Christmas Books

Take your thoughts away from the commercialism of Christmas by traveling through time and re imagining how poor folks joyfully celebrated Christmas. We could learn many lessons from them.

Every Christmas, I read a book in the month of December about Christmas. This was my choice for 2006, and it really is a wonderful little book. The authors provide us with accounts from Appalachia's older folks who recall the Christmasses of their childhoods. It is almost like listening to them speak as we are told of a more innocent time in America, and the simplicity of their Christmas, which focused on the Lord. We learn about their gifts, which aren't much compared to today, their meals which sound delicious, games they played, church, and social gatherings. Recipes are included, as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to incorporate more peace and simplicity into their Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

This book along with the nine preceding this one, should be required reading for anyone interested in the day to day living of early days in the south.

"Franklin loved Christmas. He could name all of Santa's reindeer. He could tie ribbons into bows and play 'Silent Night' on his recorder. Franklin liked to give presents and to receive them. But this year he couldn't decide what to give to the Christmas toy drive." -- From the book

Every Decemember, Mr. Owl's students donate toys to needy families--toys that could either be brand new or gently used.

This year, Franklin sifts through his toy box to select something for the holiday toy drive. He discovers some forgotten toys, like a shiny red car and a stuffed elephant. Finally, he decides that he wants to keep everything--except for a rusty truck with a missing wheel.

Franklin asks his father to help him fix the truck, but his Dad tells him that it won't look new or even gently used. Franklin replies that "everything else is too special to give away".

Franklin's Dad then talks to him about the importance of generosity.

The next day, Franklin realizes that all his friends are giving away their FAVORITE toys--causing Franklin to re-think his selection for the toy drive. Now, he worries that he won't be able to find a toy that's special *enough*!

Featuring gorgeous, colorful illustrations, Franklin's Christmas Gift is a wonderful holiday tale showing that the best gifts come from a willing heart--and that giving special gifts can generate feelings just as wonderful as those experienced when receiving them.

In "Franklin's Christmas Gift," Mr. Owl tells Franklin and his classmates that they should pick out a toy to donate to the school toy drive. Franklin gets home, but can't seem to find anything he wants to give away except an old, rusty truck. But when he starts to see what everyone else is bringing and learns how important it is, he reconsiders.

Another great "Franklin" story about sharing what you have to make others happy. Featuring the same sort of warm illustrations as other books in this series and a neat character --- Franklin's Great Aunt Harriet.

As a mother of three small children, I love all of the Franklin series books. This book was particularly poignant at this time of year when children get focussed on the recieving part of their holidays. It lead us into a discussion about giving and how that can feel just as wonderful as getting. After that, my children were actually eager to participate in donating toys to our local church.

A wonderful reflection of a generation as much as a collection of effective recipes. It doesn't just seem appropriate that the subject of fruitcake stirs this focused book. The times were tough and the cake ingredients reflected that. Speaking of charmingly tough, Marie Rudisill's moments with Mel Gibson and Jay Leno should make the Late Night hall of fame. As a Capote aunt, you'd almost expect a wry scolding, but with both men up to their wrists in fruitcake batter, the pleadings to be careful with her prized recipe were loving and comfortable. So is this book.

Marie Rudisill is absolutely fabulous with this fruitcake book. This is by far the most wonderful cook book i have ever seen in my entire life. I was also able to read other of Rudisills books and she is one of the best writers there is and has ever been. Two thumbs up to Rudisill on the Jay Leno show. She was funny keeping Jay and Mel Gibson in line. I strongly recommend everyone to try this delightful fruitcake book. Check out The Southern Haunting of Truman Capote, it was inspiring learning about his childhood in the south.

MARIE RUDISILL HAS OUT DONE HERSELF WITH THIS FANTASTIC BOOK. IT NOT ONLY GIVES WONDERFUL RECEIPS IT ALSO SHARES MEMORIES OF TRUMAN CAPOTE AND SOOK FAULK..THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS BEST COOKBOOK I HAVE EVER OWNED. I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING MS. RUDISILL ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO AND MEL GIBSON, THIS WAS THE BEST EPSIODE I EVER SAW..SHE HAD NO TROUBLE KEEPING THESE TWO MEN IN LINE, AND IT SEEMED THEY ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT...

