Holidays Books


Books-Under-Review-->Society-->Holidays-->51
Related Subjects: Halloween New Year May Day Thanksgiving Valentine's Day Cinco de Mayo Easter Groundhog Day Juneteenth April Fool's Day Christmas Mother's Day Father's Day Earth Day Birthdays Mardi Gras St. Patrick's Day Sadie Hawkins Day Canada Day Guy Fawkes Day Arbor Day Flag Day Fourth of July Labor Day Diwali Memorial Day Presidents' Day Veterans Day Bastille Day Holi Columbus Day Midsummer Day of the Dead Parents' Day Boxing Day Grandparents Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Valborg Anti-Holidays Online Games
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250
Holidays Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Holidays
Love's Twilight: The Finale
Published in Paperback by Pretty Paper Press, LLC (2003-11-01)
Author: Moody Holiday
List price: $14.95
New price: $14.94

Average review score:

A Moving Trilogy.....
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-12
This trilogy was an inspiration to all who allow themselves to
open up their hearts and minds to people who has dysfunctional and abusive families.
Ms.Holiday has done an wonderful job in capturing the attention (my attention) of the readers..

Shanelle over came the obsticles that came her way from childhood through adulthood and she's finally at peace.

I will admit, the 3rd book to this trilogy 'Loves Twilight'
brought tears of sadness to my eyes only to turn around and bring tears of joy to them in the end....

Sincerely A New Fan....
Billie..

The Grand Finale
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-21
Love's Twilight: The Finale, by Moody Holiday is the last book in her trilogy. In Love's Twilight: The Finale, Shanelle is all grown up. She has become a wife and a mother. The demons that have haunted Shanelle for most of her life are kept at bay, while a somewhat normal life waits for her to embrace it. But just when things seem to be getting on track, Shanelle runs into Derrick, her first love. Shortly thereafter, Shanelle's world rains down at her feet and settles in a puddle mixed with murder and deceit. We then find out if Shanelle has what it takes to continue, or if she allows the demons to come ashore and drag her out to sea.

This last book was an excellent finale to the trilogy. The book was well written and the characters were depicted well. It has been fun watching Shanelle mature throughout this trilogy, and it has been even more enjoyable to watch Holiday's writing mature as well. I look forward to hearing more from this writer in the future. Love's Twilight: The Finale, is the cherry at the top of Holiday's ice cream sundae called a trilogy.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO Bookclub

A True Friend and Lover
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-23
"Love's Twilight" is the third book of Moody Holiday four book series.

Shanelle Foster has been a dedicated wife and mother to her husband, but everything comes to an abrupt end when her husband is killed after going through an intense year. Her friends help her pick her life back up and start to move on.

Derrick Johnson has been in love with Shanelle Foster since they were in high school, but since he was chasing the dreams of medical school he had to leave Shanelle behind to work on those dreams. After seeing her, he continues to attempt to court her after making a sound decision that he wasn't ready to let her go.

This book is the last of the series and it answers questions that left you wondering in the first and second book. It if brings you to an understanding of the whole trilogy. My favorite part of the book is when Shanelle finally decides to open Derrick's envelope and finds out his true feelings for him. If I could change the book in anyway I would change the part at her best friends wedding.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has not read a sequel and looking to get their hand on some good writing by an excellent writer.


Missy
R.E.A.L. Reviewers

A Must Read!!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-23
Moody Holidays's Triology
Wild Innocence, Sweet Redemption, & Love's Twilight
Gets Five Stars!


What did you think of Moody Holiday's Triology Wild Innocence, A Tale from the Eighties, Sweet Redemption, The Sequel, & Love's Twilight, The Finale ?

It was heart wrenching urban love story that was hard to put down. You can
relate to the characters growing up trails of your first true love and
feel her emotional pain as she loses her lover and friend. Her struggles
between remaining faithful to memory of the only lover she has ever known
and rekindling a bond with the lover she never forgot.



How would you rate this book (from one to five stars)?
It is a differently a five series



What would you like to say to the author?

