Christmas Books

I came to Amazon searching for this book, which I read every Christmas season as a child and want to read to my kids now. It is a romantic story set in England, maybe around the 16th century, and wonderfully evokes the spirit of Christmasses long past. The characters are immediately accessible to modern readers, and it manages to be fuuny, charming and immensely informative at the same time. But beware - once you've read it, you may find yourself wanting to celebrate Dancing Day, Holy Innocents Day and a host of other long-forgotten festivals, to the consternation of your friends and relatives.

I was given this book for Christmas in 1972, and have r-eread it every Christmas since. It tells the story of the Kitson family who live in a coastal town in a vaguely medieval/tudor/stuart period. The three younger Kitson children, Prudence, James and Christopher, are desperate to get their elder sister Annaple married off, so that they will not have to endure her awful cooking and bossy ways. they convince her eager suitor, Francis, that he should be more romantic, so he thinks up more and more fanciful presents to send her. Being a merchant, he is used to buying in bulk, so as the days of Christmas pass, the Kitsons house fills up with unsuitable qunatities of partridges, hens, geese, swans etc, driving Annaple into a fury. The Christmas customs of each day are described in detail, making you long for the time when each day had its own individual customs and carols. The book is filled with humour and fun, it is the most enjoyable Christmas story I have ever read, I shall be reading it again this Christmas with undiminshed pleasure. Note to American readers: this book is still in print in the UK, you can get it from Amazon.co.uk

This is a delightful and very amusing love story based on the popular song, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me .." Annaple Kitson is a hopeless romantic who has resisted Francis Vere's attentions because he is not creative enough in his courtship. This year he gets the idea and sends her gifts based on the fairy tales and rhymes she loves - more and more each day (just like the song!)

We have read this book aloud to our children on the twelve days of Christmas for four years now and it is one of the highlights of the season for us. Everyone looks forward to the next day's story (The "kids" in our family are 4,6,10,12,43, and 45). Highly recommended!

As a mom, I love reading this book to my son(3). It doesn't scare him like some do. Its just a really nice story and the fact that its all about giving during Christmas is an added bonus. Thomas does good deeds in this one to help children and my son loves it. Most of the time he's sleeping before I get to the end of the book lol

"Puff, puff. Peep, peep. Snowflakes were just starting to fall as Thomas climbed the steep hill. It was Christmas Eve and Thomas wanted to be back in his shed with his friends. The engines' stockings were going to be hung soon and Thomas didn't want to miss that. But Thomas was a Really Useful Engine and he had three very important deliveries to make...and they could not wait." -- From the book

My son is an ardent fan of Thomas the Tank Engine, so we have quite a few of the Thomas books. Most reinforce the same rudeness, pettiness, and competitiveness of the TV series.

However, Thomas' Christmas Delivery offers quite a different tale. One snowy day, the night before Christmas, Thomas must make three important scheduled deliveries--food for the Community Hall for the big celebration, parcels to the school for the children that were unable to go home for the holidays, and presents for the residents of the Children's Hospital in Vicarstown.

It just so happens that Sir Topham Hatt comes out of the hospital, telling Thomas he has a very important job for him: delivering a toy train to a little boy with a broken leg.

Thomas is worried that Father Christmas will forget him, especially since Thomas' stocking wasn't hung before he left.

Thomas perseveres in the dark, snowy night, delivering the toy to the ecstatic--and grateful--injured boy and his Mom. Ever so slowly, Thomas makes his way home--exhausted.

Happily, his stocking is filled the next morning with the very thing he wanted most--coal!

The lavish illustrations by Tommy Stubbs are stunning. The people--carolers, Mrs. Kyndley, the trains--look so life-like. Snow-laden trees, billowing steam, colorful presents, cheery lighted windows--the images are almost photo-realistic at times. I've not seen a finer illustrated Thomas book thus far.

The story is engaging and heartwarming, and it's great to (finally!) see a Thomas story that's not centered around rudeness or harassment. Only one other train makes an appearance in Thomas' Christmas Delivery--Percy--and he peeps "Good morning, Thomas! Merry Christmas!" as the two discover their filled stockings.

