The
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia
Below are some recommended books and videos to give you ideas
for Holiday gifts this year. And remember, Camp Christian gets a
percentage of anything you order from Amazon, including CDs, DVDs, appliances or
small electronics.
NOTE - Can't
find what you are looking for? Try using the Search
Box at the bottom of this page!
This list does not include the best Christmas
books ever. Many of these books are included under the link
“Christmas Features”. However, this year’s list includes many newer
books that are cute, sweet, silly, touching, and/or just plain fun.
When you give a child a book, you give a gift that can be enjoyed
for years to come.
The Attic Christmas by Dan
Andreasen
Of all the books reviewed this year, my Laura likes this
book best! B. G. Henessy tells a darling story about
Christmas ornaments that fear they will spend Christmas
in the attic this year. Touching and sweet, this book
does imply the death of Lily, the owner of the
ornaments, but the author uses the possibility of an
attic Christmas to emphasize the true meaning of
Christmas. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
A Certain Small Shepherd by
William Pene Du Bois
For some reason, books set during the depression, a time
when gifts were not plentiful and times were simpler,
hold special appeal for me. Sometimes it’s so hard to
remember that Christmas hasn’t always included ipods and
gift certificates. This book highlights a little boy who
doesn’t speak until special guests take refuge nearby. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Stranger in the Woods by Jean
Stoick
Who is the stranger in the woods that feeds all the
animals? More importantly who replaces his carrot nose
each time a little deer comes by for a snack? The
photography in this book by Carl Sams and Jean Stoick
makes this book a remarkable selection and a beautiful
gift. The story line draws us closer to the beauty of
God’s creation. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect
by Elizabeth J. Miles
Oh my! The small pine wants to be chosen by the Queen to
be the royal Christmas tree, but years of sheltering
helpless small animals from the cold have left its
branches a little straggly. Thank goodness the queen
realizes the true beauty of the tree!
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
One Snowy Night by Tina
Macnaughton
The little hedgehog literally has a Christmas package
land at his feet (ok, I admit, the fuzzy red hat that
appears on every page sold me on this book!). Instead of
keeping the gift for himself, he passes it along, and
the next recipient passes it along. The fuzzy little red
hat doesn’t seem to fit anyone. At last, the gift finds
a home. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Christmas Moccasins by Ray Buckley
What do you do when someone treats you badly? The Native
American grandmother in this story teaches us all a
lesson about turning the other cheek and reaching out in
love rather than anger. A beautiful work by Ray Buckley. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
The Give-Away by Ray Buckley
The Give-Away is a Native American tradition of giving
away a special gift, a part of oneself. In this story
Ray Buckley tell how all the living creatures decide
what gift each one will bring to restore humanity. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Santa’s Littlest Helper by Henrike
Each year, Santa’s littlest helper does his best to help
Santa get ready for Christmas, but each year, he’s left
behind. In this story Anu Stohner shows how this little
fellow finds a way to bring Christmas to the forgotten
animals in the forest. Sweet—and this is an Amazon
bargain book! Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
by Barbara Cooney
It’s 1918 and the Christmas that Ruthie has been waiting
for all her life because her family has “the honor of
giving Pine Grove its tree”. Ruthie and her Papa have
already chosen the tree, but will Papa make it home from
the war in time? Regardless, Ruthie and her Mama are
determined that their family will provide the
“townsfolk” a tree. Gloria McLendon Houston writes
beautifully of life in Appalachia and Caldecott award
winner Barbara Cooney provides the illustrations. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
The Voice by R.W. Metlen
A book for children of all ages and stages of the faith journey.
A story about faith and trust.
Sometimes we have to let the boat sink to get to the
other shore!
Reviewed by Jim Brooks
This year's perfect
stocking stuffer for God's children of all ages (it
measures .51
X 11.18 X 6.98
inches)
My Penguin Osbert
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, H. B. Lewis
A cute story about a little boy who writes Santa to
complain that previous requests for Christmas have not
been filled. This year, would Santa please do as he asks
and bring him a penguin for Christmas. A wonderful story
about being careful what you ask for that parents and
children alike will enjoy.
