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The Lost Smile
Mr. Jingles is a jolly Snowman who dwells in the picturesque village of Pinetree. Mr. Jingles’ big, bright smile brings cheer to everyone, as he greets the animals and villagers of his quaint village home. He and his friends, Mr. Pringles, Mr. Candy, Rusty the Robin, and all the children of the village simply adore the holiday season. Every year, Mr. Jingles is tasked with decorating the Christmas Tree for the annual Carol Service. But this year, things take a turn for the worst, as Mr. Jingles encounters a terrible winter storm, and loses his beautiful smile. Feeling hopeless and alone, Mr. Jingles wanders far from home, the grief in his heart weighing down the once-cheerful Snowman. Can Mr. Jingles hope to regain his lost smile in time, or will Christmas forever be ruined for the village of Pinetree?
It is rare to find a book that draws the reader in, presenting such a magnificently enchanting world that it is easy to forget that you are reading. The Lost Smile by Lizzie Jayne is one of those books. Each page creates a glorious atmosphere of winter splendor, as the story of happy snowman Mr. Jingles unfolds. Each detail of the little village is presented so perfectly it feels almost as if you are right there beside Mr. Jingles. And when tragedy strikes, pages turn even faster as Mr. Jingles’ adventure takes him far from home.
Each lovely illustration is hand-painted, and adds a special touch of magic as each brushstroke exudes the love and warmth that went into creating this captivating children’s book. Each character is full of life, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Coming to a perfect conclusion, this charming tale not only recounts the story of Mr. Jingles, but has a poignant and beautiful message for all who read it.
I highly recommend The Lost Smile for storytelling excellence and gorgeous illustrations. This delightful picture book is suitable for ages seven and up, and all who love a heartfelt holiday tale. This book is superb for independent as well as group reading. This book shares a story of hope in spite of tragedy, and finding the true treasure within. The Lost Smile is certain to become a family favorite this Christmas season.
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe by Kelly Chang Rickert is a heartfelt and honest story about a young girl named Hope, who is learning to cope with her parent’s divorce. It’s a story about love, family, and how difficult it can be for kids when their parents decide they can no longer live together.
Since Hope is young, she doesn’t fully grasp the full reasoning behind her parents’ divorce and believes the actual reason is because she broke her family’s snow globe last Christmas. With this in mind, Hope sets out on a personal quest to repair the broken snow globe, with the expectation that this will also repair her family.
I really enjoyed this book, and especially loved the physical representation of Hope’s parents’ divorce as “broken,” like the snow globe. The story offers a great comparison for children, so they visually understand the message of the book in the most relatable way. The book’s illustrations were warm and comforting, which I found to reflect the overall spirit of the story.
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe is an exceptional holiday story. It’s an emotional but important read for children and a great way to start the conversation about separating families. This book is a wonderful way of facilitating helpful and healing communication about a difficult topic, and I think it will be a great addition to your home library.
Pages 34 | ASIN 173526184X
Sled With Me: I Love You to the North Pole and Beyond
Sled With Me is an enchanting children’s book that takes readers on an imaginative journey to the North Pole. Readers will see a cozy village, visit the workshop where elves are busy making toys, and see Santa and his reindeer all in one fun-filled night.
In this charming kid’s book author Sharon Purtill tells a magical holiday adventure all through rhyme. Each rhyme is short, cute, and perfect for the season. The language is perfect for parents to read to their young children, or for early readers to read on their own.
Every page of this picture book is illustrated from edge to edge with vibrant and sharp illustrations that bring each scene to life. There is so much detail on every page that children will surely spend several minutes on each page picking out all the different things, especially when they get to the North Pole and see the cute polar bears on skates.
This is a wonderfully detailed children’s book that brings together all of your favorite holiday characters. This book is so much more than a Christmas story. It shows children how to use their imagination to take them wherever they want to go. Sled With Me is a delightful children’s book that will inspire your child’s next dream adventure.
Pages: 37 | ASIN: B0BMVYS1LF
Family History Is Important
The Christmas Keepsake follows a young woman who must decide what’s more important, her dream job or her boyfriend, and seeks advice from her wise grandmother. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Years ago, my grandmother shared with me a few events from her youth. As a teenager, Grandma had begun to sing at a local theater in her small town. But when her mother was diagnosed with kidney failure (a death sentence in those days), my grandmother was shocked by the advice her mother gave to her—advice destined to change the course of Grandma’s life. I won’t give any spoilers, but around these tidbits I wove a story.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
I look back on time I spent with my grandmother, and wish I’d asked her more questions. Seniors, whether family or friends, are a wealth of fascinating stories, and the truth is, family history is important. The past is important. If we take time to pay attention, it can teach us a lot.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this short story?
