Sunday, December 12, 2021

The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere #review #Christmas


Leave the light on! This book is a beautiful story about hope and faith in life. It is told in first person by the character Gloria who lost her husband to cancer.

The cast of characters that encounter her are well thought out and believable. Their lives intertwine in such a way that you want to keep reading to the end. For the record, I read the book in one sitting.

A couple of interesting twist happen but I was only able to see it just before it did.

This book is a feel-good Christmas story you will want to read. 5 stars

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
-Michelle

Saturday, December 11, 2021

A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories form the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder #Christmas #Review

 



This book is a collection of Christmas stories gathered from the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The stories begin when Laura is just 4 years old and progress as she gets older. The story is very as they move from place to place and tell of the dreams of two little girls who still believe in Santa.

The biggest takeaway here for me was that life was simplistic and that even when it came to Christmas gifts were often had but they were still simplistic like a piece of candy or woolen mittens. Maybe this is something that we should return to.

The girls were always grateful and Ma managed to introduce the girls to life's lessons. Christmas always came. Pa was always seen as the head of the household but also someone who worked hard and loved his family. These things about her family were sweet and I loved the family meant everything to them no matter what the circumstances.

Overall, a sweet book that could be read year after year. 4 stars.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
- Michelle
 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Just In Time for Christmas by Louise Borden #Christmas #holidays #review #family #traditions


Synopsis:

Based the author's story upon her 100-year-old family tradition. Lewin's beautifully painted illustrations evoke memories of wintery Christmas mornings and warm family gatherings.

My review:

This is the story of one family's traditional Christmas gathering on a farm in Kentucky. It is never said but the (spoiler) Grandma is suffering the beginning stages of dementia. They gather together each year to make their family taffy. 

The story is told from the point of view from a young man who looks to be middle school to young high school.  I loved the colors of blue and gold for his jacket. Ironically, it was the same as when I was in high school, even the design of it. He struggles are apparent throughout the book and makes him not want to enjoy the festivities.

This book is wrapped up in life's feelings, some sadness, and happiness as well. It gives the reader a sense of belonging and yet a longing for things to stay the same.

One absolute plus to this book is the illustrations. They are beautiful and so well done that the reader feels like you are there.

I recommend this book as a good Christmas read 5 stars.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Who Was Rosa Parks? by Yona Zeldis McDonough #RosaParksDay #nonfiction #childrensbooks

"No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in." ~Rosa Parks

Synopsis: In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This seemingly small act triggered civil rights protests across America and earned Rosa Parks the title "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." 

My review:

I am old enough to know who Rosa Parks was and what she did for the civil rights movement. Admittedly, being of the white race, her contribution to the country would not affect me as it has others. Or has it?

Indeed, it has!

This book tells her story beginning from when she was a child living on a farm with her brother. She had been taught that even though she was black, she was somebody that deserved respect. She was mostly safe living there but not far from her lived racist people who wanted nothing but her and her family dead.

The book (spoiler) mentions a story, that she wrote about in her later memoir, about her walking on the sidewalk. A young white boy skated by and deliberately pushed her off the sidewalk. She pushed back!  His mother said she could get arrested for doing that. Rosa told the mother she did not deserve that as she was hurting nobody. Rosa stood up!

This was just an early mention of what Rosa would eventually be known for. However, she really never meant to be the icon she is today. She was only wanting equal rights among all people, something she had learned for herself and listening to other civil rights leaders that she has met with. The quote above is how the book ends because many, like me, thought she did it because she was tired from work. No, she was tired of being mistreated!