This is a lovely Christmas book for fans of Thomas the Tank Engine series. The sparkling holographic silver snowflakes on this hardcover book adds a nice touch, as well.

A joy to read--especially with the gorgeous illustrations--Thomas' Christmas Delivery is a wonderful addition to any child's library.

This book has replaced "Thomas and the Shooting Star" (also illustrated by Tommy Stubbs) as the most beautifully illustrated Thomas book. The illustrations are so lifelike and have such depth to them they make "...Shooting Star" look blurry in comparison.

The story is very nice as well. A great, feel-good christmas tale of how Thomas brings deliveries on christmas eve.

I've been reading this one to my 3 year old almost daily since we we got the book, and so far neither of us has grown tired of it.

My 2-year-old son loved this book. We read it over and over again. It's great for the younger kids who already know the traditional story of the three bears. Add a magical visit from Santa to the mix and you've got a story that will keep them fascinated.

Children will love this tale of bears and the magic of the Christmas season. With suspense and mystery, Baby Bear discovers the identity of a visitor. The images and delightful text make it a book a child will want to hear over and over.

I received this book and was greeted by the cheerful cover. The story is sweet and full of surprises while the illustrations are interesting yet also have a nostalgic feel. I especially like the "What do I see?" game the family plays while walking through the woods. Overall, I see this book as a great story to share with a child to make the holidays even more special! Thank you, Ms. Duval!

This book is beautifully illustrated. I shared it with my sons first grade class and they loved it so much I donated it to the class. It tells the story of the Nativity as well as the part the 3 Kings play. I especially liked the fact that the people in the story are depicted True to life as African & Arab people. Its refreshing!

Intentionally designed to apple to a young African American readership, Three Kings And A Star, written and illustrated by Fred Crump, Jr. (a public school art teacher for more than 30 years and illustrator of more than 40 children's books, all contextualized for African American children), is a vivid retelling of the wise men's journey to find the baby Jesus. This picturebook retelling features Crump's detailed artwork. From the moment Mary discovers she will have a son, to the arrival of the three wise men laying their gifts before the newborn King, this remarkable and enthusiastically recommended picturebook engages the total attention of young readers in a vibrant and thoroughly entertaining retelling of an ageless and classic Christmas story.

I have been a fan of Fred Crump for years, but he has out done himself this time. Three Kings and a Star is so beautiful and is a great variation on the traditional holiday story. I can't wait to read this book to my children over and over again this Christmas.

Saw this book on a rack in the airport traveling through St. Louis - as another "santas helper" I picked it up just for kicks.

What a great book! The stories are powerful - I too have noticed the "power" of Santa - although I have had nowhere near the experience Mr. Goodman has.

My wife roped me into the gig about 10 years ago - before we were married - for her office childrens party - and I never gave it up.

My Mom made me a suit a few years ago, and it gets used - I have been to the church, the karate school, and a few other places - it seems that every year at our home party I get a call to go to the office and Santa always pops in while I am out - and my son hasn't quite figured that out yet. He will soon I am sure and then he will have to join the ranks of the elite "santas helpers" like his old man - a family tradition worth passing on!

Mr. Goodman - thanks for a great, inspirational, fun, touching book - as you shared - there is great power in being Santa, but also great responsibility. I am proud to wear the suit and share the love Santa embodies

Merry Christmas!

Dr. Doug Briggs
Wilmington, DE

I read this collection of true stories, told by a real Santa's helper, during the month of May. The first story drew me in and I found it touching and heart-warming. Now, Santa and all of his helpers take their jobs very seriously...and so does Mr. Goodman, even while he retains a wonderful sense of humour during those moments when pitfalls make his work - never a chore - a bit more difficult than one might think. This is not at all a book about Christmas. It is about something universal: the love for children and the wonder of children.