My family loves all the Gaspard and Lisa books, but this one in particular makes my son laugh and laugh and laugh. It was a great purchase. I also absolutely love the rich, colorful illustrations.

I have purchased some books of this series in French and some in English, and read them interchangeably to my little girl. Hearing the same story in both languages is a good introduction to basic French. (You can get the books in French at Amazon.fr.)

A charming picture book. Gaspard and Lisa are two little dogs who want to bring a present to school for their human teacher. They decide to make her a raincoat, but of course they make a mess of it. First they tear down the shower curtain to use as material, then Gaspard gets stuck in it when they glue it together, then they try to wash it in the washing machine and it shrinks. However, they can still use the tiny coat - for their teacher's dog Pierre! This book is illustrated with rich, simple paintings that are a joy for the eye and that make the characters quite appealing.

Although the original feel of O. Henry stories is maintained in this book (the dialogue, the solid values and homespun wisdom), the illustratons in this book really make it a stand-out. They are full of warmth, rich colors and just a delight in and of themselves, perfectly complimenting the text. There are no shortage of O. Henry collections out there, but this has to be one of the best ,especially for teen to young adult readers.

Honestly, I wasn't really too enthused when I found out that my 7th grade reading comprehension class would be reading this book. My thoughts? O'Henry. Classics. Ugh.
I ended up loving each and every story included in this book. You have to get into these stories, but the surprising endings are really something to look forward to. Some stories move you, some put a smile on your face, and some just make you go "ooooooooooooooooooooh" if you get it. This book is definitely worth your time, no matter how little of it you have:)!

A collection of timeless stories with unforgettable characters. They depict people who could live in any era with the weaknesses and strengths of "everyman." And of course, always with the "O'Henry twist." The illustrations are so real you think they are actual people.

Written by teacher Virginia Brucker, Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways To Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful lives up to its title by offering ways to celebrate the Christmas holiday centered upon sharing, giving, and community rather than simple consumerism. Chapters cover volunteering as a family, tips for getting organized and freeing up time, ways to reach out to friends and loved ones suffering from loss during the holidays, kid-tested craft projects, ways to celebrate with books and share the gift of literacy, and much more. A number of delicious holiday-themed recipes pepper this welcome antidote to the rampant commercialization of Christmas.

Does it feel like the only meaningful holiday experience you have with your kids involves sitting in front of a TV? Do you want something more for your family? Gifts from the Heart will show you how.

This wonderful book has long been a seasonal best-seller in Canada, where Ms. Brucker first created it as a fund-raiser to fight cancer. This book shows you how to take back the Christmas season. It features suggestions for volunteering as a family, tips to offset the "gimmies," and simple, but meaningful traditions and crafts. It's also a great book for families pulling together in the face of misfortune, like a serious illness.

This book can help your family create memories worth having and will help you believe in the holidays again. It's a book with a tremendous heart.

What a lovely book, just right for the season! This gentle, charming book reminds us of what the meaning of the holidays really is -- while providing hours of fun activities and recipes. Written by a teacher who knows what appeals to kids and families, it's the one book you need to share with your children and grandchildren the true meaning of Christmas.

This is simply one of the loveliest books I've ever seen! When I saw that Ric Ergenbright, one of my favorite photographers, made a book dedicated to this glorious season, I couldn't resist getting the book immediately and I am so thankful that I did.

This book celebrates Christmas in every way imaginable: along with Ergenbright's gorgeous pictures of the winter season, there are Scripture quotes, touching Christmas stories, and the lyrics of ten classic Christmas hymns gorgeously presented. At the end of each hymn, Ergenbright writes words explaining the import of the hymns and beautiful short prayers for the reader to take with them. There's also a CD inside, featuring all ten of the hymns in the book newly recorded.

This book is the perfect gift for family, friends, or your own heart. It beautifully presents all the glory of the season and God's goodness in making it. I bought it in August, and after reading it, even in midsummer I couldn't get the words of Christmas hymns out of my head! Highly recommended!

An inspirational book which helps to remind us of the "true" meaning of Christmas. The stories will touch your heart and boost your spirit. The CD which comes with the book, contains many favorite Christmas carols. The songs are equisitely done. This book will help everyone get into the "Spirit" of Christmas. A must for the Holiday Season.