Decisions often require courage. Especially when it means leaving a “safe” path to take a chance on what seems like an uncertain and scary future.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m very excited about my next novel, scheduled for release in February 2023. The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O’Neill, Creator of the Kewpie Doll, is the story of the woman who wowed the world with her iconic creation. But Rose did much more than invent her magical elves. She was also a respected illustrator, artist, sculptor, novelist, poet, philanthropist, and passionate suffragist. I can’t wait to share her story!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
2005 – Just before Christmas, Janelle Young accepts her dream job which means a move from the Midwest to California. When the man she loves insists that she decline the offer or risk the end of their relationship, Janelle is stunned. Torn over what to do, she seeks advice from her octogenarian grandmother, who shares a long-ago dilemma of her own; one that took place in 1938.
1938 – During the final years of the Great Depression, Peggy Norwood is a promising soprano who yearns for a career on stage. She ignores the attentions of a handsome young stranger to stay focused on her dream. But when her mother receives a dire diagnosis, the future is no longer clear, and Peggy is forced to make an impossible choice.
Can a tale from the past, a treasured Christmas ornament, and a touch of magic, guide Janelle’s future?
This is an inspirational small-town story filled with the healing spirit of the holiday season.
This Has Been A Mind-blowing Journey
Christmas Begins with Christ is a beautiful picture book explaining the meaning of Christmas and the role that Christ plays in the season. What was the inspiration for your story?
It’s a wild backstory. I wrote this book last year when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. I was determined to write an adult fantasy trilogy that I’d plotted, but life got in the way. I was moving out of state, juggling a toddler, pregnant, and knew I had many sleepless nights ahead of me. I had to shelve the series in my head that I desperately wanted to put on a bookshelf. It crushed my soul a little bit.
So one night I said a prayer to Jesus asking for help with my writing aspirations. Apparently He heard me, because out of nowhere an idea for a picture book fell into my head upon waking up from a pregnant-woman nap. The story was about Him.
I asked, and He definitely answered. I didn’t have time to write an adult novel, but I could write a poem for kids.
I never set out to become a children’s book author, so this has been a mind-blowing journey for me. I’m incredibly grateful that my prayer was answered in the most unexpected way.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
There were three key points I wanted to teach kids. The first is that even though you can’t see Jesus, He’s always with us. I’ve seen a lot of children’s books insert Jesus physically alongside kids into a modern-day scene. I wanted to have a more realistic depiction. I emphasized that Jesus is invisible, but we can still feel Him, talk to Him, and see His guidance.
The second educational aspect was to teach that Jesus’s love lives in us. When we share our love through acts of kindness, it creates a ripple effect of joy.
That segues into my third teaching point, which was incorporating counting to ten. Using numbers was a simple way to demonstrate how love grows.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Marissa Napolitano?
We talked in-depth on the phone about my vision for the book before she started illustrating. It was important for me to represent Jesus’s presence through the usage of light. It’s one of the main reasons why I chose her to be my illustrator. I thought she was incredibly gifted at drawing light that looked divine and otherworldly.
I sent her a document in the beginning of the project with art notes for each page to communicate what I envisioned. If I didn’t have a specific idea, I gave her a generalized concept and let her run with it. Often I would draw detailed, ugly sketches of what I wanted and emailed them to her. She always turned it into something magical.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently writing another rhyming book about Jesus for children that I’m extremely excited about. It’s not a holiday book, so you can read it any time of the year. Without giving too much away, the theme is to “let go, let God” and trust in His plan. What excites me the most is that it hasn’t been done before and has the potential to impact both children and adults.
I can’t wait to get it illustrated! Hopefully I’ll publish it in the fall of 2023 or early 2024. I also plan to write my adult fantasy series. It’s alive and breathing in my head, so I have to write it. That will definitely take me longer, but I’m determined to do it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Instagram | Website
This rhyming concept book introduces how Jesus is always in our lives. Beautiful illustrations show Christ’s supportive spiritual light around us. When we share God’s light through acts of love and joy, it creates a ripple effect. Children will learn their numbers by counting how happiness grows from the true spirit of Christmas.
Both children and adults are reminded through lyrical prose to pause and connect with Jesus. Christmas Begins With Christ is the perfect gift for the holiday season that’s sure to inspire families for years to come.
Christmas Begins With Christ
Have you ever wondered what Christmas was all about? Why do we get presents and celebrate with our loved ones? In Christmas Begins with Christ by Gina Kirkland, we are taken on a beautifully magical explanation of the meaning of Christmas. The story is told through poetic prose and charms you quite thoroughly from your head to your toes.
