Write for a Reader

I should have reviewed this one before the holidays, but time just got away from me.  Sorry about that, but here you go, while Christmas is still on your mind.

Thank you to Lee & Low Books for sending this to me.

Title:  Christmas Makes Me Think

Author: Tony Medina

Illustrator:  Chandra Cox

Review Copy Provided by:  Lee & Low Books

Summary of Book:  A young boy, narrator, is excited about Christmas, his favorite time of year.  He is looking forward to more fun, watching cartoons at night, no school, baking a cake with his grandmother, a beautiful tree, and lots of presents.  But, he starts to wonder about things.  What happens to the trees that don’t make it to Christmas?  What about all the people that don’t have a home, food to eat and presents at Christmas?  All this thinking sets the boy into action about giving his old toys to kids that don’t have any and hats, gloves, and scarves to homeless people.  He learns that Christmas is not about getting, but about giving.  It is best said with this quote, “Christmas makes me think about  others and not just me!”

My Review:  This is a sweet story.  It is told from the point of view of a young boy, which I love because boys will be able to relate to the character.  It is also an African American themed book, which is why I enjoy Lee & Low’s books because of the multicultural diversity that they are not afraid to put into books.  Kids need to have books with characters who look like them, and Lee & Low does that.  If I had had this book prior to the holidays, I would have shared it with my students because of the message.  Christmas isn’t just about the gifts you get, but what you can give to others.  I think children need to hear that as many of them are so “me” centered when it comes to the holidays.  This book would make a great springboard to writing in the classroom.  Many times throughout the book, these words are used:  “Christmas makes me think…”  After reading the story, I would give students those four words and see what they could come up with.  They could pattern it after the book, or just finish the sentence.  It would make a great class book to make during the holidays when students are excited and not real into working.  This would be fun for them I think.  I recommend this for young children, teachers, and parents.  It is a quick read for a read aloud, easy for children to read alone, and a story with a great message for kids and adults alike.

Free Teacher’s Guide available at leeandlow.com

Other info about the book:

ISBN

   978-1-60060-345-7

Price

   paperback $8.95

   hardback $16.95

Interest Level

Grades K – 4

Reading Level

Grades 1 – 2

Themes

African/African American Interest, Environment/Nature, Family Traditions, Holidays & Celebrations, Home, Religion/Spiritual, Sharing & Giving

Accelerated Reader

Level: 2.8
Points: .5

Being a teacher has it’s perks.  One of which is an extended Christmas holiday, which seems to upset most of my family, but hey, it’s the job I dreamed of, so get over it!  So what if I don’t make the money you make?  I make a difference in kids’ lives and I deserve some time off every once in a while!  Anyway, I digress, and that is not what this post is about.  Can you tell I have this conversation with my family alot?

The things I love about Christmas break, in no particular order:

1. Time to spend with my family

2. Sleeping in

3. Not having to get out of my PJs if I don’t want to

4. Doing what I want, when I want

5. Reading time

6. Blogging time

7. Renewal for my body and soul

8. The chance to see and spend time with friends

9. 7 whole days w/hubby (Christmas and New Year’s holidays)

10. Lazy days

11. Shopping

12. Soap operas – I’m not addicted, but I do catch up!

13. Seeing excited kids at Christmas

14. Getting my house in order

15. Cooking

16. Baking

17. Giving to others

18. Christmas specials

19. The Best of tv specials

20. Time for me!

Whether you get 2 weeks off or just a few days, what do you love about it?  Please share in the comments by leaving your list or linking to your post.

Although I’ve read some Christmas titles during the season this year, I haven’t reviewed any here due to other review obligations.  Imagine my surprise when I opened up a package in the mail yesterday to find this wonderful picture book!

Title:  The Gift of the Christmas Cookie - Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth

Author:  Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrator:  Deborah Chabrian

Review Copy Provided by:  Phenix & Phenix

Summary of the Book:  It’s the Christmas season during a time when people had little money to spend.  Cookie jars held pennies, not Christmas cookies.

