Christmas Books

Set on the east side of Manhattan, Cecil's New Year's Eve Tail is a children's picturebook following Cecil the wealthy and well-dressed snake. Though Cecil carries himself with impeccable poise, he is distressed that the human world seems to reject him. Just as he is on the verge of giving up, his friends remind him to take part in their holiday celebration - and Cecil learns that fitting in the human world is not as important as being oneself in the company of true friends. A glossary of words that may be unfamiliar to young people rounds out this kindly holiday tale, featuring simple color illustrations of a snake who tries to dress like humans.

What a wonderful book to share with children during the holidays! There are so few books out there that cover New Year's as a holiday, and Cecil's Tail, is one you'll love to add to your library.

Cecil lives in Manhattan, and is a highly respected citizen. His family was wealthy and well thought of in England. The Queen even knighted his grandfather for his services to the court. But one day, Cecil finds himself an outcast among his peers when he receives an invitation to a New Year's Eve Ball. All the guests are asked to wear their finest things and patent leather dancing shoes. Cecil is beside himself because he doesn't own a pair of patent leather dancing shoes. Why doesn't he just buy a pair? This is easier said than done. You see, Cecil is a Snake!

Cecil's New Year's Eve Tail is the second book in Marie Fritz Perry's career that she has written and illustrated. The illustrations are done in wonderful watercolor, ink, and colored pencil - all of which bring the story to life. Perry's also done a wonderful job wrapping us with her words about the craziness of finding the perfect outfit for a party, wanting to hide from our problems, and reminding us that our friends like us no matter who we are.

Stories for Children Editor, VS Grenier

I bought this book today at my church's bookstore and it was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a book that could help me in teaching my two small kids that Christmas is not about gifts but it is about Christ. This books gives you lots of ideas on how to celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas and it gives ideas of many things that you might want to add as new traditions in your home.For example, Having a birthday party for Jesus, complete with cake and all. I know my kids will love that!Also reading the Christmas story on Christmas Day. That will definately teach my kids that Christmas is not about getting lots of gift, but it is about Christ. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

This book gives you lots of ideas on things your family can do during the holiday season that focus on Christ's birth. It is an excellent reference book for ideas on starting new traditions in your family for the Christmas celebration. The book is arranged so that each chapter begins with a letter of the alphabet. For example: A-Advent, A time for preparing; B-Birthday for Jesus; C-Customized candy canes; D-Dinner conversation. Each chapter gives you ideas of things that you can do with that particular focus. This book doesn't just give you some vague ideas; it actually gives ideas and examples of what to do.

I am an avid collector of postcard books, so it takes a lot to wow me. This collection has managed just that. I particularly appreciated the quality of the paper (as another reviewer mentioned, they're great for sending!) and the thoughtful comments. Rarely do we get postcard books with substance, but Ms. Fogg has pulled it off. Here's hoping we will see more from her soon.

Deidre Fogg's antique postcard collection is not only sumptuously beautiful but also useful. You can detach and actually mail them! The collection is matched only by her informative and elegant introduction, which details the derivation and appearance of Christmas angels. A stunning stocking-stuffer or perfect holiday gift for the workplace!

I play piano at the grade 9 level (Royal Conservatory) and it was nice to find a collection of wonderful arrangements that were not boring to play. My favourite is "Christmas Time is Here" - the chords are full and very jazzy, and it's easy to add another note if you want to make is sound even better. Unfortunately, the fabulous Guaraldi solos are not included - these you will have to figure out yourself. "Skating" is fun to play - my kids love it - but I was so disappointed that Guaraldi's sizzling solo was absent. Still, I highly recommend this book - assuming it's the one I have and not a cheesier version - it's a holiday classic.

I have been a fan of the Charlie Brown comic strip for years. I am an accompished pianist, and still enjoy this great score by Vince Guaraldi. The skating song, with it's unique fun triplets give me the feeling of ice skating on a brisk winters day. His rendition of O'Tannenbaum is also one of the best jazz numbers blended with the classic recipe to give it a splendid zest. This work is a must have for any musician's collection. I sincerley thank Vince Guaraldi and Charles Schulz for their contributions to our American culture.

This book takes its readers on a trip through time to visit Christmas in past years. It is filled with stories of Chicago's past - some funny, some poignant, some sad - but all entertaining.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who loves Chicago and loves Christmas. I've bought multiple copies for gifts and would recommend it to anyone searching for a unique gift.

