The Berenstain Bears The Very First Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears The Very First Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain is a simple, fast-paced, but thorough telling of the Christmas story.

Papa Bear sits down with his kids on Christmas Eve to read them a story, and they ask for the “story of the very first Christmas” from their storybook Bible. Papa reads the three cubs the story – beginning with Mary being greeted by the angel and ending with Joseph being warned to avoid King Herod and then later moving to Nazareth where Jesus grew up.

The story moves quicker than most retellings of the Christmas story do, but it is comprehensive. The quick pace is demonstrated by Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem, and the next page shows a picture of Baby Jesus. I appreciate, however, the simple words the author uses to reach his audience: “cloths” instead of the cumbersome “swaddling clothes,” and he describes Mary and Joseph as being “counted” rather than be part of a “census.”  There aren’t any direct references to scripture in the story, but Luke 2:11-12 is quoted before the story begins. As always, at the end of the story the author has discussion questions and activities ready for families to use to learn together. I recommend this book for kids ages 2-4.

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The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.

52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol by Bob Welch

52 Little Lessons from a Christmas Carol by Bob Welch pleases its readers by captivating them once again with Scrooge’s story and prodding them to shun their inner Scrooge of Christmas Eve and unleash the benevolent Scrooge of Christmas Day.

Each chapter is a lesson: “See life as a child,” “Everyone has value,” “Don’t give expecting to receive,” “The past can be empowering,” and more. Chapters (Lessons) are a short 3-4 pages. They each begin with a subtitle—often a quote from the book or from a movie adaptation—and then within the Lessons Welch references the book, movies, and the Bible. Welch teaches and inspires his readers as he lets them journey with Scrooge and the ghosts.

This book is refreshing. A treasure. Bob Welch’s prose is flawless and engaging. The book was so good that I read it in nearly two sittings. Upon beginning the book I thought that Welch may have to stretch to get 52 lessons from A Christmas Carol—but not so. Each Lesson was fresh and substantial. Welch references A Christmas Carol and Dickens’ life frequently and expertly—he’s evidently read the book often, and the quality of his references show respect to Dickens. I also appreciate Welch’s use of the Bible—it is seamless, relevant, and substantial. I think that Dickens would be honored to hold and read this book. I definitely recommend this book to others!

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.