Thank you for reminding me of the good old days , and showing young women
that sex and self respect go hand and hand. We need more authors that
don't focus on the just the physical aspect of relationship but deals with
the reality of ups and downs family drama and happy ever after all in one.



Review by:
Michelle McKinney
Of SistaGirl Reviewers
sistagirlbookclub.com



It�s My Turn
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-23
LOVE'S TWILIGHT by Moody Holiday is the finale of the trilogy of Shanelle, Alex and Derrick. As the story begins, we find Shanelle reflecting on the murder of her husband Alex, a police officer. Shanelle takes us back to the days leading up to the bloody killing and questions his integrity and the integrity of others. As the story unfolds, there is much blame placed and plenty of guilt to go around.
Forced to make it on her own, Shanelle is thrown back into a relationship with all the doubts that come from a love lost and found again. Only this time, she has a son to raise and he is her first priority; her second is finishing her college education.

Holiday did a nice job of highlighting Shanelle and her ability to think and make decisions for herself. In the first book, Wild Innocence, we witness Shanelle's survival from a dysfunctional family. In the second book, Sweet Redemption, we feel Shanelle's avoidance of her life and the steps she takes to keep the peace, and with LOVE'S TWILIGHT, we get a look at Shanelle finding the love of self and finally trying to come into her own as a woman, mother and widow. Shanelle's major hurdle is pleasing people other than herself, mainly Alex's family. Holiday flips the script somewhat and throws in a family secret that appears to answer many questions Shanelle has about her life.

As with the first two installments of the trilogy, Holiday showcases her talent as a poet with beautiful, descriptive poems about Shanelle's life, thoughts and hope for the future. I enjoyed reading Holiday's trilogy of Shanelle Brown Foster because I was able to see her mature from a teenager to a woman with all the bumps, bruises and finally triumph that is expected. With a thought provoking storyline, descriptive prose, excellent character development and witty dialogue, this is a heartwarming finale to a very good collection.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Holidays
Miracle on 34th Street
Published in Hardcover by Galahad (1998-07-01)
Author: Valentine Davies
List price: $7.98
New price: $3.95
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Great book if you liked the Edmund Gwen movie.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-02
I bought this book because someone here reviewed it as "Better then the movie" Well it is exactly the same except for an extra line once every 20 pages or so.But is is a great book.

Possibly The Best Christmas Book Ever Written-
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-29
Wow! I love this book... and even now as 18 I still read this book to get me into that "Christmas spirit" I so desperately want to be in... I read this book every year it's one of my regulars on my holiday reading list.

Valentine Davies weaves such an impressive story that it will make the most skeptical child believe and it will make us that no longer can- wish we could. This is simply the perfect holiday story- one a parent could read to a child before they go to sleep or a story that a moderate second grade reader could read on their own without any difficulty...

I love reading this more than I do watching the classic version of the movie for Valentine Davies makes this book more magical than the movie could ever hope to be. All in all if you want to buy a book for the holidays- for someone on your shopping list this is definately one to buy! Or even own for yourself!

Miracle on 34th Street - LD NY
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-11
I read the book Miracle on 34th Street by, Valentine Davies�. It was a fabulous Christmas fiction book. The main message or theme that I got from the book was anything�s possible-you just have to believe.
Doris Walker is in charge of running the Macy�s Day Parade, which takes place on Thanksgiving Day. When her Santa Clause slacks off last minute she finds Kris Kringle and hires him to do the job. Kris does an amazing job. The only bothersome thing is he really and truly believes that he is Kris Kringle-Santa Clause. Doris doesn�t believe him, and thinks he might be insane. Along with Doris not believing in Santa Clause, nor does her 6 year old daughter Susan. Kris however wants to change that, he wants to make them believe..he believes Christmas is all about believing. Doris and her boss think Mr. Kringle is insane so they send him to a mental institution. Mr. Kringle then worries-what is going to happen with Christmas? How could he disappoint millions of kids all over the world? He some how has to find a way to save Christmas!
I loved the book. I read it around Christmas which seemed to make the book even better. It was a memorable book that I will remember constantly throughout the holiday season. It was so good I might read it every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It would be nice to have a tradition like that.
This book didn�t really relate to my Christmas Holiday Season. As a child I always believed in Santa unlike Susan did. My parents encouraged the belief of Christmas and Santa Clause until my brother and I started questioning and figuring things out. Still till this day I believe Christmas was always better when I was young and believed. It made the Holiday Season seem so magical.
Read Miracle on 34th Street to see if Susan�s Christmas was magical!

