Christmas Books

I read this book for the first time many years ago and it remains one of my favorites. Funny and moving. A read to please all ages!

Every year a number of new books appear for the Christmas season, seeking to show new significance to old customs, or sometimes merely to put a contemporary story in a holiday context to stimulate sales. Most of those little books disappear from memory as quickly as the year's ornaments and greenery. This book is one whose value and impact seems to grow from year to year. It can be enjoyed by kids of most ages, and it holds the interest and challenges the thinking of adults. The book is worth reading again and again--privately and out loud. The audiobook is an excellent presentation. The movie adaptation, though sharing the limits of any visual interpretation of a piece of literature, is quite faithful to the facts and spirit of the story and has a particularly poignant wrap-up. Highly recommended!

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is probably the best book ever, in my humble opinion! Believe me, it is not just a children's book whatsoever. My mother and I actually sat in the hospital an extra hour so we could finish reading it before going home! The author has quite the sense of humor, and will have you laughing along as you read this politically-incorrect book on six dysfunctional siblings who decide to be in the church's Christmas play because they were told they had "refreshments" there. It is a great gift for everyone on your list this season, and will likely become a household name. It most certainly made me feel better about my dysfunctional family! It's "political incorrectness" makes it all the more funny- you can't get this kind of sick quality humor anywhere but the 70s! I'm buying it for everyone I know!

I've directed the play for a couple of years and actually purchased several copies of this book to give away as prizes in a drawing for children attendees. This book is read in both public and private elementary schools locally leading up to Christmas. The book will evoke a catharsis of emotions: laughter, shock, sadness and tears of surprise and joy. It's also fantastic for those teaching moments on character, judging others and loving all people.

I read this book years ago...It is funny but also has
a serious side to it. I love the humor but also the
lesson in seeing the Christmas story with the eyes of
children who have been denied the right to go to church.
I bought it this time as a gift for an inmate at our County Jail.
It gave him a big smile.

Kathy in Las Vegas

I'm debating what book pieces seem to define Christmas for me. Oddly this is up there, maybe the story I like the most to reacquaint me with a tear or two, I never can get through it dry.
On the surface the Grinch is impossibly unlikely to undergo transformation into a better and kinder being. He's so delightfully bad, glad to stop Christmas from coming. With his lively old Max and his clumsy old sacks this fellows a far cry from the Saint Nick he represents. How fascinating that this Grinch could be used to compare/contrast with Santa Claus, an interesting thing for a teacher to try with a class....anyway just for me when I raised my children it was the 1st book I gave to a three month old 1st daughter inscribing it "mom's favorite." And my favorite part would be Cindy Lou Who, not more than two, as well as the line, "maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." A message of peace for one.

I would think anyone would enjoy this, but I often underestimate my ability to be wrong. It's a pretty nifty piece to me.

When I was a child, I found the Dr. Seuss books a bit scary because I didn't much like abstract or surreal stuff. Fast forward many years and I have a daughter who is just learning to read so after seeing that she enjoyed a Dr. Seuss book in the doctor's office I thought I would order this book and give it a spin. This particular edition comes in a nice metallic finish green and red cover. It feels like a quality book.
After reading it to her the first night, I had to read it two more nights after that in succession. It was great fun for me too because the rhyming prose allows the reader (who may not be a great thespian) to do some role playing and added intonation. The illustrations are both unusual and vivid which helps stimulate the young reader's imagination. Finally, the essential story message which is to have a heart is a good one particularly in times such as these. Highly recommended!

the product arrived in a timely manner...and was much more elegant than i thought a "deluxe"' edition would be...i'm very pleased !!!

This was one of my favorite holiday stories when I was a child. Now I share that classic with my children, and I hope someday they will pass that along to theirs.

It's a wonderful, funny, and heartwarming story.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!, by the incomparable Theodor Geisel - aka Dr. Seuss, is a true Christmas classic. It is a story of hope, faith, and epiphany, and of discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Who else but Seuss could tell such a story so entertainingly, in so few words, and all in rhyme?