If You Are Missing Baby Jesus by Jean Gietzen
This is a true story told from a child’s point of view.
When the family’s newly purchased nativity scene comes
with an extra Baby Jesus, the mother spends the holiday
season trying to find its owner. Great story about the
real spirit of Christmas. Reviewed by Nancy McDaniel, a
member of Sandy Springs Christian Church
Flavia and The Christmas Legacy by Flavia and Lisa Weedn Beautiful illustrations enhance the story of the magic of Christmas--a caring family and love.
Reviewed by Nancy McDaniel, a
member of Sandy Springs Christian Church
Santa Calls by William Joyce
William Joyce is as famous for his illustrations (George Shrinks, Rolie Polie Olie) as he is for his stories. Santa calls for a brother, sister and friend to come north to Toyland. Little did the boys know that this call to adventure was in answer to a request from the sister. High adventure ensues before Christmas gifts are delivered. This is a wonderful Christmas story about siblings.
Reviewed by Nancy McDaniel, a
member of Sandy Springs Christian Church
Legend of the Poinsettia by Tommie de Paulo Tommie de Paulo tells the famous legend of Mexico that ties poinsettias to Christmas. DePaulo’s unique illustrations accompany the interesting tale of the children’s Christmas pageant.
Reviewed by Nancy McDaniel, a
member of Sandy Springs Christian Church
The Night of Las Posadas by Tommie de Paulo The story of the Hispanic custom of going door to door looking for a room on Christmas Eve comes to life through de Paulo’s words and illustrations. Another great tale of tradition.
Reviewed by Nancy McDaniel, a
member of Sandy Springs Christian Church
On Christmas Eve
by Margaret Wise Brown
I gave my niece and nephew, ages 8 and 9, several
brightly colored Christmas books to "review" for this
page. Imagine my surprise when they chose as their
hands-down favorite this book with its quiet, gentle
story and almost muted, yet equally beautiful,
illustrations. The young children in your life might
love it as well. A perfect just before bed-time story. Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost, Susan Jeffers
Robert Frost's beloved poem finds its completion in
Susan Jeffers beautiful illustrations. For the child in
all of us, share this book this Christmas! Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
The
Glorious Impossible
by Madeleine L'Engle
My favorite children's Christmas
book is The Glorious Impossible by Madeline
L'Engle. Beautiful Italian art that depicts the story
of our faith. This book is so beautiful, it is a work
of art in itself. Reviewed by Judith LaRoue
The
Best Christmas Pageant Everby Barbara
Robinson
You know you've chosen a winner when the librarian looks
up from checking out your stack to say, "This is the
cutest book ever! You will love this story".
Everyone knows a family like this one, the kids
misbehave, their clothes are dirty, their parents don't
care, and none of the other children want anything to do
with them. Then one day, someone tells them, they
give away snacks during Sunday School. Suddenly,
all these kids become regular attendees--and the stars
of the annual Christmas pageant! Wait until you
read what happens! The librarian was right; this
is the cutest story.
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons
The Small One
By: Alex Walsh
This book tells the story of a donkey too small to do
anything useful. In fact no one ever wants or needs him
until one very important day! An absolutely wonderful
story!
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons
Christmas
Day in the Morning
Pearl S. Buck wrote this book almost 70 years ago, and
last week I sat in the library parking lot and cried as
I read it. What a treasure. The illustrator
of this edition begins his introduction to the book by
telling how he and his wife were awakened by a noise in
the house one Christmas. He went downstairs and
surprised his children who were cleaning the kitchen as
a gift to their parents. They had been inspired by
hearing this story read in church. It's
beautifully written and totally heart-warming in an
old-fashioned and refreshingly new way.
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons
Silver
Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by
Cynthia Rylant; Hardcover;
A young boy learns
what it means to give back to a community.
Wonderful! (P.S. It's one of Russell
Peterman's favorites)
Reviewed by Landa
Harris Simmons
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
This is the Board Book version of the
story of Joshua, the lamb who always felt different and
left out. But God had a special plan for Joshua!
This book is suitable for kids 4-8, and since its a
board book, it can take a lot of use by little hands.