Mr. Goodman has a talent for story-telling which adds to the pleasure of reading his tales. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something to read that entertains, lifts the spirit, and makes one smile.

I am Jewish and I loved reading the stories in this book. Some made me laugh, some made me cry, many inspired me AND all made me feel good. Santa R.C. Clifton is a very good man. Every year at Christmas he voluntarily dons a special red suit, and spreads good feelings for children of all ages, often travelling by car, truck or jetplane. R.C. shares his love of children and wonderful sense of humor with all of us in his memorable stories.

This is great for year round giving and especially for the December Holidays. Adults and older children will love it!

My mom bought a Tommy Tottlebear book for my little brother. He likd it alot. I am ten almost eleven. I like Tommy too.

I loved the Tommy TottleBear book and look forward to seeing more Tommy books in the future. It was great to read a story with so many cute characters and great pictures. I also like that kids can color the Tommy books. thanks for carrying Tommy TottleBear books. Brittany

I loved the Tommy TottleBear book and look forward to seeing more Tommy books in the future. It was great to read a story with so many cute characters and great pictures. I also like that kids can color the Tommy books. thanks for carrying Tommy TottleBear books. Brittany

This book came in excellent condition, within the time frame given, and it is a wonderful story about the birth of Jesus that isn't difficult for children to understand. My 21 month old daughter loves to read this and she enjoys feeling the different pages and pointing out the different animals and giving the animal sounds.

I have been reading books to my 6 month old baby since he was about 3 months old. He absolutely loves it!

This durable board book is a collection of five favorite Bible stories with a twist...each page features an item to touch and feel, making the little reader a part of the story. The animations are bright and vibrant and the stories are told simply but faithfully. Little hands will reach for this book over and over!

Very nice book with high quality photos. I did not read it all but enjoyed flipping through after we became interested in model trains this Christmas. I like the nostalgia of it although I personally did not experience it in my past.

Vividly illustrated from cover to cover with numerous full color photographs, Toy Train Memories by John Grams is a superbly organized and presented celebration of classic model railroad sets, such as many readers might have once received as Christmas gifts or seen in department stores near the holiday season, especially during the 1940's and 1950's. Very highly recommended for enthusiasts and collectors of classic model trains, Toy Train Memories is a veritable treasure trove of nostalgic memories about these fascinating toys enjoyed by generations of youngsters (and their fathers!), the companies that created them, as well as the advertising and marketing efforts that made them household names.

I find it to be a beautiful book, a mixture of newer color photos of Christmas layouts, mixed with older classic black and white photos sent in by toy train lovers. Makes a great coffee table book during the holidays, or any time for that matter!
And I will admit that page 33 is my favorite,...due to the fact that,...it is a photo of me!! This book will make a GREAT Christmas present for all toy train lovers, and just might interest some to re-kindle their childhood memories, and drag out those trains and dust 'em off!!

'Twas the month before Christmas and all through my house not a decoration was hanging not even a ...wreath. And I at my craft magazines thumbing madly through, I picked up this book wiped my brow and said, "whew!" Then what to my craft making eyes should appear but a cute little stocking with an appliqued deer... happy crafting to all and to all a good night!

I highly reccomend this book to the Mom on the go, busy working people like myself, and people who love great christmas treats and beautiful decorations! Its fun, easy and even good for the kids!

This book provides the reader with so many wonderful ideas that can be used at Christmas and many other times throughout the year. It is comprehensive and covers Tree Decorations, House Decorations, The Holiday Table, Appetizers, Beverages, Snacks, Cookies, Desserts and Gifts from the Kitchen. All that in one book. It is a great buy!!!

This book is wonderful. I have put it away for my great grandson
and also donated one to Church Library. I am so pleased.

I heard this book for the first time today. My class was spellbound. The familiar rhyme was brought to life in the most beautiful story ever told. I will be ordering this book to have for future students.

Heise has found a way to retell the Christmas story in a familiar patterned verse, in terms that young Children will understand and enjoy, but that will delight all. Illustrations are bright and coorespond well with the verse. My children loved it.