Season's greetings...
...and welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!
It's time for POST SEVEN THROUGH TWELVE of the TWELVE POSTS OF BOOKMAS.
What IS Bookmas, you ask?
Great question!
Bookmas is similar to Christmas, except it brings tidings of great reads, holiday gifting suggestions, and just about all the bookish fun you can imagine from across the genre spectrum. It's all in one place at one time (sorta) and ready to help you get out from under the yuletide stress, and get back to enjoying the season...one page at a time.
Just why is it the "Twelve Posts" and not the twelve books? Simple...I have WAY TOO MANY titles for you to consider, peruse, and read all about to limit it to twelve titles. These posts are intended to highlight some great titles, give you ideas for your gifting this year, and help me clear up my "read-it-but-need-to-review-it" teetering stack. Triple focus...yes siree! ONE MORE QUESTION...why the span of days all in one and after the actual Christmas holiday? In a word...work. In a few, work went capital "C" crazy and thus, my free time was nonexistent, but don't cry for me Argentina, I still managed a little reading, just not so much blogging. *sigh* Anywho, ready or not, let's get this sled on the road as we unwrap today's featured titles....
Angels, Book 4
by
Debbie Macomber
9780062693907
William Morrow
This was a surprise arrival on my doorstep this holiday and one I intended to read from the moment I laid eyes on it. You see, it was my first venture into this prolific author's work and I had heard such marvelous things about the Hallmark Channel movie version of the title, I simply had to check things out for myself...and boy was I glad I did!
The sum of its parts equals a touching story about how much we need one another to survive the trials and tribulations of this life, but also celebrate the moments that we should never take for granted. It shows us how a single woman wronged in the past needs to let go of that hurt despite it coming from family. It brings us a widowed single father bringing up two boys the best he can but unable to crawl out from beneath his grief. It shares the memories of a long term marriage falling to pieces when they no longer seem to see eye to eye. It shines a light on a busybody with a loose tongue that finds judging others through a place of faith (at least in her mind's eye) thoroughly satisfying without her ever taking a step to assist in sorting matters she knew nothing of. I know, it sounds harrowing, nay depressing even, but trust me...that's merely laying the groundwork for Mrs. Miracle's...I mean, Mrs. Merkle's appearance.
A great reminder at this time of year and always that angels DO come in all shapes and sizes, and often times when we least expect it.
Little House Chapter Book #5
by
Laura Ingalls Wilder
9780062377142
HARPER
In this 'Little House' collection, we walk with Laura through a few Christmas' spent with family and friends. We hear about the time that Christmas almost wasn't, if not for the fortuitous meeting of Mr. Edwards and Santa Claus. We learn the secret to getting what you REALLY want for Christmas (wish wish wish with all your might and get your family in on it too!). We even learn how small gestures of kindness and giving are returned tenfold in the blessings we ourselves receive.
It's a charming walk through Christmas on the prairie for longtime fans of the series as well as interlopers like myself. ^-^
I Can Read series, Level 1
by
Syd Hoff
9780062643070
HARPER
From the mind who brought you Danny and the Dinosaur (whom we'll be visiting with momentarily), comes a story of Santa's reindeer that wasn't....a reindeer, that is. Yes, my friends, here we have a story about Milton the Moose who just wanted to help Santa with his sleigh and experience the holiday in a way he never had before. Did he get the chance or was he shunned like a certain well known "red-nosed" flying dynamo? Let's just say that the big S.C. is all about giving people (and animals!) a chance...even when they've a bit of learning to do.
It's a heartwarming story that encourages kiddos (and beyond!) to reach for their dreams, and never let a little thing like being different stand in your way.
Danny and the Dinosaur:
by
Syd Hoff
9780062410467
HARPERFESTIVAL
Speaking of Syd Hoff's creations, here we have a charming holiday tale featuring none other than that prehistoric yet modern day duo! This time around, Danny and the dinosaur are celebrating Christmas, but it's not something that's familiar to them both; after all, pre-decorated Christmas trees don't just grow wild on their own! Danny takes his dino pal under his wing to holiday-up the museum and let the Christmas spirit shine through...but will it be enough to convince the director that their efforts were nice not naughty? If the crowds spilling through the exhibits are any indication, I think he'll figure it out in a hurry.
A fun look at the holiday with a new perspective and with the included cards, poster, and stickers...readers can take the fun right off the page and into their living rooms!
by
Greg Pizzoli
9781484750315
Disney Hyperion
This delightful rendition of the holiday song we know, love, and struggle to sing because of the oh-so-many gifts their true love gave to them, puts a creative spin on the classic of old. Here, the "true love" does indeed receive the wide range of gifts sung many times over, but with a twist. You see, the receiver is a young elephant, the giver another young elephant, but it's all overseen by an adult pachyderm that is getting, shall we say, a little stressed out over the number of gifts flowing into their living room? Yeah, that would be putting it lightly. Good thing these two know the joy that sharing can bring because honestly, I'm not certain a peck of pears would have saved the day from dismay in many households.
A wonderful way to countdown the days to the holiday or simply be reminded that one doesn't need the whole store gifted to them to enjoy the holiday, merely the gift giver's presence.
by
Susan Jeffers
9780062360205
HARPER
Dashing through the books,
With no time to really spare,
Watching holidays pass,
With nary a moment to care!
That's pretty much what my holiday this year looked like but having the chance to enjoy works like this one allowed me to take a moment at least to remember the beauty of the season, the simple joy to be found in visiting another, and the many adventures to be found just outside our front door. With beautifully crafted images to bring this classic carol to life (as well as add a few unexpected surprises!), there's fun to be had between these pages for all ages.
by
T.E. McMorrow
Illustrated by
James Ransome
9780061175985
HARPER
This was a DELIGHTFUL surprise to find on my doorstep this holiday. I've enjoyed several versions of this wonderful holiday story over the years and it never fails to amaze me how they manage to come up with some new version that still captures the magic of the original, yet brings its own dose of holiday fun. Take this one for example...it adds a jazzy flair to the story of old with a leading little lady trying to find her voice in a time when the rhythm was what you made of it. Watching Marie become ensnared in the battle between the soldiers and the Rat King, seeing her dismay when it seemed like all was lost, and then triumphantly taking up for the little drummer boy nutcracker...why it weaved its own web of magic and wonder that'll capture hearts and minds for many seasons to come.
Special thanks to the HarperCollins Publishers and Disney Hyperion publicity teams for the copies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the authors, or the publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above. We may be calling it a wrap on this BOOKMAS but that doesn't mean the fun stops here! Be sure to check back for more bookish fun in the new year!
Happy holidays and happy reading!
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