Santa, Are You For Real?

For parents who wish to explain that Santa Claus isn't real, but is based upon a historical figure who revered Christ, Harold Myra's Santa, Are You for Real? may prove helpful.
The book begins in rhyme, introducing us to a young boy named Todd who overhears some boys his age mocking Santa as obviously fake. Upset, Todd heads home, where his dad asks what's wrong. Todd explains that Santa is a big lie. There's no way he can fit down a skinny chimney, or fly with reindeer.
The text then switches to prose, as the father tells Todd about Saint Nicholas. He explains that Nicholas lived about 300 years after Jesus was born, and that "he loved Jesus very much." He then tells one favorite story about Nicholas. It seems that in Nicholas' town, there was a poor man with three daughters. They didn't have enough money for dowries, so the girls could not marry. To help solve their problem, Nicholas snuck to their house one night and dropped money into the eldest daughter's room, "and it fell into a stocking hung there to dry."
The eldest daughter had a beautiful wedding, and soon Nicholas anonymously dropped money into the stocking of the middle daughter. Finally, Nicholas gifted money to the youngest daughter...but the father awoke and caught Nicholas in the act. Nicholas asked to remain anonymous, and the father agreed. And so Nicholas continued to give to the needy for the rest of his life, trying to spread Jesus' love and kindness. After Nicholas died, some people called him a saint, and for many, many years, people told Nicholas' story and how he gave gifts.

"In Holland they call him Sinterclaas. In England they call him Father Christmas. In France he is called Pere Noel. In the United States he is called Santa Claus. The real Saint Nicholas is now in heaven with Jesus. When you see a Santa in a store or a parade, think of Saint Nick...Of course some children know all about Santa and presents and reindeer but forget all about Jesus. For Saint Nick, that would ruin Christmas! Jesus was Nick's whole life."

As the book takes us back to Todd and his father, the text turns back into rhyme. Todd exclaims he's going to be like Saint Nick. He runs upstairs and finds toys to give away. He piles them under the Christmas tree for his siblings to find the next morning. As the book ends, Todd looks out the window and thinks he sees...Saint Nicholas.
What I Like: Although this book presents a simplification of how we got Santa Claus from the real Nicholas, it's a good introduction for children. I also like the way the author emphasizes Nicholas' desire to spread Jesus' love by giving, and how Todd is shown "catching that spirit" at the end of the book. The illustrations, by Jane Kurisu, are sketchy, but fun and approachable.
What I Dislike: I really dislike the ending. Todd thinks he see "Saint Nicholas," but Nick is in traditional Santa garb with a sack on his back and a "jolly old grin." This seems to reinforce the idea of a modern Santa, and confuses the entire point of the book.
Overall Rating: I've struggled with whether this book deserves a "Very Good" or just a "Good" rating, because of the last page. But because I think every page but the last does a good job of explaining the "real Santa," I'm giving it a "Very Good" rating.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher 9 - 12, but I'd say more like 2 - 8.
Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson, 1997, ISBN: 0849914922; hard back, $7.99.
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Gigi: The Perfect Christmas Gift

The Perfect Christmas Gift is Book #3 in the Gigi, God's Little Princess Series written by Sheila Walsh. This is less a Christmas book and more a Gigi book that takes place at Christmas. Fans of Gigi will love it.

Gigi cannot wait for Christmas to come! She knows she is getting a big gift and the anticipation is killing her. This must be the year she finally receives her royal tiara with jewels befitting the princess she knows she is. Finally, five days before Christmas, she convinces her parents to give her a hint. "It's something you've wanted for a while ... white with a touch of pink." Gigi dashes from the room to call her best friend, Frances. She's knows what she's getting: a diamond tiara with a big pink feather on top!

On Christmas Eve, Gigi's daddy reads to her about the birth of Jesus. She decides a stable and manger are not nearly good enough for a baby king. "But at least He got gifts...that must have made Him feel royal." Her father replies: "He was the gift. God's perfect present to all of us."

On Christmas morning Gigi tears through the mountain of gifts, hunting for the tiara she knows is there. She can't find it. Finally, with a tear on her cheek, she opens the biggest present, knowing there will be no princess crown this year. Inside is a white poodle with a pink princess collar. Gigi is thrilled and names her new pet 'Tiara.' That night she decides the shepherds were probably just as surprised as she was. "Who would have ever thought that the very best gift in the world would come in such an unexpected package?"

