A Christmas Wish

The Christmas Wish is a book by Lori Evert. What a sweet story! This is the cutest book...wonderful pictures to go along with a magical story about a little girl who sets off to become one of Santa's Elves. I can see this will become one of my traditions at the holidays to read this story as it is a great story for children of all ages.

I read this book aloud tonight to my mother while we were on Skype. When I started it, I kept replacing Anja's name with Heidi...myself. My mother calls me Miss Pickles the Elf so it only seemed logical. It is my story. *grins* And our family nickname for my father was Bear. So I want to share this wonderful photo from the book of Anja (Heidi) sleeping with the polar bear (Bear).....

May you never be too old to believe!

Happy reading!

Heidi

I Saw Three Ships

Last year, I bought this book by Elizabeth Goudge. It is a beautiful hardback edition with wonderful drawings throughout. This is a tradition now for me that I reread this story over the Christmas holidays.

Little Polly Flowerdew lives with her two aunts at Holly Cottage. It is Christmas eve and Polly tells her aunts that she wants to leave the front door unlocked to allow the three wise men to come in if they pass by. The door remains locked but Polly sneaks downstairs and opens a window. The adventure of the visitors that arrive set in motion some true Christmas miracles.

If you collect Christmas books, this is definitely one I would recommend for your library!

Happy reading!
Heidi

Christmas book tips

The Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton is a story of Christmas in Ohio in 1890. The Bell family are preparing for Christmas day. A day that never seems to come to young Jason. But come it does with a covering of snow. The family celebrations can begin...

Christmas Won't Wait by Eve Tharlet is a great gift this Christmas for young and old. A fun and whimsical story about Arthur who makes the gifts for Santa. This year he is far behind but, of course, Christmas won't wait! 

Happy reading!

Heidi

The Christmas Tree

This is a book I want to read each Christmas season. It is The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon. I first found out about this book after having seen the movie years ago while visiting my mother. My aunt had taped it for me to see. I just had to read the book and found it at a bargain price at the bookshop. This little hardback book is charming not only for its story but also for the little illustrations.

Sister Anthony and Tree have been friends since she was a little girl so when she is approached about giving the tree to be used in New York City at Rockefeller Center, she has much to consider. The chief gardener of the Center befriends Sister Anthony and learns what is so special about Tree but also finds his life changed by the nun's stories in a way he had never expected.

Happy reading!
Heidi

Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas

Today I finished a really wonderful tale called Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas by Darryl Nyznyk. When I first downloaded this to my Kindle (yes...I finally got a Kindle), I was not sure I was going to like this book. What a surprise. This was again a book who's description on Amazon does not do it justice!

Sarah Stone is a spoiled little rich girl. Jared Roberts is surviving in the slums. Both of their lives are effected by the arrival of Nicholas who takes them on adventure which will change their lives forever.

This is a short review but I would not like to reveal too much of this book. If you enjoy the reason for the Christmas season, this is a must read. It is book that will touch your heart and make you want to read it again each year.

Happy reading!
Heidi

I Saw Three Ships

The Christmas carol I Saw Three Ships has always been a favorite of mine. When I found the book of the same name by Elizabeth Goudge, I ordered it having just read Linnets and Valerians. I was not disappointed and am glad I saved this short read for December!



It is a sweet story about Polly Flowerdew who lives with her two aunts Dorcas and Constantia. Against their wishes, Polly leaves a window open on Christmas Eve in the event that the Three Wise men decide to visit. The words to the carol come to life on a magical Christmas morning...

This book will become a classic that I read over and over during the Christmas season.

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I love looking up the story behind Christmas carols. This one is very old finding its origins back in the 1600s. Here is a little information from whychristmas.com:

The tune of this carol is a traditional English folk song and the words of this carol (of which there are several versions) were written by wandering minstrels as they travelled through the country. In the original version of the carol, the Three Ships were the ones taking the supposed skulls of the wise men to Cologne cathedral in Germany. However, since the Middle Ages when it was first written, there have been many different lyrics with different Bible characters being on the ships. The most common lyrics used today are about Mary and Jesus travelling to Bethlehem.

Happy reading!

Heidi