Miracle on 34th Street
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-11
I read the book Miracle on 34th Street by, Valentine Davies'. It was a fabulous Christmas fiction book. The main message or theme that I got from the book was anything's possible-you just have to believe.
Doris Walker is in charge of running the Macy's Day Parade, which takes place on Thanksgiving Day. When her Santa Clause slacks off last minute she finds Kris Kringle and hires him to do the job. Kris does an amazing job. The only bothersome thing is he really and truly believes that he is Kris Kringle-Santa Clause. Doris doesn't believe him, and thinks he might be insane. Along with Doris not believing in Santa Clause, nor does her 6 year old daughter Susan. Kris however wants to change that, he wants to make them believe..he believes Christmas is all about believing. Doris and her boss think Mr. Kringle is insane so they send him to a mental institution. Mr. Kringle then worries-what is going to happen with Christmas? How could he disappoint millions of kids all over the world? He some how has to find a way to save Christmas!
I loved the book. I read it around Christmas which seemed to make the book even better. It was a memorable book that I will remember constantly throughout the holiday season. It was so good I might read it every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It would be nice to have a tradition like that.
This book didn't really relate to my Christmas Holiday Season. As a child I always believed in Santa unlike Susan did. My parents encouraged the belief of Christmas and Santa Clause until my brother and I started questioning and figuring things out. Still till this day I believe Christmas was always better when I was young and believed. It made the Holiday Season seem so magical.
Read Miracle on 34th Street to see if Susan's Christmas was magical!

When You Believe
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-02
Doris Walker works at Macy's. She's in charge of choosing people to be in the parade, but when her Santa Claus shows up drunk she fires him and hires Kris Kringle on the spot. Kris believes he's Santa Claus, and Doris not believing in anything ignores his insistent opinion.

Of course, Doris has her 6 year old daughter Susan thinking there's no Santa Claus either, and Kris makes sure he changes the little girls mind. But trouble begins when he is admitted to Bellevue, a mental institution, and now with the help of his friend Fred, he must try to get out or Christmas will be ruined for everyone. Especially little Susan.

This book is truly wonderful, and it shows that if you just believe anything is possible.

Holidays
Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies
Published in Hardcover by Lang Graphics (2001-08)
Author: Mark Kimball Moulton
List price: $18.00
New price: $17.99
Used price: $17.98
Collectible price: $33.99

Average review score:

I love this book!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-09
This book is adorable and is really nicely illustrated. I love the story and the rhymes are cute and not scary at all for the little ones and the pictures are sweet. I can't comment on my daughter liking it since she's only one year old, but I got her this book for her first Halloween after I briefly thumbed through it at the bookstore. It's even pretty enough to give as a gift. Really cute.

Stupendous!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-19
I love this book as much as my little girl. The illustrations are beautiful and really suck you into the story.
I would definately recommend this to any mom out there who is looking for a good Halloween book.

For the parents pleasure
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-03
A wonderful poetic book...made for parental pleasure and equally pleasing to the youngsters too. You won't dread re-reading this book multiple times. Goes great with the author's "Twisted Sistahs".

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-10
I love this book as much as my (...)son does. He wants me to read it to him all the time. And what a great message at the end of the book.

(4+) Where was Miss Fiona When I Was a Kid?
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-22
Since children are always especially entranced while listening to a story about a character who shares their name, when we learned of this book we purchased it as a gift to a very young "Miss Fiona". While it certainly doesn't rise to the really exceptional level of a potential classic, it definitely is an above average story wonderfully complemented by the accompanying color illustrations by Karen Crouch of Miss Fiona and her multitude of cats and pumpkins.

