Christmas Titles for our Younger Readers!

I was sent a box of Christmas titles and wanted to share some of my favorites!

Where's Santa Claus? by Ingela Arrhenius is a fun board book filled with felt flaps.  What a great idea for our youngest readers!  And it's a game as well because....where could Santa be hiding!?!?!?


The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy is an adorable little book.    It is the story of a homeless boy who plants a Christmas tree in a box and uses it to decorate his "home" under the bridge.  But it's only when he plants in the park that he sees how others enjoy his little tree as well.  What a tender, touching Christmas story.



Little Christmas Tree by Jessica Courtney-Tickle is another lift-the-flaps book that shows all the wonderful animals who call this Christmas Tree home.  What a fun book to explore with a little one on our laps!



Pip and Posy The Christmas Tree by Axel Sheffler is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud story of two little creatures, Pip and Posy, who are decorating their own Christmas tree only to have every cookie ornament disappear.  WELL, they figure out the mystery - and I think you will share a laugh or two as you share this one!



Oliver Elephant by Lou Peacock is a picture book that will delight all ages.  It's the story of Oliver's family running errands and shopping right before the holidays.  Tragedy hits though when, after all of their running, Oliver's stuffed elephant is missing!  In a big city - that could be hard to find!  You will love this ending!  You know what else I loved about this one?  The illustrations by Helen Stephens are so lovely and nostalgic - I absolutely adore what they add to this book!



**I was sent copies of these books by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Prepare Him Room

As a mom who is a librarian, one of my strengths would be introducing my kids to books.  :)  And every Christmas season, I pulled out the stops - everyday we would read a Christmas book and share the fun together!  But I also loved sharing Advent with my kids.  And I was always on the lookout for new and fun advent books/ideas.  I was asked to review, Prepare Him Room, this fall and am thrilled to share that this is a great one! 

This is one of the best laid-out Advent books I've seen.  It tells you exactly what you need to lead your family each day all the way down to songs to sing.  It is clearly an Advent book that anyone could take and read and put into action....no teaching background required!  And what I loved is that there are some new, clever ideas - and that's big coming from me - we've used A LOT of Advent books over the years!  Enjoy the Christmas season with your family - and start some new traditions this year!

 **I was sent a copy of the book for an honest review on my blog.

Tennessee Christmas

Amy Grant has a new Christmas album, Tennessee Christmas.  Remember how well-loved her famous A Christmas Album was??   Well this one will bring back all of the old and blend in some new - guaranteed to bring reminiscing and smiles to fans.  I enjoyed her new album - full of favorites like "Tennessee Christmas" and holiday staples like "O Come All Ye Faithful" but add in new songs like "Christmas for You and Me", "Melancholy Christmas", and "December".  Even the new songs have the "Amy Grant" feel - to remind us of the best of old times and new.


**I was sent a copy of this album by the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog.

Where Jesus Slept

What a delightful new Christmas story!  Norma Lewis has written Where Jesus Slept, a beautiful new picture book for Christmas.  In the tradition of "This is the House that Jack Built" you can go through the Christmas story in a whole new way.  The rhyming and sing-song fashion of the story lends itself beautifully to sharing with little ones.  I loved this - it would be so fun as a read-aloud with your little ones this Christmas.  The illustrations by Katy Hudson are gorgeous as well.  You can't go wrong with this story this Christmas season! 


*I was sent a copy by the publisher for review purposes on my blog.

Mercy Me and Christmas!

There are new Christmas albums coming out all the time - but I want one that has new twists on old carols or new songs altogether!  Mercy Me hit it this time!  This album is full of new Christmas tunes as well as some of the old ones - I think just enough to keep everyone happy!

The opening "Newborn" gives me goosebumps - what a wonderful rendition of old and new!  I also loved "Sleigh Ride" - talk about a new rendition of an old song - I thought it was SUPER!  A fun song with a county twang is "Our Lullaby" - I told you this album has a little something for everyone.  And don't miss "Joy" - another new twist on an old song.  This is really a fabulous album!

And Mercy Me has teamed up with Pizza Ranch on this awesome album!

Mercy Me It’s Christmas​ CD will be available in Pizza Ranch locations beginning November 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.  It has 4 exclusive songs that can only be found on the CD version being sold by Pizza Ranch.  Each CD will be sold for $5 plus tax.  Pizza Ranch will give away the CD with a $25 gift card purchase as well as sell the full album at each of its 200 locations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states.  "We are so excited to debut our new Christmas album, MercyMe, It’s Christmas, with Pizza Ranch” said Bart Millard with MercyMe. “Pizza Ranch is a fantastic restaurant with a great mission to glorify God. It's the perfect gift to give this Christmas season and the perfect CD to get you in the Christmas spirit."

*I was sent a review copy by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

Ishtar's Odyssey

We have a favorite family tradition in our home - we read Christmas books leading up to Christmas.  We've done it for years, and yes, we have our favorites.  One series that always stuck out to me is the advent series made up of:  Jotham's Journey, Bartholomew's Passage and Tabitha's Travels.  When I saw there was a new book in this series, I almost begged to be included on this book tour!  Ishtar's Odyssey is another in this series by Arnold Ytreeide, that will continue to delight. 

Ishtar is the 10 year old son of a Persian wise man.  This story  is his journey out of his comfort of the palace to see the world and learn from more than just his tutors.  He comes up again disaster and dangers but he learns to rely on a strength he didn't even know he had.  I love it that he meets up with our favorites Jotham, Bartholomew, and Tabitha as he travels with his father and uncles to find the newborn king, Jesus. 

These books are divided up into chapters and are meant to be devotional readings leading up to advent.  If you do not have a family plan for advent - I highly recommend these books - they are historically accurate and pleasing for the whole family.