The author does a splendid job incorporating the Christian faith along with other non-religious traditions that all play along in the celebration of Christmas. The illustrations by Marissa Napolitano are so magical and whimsical that, as an avid reader, I found it hard to turn the page. The characters and backgrounds were awe-inspiringly gorgeous and added to the rhythmic tone of the author’s words.
This is a perfect story not just for young readers but adults as well. It truly felt like Christmas to me, and it would be a great addition to my own family’s holiday reading library to get us in the spirit. The dedications from the author to her family were tear-worthy and left me blurry-eyed before I even started the story. I am so glad she was motivated to write this book because it was simply meant to be. It’s like when you read an amazing book and just know it was fated to be written, and you can’t stop recommending it. This is one of those books. It was dazzling from start to finish. I look forward to reading more books from this author and undoubtedly adding them to my family’s reading library.
Christmas Begins with Christ is a magical Christian-based picture book teaching children about the meaning of Christmas. This educational story will entertain and enlighten young children as they follow along through the pages.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0BD7C5QRJ
Family Guide to Celebration of the Jewish Holidays
Family Guide To Celebration Of The Jewish Holidays is an informative book that educates readers on Jewish holidays, providing ample details to provide a full understanding and appreciation for the holidays. The author provides an overview while also sharing intimate details and comprehensive information about Jewish history and holidays as well as Jewish culture. All of the information is easy to understand, which helps readers at any level grasp the importance of these holidays.
The authors details Jewish holidays which include Sabbath, Passover Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, Hannukah, Tu Bi-Shevat (Hamishah Asar Bi-Shevat), Purim, and Tishah Be-Av, Yom Ha-Shoah, and Yom Ha-Atzma-ut. This may seem like a lot, but the text is organized in a way that makes each of these sections easily identifiable and accessible, which helped me to easily go to certain holidays that I was interested in. Every chapter on the holidays discusses the background, celebration, and themes of the holidays.
Leonard and Linda Chesler make learning about Judaism and the relationship Jewish folk have with God seem fascinating. The authors include biblical references throughout the text, and I appreciated how they were scriptures readers would be familiar with. Leonard and Linda Chesler also discuss family values, a subject that I thoroughly enjoyed. Reading this book was a wholesome experience thanks to how inclusive the authors are. I also enjoyed how the authors briefly delve into their life, as I thought it made the book feel more personal. After reading this book I am more intrigued by Judaism and Jewish traditions and customs. I think this is because Leonard and Linda Chesler’s superb writing has shown me the beauty in these traditions.
I recommend Family Guide To Celebration Of The Jewish Holidays to readers who want to learn about Jewish holidays, or to anyone who is interested in learning more about Jewish culture. I learned that there is pride in having an identity and that every culture matters. In addition, there is pride in being close with family and friends, and spreading love and unity. Family Guide To Celebration Of The Jewish Holidays is an enlightening book on Jewish history.
Pages: 82 | ASIN: B0792YWGHY
I Found It Just As Interesting
Ships, Sleighs and Christmas Lights tells the story of how a young boy from Patara grew into the man we now think of as Saint Nicholas. What inspired you to write this story?
There are many wonderful things about gift-giving at Christmas time but for Christians who celebrate the holiday, it can be tricky separating the commercial from the spiritual. I have friends who want to embrace the fun of the season with their children, while making them aware of the historical figures associated with Christmas. I wrote the book with them in mind. Having researched Nikolaos’ life, I found it just as interesting as some of the fantasy stories about Santa Claus.
What were some of the challenges you had moving from being an illustrator to an author and illustrator?
I am used to complimenting an author’s words with illustrations so owning both aspects of picture book storytelling was a new experience for me. An outline of the story came first, then I sketched some of the key scenes. I worked with an editor before I started drawing, so the text was finalised and I knew how much space would be needed in the layout for the illustrations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Nikolaos is recognised as a saint. I wanted to explore ways in which his upbringing shaped his beliefs. Not everyone will relate to him in this way but I’d like to think the book will be of interest to people with different beliefs too. Much of the book is about culture and the ways in which we influence one another (hopefully for the better). Although our clothes and countries of origin may appear to be different, people are always drawn to goodness.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
There were so many legends about Saint Nicholas to draw on and some were only hinted at in Christmas Lights. I am writing a story about three young girls whose father fell on hard times. Nikolaos allegedly provided the family with special gifts but I wanted to tell the story from the girls’ perspective so they have a sense of agency. Most girls work hard but are not given opportunities or rewards. I’d like to think a privileged man like Nikolaos would address such imbalances. I hope to publish it in time for Christmas 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