So when Jack smells something delicious coming from the kitchen, can’t believe his nose.  Cookies!

But his excitement turns to disappointment when he learns the cookies aren’t for him.  Instead, Mother is baking them for the needy people at their church.  While Jack helps roll out the dough, his mother tells him the story of the Christmas cookie.

My Review:  My first impression of this book, without opening it, was beautiful!  The cover is nostalgic, with the scene of an old timey table spread out and messy with sugar cookie ingredients.  I fell in love with the cover and the fact that it was about my favorite holiday, Christmas.  One thing that I love to do during the holidays is bake, and I usually bake a few batches of cookies.  I knew that I had to read this book immediately.

I was not disappointed with this one.  Mackall takes a small action, making cookies with your mom, and turns it into such a large action, sharing the love of Christ with a stranger.  What a sweet story!  It is short, beautifully illustrated, and well written.  A must have for the Christmas collection! 

Sugar Cookie Recipe

(included in book)

4 cups sifted flour

4 cups powdered sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp anise extract

Stir all the ingredients.  Let the dough stand for two hours.  Then roll out the dough.  Imprint with cookie cutters, or use a designed rolling pin, or press into molds.  Let them sit while the oven preheats to 325 degrees.  Bake on greased baking sheets for about 15 minutes.

I’m not one to toot my own horn or promote my wants or needs, but they’ve twisted my arm.  You are encouraged to join in if you’d like.  If you are reading this right now, you are probably a book lover.  You probably would like to get books for Christmas, but maybe you are embarrassed to tell some people that.  Why not create a wish list and let them know what you want?  Wouldn’t that be better than getting something that you don’t really want or need?

I have been asked to share my wish list with you and to let you know why I’ve chosen some of the books that are on there and/or why I would like to receive them as gifts.  I keep my list at Amazon and I just continuously add to it.  I don’t take the time to create different lists for professional books, children’s books, etc., although maybe I should as the list is growing.

There are books on my wish list that I have added because of recent blog reviews:  Chains, The Underneath, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street and The Hunger Games.

Others I’ve added because they are by favorite authors, and I just love to read what they’ve written.  That would be Bill Wallace and Lois Lowry.

I have just recently added the Twilight Soundtrack because I am a Twilight junkie, and The Host because I enjoyed Stephenie Meyer’s writing in the Twilight Saga.

There are a handful of professional books on there as I am always looking for ways to help the children I teach.  Of course, as a teacher, I love picture books, so there are a TON of those. 

Do you have a wish list?  If not, create one.  If so, what are your wishes?

Amy, over at My Friend Amy, has started a new campaign for the holidays.  I am on board already!  Won’t you join us? 

What is it?  It is a campaign to buy books as your holiday gifts this year.  That’s not hard, right?  It shouldn’t be as we are all book lovers!  All you have to do is sign up and then find the perfect book for all of the friends and family on your holiday shopping list.  Here is a little of what Amy has to say. 

Books are diverse. I recognize that not everyone in your life might like to read. But thankfully, there’s a book for just about every interest. There are even books that are just pictures or recipes…cool, huh???

I could just send this idea out there and say…I hope you’ll join in, but I want this to be a fun effort. I really want you to get into it and challenge yourself to find the right book for each person on your list. I believe it can be done.
Read the rest of Amy’s post to learn more.

It is time for the 2nd annual Book Blogger’s Christmas Swap!

Nymeth and Dewey have put this together for all of us in the Book Blogger community.  Thank you mucho! 

How can you get involved?  Click here to read the post over at Things Mean A Lot, or here for The Hidden Side of a Leaf.  All you have to do is send an email with your info and they will do the rest!  What’s important is that you get this done before November 18th.  Hurry and join; I have!  I love Christmas and giving to others.  What better way to do that than with my new found book blogger friends?