As the title suggests, this is a cheery Halloween story. Miss Fiona is a very old woman who dresses like a witch and lives "past the spooky graveyard...in a big old haunted house". However, if she is a witch, she must be related to the Good Witch of the East rather than the Wicked Witch of the West, since her specialty is preparing MISS FIONA"S STUPENDOUS PUMPKIN PIECES which she refuses to serve until midnight after all the other houses have been visited by the youngsters for their "trick or treat".

The mood is upbeat, and the lessons (regarding how incorrect preconceptions can be - Halloween stories don't have to be scary and witches don't have to be bad) are incorporated into the story in a subtly effective way.

The story is told in rough verse with generally rhyming stanza. It certainly would not win any awards in a poetry contest but is a very effective and appealing way of telling this story to its intended audience.

It is always difficult for me to rate books outside my areas of specialization, particularly books for very young children. (In addition, my knowledge of the subgenre of children's Halloween stories is almost nil.) Nevertheless, based on my extensive reading many years ago of stories to my two daughters as well as my more limited reading of the genre since then, my opinion is that while the illustrations so perfectly fit the story that they might deserve five stars, the story itself and the verse by which it is told combine to produce a composite rating below that level. However, I want to emphasize that this is a story that I believe will be thoroughly enjoyed by the young children to whom it is read and the slightly older beginning readers who can have the pleasure of reading it themselves.

Tucker Andersen







Holidays
Moon Handbooks Yosemite (Moon Handbooks : Yosemite)
Published in Paperback by Avalon Travel Publishing (2003-05)
Author: Ann Marie Brown
List price: $14.95
New price: $6.00
Used price: $0.25

Average review score:

Kinda Like Rick Steves for America
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-02
I used this book on a recent trip to Yosemite. It is brief telling you just what you need to know. The advice was excellent. It reminds me of Rick Steves books for Europe but not quite as good. I would recommend this book to anyone going to Yosemite. I'll be looking for other Moon Handbooks for other American destinations now.

Yosemite - Moon Handbook (a must)
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-25
Found this book to be very accurate. A must for a last minute traveller like myself. I went in the height of the summer with no accomodation secured which was a bit worrisome but had intended to hit up the "first come, first serve campsites". When we arrived at Yosemite, we first went to the visitor centre who proceeded to tell us that only 2 campsites had availability, neither of which were where we wanted to stay. We decided to try a different campsite which was highlighted in the book and it was only 1/2 full at 1pm (although later filled up). If we didn't have the book, we would have been crammed in a less desirable site. Furthermore, the person serving us at the information centre did not appear to have seen alot of Yosemite and could not give us personal experiences. The guide book was valuable in this regard as the author clearly has spent a substantial amount of time in Yosemite. This is the book I would definately recommend to future travellers going to Yosemite National Park.

Fantastic Guide for a Fantastic Park
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-19
I bought this book based on the opinions of the previous reviewers. They were absolutely right. I spent 2 days at Yosemite and due to the massive size of the park (1,200 square miles) it would have been impossible for me to get a good tour of Yosemite without this guidebook. I found this book quite useful, from reading about the geology/history of the area, lodging to descriptions of the intensity of the hikes. The book also provides some helpful traveling tips as well suggestions for additional reading. It's a very comprehensive guide.

A great resource, guidebook and dreamweaver
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-09
Moon Travel Books presents a spectacular and thoroughly updated, 256 page, second edition on Yosemite National Park. Beginning with 10 pages of color coded maps of Yosemite and a breathtaking color photo of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite packs a plethora of detailed information into an organized, easily accessible format. The first five chapters cover Yosemite Valley, Wawona and Glacier Point, Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy, and the Eastern Sierra, including Lee Vining, Mono Lake and North, and June Lake and Mammoth Lake. Each of these chapters is divided into sections on exploring and recreation. The final four chapters are about Lodging, Camping, Dining, and Knowing Yosemite. There is a vast list of suggested reading and several pages of internet resources, in addition to tips for travelers, notes on the history of Yosemite and its place names, and much useful and specific information on the flora and fauna of Yosemite National Park. Specific information bytes or special tips are highlighted and blocked to set them off for the eye of the reader. If your plans include a trip to Yosemite, Yosemite is a "must buy" travel guide. Even if you just want to learn more about Yosemite and indulge in some armchair dreaming of travels in Yosemite, this is a great resource, guidebook and dreamweaver.