The book combines heartwarming stories, Christmas carols and Scripture references that helped me to realize the many facets of the gift of Christ's birth. This book is a perfect coffee table type book to be brought right after Thanksgiving. The short stories will help to remind you of the true meaning of Christmas. The book comes with a CD of Christmas classics.

Outstanding book! The story of a "not so perfect" angel and how she ends up announcing the birth of Christ is concise, elegant and delightful! The illustrations are perfect and fit the story. I collect children's books and was thrilled to find this gem!

God works in veiled and mysterious ways often choosing the marginalized, the overlooked, and the simple to do His bidding and His most important works. In Gloria the Christmas Angel, author Scott Asalone captures the true spirit of the season which is all about discovering and celebrating our purpose in life. Anyone, not just children, will appreciate the heart warming classic tale this story will become!

Gloria is a rather klutzy angel who feels unfit and forgotten. But deep down inside herself, Gloria finds the power to believe in herself when no one else does and meets a child born in poverty who turns out to be the son of God. Because she can see beyond appearances, Gloria not only brings the good news to the poor, she also announces that it is the people of poverty who are also God's own children. Gloria: The Christmas Angel is a wonderfully delightful Christmas picturebook story for young readers ages 4 to 8 that is both entertaining and profound.

William Gilmore Simms published The Golden Christmas, A Chronicle of St. John's Berkley in 1852. It is a treasure for anyone interested in antebellum Southern history and mid-nineteenth century mores and manners among the genteel class of planters who resided in Mr. Simms' native Berkley County in South Carolina. It vividly details Charleston and the Carolina Low Country plantation life of that period set against the backdrop of the Christmas season.

This tale of romance and family intrigue is narrated by one of the principal characters in a gentle humorous style. The story flows easily and the plot twists and scenes move like a Shakespearean light comedy set within Jane Austen style vignettes. There are some wonderful portrayals of holiday pursuits and pastimes: a boar hunt in which the hunters take on the personae of Sir Walter Scott-like romanticized knights is rendered in graphic and chilling detail. The arrival of Father Chrystmas and Yuletide customs unique to Southern society - inclusive of the unveiling of the decorated tree in the parlor, a custom newly introduced from Europe at the time of the book's publication- is a magical moment for characters and readers alike. We are treated to feasts and dances, fashion and courting customs rendered in delightful colloquial language and descriptions of the place and period. There are also some fascinating glimpses into Christmas celebrations among the servants and slaves of the plantation.

Mr. David Aiken provides a marvelous introduction with much historical detail and background in the book's preface whetting the reader's appetite for the tale that follows. One of my favorite books is Swallow Barn or a Sojourn in the Old Dominion about life in antebellum Virginia by John Pendleton Kennedy who was a contemporary of Mr. Simms. I found The Golden Christmas comparable in many respects to Swallow Barn and quite fell in love with Mr. Simms' charming story.

Charleston, South Carolina is my 'Soul City'. I have loved this place since I was stationed there in the Navy 40 years ago. 'The Golden Christmas' brings to life the culture and people who lived lived in Charleston and its environs prior to the War Between The States. I enjoyed the humor, wonderful descriptions, and sense of southern gentility that the author shares in this book. For anyone who loves history and especially southern history, this book will be a joy to read!

Lou Towles's THE PALMERS OF SANTEE publishes a collection of letters that originate in the time and place of Simms's novel of manners. They prove with priimary sources the accuracy of Simms's portrayal here. That this civilised world was invaded and destroyed with malice a decade later makes the loss a tragedy indeed. No longer will the historian be able to see these folks as "monsters" deserving of invasion and the terrorism that accompanied it. For that, see Aiken's other newly published edition A CITY LAID WASTE.

We loved this book so much when we checked it out from the library. I forgot to jot down the title and I couldn't remember the exact title. Here it is late March and I finally found it:)

We picked this book up at the library and read it last night. First off the illustrations are just beautiful! The writing is done very well. The story is so heartwarming and shows the true meaning of giving and selflessness. Just beautiful. My son actually had tears in his eyes at the end of the story. A keeper for sure!

The Horn Book review states this is no match for contemporary Christmas stories, but our family would very much disagree. This story transports one into a magical, old fashioned world that circumscribes todays commercialism. The verse is beautiful and leaves one with an emotional glow. We love The Polar Express, but The Good Little Christmas Tree is our family favorite!