Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge and my Christmas Book Lists #ChristmasSpirit

For the last few years, I have taken upon the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. Even though this particular challenge started on November 20th, I got a little behind in my start. Even so, I have already read four books that are Christmas related and just bought another today to read.

It is not too late to start, you don't even need a blog. Just click on the picture above and go for it!

Here is my list thus far:

1. Operation Christmas Child-Franklin Graham & Donna Lee
2. Christmas Sweater-Glenn Beck
3. Ghost Tale for Christmas-Pope Osborne
4. The Mistletoe Inn-Richard  Paul Evans
5. Christmas Spirit Memories-Joel Osteen
6. Snowman Maker-Barbara Briggs Ward (reread)
7. Reindeer Keeper, Believe Again!-Barbara Briggs Ward (reread)
8. Christmas Magic-Michael Garland
9. Grumpy Santa-Greg & Evan Spiridellis
10. Christmas Prayers Collection-various authors
11. Christmas, Present-Jacqueline Mitchard
12. The Christmas Thief-Mary & Carol Higgins Clark

~Happy Reading, Michelle

#Review: Santa's Birthday Gift by Sherrill S. Cannon #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit #Kidsbooks

Summary:
If your child or grandchild has ever wondered where Santa fits in with the traditional Christmas story, now you can read them Santa’s Birthday Gift. Finally, a book that ties two holiday traditions into one inspirational tale of wonder – as Santa brings gifts to baby Jesus. The cleverly-written, rhyming book reveals Santa’s adventure from toy maker to star follower -- right into the heart of Bethlehem where he meets Baby Jesus in the manger. Delivering toys to a king is a touching experience for both Santa and readers alike, as they discover where the tradition began -- Santa makes a promise to Jesus to bring gifts to good boys and girls each year on Jesus’ birthday.

My review:
I saved this review to be as close to Christmas as possible because  of the nature of the story. It begins with the traditional telling of Christ's birth, one which is sweet and familiar, this I liked. Then Santa is introduced as someone who visits the child in the manger and promises gifts to be brought in Jesus' name for all children, this I liked too but with reservations.

Coming from a traditional telling of Christ's birth, I would never put Santa at the manager. His story is at best an advertisement even though there was a real Saint Nicolas. However, from a literary stand point, I loved this beautiful telling of how Santa fits in to everything.

As with other books I have read from this author, she manages to write in poetic form brilliantly. Her words are expressive and naturally formed. She weaves the two stories well.

I would not consider this book a picture book, although, I suppose it is meant to be in some regard. In fact, I think an older child would be able to read this quite well as there are more words than pictures.

Overall, I do give this book 4 stars but caution my readers that may not want to merge Santa with the story of the nativity.

Disclosure: I received this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Facebook

Goodreads

#Review: The Three Gifts by Kathie Lee Gifford/ Illustrated by Michael Storrings #ChristmasSpirit #Christmas #Kidsbooks

Summary:
The Three Gifts, a gentle narrative poem that tells the story of the Angel messengers sent by the Lord to deliver three special gifts in celebration of the birth of the Baby Jesus. The last and most exceptional of the gifts contains a secret that holds a moving message for us all. 
Inspired by the Angel Blocks ornament collaboration between Kathie Lee and Michael Storring.

My review:
At first when I started reading this book I thought it was going to be a simple story of Christ's birth. In essence, it was but it was a bit more than that too.

The angels worshiped the newborn child and brought special gifts but the gift are not just for him but all of us to share as we would share the babe. That is a nice message to hear among the overall message. I liked that the angels had no facial features but still their special-ness was known due to their given mission.

It is a truly sweet story written in simple rhyme. The pages are done beautifully in water color which does nothing but enhance the story.

This book gets a 4 stars from me.

 NOTE: The profits from each book purchased goes to help fund Childhelp, an organization that is dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.

