Wonderful story,  perfect gift
343786
I love the book. Its my main Christmas gift for all the young women I know who will be so inspired by it.
4675917
This true story is well written, interesting for all ages, and has original artwork to accompany it.  It would make for a lovely gift for a child in your life that I am sure would be read over and over.  I highly recommend it!
2704880
The King's Christmas List is written by Eldon Johnson and Illustrated by Bonnie Leick.

I know that fall has only just begun, but it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas and the joy of giving to others! This book teaches children about giving and helping others who are in need.

The story begins with a young girl named Emma and her dog Shu-Shu. They receive a letter inviting them to the King's birthday party, but they aren't sure what to bring. What would be the very best gift for the King? Emma brings along a cake that she made with her mom and a few of her own belongings. On the way to the King's castle she meets a couple families in need. She selflessly gives them everything she had brought along. Emma and Shu-Shu arrive at the castle with nothing to give to Him; However, they are surprised when the King tells everyone His Christmas list. The message in this story is wonderful for young children who are beginning to understand the true spirit of Christmas and what it means to give to others. The last few pages encourages people to donate to organizations such as blood: water mission and World Vision, so that you too can give back.

The illustrations by Bonnie Leick are absolutely beautiful and captures the tone and wonderment of the story. Children will love looking at the pictures as you read it aloud. This is a great book to read the night before Christmas or the day of.

Disclaimer: I am from a book review program and received this book free from the publisher. I would like to note that these thoughts are mine and that I didn't have to leave a positive review.
2224596
I was looking for a book of the Christmas story for my 2 1/2 year old son, since all we seem to own are things like the Grinch, the Night Before Christmas, etc. (Not that there is anything wrong with those!)  We checked this out of the library and we both love it enough that I had to buy a copy.  He asks me to read it again and again, and I adore the gorgeous illustrations and age-appropriate telling of the story.  Perfect gift, too, for Christmas or a baptism, etc.
1315849
Beautiful story with even more beautiful illustrations.  All three of my kids loved it -- ages 3, 5 and 7.  My kids now call any cardinal we see Red and Lulu.

I loved that the NY Public Library and Times Square were included.  The history lesson in the back is great.  We ended up pulling out the laptop and looking at pictures of the real Rockefeller tree and lighting ceremony online.  So much of what we read at Christmas is make-believe... elves, Santa, etc that it was really nice to share a story with them that was based on an actual event -- apparently it's an event that has been going on for over 80 years.

I loved that the last picture in the book is the family planting a new tree where the old one used to be...

It's just a perfect story.
403373
My daughter got a copy for her birthday and wasn't that intrigued, maybe because of the cover picture.  But the story was absolutely wonderful and

having been to NYC made it even more special. We just bought a copy to give

a younger friend because we loved it so much. It is a wonderful tribute to the imagination and wonder in the simplest of lives.  Very special for adults and children alike!
1791076
One of my daughter's favorite stories growing up.  She is a teenager now but was asked to gift a book to a new baby's library and this was the one she wanted to give.  Thanks to Amazon we found it.  It tells a meaningful story that obviously almost ten years later my daughter still recalled as a favorite book.  I would describe the lesson of the story as never underestimating even the smaller participant and demonstrating that everyone has a unique and special gift.
1302553
This is a wonderful read,literate,enchanting and with enough tension to keep the pages turning.
You can tell that Alice Coleman enjoys telling her tale. Just read the author's biography and you will know that this is a story for children 8-12 and their parents as well.
There is an added benefit of a sophisticated vocabulary and helpful definitions as a learning tool for young readers.
A great gift idea.
369526
This is a great children's story and beautifully illustrated. This author's stories consistently have a message that is well delivered and fun to read to my kids. This makes a great gift too.
2922367
This is a great short story that's perfect for kids who are starting to realize that everyone's different, yet special in their own way. I think this would make a perfect gift for the holidays. The price is reasonable and both the writing and the illustrations are wonderfully done.
2436961
I bought this book as a gift for a friend's daughter.  She told me that her daughter has had her and her husband read it to her every night for the past 10 days.  The beautiful illustrations and the heartwarming story make it a wonderful gift and straying from the usual children's books makes it a sure bet that they don't already have 3 copies of it!
1849941
I was blessed to have a live reading by the author of a initial draft of this wonderful story.  This book is full of magic and wonder and just perfect as a gift for a child.  Besides being exceptionally well written, it brings the message of hope and environmental awareness at a challenging time, which adults will appreciate as well.
3228451
This makes for a wonderful gift. Either for baby shower or birthday/Christmas gift. My kids love reading this story
890310
Beautiful book, the illustrations are wonderful and make the book so special. This was bought as a 60th birthday present for someone who has loved the story for as long as she can remember, each new illustration viewed, whether colour or pen and ink was greeted with plenty of oohs and ahs!
1768000
If you want to teach your children about Christmas - the real Christmas, The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas by Jill Hardie is the book to get! It's for ages 4 to 8 and it's a perfect story for any child.

Author Jill Hardie tells the story of Sam, who is so excited about Christmas! Sam is preparing his Christmas "want" list and he's excited about the upcoming holiday parties. At the same time, he is so curious about one very mysterious gift -- a sparkly box sitting on the mantel above the fireplace. Whenever Sam asked his mother about the box, she would tell him to wait, that she had a few more things to put in the box.

In the midst of all of the Christmas festivities, Sam and his family bless other people with various acts of kindness, and all the while Sam waits impatiently to find out what is in the box. On Christmas morning, Sam finally gets to open the box, and he finds the slips of paper recording his family's good deeds.  His parents explain to him that the things they are doing - the blessings they are providing others - are a gift for Jesus in honor of His birthday. Sam was confused as they had given the gifts to people, not Jesus. His mother explains that when we give to others we are giving to Him.a gift for Jesus -- for Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him.

The Sparkle Box story is inspired by Matthew 25:40 "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  The book challenges us to put aside our wants for those in need. To think of others. Whether it be a material item like food, clothes or shelter. Or a spiritual need, such as praying with someone, lending a shoulder. Or maybe giving of your time to a neighbor or friend in need.

This heartfelt story will inspire readers to adopt this faith-centered tradition in their own homes. The illustrations in The Sparkle Box are awesome and children are very engaged to the story. The Sparkle Box includes a glitter-coated fold-out Sparkle Box on the inside cover of the back. The book is absolutely gorgeous and is destined to become a childrens Christmas classic for years to come! You can start your own family tradition of giving gifts to the One who gave all to us!  The Sparkle Box is definitely a "must have" book for anyone that has children or grandchildren!

I was provided with a review copy of this book as a First Look Blogger for Worthy Publishing without cost in exchange for this, my honest review and unbiased opinion.
752096
I love finding books that teach valuable lessons and The Sparkle Box does that and more. Not only will the story teach youngsters about the true meaning of Christmas, it just might encourage parents to start a new Christmas tradition with their children.  This story really shares what the true meaning of Christmas is, and imparts the wonderful feeling we get when we do for others. The beautiful illustrations really bring the story to life, and The Sparkle Box on the cover is eye catching. Overall this book would make a wonderful gift, I can see it becoming a family tradition.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.
3051316
What a sweet, sweet story.  This makes a great read-aloud or present for grandma!