Simply stated, Jim Benes did a wonderful job in putting 100 years of history in 203 pages. It brought together many great memories of Christmas Past, and allowed me to share my history with those not from this great city.

Whether from Chicago or not, this book details many thoughts. From what was on the radio or under the tree or on the table Mr. Benes succinctly reminds on and all of the great joy the holiday season brings.

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!

Reading this beautifully packaged book will give you a Proustian experience. Regardless of your age, you will be transported back to the world of your childhood, when the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was the longest of the year. You will lose that adult reality that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas doesn't even seem as long as a three day weekend.

In my experience, only Calvin and Hobbes comic strips or Jean Sheperd's memoirs rival Frank Crocitto for being able to bottle the mind of a child from an adult perspective. Everyone who owns this book will probably reread it, possibly every Christmas season.

Frank Crocitto's A Child's Christmas In Brooklyn is a wonderful memoir of growing up in Brooklyn in the 1940s. What is particularly striking is not just the wonderful anecdotal stories but the way they are physically and visually laid out for the reader in a line-on-the-page format that is almost lyrically poetic in its presentation. A Child's Christmas In Brooklyn is marvelous reading for any Christmas season and a delight for anytime of the year -- especially for that "window in time" feeling taking us back on a nostalgic tour of Brooklyn through a child's eyes.

I received my copy of this wonderful book for Christmas when I was an exchange student in Great Britain in 1977. I have loved the story ever since, and try to read it aloud every year. This edition has beautiful woodcut illustrations which enhance the story and seem to really embody the spirit of the work.

With this short story in verse, acclaimed Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) exhibits a fierce mastery of imagery that reaches into his own beginnings in seaside Swansea to pull out Christmas reminiscence that, among other things, speaks of snowballs, sleeping uncles, wind-cherried noses, and "cats that slink and sidle over white back-garden walls."

The three copies of this version of "A Child's Christmas ... " I ordered earlier this year, arrived in my mailbox, this week, and I was really pleased to lay eyes them. I was a little disappoionted that the booklet no longer comes with the coordinating envelope that has made it so perfect for "gifting" for so many years, but the texture of the paper that covers the book, and Ellen Raskin's woodcut illustrations still set this publication in a class by itself.

I highly recommend this version of "A Child's Christmas in Wales" as a wonderful read and a choice gift.

It isn't for everyone. Some will find that even listening to the tale is "too much like work." Dylan Thomas does roll on.

There's little punctuation, so, I suggest practicing before reading aloud, but do read it aloud. The youngest of children love it! And, why not ... there are firemen and candy cigarettes, useful presents and useless ones ... lots of merriement for young and old.

I just finished reading this little gem of a book. No, I didn't read the devotionals one per day, but I think that would be the BEST way to read this book.

This book is very attractive and would make a wonderful gift! The words and subtle but lovely drawings are in a burgandy color.

31 Christmas carols each have their own chapter. Teach chapter contains the author and date for the carol, then the words to the carol (including all those wonderful extra verses that many people don't know!). Next comes a bit of background on the writing of the carol and/or the theological points that are covered in the lyrics. Then there is a "Reflection" and some Bible passages that fit with the carol, and then a prayer. Most of the chapters are 5 pages long.

The emphasis is NOT on how the author got the idea the carol, or the circumstances surrounding the writing of it (though that is included in several of the chapters). The emphasis is on finding Christ in the carols and how these carols express so beautifully the glorious and mysterious incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Please check out my other reviews of Christian books!

I bought this book to give as a gift last Christmas and could scarcely bear to part with it. The authors plumb the depths of 31 different Christmas carols--some familiar, some not. In each, they extract the essence of "Christ in the Carol," transforming the words into a devotional that deepens our sense of wonder in God's greatest gift--Jesus. I bought five copies to give before Christmas, during advent this year. And I'll re-read my own as a part of my morning quiet time. Buy it for yourself and those you love.

Most of us know that Christmas began in a tiny stable over 2,000 years ago. Now this gift book brings more to light along with recipes for delicious holiday treats, poetry and stories. A must!

I picked up this little book at a church book sale to contribute funds for a youth group. It may have been one of my best buys of the year, and I buy a lot of books. This book puts Christmas in perspective, offers ideas to ease the holiday stress and focuses on the simple wonders of the season. I plan on reading it every year around Thanksgiving to help get me in the proper frame of mind for a holiday season that once totally stressed me out.