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

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads
Facebook

Reading To The Grand-kids: "Snowmen At Christmas" by Caralyn Buehner #Christmas, #ChristmasSpirit, #Kidsbooks

This is a cute book about how snowmen celebrate Christmas. I read this book on YouTube last year but it is always a good re-read for the Grand-kids of all ages. Enjoy! ~Naila Moon

Secret Santa Book Wrap Up #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit

I participated for the first time in a Secret Santa book exchange hosted by Michelle M. of The True Book Addict. We had a limit on the amount we could spend, not including shipping. It was a small amount and I am grateful for that.

However, I think my Secret Santa went crazy but I do adore her for the gifts she sent. Lori from Psychotic State Books, sent me the sweetest Santa tea pot and cup. She also sent me the book "Wolves" and the book, "Me" by Katherine Hepburn. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

#Review: The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats #Christmas, #ChristmasSpirit, #Kidsbooks

This is a small hard back picture book and ironically not one of the authors most well known. However, that does not stop the book from being colorful and imaginative. 

The book stays true to form of the traditional Christmas song. Each page gives homage to a line from the song, which is posted in its entirety on the last two pages.

The author/illustrator made each page come alive and yet also gives the feel of the original song through the character's emotions. 

I love this author's books and it is too bad that he is not around anymore to create such wonderful works. This book I give 4 stars.

Disclosure: I purchased this book for my own collections. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

About the author:

Born March 11, 1916 – Died: May 6, 1983) 

An American writer and illustrator born to poor Polish-Jewish immigrants.

In 1963 he won the  Caldecott Medal for his book, The Snowy Day, which he wrote and illustrated. This book is considered a most important book in American culture as it introduced mulitcultural children into mainstream children's lit. He enjoyed collage as his main artistic medium for illustrations.

Reading to the Grand-kids...Santa Mouse and the Ratdeer

Hello everyone,
This is another video post I did of reading to my grand-kids. This is for any child who likes to listen to people read to them. Enjoy!

#Review: North Country Christmas by Shelley Gill /Illustrated by Shannon Cartwright #Kidsbooks, #Christmas, #ChristmasSpirit

Summary:
This classic story reveals how love is the best present of all as two children and an Eskimo named Nick borrow some huskies from a famous musher and race to bring greetings to a small Bering Sea village. 

My review:
This book is a delightful twist on the Santa Claus delivering presents story. Based in Alaska, Santa looks much different than most of us would think he would look. The illustrations are well done with bold pictures and beautiful colors to give the reader a feeling of being right in snowy Alaska.

I enjoyed following along with the children in the book as Nick takes them to a town whose needs for Christmas are much simpler. Generosity and the magic of Christmas can be seen throughout this book. The wonder of the Aurora lights develop the story into something special.

This book is aimed for 3 year olds and up but I think that is a bit young. The sentences in the book are much more complex and  made for more than just the emergent reader. I think a younger child would enjoy the pictures but not get the connections. This is however, a great family friendly book that could be read aloud that all ages would enjoy.

This book is  definitely a 5 star and worth getting for your shelves.

Disclosure: I purchase this book for my own collections. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours.

Where to find the author:

Goodreads

Amazon

Facebook

#Review: Lobo's Howliday by C.L. Murphy #Christmas, #ChristmasSpirit, #Kidsbooks

Summary:

It's almost Christmas and Santa finds himself in quite the predicament due to unintended consequences as a result of trying something new. Lobo, and his raven sidekick, Roxy, travel to the North Pole to help the jolly ole' one and are guided by the Arctic animals. The colors of the season delight along the way and make for a howling good holiday. Can you howl Ho Ho Ho? 

My review:

This is cute little book sends Lobo on quite an adventure just to help out Santa. His curiosity about what Santa wants for him to do will peek the curious child too. The pictures will keep children interested, although in truth, I found them to be ok. I suppose I like smoother looking illustrations but maybe it was intentional on the illustrators part to make everything look cold and icy.

This book was a delightful easy reader book. The book is set for age 3-7 which is just about right. The younger child will enjoy the colorful pictures and repetitive words said by the raven, while the older child will enjoy reading the more advanced sentences.

Overall, I liked this book and it gets 4 stars from me.