That grumpy old Grinch thought Christmas was about presents... and food and decorations and things of that vane. But he stole everything, down to the crumbs too small for the mouses, and Christmas still came! It came joyfully, noisefully, loudy proclaimed! This made our grizzled old Grinch puzzle and puzzle until his puzzler was sore, and until he realized that Christmas was so much more. He returned all the presents and food for the feast, and then our grinny Grinch, himself, the Grinch carved the roast beast.

Only Dr. Seuss could spread the true, pure message of Christmas without any reference to religion. He communicated directly to children of all ages in his wonderfully wacky and wise rhyming, teaching us all about faith, hope, and love.

What a perfect book for this Christmas season. I introduced it this year to my 3 1/2 year old, who just loves it. As her new Christmas favorite, she requests it nightly. And I am happy to read it to her again and again.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

This book was very good. When a girl's brother dies after he runs after her, the girl feels horrible and she will not be consoled. She loved her brother so much and she soon finds that his heart was given to a boy in need of a healthy heart. She goes off to find David's heart. Very heart warming but it definentally made me cry. READ IT!!!

my daughter really liked this story and would recommend it for others to read and enjoy

This book is about a girl named Darcy, who loves her big brother......until he gets a girlfriend. Darcy doesn't like that David is not spending time with her anymore, so she runs away. David is hit by a car and dies. Darcy knows it's her fault, so she finds a way to apologize....she must find his heart, even though it's beating in someone else's body. The rest of the book is a quest that Darcy and her best guy-friend, Sam, take in order to find David. The rest of the book, I will not tell, you must read it! I will say, though, I cried during most of it!

Book Review on "Searching for David's Heart"

Emily Simons
6th Grade
Oshkosh WI


"I don't see why Mrs.Pritcher is making us give stupid speeches in front of the entire class," I groaned to my big brother, David, & my best friend Sam Weiss." Is how the book Searching for David's Heart by Cherie Bennett begins. In the book Darcy adores her big brother David. But when David gets a girlfriend & David starts treating Darcy like a pest things go haywire. On Darcy's Birthday David brings his girlfriend Jayne. Darcy doesn't like Jayne because she's getting all of David's attention. David & Darcy get in a huge fight and Darcy runs away. David decides to follow her and something that Darcy never pictured happens and she blames herself.



In this book the theme is tied in between three different things. Courage- Darcy is leaving home to find the 12 year old who has her brother's heart. Braveness- She's leaving home & not telling anyone & will bring Winston to her parents. Love- "He smiled thorough his tears Merry Christmas Dee-Dee." Merry Christmas. I think all these different themes tie up the book.

The characters in this book are Darcy the main character, a sister who loves her brother more than the world. David as you probably guessed is the second main character, David is know for how great he is at collage football. I think that Jayne would be the third main character, because she in some way is part of David's death. Dad would come before mom, because of his work problem. Now, of course we have mom. Meemaw also know as grandma would be sixth because she is just lying in bed all day & is only mentioned a couple times. Last but not least we have Andy the little brother.

My next topic is the setting of the book. The main setting is Darcy's house. There always at her house. Sometimes in the book there at school. Or they could be visiting grandma, or on the bus to mami, Appleton park, or and Sam's house.

So in conclusion, Searching for David's Heart is a good book. I recommend this book to all ages, & all who enjoy a little sadness and adventures in a book. There is a lot of interesting stuff in this book. So it all comes down to one question Darcy's lost her brother but can she find the only one part of him that still remains? Find out when you read Searching for David's Heart!!

Darcy is in sixth grade and she feels very awkward. She stutters when she gets nervous, and she finds it hard to talk to people. Her younger brother is a brat, her father always seems to be angry at her, and her grandmother is in a coma at a nursing home, where the children have to go visit her. But Darcy's big brother David is perfect. He is strong and sweet to everyone. Everyone likes him and he can get along with anyone, but he is especially good to Darcy. There is no one in the world she loves more.