The
Fourth Wise Man by Susan
Summers, et al. Hardback
Ages 5-9. In a short story written in the 1800s, Henry
Van Dyke imagined what it would have been like had there
been a fourth wise man, one who did not complete the
journey to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
This
Old House by Dean Phelps
Dean Phelps, former pastor and regional staff member in Georgia,
has released his second CD, This Old House. In
addition to original arrangements of traditional gospel,
This Old House contains songs about people, life and
faith. CDs are available for sale at www.goingoverhome.com.
If you use this link to access the site, Dean will donate $3
from each CD sold to Camp Christian.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom,
the author of Tuesdays with Morrie shares a story
inspired by the life and death of his uncle. This book is
not a warm and fuzzy, feel good kind of book. It deals
with the pain that real humans experience in the living of their
lives and that comes from the difficult choices we all must
make. I predict this book will be this year's favorite
stocking stuffer for those who love to read.
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
A great graduation gift, a great Christmas gift, a great gift
that celebrates life!
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this book prior to his imprisonment in
Nazi Germany. 70 years later, its words still speak to
those who are "church". One minister recently said that at
his next church he'll begin his ministry there by having the
elders and deacons read this book together with him. What
a great suggestion for every minister, elder, deacon, and person
of faith.
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons.
Living a Life that Matters by Rabbi Harold Kushner,
author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People helps us
understand and analyze the different voices that speak to us in
our lives--the voice that calls us to worldly success, and the
voice that calls us to lead faithful lives. How do we
realistically go about the struggle to hear and choose between
the voices on a daily basis? Kushner relies on the story
of Jacob in the book of Genesis for great insights.
As always, he writes in a way that speaks to ordinary folks.
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold
Kushner. This book came up at a recent clergy meeting.
One minister commented that he read this book in seminary, and
more than any other book it helped crystallize his theology.
Another minister, who had just finished reading Kushner's book
for the first time--20 years after seminary--had the same
experience. Kushner writes for real people. In the
foreword to the 20th Anniversary edition, he thanks all the
Protestant clergy and Catholic priests who made it a best seller
by sharing it with all their congregants who wanted to know
"Why".
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the ChurchPhilip Yancy grew up in Georgia in the forties and fifties
when everything from restrooms to churches were segregated, and
his minister endorsed segregation from the pulpit. His
brother left the church never to return. He became a
minister. His story compels us to think about the issues
that cause people to leave the church, and more importantly,
about the reasons that compel them to return.
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons
Craddock Stories by Fred B
Craddock
Georgia and Cherry Log Christian Church's own Fred Craddock
spins his stories that are sure to inspire as well as entertain.
If you've had the privilege to hear him preach, then you may
have heard one or two of these, and you will love hearing them
again. If not, then this is a great introduction to one of
America's finest preachers and storytellers.
Reviewed by Landa Harris
Simmons Other Great Fred Craddock Books:
Skipping
Christmas by John Gresham
When Luther and Nora Krank wave their Daughter off to Peru
shortly after Thanksgiving, Luther decides that since it will
just be he and Nora they should just Skip Christmas this year
and save the $6,000 plus dollars they spent on the holiday last
year. What happens when the town gets wind of this plan
will make you think about all the rituals and craziness of
Christmas in a new light.
The New Daily Study Bible
by William Barclay
This classic series furnishes a comprehensive commentary and
devotional study guide for ministers, teachers, students, or lay
persons who want to discover what the New Testament writers said and
what their messages mean for today.
These are great for repeat giving to
serious bible students or teachers. Give one volume each
Christmas, Birthday or other holiday until the set is complete.
Copyright
2008, Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia, All rights reserved.
The Attic Christmas
A Certain Small Shepherd
Stranger in the Woods
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect
One Snowy Night
Christmas Moccasins
The Give-Away
Santa’s Littlest Helper
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
The Voice
Legend of the Poinsettia
On Christmas Eve
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
The
Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Small One
Christmas
Day in the Morning
Silver
Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story
The
Fourth Wise Man
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Tuesdays with Morrie
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community
Living a Life that Matters
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church
Jan Karon:
The New Daily Study Bible