The best guide to Yosemite I could find
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-11
Before I visit a national park I go to the library for a pile of books to help me plan my trip. With a visit to Yosemite in mind I did just that and came home with a very nice collection including "100 Hikes...", "The Rough Guide to Yosemite" and Ann Marie Brown's "Yosemite" guide. While all of these books have great content, Ann's was far and away the most approachable and the one I bought to dog ear and write copious notes in without guilt. I'm so glad I did.

The book is well-indexed making it super easy to find what you need, the maps are great and the descriptions of the surrounding area are a bonus. Ann provides readers with well-thought out itineraries geared toward meeting your needs based on how much time you have to visit the park (from a day to a week) and your primary interests (from hiking to bagging waterfall pix). She also supplies solid advice regarding what to do if your on your own or travelling with a family.

Clearly Ann knows what she's writing about. Her first hand experience will help you find the motivation you need to get out of the car (or off of the bus) and on to the trails to drink in the beautiful and wonderful place that is Yosemite.

Holidays
Morris's Disappearing Bag
Published in Hardcover by Dial (1988-12)
Author: Rosemary Wells
List price: $9.89
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

A must-have for every child's library
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-04-29
I have been searching for this book since we had our first grandchild five years ago. I read it to my girls; it was one of their favorites. I'm sure our copy fell apart from "too much love" and I want to be sure our grandchildren have a chance to experience Morris.

still their favorite
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-30
This charming little book has been an important part of our children's Christmas for 15 years. We have had to replace it several times due to loving wear. Now we give it regularly to friends young and old. A perfect story, gentle and understanding, for everyone who remembers being a little kid at Christmas.

one of the all-time great children's books!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-10-05
From the first reading this book was an instant top of the bookshelf for my two sons,and then later my niece. It is simple, but somehow entertains the imagination magically. Just what does go on inside of that bag??? Even though the kids are now teenagers, they still argue over who truely owns "Morris". This Christmas all three "kids" will receive their own copy, but mom is keeping the orignal hardback version!

One of my favorite books of all time!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-20
This was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. In my early 20s, I somehow thought of this book and tried to find it again, but I couldn't remember the author's name or the title of the book. All I remembered were bunnies and a "disappearing bag." I am ordering this book right away. This book is a must for all children.

Flawless.
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-19
Like all of Rosemary Wells' work, this book could not be improved upon! I grew up on her books, and still collect them. Her characters are illustrated in such a way that their every expression enchants, and not a word is wasted in the creation of a perfect story. In Morris' Disappearing Bag, youngest child Morris feels left out on Christmas morning while his three older siblings exchange turns playing with each others' new toys. Morris will not be consoled by his parents or by his new teddy bear. But (in characteristic Wells fashion) a surprise is in store for us that will make this Christmas a magical one for Morris--and an unforgettable read for everyone. (I've read this book every year since 1980, and I assure you, it's a must-have!)

Rosemary Wells always knows how to touch the heart, be the reader adult or toddler. Max and Ruby and her Bunny Planet books are fantastic, but please keep a look out for her older (and just as perfect) ones as well.

Holidays
Motorcycle Journeys Through The Appalachians - 2nd Edition (Motorcycle Journeys)
Published in Paperback by Whitehorse Press (2004-08-29)
Author: Dale Coyner
List price: $24.95
New price: $16.47
Used price: $43.49

Average review score:

A "Must" for anyone traveling the Appalachians
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-03
I just finished a ride of a little over 1000 miles from my home in NJ to and through WV and VA. I used this book to guide me on some really terrific roads and through some truly beautiful areas. This was the first long, extended ride I've ever taken and it was in large measure due to the "encouragement" expressed through this well written resource. If you're thinking of traveling through the Appalachians then I would recommend that you purchase and pour through this well written book before you go.