Disclosure: I received a PDF copy of this book for the purposed of this review. The views expressed here are 100 % my own and may differ from yours. This review was also part of a blog tour by MDBR.

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads

Reading to the Grand-kids..."Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear" by Don and Audrey Wood #myyoutubevideos #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit #kidsbooks

I am not sure if I have ever introduced my YouTube monthly to semi-monthly videos that I call, "Reading to the Grand-kids". My Grandchildren do not live in the same state as I do so this was my way to read to them across the miles.

This book I video taped last season. I am sharing it again on my blog so that if you want your kids to hear it, they can along with my grand-children again. (see it below)

Note: when I did the video, my husband was watching TV so you will hear that in the background but you can certainly hear me read!  Enjoy!

#Review: Santa Is Coming To Colorado by Steve Smallman/Illustrated by Robert Dunn and Jim Mitchell #Colorado #KidsBooks

Summary:

It's Christmas Eve, Have you been good? Santa's packed up all the presents and is headed your way! With the help of a certain red-nosed reindeer, Santa flies over:

•Denver Cathedral
•Rainbow Arch Bridge
•Denver Art Museum
•Colorado National Monument
•Denver Zoo sign
•State Capitol
•Air Force Academy Chapel, Colorado Springs
•Bent's Old Fort
•Kit Carson Carousel, Burlington
•Coors Field

"Ho, ho ho!" laughs Santa. "Merry Christmas, Colorado!"

My review:

I saw a format of this book for Halloween and thought it was rather cute. When I saw there was a Santa version I had to pick it up. After all, I do live in Colorado and to have a book written specifically for the states that children might live in is rather fun. What kid wouldn't like to read about places they might see every day in a book?

I loved the juxtapose of bright colors for Santa, the elves, deer, and city lights verses the night sky. The illustrators did quite a fine job on each and every page. They managed to engage me as Santa flies through the different area of Colorado.

Even though I am sure the author essentially writes the various books the same way, it is obvious he still has to do a bit of research to come up with specific land marks for each and every city. Check out the places that he went to in Colorado.

Of course no book would be complete unless there was a problem on the way. I won't tell you what that is but I will tell you that one of the reindeer saves the night. No, it wasn't the red nosed one either.

I will certainly be buying a couple more of these books to send to my Grandchildren where they live. I know they will love it. Oh and for the record, he does have certain cities too. Ho ho ho!

This book gets 4 stars.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The review expressed here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. 

~Tis the season...Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon  Goodreads  

Steve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.

#Christmas Spirit Read-a-thon Wrap Up #SeasonsofRead #CSReadathon #ChristmasSpirit

Here I sit at my desk just having finished the book, "The Reindeer Keeper". It is about 21 degrees out and it looks like snow. I wonder if it will?

I participated in the Seasons of Reading Read-a-thon this week and it turns out, this was the only book I read. I have several on my TBR pile but this one was at the top. I actually won this book at the last read-a-thon and had stashed it away.

I am not inclined to review it right now as I have it to do in a few weeks but let's just say, it was certainly a five star-er!

This coming month I am dedicating the entire month to holiday books. I am saying holiday books because of course there is more than one holiday celebrated in the month of December. As I have mentioned before, I respect all faiths no matter what my own is. That is why I will review all holidays, some of course more than others.

Almost all of the books will be children's books but some may be adult books too.  This will coincide with The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge going on now. I hope you will come back frequently and see what I am reading as well as what others have to offer too.

Peace and love this season,
Naila Moon

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge Nov. 24- Jan. 6 #ChristmasSpirit #Christmas #Holidays

I have decided I am going to take up this reading challenge to coincide with the other reading challenge. This one just last longer and has other things to do besides reading. Gasp!

Anyway, to kick off this challenge I am listing some of the books I will be for reviewing throughout the month of December. This list could grow depending on my whim and time.

1. Lionel's Christmas Adventure
2. Lobo's Howliday
3. The Thursday Night Club
4. Santa's Birthday Gift
5. Light the Candles
6. The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats
7. The Reindeer Keeper
8. Kwanzaa Kids 

~Naila Moon