| Author | |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Oct 11 2014 at 3:59pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
This endeavor to find newly published Christmas books each year has become a fun tradition here on 4Real that I look forward to each fall. The past couple of years we have had threads reviewing NEW Christmas picture books. So this is the place to find and review books that are being published for this upcoming Christmas.
Past year threads:
New Christmas Books - Published 2011
New Christmas Books - Published 2012
New Christmas Books - Published 2013
I found my first gem of the new season.
Manger (Lee Bennet Hopkins)
The author/editor, known for his poetry anthologies has assimilated a lovely collection of poems (his own and various poets) each told from the perspective of one of the animals at the manger. He explains the legend of the animals being granted speech on Christmas night. The illustrations are beautiful and fit well with the poem text. The poems are sweet and reverent.
Definitely a winner.
I have some holds on soon to be published books and am looking forward to reviewing those as I get them.
What have you seen available?
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Nov 07 2014 at 12:21am | IP Logged
|
|
|
The Animals' Santa is a new Jan Brett book that just came out!
She is going on on tour the end of Nov through the first couple of weeks in Dec and Spokane, WA will be her last stop!!!!  So, it's on the calendar and we're going to haul ourselves over there! Can't wait!
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 07 2014 at 2:47am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Have you seen it yet, Suzanne? I have been waiting for a couple months for our library to get their copies which were on order. Just picked it up yesterday. It is very cute and of course has a classic Jan Brett feel, with the little side story in the sidebars. For those who don't do Santa - it really isn't about Santa. The animals wonder who the "Animal's Santa" is since they get gifts on Christmas but no one knows where they come from. There is a lot of speculation as the basis of the story and we see gifts being made in the sidebar story. In the end it is revealed - it made me smile to see who it was... 
That is exciting that Jan Brett will end her tour in Spokane. What fun for you guys. She isn't coming here on this tour. 
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 07 2014 at 3:09am | IP Logged
|
|
|
A couple others came in as well and I will post on them soon.
The Yule Tomte and Little Rabbits
Shooting at the Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (fitting release as this Christmas is the 100th anniversary)
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
knowloveserve
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 31 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 759
|
| Posted: Nov 10 2014 at 11:51am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I can't find any information on this one. But I hope to see it. All the other "real" St. Nicholas books I've read so far are great... but always not QUITE what I'd hoped for... The True Story of St. Nicholas
and I love that The Roger Duvoisin Night Before Christmas has been released again. I think this is my favorite version... I just love those retro-looking images paired with a retro-sounding poem. It comes in a thin, tallish edition which makes a different novelty if anyone does the "wrap up a picture book a day" thing during Advent...
(although... WHERE has THIS been on my radar?! I love mosaic art...)
__________________
Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 10 2014 at 1:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
knowloveserve wrote:
| I can't find any information on this one. But I hope to see it. All the other "real" St. Nicholas books I've read so far are great... but always not QUITE what I'd hoped for... The True Story of St. Nicholas |
|
|
Yes, would be interested as well is anyone has seen this one. Illustrations look stunning. Looking for info on author - looks like he is from Alabama and doing book signings there. Jen, know anything about him or the book? I found this 1994 newspaper article on St. Nicholas by him. Very protestant take - wondering if book has this flavor or not.
knowloveserve wrote:
| and I love that The Roger Duvoisin Night Before Christmas has been released again. I think this is my favorite version... I just love those retro-looking images paired with a retro-sounding poem. It comes in a thin, tallish edition which makes a different novelty if anyone does the "wrap up a picture book a day" thing during Advent... |
|
|
I don't think I have seen this version. Excited to find it - it sounds wonderful as I love the illustrations of that era - very vintage. Thanks.
knowloveserve wrote:
| (although... WHERE has THIS been on my radar?! I love mosaic art...) |
|
|
Surprising no one caught this one last year. It does look lovely. Would love your review if you get hold of a copy, Ellie.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 10 2014 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
A really nice addition to the Christmas Truce stories. This seems to be the simplest of the picture books that I have read - in that it has shorter text so more readable for the younger set. Written as a fictional letter of a soldier to his mother. It is a good mix of historical with personal/emotional. I really like the illustrations as well. They are a little toward the graphic novel style. They are able to portray some of the reality of war yet have a light tone in the faces of the soldiers. I really think the illustrator did a nice job.
