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MaryM
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Last year we had a fun thread reviewing NEW Christmas picture books (New Christmas Books - Published 2011). Let's see what we can do this year. I've been doing some Amazon looking for new and upcoming publications and feel like the pickings of quality new contributions might be slim in comparison to last year. I'm hoping that is not the case.
I did read a copy of Tomie dePaola's new book - The Birds of Bethlehem. It was okay but not one I am excited about. I liked the idea of telling it from the perspective of birds, but the colored bird pairings was odd - I didn't get it, kind of strange. I was hoping it would be birds somehow associated with the Christmas legends. Interested if anyone else has read it and what you think.
I have The Christmas Tugboat reserved from the library. Should be in on Friday.
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KackyK
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Oh great reminder! I put those on hold Mary and found some others to try too. I'll revisit after a trip to the library! 
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JennGM
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MaryM wrote:
| Last year we had a fun thread reviewing NEW Christmas picture books (New Christmas Books - Published 2011). Let's see what we can do this year. I've been doing some Amazon looking for new and upcoming publications and feel like the pickings of quality new contributions might be slim in comparison to last year. I'm hoping that is not the case. |
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It seems to be slim pickings in my eyes, too. My library just ordered "The Twelve Burps of Christmas." 
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| I did read a copy of Tomie dePaola's new book - The Birds of Bethlehem. It was okay but not one I am excited about. I liked the idea of telling it from the perspective of birds, but the colored bird pairings was odd - I didn't get it, kind of strange. I was hoping it would be birds somehow associated with the Christmas legends. Interested if anyone else has read it and what you think. |
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I thought the book was tired. The birds, frankly, are ugly. And half the book has every other page with just those birds, so not appealing. The rest of the illustrations are typical dePaola, but they don't look new. They look like they are taken from his previous books. This and his "Song of St. Francis" have lost the original sparkle that was the appeal of DePaola to me.
I didn't think the story was trying to be a legend, but just telling the story of the Nativity through the birds' eyes, and how they observed the the great excitement and then wanted to be a participants. While it's not overtly one of the legends of Christmas, it does incorporate the tradition that while most of mankind didn't greet their Saviour, the rest of creation recognized and adored him.
But it's not one we'll add to our home library.
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JennGM
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That isn't even in our library, so I just requested them to carry it.
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JennGM
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Mary's Song by Lee Bennett Hopkins is one I'm riding the fence. I'm completely in love with the illustrations, and as a mother, I identify with Mary's sentiments. She is wanting quiet and alone time with her newborn child. She tells of the joy and celebration by the shepherds and animals on recognizing and adoring their Saviour.
One of my favorite pages is "I wonder what will become of him, my sweet innocent babe." and the illustrations show a small toddler, a young boy, and then Christ the King with the Sacred Heart. VERY CATHOLIC.
But where I ride the fence is whether or not these are truly sentiments Mary would have? The final page is my least favorite, "Today--birth of him. My baby boy."
But while Mary would feel maternal love, from the moment she said "Fiat" she knew she was part of God's plan. So there were be a tearing of her heart from Day One -- her baby, but not her baby. He has a bigger purpose.
ETA: I'm just wondering Mary who was sinless and had no effects of original sin, would this be an accurate portrayal? Is it a sign of selfishness?
So maybe it's just how it's written, because the underlying message shows that tug of war -- Almost a glimpse of Mary greets her Son during the Way of the Cross. "Her" son, yet not!
I have yet to read it to my boys to see if they like it.
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Betsy
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Jenn---
I haven't read the book but I agree with your sentiments. I left Midnight Mass last year quit upset when the chior director and a soloist did a rendition of Mary Did You Know? at Holy Communion. 
I have the same conflicted feelings about this song. I don't think she was as clueless as this song tries to portray, regardless if she actually knew exactly what was going to happen.
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O.K. ladies, I'll be the odd one out.
We got our copy of The Birds of Bethlehem over the weekend and to be honest I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading it with my little boys especially. I know the boys will appreciate the colorfulness of simple drawings. I enjoyed the color pairing of the birds and at the end the two white birds over the nativity scene. The other thing I enjoyed was the almost recap feel of the story. We've read all of DePaola's books and this almost felt like an attempt to bring them together in a very simple way. Because my target audience is very young this is actually appealing to me.