Then David gets a girlfriend. She may be perfectly nice, but Darcy hates her and the fact that she seems to be taking David away. One night in a fit of fury after a ruined birthday celebration, Darcy yells at David and his girlfriend that she hates them and wishes her brother were dead. Then she runs off. As David is chasing after her, he is hit by a car and he dies.

Darcy is riddled with guilt. She feels that she is a murderer, that David's death is her fault. She doesn't know what to do, and her family is falling apart now more than ever. Then Darcy makes a decision. She knows that her parents donated some of David's organs, including his heart. Darcy decides to find the recipient of that heart, to maybe see if that person now has a little bit of David in him or her. Darcy and her best friend Sam set off on their journey to track down David's heart.

I liked the character of Sam, and the way he related to Darcy. I liked how the story was resolved at the end, and I liked how the father's prejudice was explained and dealt with. I thought that Darcy's parents were pretty horrible throughout most of the story, though. They should have been able to do something to help Darcy.

The Locket is the story of a young man who doesn't seem to have great luck. His father dies an alcoholic; his mother follows after years of suffering with cancer. His girl friend is an upper class girl and he has to deal with all the animosity her father dishes out for him. Finally his life becomes a bit normal when he is accepted in a rest home to take care of the elderly patients. He is loved and he loves them back, usually visiting them after hours--that is until he is accused of beating one of the elderly patients to death and his lawyer wants him to plead guilty. It is a very well-knit, caring story that deals with suspense, love, and death.
Anna del C.
Author of "The Silent Warrior Trilogy"

The Elf and The Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book One
Trouble in the Elf City: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book Two

The Locket
I so enjoy the authors way of putting words to paper. I will continue to read his books.

It does not take any time at all to get into this book. People of all ages and moral value make up our world. The locket is a story that touches your heart and head at the same time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read.

All stories from Richard Paul Evans are wonderful and this is no exeption.Read the trilogy is forth it.

The reviews were uniformly quite good for this novel, so I decided to give it a try. The story starts out slowly and takes some time to work up a bit of interest. The central character is a twenties-something working in a nursing home. Not typically the setting for a compelling plot.
A quick read-not one of my favorites.

The Coalwood Way is by far the best book I have read this year. The story and the writing style grab you back to the couch to read another chapter every time. The only bad part is that the story was not longer, but that's why this is a trilogy. I am now rushing to order Hickman's next novel in the series!

Another excellent book by Homer Hickam, If you don't read the trilogy you're missing a true West Virginia experience

I'm not sure where the below reviewers are coming from. The Coalwood Way, although including the Rocket Boys, is very much different from the first memoir. And it is not a bunch of disconnected stories, not at all! The Coalwood Way opens with Sonny Hickam in a strange depression a year after the death of his grandfather who had lost his legs in the coal mine. It is a depression he struggles with throughout the book and is the core thread. How he determines what is causing that depression really fills out a part of the original memoir that was left out and provides us with insight as to how he ultimately succeeds. Hickam reveals how that last winter in Coalwood so much is happening to him and his friends. His rockets are starting to work, but nothing else does. He even lets Chipper, his mom's beloved squirrel, escape into the winter cold and snow. He also meets Dreama, a young woman also struggling, and wanting Sonny to be her friend. Dreama is considered something like white trash, and is living with one of the most detestable men in town. Sonny also falls for Ginger who dreams of being a professional singer and provides an interesting counterpoint to the coal miners' sons of Coalwood with their dreams of spaceflight. "Dad," or Homer, Sr. is also struggling, trying to open a part of the mine that has defeated previous mine superintendents but upon which the future of Coalwood depends. "Mom," or Elsie, struggles with her failure to win the annual Veteran's Day parade (Coalwood's float has always won before), as well as her continuing attempts to get Homer, Sr. to quit the mine before black lung kills him. Elsie also identifies very much with Dreama and wants to help her but is held back by the "Coalwood way". The story is told with Hickam's tradmark humor and there are as many laugh out loud moments as tears. The dramatic arc of these threads to the story all join in a night of murder and mayhem when Coalwood is also buried in a huge snowstorm and cut off from the rest of the world. This is followed by another night of hope and amazing redemption on Christmas Eve that will cause even the hardest heart to melt. In many ways, this is Hickam's Coalwood Christmas story and it's a great one. You will love it.