Invaluable!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-10
I just got back from a near-1000 mile trip through the Appalachians. I used this book to guide me through some thoroughly fascinating and beautiful areas -- the author, Dale Coyner, has create a terrific resource! I am not exaggerating when I say that VA Route 39 has changed my view of the eastern United States (I lived in the West -- Alaska, Utah, and Arizona -- until 2000). I'm sure I won't be the first, but I've set a goal to do all 36 rides in the book.

I showed this to the clerk at the bookstore at the Peaks of Otter wayside on the Blue Ridge Parkway. She's a rider, so she took the name of the book down with considerable enthusiasm and pledged to talk to the manager about stocking the book in the store. It seems strange NOT to have your book on the shelves in such a rider's paradise!

excellent book for motorcyle enthusiasts
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-18
great book detailing not just roads, but local custom and color for the mid-atlantic area from PA down to the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee.

numerouse routes from a central point in each region are detailed and the local dining, lodging, and other points of interest are detailed in an interesting style of writing.

useful for anyone who wants to tour the mid-atlantic region and take their time doing it...

Lookout mountains here we come!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-10
I worked in the motorcycle industry for over 10 years as a service manager and still ride with all my old co-workers.

We thought we knew all the best roads in our neck of the woods but we were wrong.

We pick a route, get into the middle of nowhere and then get lost.

This book has filled in the blanks for us.

A must have if you're a real rider.

Practical Guide Accompanied By Measured Humor
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-11
For me there are three parts to a good trip - the preparation, the adventure itself, and then the memories. This book has helped me a long way in achieving all these pleasure points. The maps and text are wonderful; the crafty photo's with tasty captions peppered appropriately throughout this guide left my partner (who does not accompany me) recommending more sights than I could handle. A keeper, if not just for that.

Holidays
Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest
Published in Hardcover by Shadow Mountain (2005-10-27)
Authors: Dan Farr and Dick Van Dyke
List price: $19.95
New price: $9.50
Used price: $0.19
Collectible price: $32.95

Average review score:

Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-16
I gave this to three sets of grandchildren for Christmas. They just loved it!! It was one of trhe best gifts I could ahve given.

Giving Praise to The Giving Chest
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-10
This book and CD are excellent for sharing with your entire family. My children ages 10, 7 and 5, loved the story and its characters. The illustrations are vivid and tell a great deal about the story. We cannot wait to share it together again during the next Fall Giving Season.

Magical
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-10
For awhile, I was afraid this book wouldn't make it to our house by Christmas, but it came in the nick of time.

The illustrations are perfect, the story is lovely. The bonus CD of Dick Van Dyke reading the story, makes it special.

A delightful book about experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-04
Featuring a main character, "Mr. Finnegan", based on legendary celebrity Dick Van Dyke, Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest is a Christmas-themed picturebook about Maggie, a young girl who enjoys bullying others, even during the Christmas season. She unexpectedly meets the mysterious Mr. Finnegan, a toymaker who looks after the Giving Chest. The Giving Chest disburses gifts; its purpose is not to reward oneself, but rather to help others. Mr. Finnegan sends Maggie on an seemingly simple errand with the chest, and in the process, she learns more about holiday cheer and begins to feel the warmth of Christmas spirit. A delightful book about experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes, striking illustrated with smoothly rendered, three-dimensional digital art. Mr. Finegan's Giving Chest has a fair amount of text for a picturebook; an accompanying audio CD offers a read-aloud performance by Dick Van Dyke himself.

Disappointed
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-23
Although I love Dick Van Dyke, and he does a wonderful job as he reads the story on the CD, I felt let down when I finished the book.
As I read, I kept waiting for the plot to get better. To me the story line seemed a little sappy and very predictable...like every other tale that tries to tug at your heart strings.
The pictures are beautiful, though!

Holidays
My Contract With Henry
Published in Hardcover by Holiday House (2003-05)
Author: Robin Vaupel
List price: $16.95
New price: $4.50
Used price: $1.02
Collectible price: $16.95

Average review score:

My Contract With Henry
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-22
This is a wonderful book. My wife and I really enjoyed it. While it is a very good story in itself, it also serves as a very accessible introduction to Henry David Thoreau's Walden and the concepts of a simplier life. Very good stuff.