Now, along with this book I ordered A King James Christmas It is basically scripture put into a nice lay out filled with beautiful artwork and mosaics by classical artist as well as the editor (her work is quiet nice too).
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MaryM
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Jenny, I also think really young ones would enjoy it more. I was looking for more of a detailed story - it is very simple, which is appealing to a younger crowd. I almost think of it in the "learning colors" category for the reason you mention.
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SeaStar
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I liked the simple illustrations and the story... but it was just a little odd how the story ended abruptly on the last page. It felt cut off at the end.
But I can see how a little one learning colors would love this book.
I also like that it would be easy and fun to turn this into a craft project- making a set of the little birds based on the shape in the book and practicing coloring them. great for preschool!
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StephanieA
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Has anyone seen "Christmas Angels" by Else Wenz-Vietor ?
It looks cute....but I'm not into sappy.
Any thoughts?
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Stephanie
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MaryM
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StephanieA wrote:
Has anyone seen "Christmas Angels" by Else Wenz-Vietor ?
It looks cute....but I'm not into sappy.
Any thoughts? |
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Stephanie, I'm not familiar with this book, but have seen another Christmas one she illustrated. I reviewed that one here. Since this isn't really a new book (even with the 2008 reprint here) I'm betting it is sweet and not sappy. It has to be quite old (Else died in 1973) so I figure it is probably mid century. I love the nostalgic look and that makes me think it is quality reading. Tried all our local libraries and no one has a copy unfortunately.
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JodieLyn
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I haven't been able to see the book so this is just going on what was said here.
"Today--birth of him. My baby boy."
Even knowing he is more, would it really be selfish to say.. *at this moment* He's my baby boy.
Matt 6:34 Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
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MaryM
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JennGM wrote:
That isn't even in our library, so I just requested them to carry it. |
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It is a nice book. Tells a story of a girl who rides the tugboat with her captain father to pick up the Rockefeller Center Tree and tow it down the Hudson. It is modern day setting, based on real experience (author is the tugboat captain). Like I said it is nice, but not super special for me.
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KackyK
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Yes and Tugboat is a longer picture book. I no my two year old won't sit for it, and not sure the four year old would either.
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KackyK
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KackyK
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On looking through Amazon for newly published books I came across
The Sparkle Box
It wasn't at the library so I took a chance and ordered it. So glad I did!
I wrote a review and posted a picture (the book comes with a little something!) on my blog
Our Sparkle Box
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JennGM
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KackyK wrote:
On looking through Amazon for newly published books I came across
The Sparkle Box
It wasn't at the library so I took a chance and ordered it. So glad I did!
I wrote a review and posted a picture (the book comes with a little something!) on my blog
Our Sparkle Box |
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Sounds great, Kacky! Did you request our library to carry this?
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MaryM
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Who Built the Stable?: A Nativity Poem - Ashley Bryan
Only had time to read it pretty quickly at the local bookstore. Just requested it for a more in depth read. I liked it - liked the rhyme and cadence. Told as if a young boy offered the stable to Mary and Joseph. He is a shepherd boy who also had apprenticed as a carpenter. Love the connection they make at the end when he looks in baby Jesus' eyes:
The boy looked in the infant’s eyes
And in his heart he knew
The babe would be a carpenter
He’d be a shepherd too.
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KackyK
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Jenn I haven't requested it. I don't go to PW libraries. I know they have since changed the policy but ever since they were charging per book per hold I started up with Cville. But I haven't requested with them either. I'm just lazy on that. 
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JennGM
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KackyK wrote:
| Jenn I haven't requested it. I don't go to PW libraries. I know they have since changed the policy but ever since they were charging per book per hold I started up with Cville. But I haven't requested with them either. I'm just lazy on that. |
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Well, good to know! all this time I was SURE you were requesting books at PW! Now I know.
Sorry for hijacking the thread. I'll be requesting this one.
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SuzanneG
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We enjoyed The Christmas Tugboat too! Not a total favorite, but a good book!
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4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries
Topic: New Christmas Books - Published 2012