The last page of the book quotes Luke 2:10-12 and Matthew 2:10-11.

Illustrated by Meredith Johnson, the Gigi books are perfectly feminine. Each character is full of expression.

What I Like: Gigi is endearing. She's precocious and sweet with a tender heart. (In fact, she's exactly like my daughter, even down to the curly hair!) Using such an adorable character, this book makes a wonderful point: that sometimes the best gifts are not at all what we expect; sometimes we don't even know what we really want the most -- a message which the target audience (girls who think they're princesses) need to learn. I love the illustrations! The book would not be the same without them. Also, the price is nice. Usually hardcover picture books of this size are much more expensive.

What I Dislike: This book is long and, like the main character, seems to lose focus in a couple spots. My daughter loved Gigi's The Pink Ballerina, but this book didn't hold her attention. She is below the suggested age range, so the length may be perfect for older kids. Another minor detraction, the mountain of gifts she receives on Christmas is daunting. I understand Gigi is an only child, but I felt this reinforced the materialism with which princess-crazed girls already struggle.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8, but I think 6-10 is more accurate.

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2006; ISBN: 1400308011; Hardback; $12.99

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Special Info: Click HERE to see our reviews of other books by Sheila Walsh featuring more Gigi and a boy's character, Will.

Jesus, Me and My Christmas Tree

Jesus, Me and My Christmas Tree is another oversized, die-cut boardbook by Crystal Bowman. Narrated by a young girl in pig-tails, this book describes the significance of specific items on her Christmas tree.

"My tree tells a story of long, long ago
from the star on the top to the present below.
When God in his mercy and wonderful love
sent his son Jesus from heaven above."

One by one she points out angels, a manger, bells, a star, the lights and the presents. She relates each one back to Jesus and the story of His birth. The book ends by encouraging readers: "So as you gather around your tree, remember Christ came for you and for me."

Once again, Claudine Gevry fills the book with bright colors. The illustrations show the young girl decorating her tree and dancing around it; balancing presents and playing with her dog and little brother.

What I Like: I like that every ornament - even things not necessarily "Christian" - is used to point children to Jesus. The book is just fun - it's so colorful and, when opened, is the shape of a Christmas tree.

What I Dislike: Normally, I like rhyming text -- I think it helps kids remember better -- but in this book, it seems too cutesy for the subject matter. I feel the book would be more effective if told through simple prose. Also, many things this girl puts on her tree, we don't put on ours. We have a nativity scene with a manger, but we don't put it on our tree. We don't have bells or angels ... I feel like I need to buy a bunch of new ornaments before my kids will internalize the message of this book.

Overall Rating: (upper side of) Good.

Age Appeal: 3 and above (according to the publisher), but I think children as young as 1 will enjoy this short, colorful book.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2005; ISBN: 0310708745; Boardbook; $6.99

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Special Info: See our reviews of other books by Crystal Bowman.

Bible for Children (Book I)

Bible for Children (Book I) by Claire A. Larsen isn't just for families who homeschool. Although this title is a textbook, even families whose children attend private or public school should seriously consider adding Bible for Children to their bookshelves.

Book I covers Genesis through Ruth (subsequent volumes are not yet available), and every page of the book helps your child delve seriously into the Bible. But that doesn't mean the book is boring! At least one page in every two page spread features a black and white 3D illustrations, and the text is written in a friendly and down to earth manner.

The introduction begins, in part:

"Everyone loves a story...Not only does everyone love to hear stories, but everyone has a story. You have a story. Maybe your mother has told you the story about how you became a part of your family...The Bible tells you God's story. It has many parts, but from beginning to end it's one story...In His story God tells you about Himself..."

The intro also emphasizes how the Old Testament points to Jesus.