This is a great book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-05-28
You really have to read this you'll love it. I think that Robin Vaupel will be the next best selling auther. This book really should be made into a movie.We really need to tell as many people as we can about it!

Whoohoo!! Robin Vaupel is the best, and so is Henry!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-08
After finishing "My Contract with Henry," I let out a sigh. Not only did this book pull you in with a captivating plot, it also had a complete ending. I guess you could say, all the "i's" were dotted, and all the "t's" were crossed. The book gives you satisfaction of reading it. Having read many, many books in my life, I do not have a favorite all together. Sure, i have favorites per genre, but this book left me with out a doubt. This IS my favorite young adult novel. Robin Vaupel is a very accomplished writer, and I can not wait for the next of her books, "Austin's Orbit." I know hopefully that one day, this great book, "My Contract with Henry," willbe a major motion picture!

The Best Book My Son Has Ever Read
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-05
My 11 year old son read this book and wrote a review for the school newspaper. This is what he wrote. "This excellent novel, tells of a ninth grader, Beth Gardner, who is assigned an experiment that would change her life. As she lives in the woods trying to relive the life of Henry David Thoreau she learns to love the wilderness. When a building company buys the woods, Beth does not know if she can save her beloved sanctuary. Mrs. Robin Vaupel is a devoted teacher and a promising author. Her hard work and dedication, that she put into this book has paid off with fabulous results. This was the best book I have ever read and it was a privilege to be allowed to read this magnificent story before it hit the shelves. I would recommend this book and if I had the authority I would not hesitate to award it he Newberry Medal. On a scale of 1-10 I would give this book a 10."

Makes Thoreau and _Walden_ relevant to the next generation
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-21
A ninth-grade English teacher in Michigan tries to interest her students in the writing of Henry David Thoreau by dividing the class into groups and asking them to create their own Experiment in Living. The ragtag group made up of Stuart, Hollis, Beth and Rachel takes the assignment to heart. They each sign a "Henry Contract." And before you know it, they've somehow constructed a cabin in nearby Wayburn Woods. Each member of the group eventually finds a niche -- one that didn't exist before, and one that highlights heretofore unseen talents. Thus do these "invisible" personalities become known to the rest of the school. By the time Wayburn Woods is threatened by a housing development, the place has become familiar to a wider range of students and community members. We can only speculate about what the future holds for our characters and their hometown.

Robin Vaupel has crafted a wonderful YA novel that's sure to turn young people on to Henry David Thoreau. His words and philosophies are peppered throughout the plot, and each chapter begins with an inspirational quote. [I'll forgive a small error: "In WILDNESS is the preservation of the world," not "in wilderness." That's a common mistake that even finds itself painted onto the walls of nature centers.] The story unfolds from Beth's viewpoint, and I found myself wishing I could be fourteen again and could be Beth. My experience in high school libraries convinces me that teenagers of both genders will find this book a worthy read. The most environment-oriented among them may use it as motivation to see and save their own special places. The world could use such inspiration!

Holidays
My Dad Cancelled Christmas!
Published in Hardcover by Cool Kids Create (2007-11-01)
Author: Sean Casey
List price: $15.95
New price: $11.51
Used price: $7.97

Average review score:

This should be a Christmas movie!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-20
Okay, so we don't have kids of our own so sue us. It is a delightful book and and as I was reading I thought to myself that if we had kids the husband here would probably be just like the dad in the book, because that is how he is with our 3 dogs. We could most definately see this being a big time holiday film, either for the big screen or even television since we really need to have more quality television for children. The wife is a teacher and we are thinking of ordering a whole bunch of copies for the kids as we get towards the holiday season. Many thanks to Mr. and Miss Casey.

A perfect, warm hearted, bedtime story.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-08
What is it about Christmas that inspires the best bedtime stories for kids? Maybe it's simply snuggle factor. The crackle of the fire in the fireplace, the warmth of the blanket that dad tucked us in only the way dad can do it. Written by dad and illustrated by his young daughter, the book itself is a homage to the wonderful blessings of family. Reading this book to your children at bedtime will not only entertain but like most celebrated rhyming Christmas stories will teach them a wonderful lesson about appreciating what you have.