*I was sent a copy by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish

I just don't know how you can not LOVE the Pout Pout Fish books.  But just in case you need convincing....Deborah Diesen's latest, The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish, is simply splendid!  Pout Pout Fish was born with a frown on his face - making him appear quite pouty....but he tries very hard to overcome this pout.  In this book, Mr. Fish is trying to find presents for his friends - but he seems to be striking out at every turn and time is running out before Christmas.  He ends up giving the best gifts of all, using his own two fins!!  The rhyming aspect of this book is such a fun, non-forced rollick that kids adore these books.  And who can resist a fish with a Santa hat, anyway!?!?!



*I was sent a copy of the book for an honest review by the publisher.

Holy Stable

This little book is an amazing work of art - I do not want you to miss this! Heidi Hanseen has put together a booklet titled Holy Stable that includes story, music, and a nativity play that is truly all ready to be performed. The CD includes background music and song for your performance - the music is beautiful - the harp, oh my!! The entire play took me a little over 10 minutes to listen to - it was gorgeous and put my heart right in the spirit of the season.

I just love it that this is so do-able - small groups, homeschool groups, family outings - you don't need a large production to share God's love and this is such a wonderful way to do it - and all of the work is done for you - it is perfect!! Thank you Heidi for a gift for all of us!

*I was sent this book by the publisher for review purposes.

The Christmas Village

I want to introduce you to a book that is sure to be holiday pleaser!! I do not find many chapter books with the Christmas theme so I was pleased when I was sent this book. Melissa Ann Goodwin's The Christmas Village is a book I know our younger readers will enjoy! It is the story of Jamie Reynolds - a boy going through a tough time at home with his family - but when he goes to his Grandma's house for the holidays, he is transported to a new world through the little Christmas Village set up in his grandparent's home. I loved this - it is well-written and keeps you reading to find out what will happen. Life isn't always "wonderful" but I love how this author uses stories to transport the reader to another world and show how sometimes that can be therapy for us all!!





*I was sent a copy for review purposes.

Don't Miss This!!!

One Silent Night

Here is a new Christmas album that I am so excited about!! FFH's One Silent Night - is a Christmas album that has some old holiday favorites, some new songs, traditional tunes, modern and upbeat - it's got a little of it all! I think it's an album that ALL will enjoy this holiday season!

To learn more - visit them on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes.

Here is what has been said about FFH:

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Sept. 30, 2011– Best-selling pop group FFH will usher in the holiday season with its first Christmas album. One Silent Night, available Oct. 18, is a mix of original songs and Christmas classics.

Produced by FFH founding member Jeromy Deibler, One Silent Night has been four years in the making. Giving in to the persistent appeals of loyal fans, FFH has crafted a project worthy of your holiday music collection.

Listeners will recognize favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” among others, while being introduced to new tracks including “The Birthday of a King,” “Glorious Impossible,” and “One Silent Night.”

Deibler comments, “We just feel blessed to be able to make this record and wanted to do the kind of Christmas music we like to listen to, something that’s not trendy but more of a classic style. For us Christmas is about remembering… slowing down to see what is important. And being reminded of the glorious impossible that was the birth of Christ. We hope this album reflects that desire and inspires others to do the same.”

FFH plans to support the album with singles “One Silent Night” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to radio Oct. 1 as well as select tour dates in November and December.

About FFH - Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN A DOWNLOAD OF THIS ALBUM - READ ON!!!

Just leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas Song!! You are entered!! For extra entries you may tweet, Facebook, or blog this contest - but leave me a separate comment for each that you do!! I will randomly choose a winner next Monday, Nov. 28.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Christmas LOVE!

Yes, we take a break from our regular blogging to share some CHRISTMAS LOVE!! I got a box that you need to hear about - Sterling Books - has some great Christmas titles that I am sure your younger readers will ask for over and over!

Richard Scarry's Best Christmas Book Ever! is a classic that never fails to delight young readers. In our library, Richard Scarry's books were the ones that I was constantly replacing - kids just thrill to look through them over and over. This Christmas compilation is sure to be another winner! His fans will be thrilled!

The Twelve Days of Christmas in Iowa by Sue Cornelison is a read that us Iowans are sure to put on our shelves!! I mean really, how often do we get books about Iowa that are also about Christmas!?!?! You will love this tale told to "The Twelve Days of Christmas"!!

Little Critter's The Night Before Christmas by Mercer Mayer is another timeless classic told "Critter-style" - I love everything about this one - and there is a CD included with a recording of this holiday classic.

The Toymaker's Christmas by Marilyn Scott-Waters is a book of paper toys that you can make to decorate for the holidays. I groaned remembering all of my attempts at origami - but this book is REALLY very do-able. They are already illustrated, perforated, and labelled - all you have to do is punch out and assemble. My girls are going to LOVE these!!

Merry Sparkling Christmas by Elizabeth Spurr is a board book that sparkles! Kids will love this one - it is told in rhyme and truly is Christmas through a child's eyes!!

Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee brought a smile to my face before I even opened it up - Smee is MAGNIFICENT and all of my favorite characters are back in this very fun board book! Poor Mr. Horse - he is always taking his friends for rides and telling them to "hold on tight" but they always seem to bump into trouble!! Another wonderful read!!

*All of these titles were provided by Sterling Publishers for review purposes.

A Christmas Carol

This looks WONDERFUL - wanted to make sure it hadn't missed your radar!!

Merry Christmas

To any and all who read my blog - a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!!

(Back tomorrow with regular programming!!)

Review of 2007

Want to know what to read??? Try these ideas:

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2007

Publisher's Weekly - Best Books of 2007

Horn Book - Holiday recommended titles

That ought to keep you busy for awhile!!