Then the book goes step-by-step through the Bible, helping your child to understand it's nuances and memorize important points. For example, in the first chapter, they'll read a kid-friendly retelling of the story of creation, a definition of who God is, learn three words (Latin, Greek, and Hebrew) that are key to the story, find a memory verse - and even a memory chart for what God created on which days. These three pages are followed by a worksheet with fill-in-the-blank sentences about the story's facts, questions to discuss with a parent, and more. Here are some examples of the questions in the review worksheet:

"In the beginning God created the ------- and the -------" (Genesis 1:1)

Each day of creation has the same three parts:
1st: God ------- and what He said happened.
2nd: God said that what He created was -------
3rd: God ------- what he created.

God called the light -------, and the darkness -------.

God created man in the ------- of God.

God's name Elohim means -------.

The first Book of the Bible is called -------. It is a Greek word that means -------."

There are also sometimes puzzles and other activities to accompany each chapter.

The appendix lists all the memory verses; a summary of who God is (as described in the Old Testament); summaries of God's promises to the patriarchs, the ten commandments, the tabernacle, and Israel's wilderness journey; a glossary; and a map.

A complete teacher's manual is also available, providing answer keys, and information that expands upon the workbook's text.

What I Like: This is an exceptional book for children. I've learned a lot reading it, and I cannot wait to help my daughter through this book when she's old enough! The information provided goes far beyond a simple retelling of Bible stories. Here, your child can gain a historical understanding of the people of the Bible, and an in-depth understanding of God and his Word. The book is even designed to have one lesson per week - perfect for families who send their children to public or private school.

What I Dislike: Nothing, really. It would be wonderful if the illustrations were in color, but I understand this would run the cost of the workbook up a great deal.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 6 -8 (2nd grade and up).

Publishing Info: Classical Academic Press, 2007, ISBN: 1-60051-037-X (for teacher's manual: 1-60051-038-8); paper back, $22.95 (teacher's manual, $24.95)

Buy Now from the publisher.

Special Info: The publisher's website features PDFs of some interior pages of this book..

J is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told

Crystal Bowman and Claudine Gevry team up again with J is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told. This over-sized, die-cut boardbook relates the legend of the candy cane through simple rhyme and colorful pictures.
Families gathered to see something new at the candy store. The candy maker was eager to share his newest treat, but also the story behind it. While telling the story of Jesus' birth, he points out how his candy cane will help us remember.

• It's shaped like a 'J' for Jesus, God's Son.
• When you turn it upside down ... "It looks like a staff that the shepherds used. They were the first to hear the Good News."
• The stripes are to help us "remember the day that Jesus washed all our sins away." The red symbolizes his blood; the white is because once forgiven, we are made white as snow.

What I Like: It's a sweet story (no pun intended). The size and strength of the book are perfect for toddlers. The illustrations by Claudine Gevry fill every page with color and friendly characters.
What I Dislike: The rhyme seems forced, lacking a consistent flow. Also, there's not a ton of action in the illustrations. It's mostly the candy maker talking inside his store.
Overall Rating: Good.
Age Appeal: 3 and above (according to the publisher), but I think children as young as 1 will enjoy this short, colorful book.
Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2005; ISBN: 0310708915; Boardbook; $6.99
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Special Info: See our reviews of other books by Crystal Bowman.

There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve

On a snowy, wintry night, two children and an adult venture outdoors to enjoy the beautiful white scenery. As they walk through the snow, they reflect on the difference between the frosty scene they are enjoying and the heat that would have greeted Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. “There was no snow on Christmas Eve. . . So long ago in Bethlehem, instead of storm, a night serene.”

In rhyme, There Was no Snow on Christmas Eve, written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Dennis Nolan, is a short book, with a mere 150 words. But, each word conveys a sense of poetry with descriptive prose throughout the narrative.

The watercolor illustrations are beautiful and very life-like. The paintings cover double-paged spreads throughout the book.

What I Like: Everything. The short text makes it ideal for little ones to enjoy; the illustrations and poetic language make it perfect for older ones, too.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 2-6.

Publisher Info: Hyperion Books for Children, 2005, ISBN: 0786854928; Hardcover: $15.99.

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Special Info: Visit the author’s website.

When Christmas Came

We've been reading When Christmas Came by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Wayne Parmenter, at our house at least twice a day.

It is Christmas Eve, and the snow is coming down hard and fast. Will anyone come to the Christmas Eve service?

The minister was there first to shovel and light the candles in preparation. He watched and waited to see if anyone would make it through the blizzard.