Great book, great moral, great talent!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-11
Sean Casey had a vision somewhat different than the father from Christmas favorite "T'was the Night Before Chistmas." Nonetheless, "My Dad Cancelled Christmas" offers a great plot line that relates to parents and kids alike. The book, which tells the story of a father who loses it on Christmas Eve and subsequently cancels his family's celebration of Christmas, is illustrated by Sean's daughter Quinn, age 10. She has a great deal of talent and captures her fathers imagination well.
This book definitely should be up there on everyone's shopping list. "My Dad Cancelled Christmas" is definitely a refreshing alternative to the traditional and mundane "T'was the Night Before Christmas." It would not be a bad read to the kids before settling them down for "their long winter's nap" on Christmas Eve next holiday season. This would also be an excellent read for teachers of all elementary grades looking to expand their bookshelves and their students' imaginations. Definitely a "must" on next year's Christmas list, but why wait? It can be read year round to keep everyone in the holiday mood and get a laugh in here or there.

Delightful story
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-26
This was a delightful book - with a moral to boot! Most families would benefit from reading this together and talking about it. Good lessons to learn for kids AND parents..

Wonderful
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-18
This book is a terrific Christmas story and the fact that it is a collaborative effort between father and child makes it very special.

Holidays
Norman Rockwell's Christmas Book
Published in Hardcover by Harry N. Abrams (1993-09-30)
Author: Molly Rockwell
List price: $14.98
New price: $144.32
Used price: $0.18

Average review score:

Not what I expected
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-30
I expected it to be a showcase of Rockwell's art with added text from great authors. It ends up being the inverse. The illustrations are hacked up from Rockwell's work and with such a wealth of christmas illustrations in Rockwell's portfolio I expected way more. Still a great xmas book to share with family. Dont but it for the art.

ROCKWELL IS CHRISTMAS
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-01
Norman Rockwell's Christmas book is filled with great stories, poems, and recollections of Christmas. But the real selling point...the main reason to pickup this book is the brilliant art of Norman Rockwell.

When we think Holidays...Thanksgiving, Christmas...we always want to picture ours to be as perfect, as joyful as one of Rockwell's paintings. They never are, of course, but we can still try.

Perhaps no artist ever has capture the sense of awe and wonderment of the Christmas season than Rockwell. You cannot help but smile ear-to-ear as you thumb through the pages. A Real Joy!

Perfect Christmas book
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-16
I first saw this book at my niece's home Christmas day; her husband had given it to her as a present. I thumbed through it and couldn't wait to get home and order it. Lovely illustrations and poems and stories. This would be a perfect Christmas present. Keep this in mind for this year's gift giving and keep one for yourself. You won't be sorry.

What a wonderful Christmas Book!!!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-24
I got this book at a museum that was having an exhibit of Norman Rockwell's work. When I got home I sat down with it and flipped through. I love the Christmas pictures that he did. And the stories that were chosen are perfect for this book. I don't have children, but I can see how reading to them from this book would be a perfect childhood tradition to have. I am so glad I got this book.

Norman Rockwell's Christmas Book
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-23
This is an ideal gift or a treasure to keep for yourself. I am a 25 year old that has enjoyed this book with my family every Christmas since I can remember. The stories and pictures will warm your heart! It has been a tradition in my family and one I recommend for any family!


Books-Under-Review-->Society-->Holidays-->51
Related Subjects: Halloween New Year May Day Thanksgiving Valentine's Day Cinco de Mayo Easter Groundhog Day Juneteenth April Fool's Day Christmas Mother's Day Father's Day Earth Day Birthdays Mardi Gras St. Patrick's Day Sadie Hawkins Day Canada Day Guy Fawkes Day Arbor Day Flag Day Fourth of July Labor Day Diwali Memorial Day Presidents' Day Veterans Day Bastille Day Holi Columbus Day Midsummer Day of the Dead Parents' Day Boxing Day Grandparents Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Valborg Anti-Holidays Online Games
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250