Song of the Stars

Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story Sally Lloyd-Jones and Alison Jay Zonderkidz, 2011 Last weekend, I had the treat of actually getting to visit with Haley in person, over the Thanksgiving holiday, at our lake place. The kids were with their grandmothers, and we got to have a long conversation. And of course, on [...]

The Christmas Troll

The Christmas Troll Eugene Peterson & Will Terry NavPress, 2004 Christmas is about the Incarnation; we all know that.  But I’m going to venture a guess that gift-giving is part of how your family celebrates Christmas Day.  My family does, at least, and I think it’s a perfectly fine tradition.  As we reflect in gratitude [...]

Voices of Christmas

Voices of Christmas Nikki Grimes & Eric Velasquez Zonderkidz, 2009 Sarah and I have been reviewing theological kidlit for nearly 1 1/2 years now, and we’ve gotten to the point where we have to search a bit harder to find new titles to share with you all.  That is, except for during this time of [...]

Dangerous Journey

Dangerous Journey arranged by Oliver Hunkin, illus. Alan Parry Eerdmans, 1985 It’s almost upon us, friends. Advent begins in less than two weeks, and here at Aslan’s Library we’ve been thinking about books and resources your family might want to use during the upcoming season of waiting and preparation. And let’s face it, most of [...]

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Carole Taylor & Lezle Williams Gibbs Smith, 2010 My husband and I have been part of three different church small groups since we’ve been married.  The second of those groups had a tradition of holding a Christmas party every December, and the highlight of the party (to me, at least) was always the [...]

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Barbara Robinson Harper & Row, 1972 When Haley and I began tossing around titles for Advent/Christmas reviews, Barbara Robinson’s classic The Best Christmas Pageant Ever floated up from somewhere deep in my mind – along with all of the childhood associations. Just glancing at the cover sitting beside me right [...]

Christmas is Here

Christmas Is Here Lauren Castillo Simon & Schuster, 2010 One of the things I love about this time of year is that there are books about Jesus everywhere!   Today’s book is a case in point: I found it while browsing at our beloved local children’s bookstore, and I bet it’s on the shelves at your [...]

Father and Son: A Nativity Story

Father and Son: A Nativity Story Geraldine McCaughrean & Fabian Negrin Hyperion, 2006 I haven’t come across many Advent and Christmas books that do a truly great job of communicating the meaning of the Incarnation.  To be sure, there are many well-done books that faithfully retell the Nativity story, but most don’t go beyond the [...]

The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree Geraldine McCaughrean and Bee Willey Eerdmans, 2003 “He’s Once-upon-a-time and The-End!” Last week, I wrote about celebrating Advent and mentioned that we would be reading The Jesse Tree, by Geraldine McCaughrean, in our home this season. I was thrilled to discover the concept of the Jesse tree along with this lovely book. [...]

Who Is Coming to Our House?

Who Is Coming to Our House? Joseph Slate & Ashley Wolff Putnam, 2001 (board book edition) It’s true: the first Sunday of Advent is less than three weeks away!  We’re starting to review Christmas books now not to stress you out but to give you plenty of time to get your hands on some great [...]