Dr. Werner von Braun once said, "Matters of faith are not really accessible to our rational thinking. I find it best not to ask any questions, but to just believe..." These words are truly conveyed throughout the second of Homer Hickam Jr.'s memoirs, The Coalwood Way, originally published in 2000. Although following his acclaimed, Rocket Boys, this compelling story does not continue where the last left off. Portions of the memoir take place during the same time period as the last, however, this tome portrays the life of Homer "Sonny" Hickam in a different light. This particular memoir focuses on Sonny's senior year in high school and the hardships he must go through when growing up. In addition to working diligently on creating improved rockets, Sonny must focus on achieving A's in school. Most importantly, he must focus on his family. In 1959 Coalwood, West Virginia is a ticking bomb and as it becomes more and more difficult to keep the mines running, the bomb seems to always be the verge of exploding leaving the people out of jobs, homes and, even worse, their town. Sonny must now try to keep his family together while the town falls apart and yet keep alive the dream of leaving in order to join his role model, Dr. Werner von Braun, at Cape Canaveral.
Sonny Hickam is on his way to fulfilling his dreams as the book begins. However there a few obstacles on the way. Troubles in his family prevent Sonny from leading an easy, carefree life. His mother, Elsie, is growing increasingly impatient with Sonny's father. Sonny's father, Homer, is the mine superintendent and with the opening of a dangerous new mine, 11 East; ultimately, he is home even less often than usual. The strain on the marriage becomes too much for Sonny's mother and she insists on leaving Coalwood to escape to Myrtle Beach in order to sell real estate. In addition to his domestic hardships, Sonny is having troubles with himself. Every so often, although only lasting a few minutes, Sonny will find himself engulfed in an unexplainable grief. This mystery baffles Sonny day after day. As he searches for the origin of this mystery grief, he learns more than he ever imagined. Sonny's emotions and adventures are vividly depicted through a truly sentimental story, splashed with humor in all the right places. The writing style of Homer Hickam in this memoir is once again captivating and absolutely unforgettable.
Although one may think memoirs aren't written well due to the lack of an experienced writer, The Coalwood Way reads like an old time fable. It is written in such a way that you are taken from your own world and thrown into the small town in West Virginia. Hickam depicts Coalwood in such a way that the image of every part of the quaint town is etched into your mind. His method of writing will bring you to tears when tragedy strikes and laughter when Sonny finds himself in a humorous predicament.
This memoir is all about finding yourself and realizing that whenever life trips you up, someone will always be there to catch you when you fall. Throughout this lucid story, Sonny tries to find himself, and while looking down on his beloved town, he finally realizes the answer to what he's being puzzling all along. He understands his feelings, thinking: "My parents, and all the people of Coalwood, had given me the only true gifts they could ever give, that of their wisdom, and of their dreams, and of their love. All fear, sadness, and anger inside me had vanished. I knew who I was and where I came from and who my people were. I was ready to leave because I could never leave." Once Sonny realizes he can let go of the past, he is able to finally leave his hometown with the closure he needs to succeed.

"The Coalwood Way" is the part 2 contiuation of the "Rocket Boys", AKA:"October Sky". I just really like the way Mr. Hickam tells his story in his books. I find them to be "Americana" like- a success story from a humble start. I think the series could be a must read for middle and high school students as a way to see their potential in their own future and not just the here and now. A great book (and series) to read!