It has an element of faith I found refreshing:
Quote:
| They met and shook hands. Perhaps an angel of the Lord was among us today - what else could create such spontaneous peace but the hand of God himself? |
|
|
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
knowloveserve
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 31 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 759
|
| Posted: Nov 18 2014 at 5:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I agree with Mary on that. Ended up buying it for my son this year...
Am also eager to see The Three Wise Men this year. The Epiphany selection has showed some slow, but promising growth...
Here are a couple other new titles
Star Bright... likely one of those "feel good self esteem" books but could still be cute.
And I'd love to see: Katy's Christmas Gift because I am a big fan of Bernadette Watts...
In other news, I was initially excited to see Little Blue Truck's Christmas until I heard it literally had lights at the end. No thanks... not for me. 
__________________
Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Booksnbabes
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 20 2008
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4141
|
| Posted: Nov 18 2014 at 6:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SuzanneG wrote:
| She is going on on tour the end of Nov through the first couple of weeks in Dec and Spokane, WA will be her last stop!!!! So, it's on the calendar and we're going to haul ourselves over there! Can't wait! |
|
|
Thanks for the link! She will be coming within a couple hours of us too!
__________________
Wife to wonderful DH, mom to SIX beautiful gifts from God!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
knowloveserve
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 31 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 759
|
| Posted: Nov 18 2014 at 9:57pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Booksnbabes wrote:
SuzanneG wrote:
| She is going on on tour the end of Nov through the first couple of weeks in Dec and Spokane, WA will be her last stop!!!! So, it's on the calendar and we're going to haul ourselves over there! Can't wait! |
|
|
Thanks for the link! She will be coming within a couple hours of us too! |
|
|
Poulsbo, WA!!! I will be there!
__________________
Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
St. Ann
Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 20 2006
Location: Germany
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2137
|
| Posted: Nov 19 2014 at 12:18am | IP Logged
|
|
|
"Once there was a man and woman who had been together for many years. They got along well and loved each other very much. Their only sadness was that they did not have a child."
This is the beginning of a new book, "The Snow Girl." It is an old story rewritten. The pictures are dear, but...
several socio-political warning bells are ringing here. I haven't seen the book irl . I am just sorry I have become so skeptical.
__________________
Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 19 2014 at 11:32am | IP Logged
|
|
|
knowloveserve wrote:
| Am also eager to see The Three Wise Men this year. The Epiphany selection has showed some slow, but promising growth... |
|
|
It is really a visually pretty book. Illustrations are really gentle and subdued but fun. The story is very basic - the first time I read it I wasn't super impressed, but on rereading a few times really see a gentle beauty. It is a fitting addition to an epiphany list.
St. Ann wrote:
This is the beginning of a new book, "The Snow Girl." It is an old story rewritten. The pictures are dear, but...
several socio-political warning bells are ringing here. I haven't seen the book irl . I am just sorry I have become so skeptical. |
|
|
It has been on hold for me at the library for a few days now - I need to go pick it up today before it expires. I will let you know if it pans out to your concerns.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Nov 19 2014 at 12:47pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks for this thread, ladies! I went to a yarn shop with a friend to pick out some yarn for a gift she is making, and the boys decided they would like to learn to knit.
Soooo... 
I remembered the new WWI Christmas book from this thread, and remembered the Knit Your Bit book Jenn has recommended as well as a couple of the children's knitting books recommended in older threads. I think that these books bundled with some yarn and needles (or yarn in their stockings?) will make a fun Christmas gift. 
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Nov 19 2014 at 1:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
The Snow Girl review:
It appears to follow pretty closely the Russian legend that it is based on. In that sense there is no room for any agenda to be presented and I didn't feel anything like that was present. It really is very sweet and I enjoyed reading some versions of the Russian legend on-line to compare. When I first heard of it and had requested it, I too wondered about it since I did not know the legend, but I figured it might be similar to other folk and fairy tales of childless people/couples creating a child that comes to life (gingerbread boy, Pinocchio, etc.). That obviously is a recurring theme in folktales.