The minister wasn't disappointed, because the custodian, Tom Cat, small boy, field mouse, organist, moth, soloist, and ...

"...a stranger came, midnight on her shoulders, snow on her boots. A stranger came, alone, and shivering, to peek past the door. She saw the lights. She felt the warmth. She heard the carols. A stranger came in. A stranger came in. Then Christmas came."

What I Like: I really like everything about this book. It does point away from the materialism of Christmas. The illustrations are just lovely. Each picture is softly and tenderly depicted.

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8, but my one year old loves it!

Publishing Info: Ideals Publishing, 2006; ISBN: 0824955072; hardcover, $16.95.

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Special Info: Check out Eileen Spinelli's website here.

Higby, The Average Monkey

Higby, The Average Monkey has an important message - and even if the delivery isn't quite as snazzy as you might like, it's a book worth reading to your child repeatedly.

Written and illustrated by comic book artist Todd Aaron Smith, we meet this picture book's hero, a monkey named Higby, in a zoo. Higby longs to be important. He wants to make a difference. As a little girl stops by his cage and says how cute he is, Higby thinks that most of all, he wants to be something more than "common." So when a zoo worker accidentally leaves his cage unlocked, Higby seizes the opportunity to go out in the world. "Maybe now I can be important," he thinks.

On his way out the zoo, a snobby giraffe stops Higby and asks where he thinks he's going. When Higby answers that he's going out to go do something important, the giraffe sneers. "What can you do?" he says, "You're just an average monkey." But despite the giraffe's unkind words, Higby leaves the zoo, sure he can find some way to make a difference in people's lives.

He tries directing traffic (but only creates a huge accident), driving a bus (but he crashes into the museum's fountain), and playing baseball. He figures baseball players must be especially important because the huge crowd at the stadium seems to love them. But soon the fans are shouting Higby right out of the ballpark. Dejected, Higby returns to his cage in the zoo. Higby thinks, "The giraffe was right...I'm just an average monkey." Just then, the little girl who thought he was so cute earlier in the day reappears. She's carrying a stuffed monkey. "You are my favorite animal in the whole zoo," she says. "I can't wait to take [my stuffed monkey] to school and show all of my friends."

Higby has an epiphany. He realizes

"He had made the little girl happy. He had made a difference. He had been important the whole time! He didn't need to be a police officer or a bus driver or a famous ballplayer. All he had to do was be himself! 'Maybe there is no such thing as an average monkey,' Higby thought. 'Maybe God really does make each and every person special in his or her own special way!...I'm special - just because I'm Higby.'"

What I Like: The message is terrific, and the story, overall is pretty engaging for young children.

What I Dislike: The illustrations in this book leave me cold. They are comic book style, but come across as sterile, somehow. The text could also be pared down quite a bit, creating a stronger story. And the overuse of exclamation points is annoying to me. Still, even with these faults, the book tells an important message in a clear and entertaining fashion.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 3 -7.

Publishing Info: Barbour Publishing, 2003; ISBN: 1586608576; hard back, $5.95.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $1.99.

Special Info:Please click here to read our reviews of other parable books by Todd Aaron Smith.

The Pine Tree Parable

The Pine Tree Parable, by popular adult fiction and nonfiction writer Liz Curtis Higgs, is a delightful picture book about the giving nature God requires of us.

The book begins by introducing a farmer who decides to grow Christmas trees. As his crop grows, so does his family. Soon he has four beautiful children. When the trees are big enough, the farmer's family begins selling them. But there's one tree - tall and perfectly straight - the farmer's wife doesn't want to part with. She puts a star atop it, along with a "not for sale" sign. Year after year, she thinks, her family will enjoy this one beautiful tree. Many people wished to buy the tree, but the farmer's wife just smiled and said, "Sorry. Not for sale."

Then one Christmas Eve a family in a rusty old truck, wearing worn out clothes, arrives at the tree farm. They eye the trees with crooked trunks or broken branches; no one else wants these trees, so they are free. But the little girl of the family soon spots the tall and beautiful tree. Filled with excitement, she asks her parents if they can buy it. The author writes: "Her parents were embarrassed. They knew they could never afford it. The Farmer's family were also embarrassed. They knew, too." The farmer's wife notes how full of joy and hope the little girl is. "I'm sorry," she says. "This tree is not for sale. But we'd like you to have it...as a gift." The little girl's family is speechless at the beautiful gift from complete strangers.

