.spinninglobe.net/histjesusearch.html

As a child growing up in India, I used to travel each summer to Kashmir along with my family and spend a week in what we considered to be paradise. The shimmering Dal lake, the beautiful gondola-esque Shikharas, the apple and cherry orchards, the wonderfully ornate houseboats and the pristine air. We had to stop visiting Kashmir from the 1980's once the separatist movement gathered steam and paradise became hell with bombs exploding virtually each day. The slight improvement in the situation today is overshadowed by the resurgence of the Taliban in the Northwest Frontier province of Pakistan as well as the shaky political climate in Pakistan.

Viewed against this backdrop, the fact that Suzanne Olsson was able to achieve what she did in Kashmir is truly commendable. Having spent the last two years writing my fictional account on the Rozabal tomb, each and every word in Suzanne's book makes me understand the extent to which she has sacrificed a considerable part of her life to the cause of Rozabal. Her book, more than a terrific tome of research for generations to come, is also a desperate plea to ensure that Rozabal is not lost. It is far too precious!

There were so many things that I loved about Suzanne's book. Where do I begin? Do I tell you about her observations (on page 45) as Kashmir possibly being the closest thing to Shangri-La? Do I tell you about how (on page 82), Suzanne reveals the Brahma-Abraham and Sara-Saraswati connection magnificently. Or do I talk about how (on page 108) she talks about the 354 idols in the temple of Mecca before they were cleared by Mohammed and establishes the connections between Hinduism and Islam more firmly than probably anyone else before her? Or do I talk about her heartfelt plea for religious tolerance (on page 359) and her feeling of helplessness with the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha by the pre-9/11 Taliban regime of Afghanistan? Jesus in Kashmir, The Lost Tomb is NOT about The Lost Tomb. Well, yes it is... BUT it is significantly more important than that. It is a testament to the fact that world religions are much more closely related to each other than is revealed by those who guard such secrets and that religious intolerance is rather ridiculous given these close historical and philosophical relationships.

The alternative explanation to the Jesus story is presented in a comfortable and clear-headed style that will leave the reader wanting much more. In fact, if you are serious about wanting to know more about Jesus in India and the reasons why Rozabal could very well actually be his final resting place, DON'T read my book, The Rozabal Line which lays no claims to serious scholarship and instead attempts to simply provide a "fun read" using historical material that is already out there thanks to dedicated researchers such as Suzanne), and instead pick up a copy of Suzanne's book which is truly a remarkable work of scholarship, dedication and commitment. I salute you, Suzanne!

We have extensively researched the core aspects of this incredible and detailed account gifted to the world by Suzanne Olsson. The years of research and dedication to truth are overwhelmingly obvious in reading this book.

Our independent research sourced documentation dating back thousands of years and, we believe, supports the findings in this book.

From our position of health care we understand the need to reduce barriers and unfounded fears that prevail. Fundamentally all core religious teachings are from the same platform.

What is outstanding within this book is that greater wisdoms in the most prevalent religions are the result of one man and his key followers. No one person has achieved such a profound and sustained creation of spiritual wisdom since Jeshua. Not only was his work of great importance, he bridged the borders and boundaries of the world's greatest faiths and brought greater awareness and alignment to all.

Many myths are dissolved by this research, all of this information reduces fears and boundaries that have been created through centuries of errors.

The universal importance of this work should be applied Srinagar, Kashmir. It is the place where science needs to continue the work.

Now is the time, in the ancient traditions of Chaldi Colleges (pronounced Kaldi), that these referenced historical records are brought together in a way that people of any faith and persuasion can freely and readily explore for themselves the thousands of documents and books available in little known places. It is time to bring scientific process to play and go forward with the scientific investigations, proposed within this book. Of immediate importance is the undertaking of the authorised DNA investigations at Roza Bal and at Muree. Expanding this work by comparing the findings with similar DNA research at the Tialpot tomb and the mummies of Egypt, many of whom were also considered princes, kings, and holy people, will lead to exciting growth in our understanding of history.

The foundations for tolerance and peace will be enhanced by this work. Such important developments have profound positive contributions to health and growth of all communities.

Such constructive undertakings may well lead to a major and much needed economic industry in Srinagar as a result of this non-partisan development.

John Doel - Chartered Accountant - for Pascas Health

I found this book to be fascinating and informative and very well researched. Although it is obviously the author's opinion, she makes a very solid argument for the presence of Jesus in Kashmir and challenges the popular opinion of the outcome of His crucifiction. It is far from being just the the story of Jesus though, as she dilengently traces the connection of many other historic Jews, including Moses, Solomon and Abraham to this ancient section of India. In addition, she lays the ground work for the theory that Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and Christianity all have roots in this area and were influenced by (dare we say related to) each other. Ms.Olsson's mission appears to be to draw attention to this grossly neglected part of the ancient world and it's priceless artifacts before their history and their message is lost forever in the destruction that seems to be the mandate of certain Muslim sects that dominate the area. Her first hand accounts of her extensive travel in this region and her use of current and archival photos and maps made this a riveting and provocative read. I highly recommend it.

The cat in the hat on this CD, with perfect piano accompaniments at key moments, is just perfect. Could not do better.
I don't like the other stories as much, but that one in itself is worth the purchase.

My kids love Dr. Seuss, I love not having to read to them in the car! Great for trips when you just can't take another row row row your boat. These are all read by actors that Mom and Dad know so it's great for us to hear them reading childrens books.

These stories are really well read! I play them in the car for my 4 and 3 year olds and I even enjoy listening along. I like that they don't have the page turn dings.

My son listens to these over and over with or without the book. He enjoys the narrators and has almost memorized the books.

The children enjoy hearing their favorite Dr. Suess read by the familiar voices we all know.

I bought several copies of this beautiful book as gifts and was told by everyone, how much they thoroughly enjoyed this gem of a book. Should hit the number one best seller list along with the others. My own story, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is included in this book and as an author and poet, I was quite happy to be in very good company with the other wonderful writers in a Chicken Soup Christmas!

Janet K. Brennan

I got this book as a birthday present this year. With my birthday falling on Thanksgiving it was a perfect way to get me into the holiday spirit. The book has so many uplifting stories in it that I could hardly put the book down. It will truly inspire even the grinches & scrooge's in your life.

My favorite Chicken Soup book is always the new one that I'm reading. So, right now my favorite book is "A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas." Every story is a gem! What I like about the Chicken Soup books is that you can read a story a day, or a couple of stories a week, or sit down and read the whole book through! (Which I ofter do, because sometimes I just can't stop reading these stories.) One of my favorite things about Chicken Soup books is the wide variety of stories--stories by children, funny stories, touching stories, inspiring stories.

I can't wait for next years Christmas Chicken Soup book--I know that one will be my new favorite book.

I also love Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--a touching story in the wonderful "Chicken Soup" tradition.

Bravo Chicken Soup for reminding us what Christmas is all about. Read this collection and pass the spirit on to your children and grandchildren.
My favorite is " Cheap Sax ", by Robin Shope. I find myself reading it again and again.

Chicken Soup for the Soul stories are best known for delivering heart-warming stories that stay with you long after you've put the book down. This Christmas edition continues this tradition as it delivers wonderful stories from the heart with the flavor of "the most wonderful time of the year." Every story I read seemed to leave me with goosebumps and a tingling feeling throughout my body as each author poured their hearts onto each page. This collection is destined to become a classic!