This is the best pop up book I've ever seen. My small children are completely dazzled by the pictures, and I am too, actually. I've given this book as a gift multiple times and it's always a big hit for the whole family.

I bought two other pop-up books by Robert Sabuda, a counting one and The Twelve Days of Christmas for my grandchildren and they (and me) simply loved them......the pop-ups were delightful and complimented the story line perfectly.....however, I was disappointed in the Night Befoer Christmas as I feel the pop-ups (they are unique) over shadowed the story.

Everything about the book is exactly what I wanted. The illustrations are incredible. Expensive! Yes, but worth it.

I got this for my mother in law and she was just in awe at all of the graphics, and illustrations!

These books are a tradition that Santa brings one each year. They are amazing in the cut out detail and definately heirloom quality and a treasure for all ages.

What started out as a wonderful book for children has become a family tradition. Each Christmas, we read Red Ranger and it never loses it's charm---for children or for adults. Truly unique and delightful!

This book was recommended by my child's school librarian. All three of my kids, ages 5-10, girls and boy, loved the book. The illustrations were vibrant and the story captivated everyone.

I've been known to buy several copies of this book and give it to people whom I think need to get the message. I LOVE this book. I love to read it aloud~ even to adults. Breathed is so clever and the text is magnificient. The illustrations are vivid.
The story is about a boy in depression days so it may be better to give it this year than ever before. I've never given it as a gift and not had a great reaction.
This book may help even the most cynical believe in Santa Claus again.
I think I'll go read it right now in preparation for reading it to a group in a couple of weeks.

This is an AWESOME story for kids and grown-ups alike--for all the right reasons! Berkeley Breathed weaves such a rich and colorful tapestry with his words and the illustrations will make you "fall on the floor laughing!" It is a delightful Christmas story about the human experience and one of enlightment without any deep religious undertones. It's old-fashioned in the respect that it has a "moral." It's tickles one's fancy because the story is based on an actual "thing" that can be visited with wonder and intrigue. I know because my family had to make a "pilgramage" years ago to see it with our own eyes!!

As a Realtor in the Portland, Oregon, area I make it a habit to give this book to clients every Christmas...whether they have kids or not! You certainly won't be sorry for the purchase and I truly believe you're getting an excellent value for the cost. Enjoy!

Leslie Newberry
Cell: 503-349-2727

This is my favorite Christmas story, hands down. I cannot read it without getting choked up and teary... and it's NOT a sappy story! This tells of a young boy who has a run-in with an old man who may or may not be Santa Claus; the boy has little and believes in even less, though his encounter changes that. Don't think you know how this ends though - the boy is not easily won, and he does more for the old man than the other way around. The final image will give you chills... (in a good way)
DON'T SKIP TO THE END! IT IS BEST AS A SURPRISE.

A lovely story and written for children AND adults. Our Minister read the entire book one Sunday morning in place of his regular sermon and it was met with great praise from the congregation. It inspired me to get the book for myself as I have 3 great-grandchildren that will soon be ready to hear this wonderful story. Because this book is out of print, it's wise to be sure that you're getting a new or like -new book as I had a previous bad experience with a soiled and torn copy.

A meaningful, well-written and paced story. Accessible to children, but still plenty interesting (and moving) for adults. The illustrations are just what you would expect from P.J. Lynch - a perfection of warmth and realism. He is quickly becoming my favorite illustrator. A good read whether or not it's Christmas time, but especially at Christmas.

We purchased this book upon my sister's recommendation. We absolutely loved it. I sat the whole family down and read it to them, even my teenagers. It provided some really nice new conversation about the Nativity and also about how grumpy, unhappy people can be softened with kindness and service. I highly recommend this book.

This is one of those books that adults and children alike will enjoy for the Christmas season! Definitely worth having in every family collection.