"The Farmer's wife watched her favorite pine tree as it fell to the snowy ground. Tears shone in her eyes....Yes, it was a great sacrifice. but it brought even greater joy. Isn't that just like Christmas?"

What I Like: This is a simply told story that even young children can understand: The spirit of Christmas is sacrifice and giving. The illustrations by Nancy Munger are bright and friendly, displaying sorrow and joy equally well. I also love that every two page spread features a corresponding Bible verse at the bottom of the page.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but my two year old enjoys it, also.

Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson, 1997; ISBN: 0849914809; hard back, $7.99.

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Special Info:Please click here to read our reviews of other parable books by Liz Curtis Higgs.

God, I Need to Talk to You About Whining

God, I Need to Talk to You About Whining written by Susan K. Leigh, tackles a behavioral problem common among preschoolers. Following suit with other books in the "God, I Need to Talk to You about ..." series, this book reads like a prayer spoken by the main character. In this book, the main character is a young girl.

She begins her conversation with God by saying she has a habit that needs to be broken. "I whine too much." She keeps getting in trouble for it. Even now, she's in time-out for whining. She knows it's not right; that it "annoys people and is disrespectful", but still she has a tough time not doing it. She tells God she doesn't mean to whine, but she does because she wants people to listen to her or help her right away. She confesses: "Sometimes I feel like I'm not very important." The prayer concludes with her asking God for forgiveness and asking Him to help her be more patient and respectful toward others.

The illustrations by Bill Clark are done in comic book style with bold outlines and plenty of expressions.

What I Like: The specificity of this series of books. It's easy to find the exact problem your child may struggle with and grab a book to address the issue directly. I like that the books are told in first person from the child's perspective. I also appreciate the explanations of underlying reasons. By helping the children articulate how they're feeling, parents can more easily address the root causes of the problem.

What I Dislike: The size. The book is paperback, only 4.5 x 5.5". That's small! It is easily lost in a pile of books. But -- considering the price of the book, I can't complain. Making the book bigger or putting it in an easier-to-find boardbook or hardback would raise the price exponentially.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 2-7

Publisher Info: Concordia Publishing House, 2005; ISBN: 0758607946; Paperback; $0.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $0.99!
Or buy it at Amazon for $5.49. (I believe this is a pack of six, but the the product description is not clear.)

The Tiny Snowflake

The premise behind The Tiny Snowflake is simple: "God made all of us special." To illustrate this, author Arthur Ginolfi uses one of the most common examples of uniqueness...Snowflakes.

The story begins on a stormy winter night. Snowflakes are falling from the sky. Some (as illustrated by Louise Reinoehl Max) are elaborate, others are more simple. Each is a different shade and shape. But one little snowflake named Lacy doesn't want to be different. She wants to be like all the other snowflakes.

As she falls to earth, Lacy passes by several other snowflakes. One, named Crystal, explains that no snowflake is perfect, but "God made all of us special." Another snowflake tells of how she's especially fluffy, which is what makes her special. Another snowflake explains that he's slick, and that's how he's special. Another snowflake says she's special because she's delicate and soft.

Lacy isn't especially fluffy or slick or soft. She can't imagine how she's special.

Finally, Lacy lands on the ground, and as the sun begins to rise, she begins to sparkle. At last, she knows how God made her special.

What I Like: The theme of this book is a great one. Every child needs to know they are special, and that God created them that way. Children may also find it encouraging to know that it can take time for them to discover the special talents unique to them.

What I Dislike: To me, the story seems a little trite...a little too much like many stories before it. But most children haven't heard about the uniqueness of snowflakes a hundred times before...and in fact, my two year old enjoys this book. I also admit I don't care for the illustrations. They seem a bit amateurish to me...but my daughter loves them. There is, however, a same-ness to many of the illustrations, and she sometimes grows tired of looking at such similar pictures from one page to the next, and is ready to turn the page before I've read all of the text.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 2 - 5.

Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson, 2003; ISBN: 1400302056; hard back, $7.99.

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