One thing that I found particularly fascinating is that it includes an old Russian tradition associated with St. John's feast day in June. It doesn't say that it is St. John's Eve tradition but in my on-line sleuthing I see the connection. In the book, the little girl (who has been getting sad in Spring and warmer weather) is encouraged by her parents to go with some girls to enjoy time in the forest late spring. They sing and play, then take turns jumping over a fire. "This was their game for the longest day of the year." In some variants of the story/folktale this is done on St. John's (St. Ivan in Russia). I have known about St. John's bonfires on the eve of his feast (June 24 being feast day). The jumping over fires by children was new. Anyway, St. John's Eve has long been associated with the longest day of the year/summer solstice time frame as Christianity came to those areas which practiced a celebration of that change of seasons. Anyway, I thought it was all really interesting.
ETA: And the illustrations are wonderful - so beautiful and engaging. They are very dear, as you mention, Stephanie.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
St. Ann
Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 20 2006
Location: Germany
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2137
|
| Posted: Nov 20 2014 at 12:40am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you, Mary.
I'm sure you are right about St. John's bonfire. Very good.
I was just worried how the man and woman were introduced and wondered why nothing of "husband and wife" or "married" came up.
I was wary of sneaky political correctness creeping it's way into the story...
__________________
Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
St. Ann
Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 20 2006
Location: Germany
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2137
|
| Posted: Nov 20 2014 at 12:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Lindsay, if you find any new yarn/knitting books please let us know!
__________________
Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Dec 04 2014 at 8:30am | IP Logged
|
|
|
MaryM wrote:
knowloveserve wrote:
| Am also eager to see The Three Wise Men this year. The Epiphany selection has showed some slow, but promising growth... |
|
|
It is really a visually pretty book. Illustrations are really gentle and subdued but fun. The story is very basic - the first time I read it I wasn't super impressed, but on rereading a few times really see a gentle beauty. It is a fitting addition to an epiphany list. |
|
|
I had high hopes for this one, but I'm disappointed that's all focused on the natural level. No God, no supernatural dimension. The wise men are honored as saints, so they had to be baptized. Their relics are in the cathedral at Cologne in Germany, as Stephanie has mentioned before.
Quote:
The three wise men were full of joy. They knew that they would tell everyone about the special baby they had found in the peaceful stable.
And every time they shared the story, they would hear the sound of angels singing. |
|
|
I know I'm picky, but we are talking the Son of God being born. I'm not asking for a doctrinal treatise, but I don't want language that can just pass over this event.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Dec 04 2014 at 8:31am | IP Logged
|
|
|
knowloveserve wrote:
Here are a couple other new titles
Star Bright... likely one of those "feel good self esteem" books but could still be cute. |
|
|
I didn't see it, but our homeschool group put this on last year as their Christmas play. The book is sweet...one to check out and read once, not necessarily to own.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Dec 04 2014 at 8:34am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I like this new book on St. Nicholas The Legend of St. Nicholas by Anselm Grün, illustrated by Giuliano Ferri, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, originally published in German.
The illustrations don't Wow me, but I'm really tickled with the text. This one is going to be in the shoes for my Nicholas on his feast day.
I reviewed it on my blog.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Dec 04 2014 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JennGM wrote:
MaryM wrote:
knowloveserve wrote:
| Am also eager to see The Three Wise Men this year. The Epiphany selection has showed some slow, but promising growth... |
|
|
It is really a visually pretty book. Illustrations are really gentle and subdued but fun. The story is very basic - the first time I read it I wasn't super impressed, but on rereading a few times really see a gentle beauty. It is a fitting addition to an epiphany list. |
|
|
I had high hopes for this one, but I'm disappointed that's all focused on the natural level. No God, no supernatural dimension. The wise men are honored as saints, so they had to be baptized. Their relics are in the cathedral at Cologne in Germany, as Stephanie has mentioned before.
|
|
|
You're right...I guess that is why I wasn't impressed on first reading. It didn't seem magnificent. But as I said it kind of grew on me on rereads, for it's gentleness and the soft visuals which I do think are pretty. I would add it to a collection but not as the primary, since I don't love it.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries
Topic: New Christmas Books - Published 2014