Great book...good quality...arrived in record time. I will highly recommend ordering this book for a Christmas present for any age.

I think the author should stick to writing about racing. In this book, a horse kicks eight-month-pregnant Ashleigh in the side. She has to go to the hospital. Her baby is born, but a blood vessel in Ashleigh's brain bursts. She goes unconscious, and she starts to dream about Christina, her baby, in her older years. In the dream, Ashleigh has died, and Christina is eventing. I won't go into further details.

In this book, Joanna Campbell has Christina jumping a three-year-old filly and considering riding her in three-day events. Ridiculous! That would do damage to the young horse's legs, and the horse would be too young to compete, anyway. Also, in the book, the filly, Jazz Goddess, is born as a runt. But later in the book, she is portrayed as tall and big over and over and over. There's also a lot of other unrealistic stuff, but I'll let you read the book on your own.

I think it is vey sad that Christina has to live without a mother, especially one like Ashleigh...She was my favorite character of all time besides Mike. I was glad that Christina did what she wanted to do, and not be another Ashleigh...Everyone who read this book will probably like it!

I LOVED this book!!!!! This was like the perfect book in this series!!! I loved that Christina was into jumping, because thats what I'm into!!! This is a great book, if you havent read it GET IT!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT!!! I only wish that the new books could be this great. I am glad that Brad's real son (Parker) isnt like his son in this book (Ross), who was a jerk. I am also glad that in the new books Christina is with Parker, not Kevin. But other than those things, I wish the new books were more like this one. I also liked Rebecca, Christina's best friend in this book, a lot better then Melanie. I wish the new main characters/couples were Christina and Parker, and Kevin and Rebecca, Melanie get on my nerves! Well, this is a wonderful book, and you should difinately read it.

I loved this book, just like all the other ones, but it was really weird how they had all this stuff that was a dream and never really happened! It sorta gives you a fake idea of what will come. But dont get me wrong I loved the book and the story line was really cool. I absolutly love Jazz Godess! She was like almost one of those perfect horses! Except when she crushed Christinas leg, but she went on to come in second or third in the Rolex, and that might not have happened if her leg didn't motivate her! So, this was a great book, if a bit werid.

At first I didn't really get this book. I mean, in the prologue Ashleigh's like in a coma or something and no one's sure whether she'll live or die. Then the entire story takes place as if she dies, but then in the end it says she lives. I didn't really get it. But then I figured out the whole story was about how everything would have played out if Ashleigh had died. How her daughter, Christina, goes on to be a great Eventer and win second in the Rolex and so on. It's a bit confusing, but after I read it for the second time I understood how the book worked.

Richard is a wonderful author. His nack for writing such deep touching stories is incredible. Yes, bring kleenex. I got hooked on Richard's novels years ago and I don't miss his latest edition to his library of emotion. He releases his latest around Chirstmas of each year and I look forward to each one. Many will know his stories only by the movies based on them. Read the book, it's always better and the screen can never comepete with ones imagination!

this is a great trilogy! i loved it! i enjoy having the three books together in one. it has also proven to be a great christmas gift. everyone i have given it to has called and raved about it!

Christmas Box has been a favorite of mine, ever since I first read it, due to a friend's recommendation of it. I have since read all of Richard Paul Evans' books, loving each one. Can't put it down till I have read all of it! It brings out the importance of what love really is.

Excellent! Couldn't put the book down. Richard Paul Evans knows how to hold a reader's attention.

One of the best books I've read in a very long time. I don't think anyone could read this book and not come away from it with a changed heart. Once you read this book, you will see God in a whole new light. I know I did and He is beautiful. I always liked the first verse in Isaiah 6. It says, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple". This gave me the vision of a God so great and magnificent, but also so unapproachable . Once I read this book, my heart was touched by a God who is not only very approachable, but who truly has felt what I've felt and who knows humility as well as He knows magnificence. READ THIS BOOK!! YOU WON'T BE SORRY!