a lovely book for Christmas
587167
Our household is very fond of Margaret Wise Brown story books.  The illustrations are wonderful!!  Classic stuff.
1197879
Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

I am learning to love books written around Christmas time. There is something so welcoming when one reads of snow drifts, crackling fires and warm receptions, I guess.

This book was a lovely gift from the first view. The cover invited me in from the start and I felt whisked away into the plot immediately.

It was like reading a happy Christmas movie instead of watching it and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There is a sparkling ribbon of romance flowing through the pages. Glimpses of various characters offered a sense of community and sparked a desire to reach more closely into my own.

I might tie a pretty bow around it and offer as a present to someone needing to read through a place where not everything has to be commonplace.

I was given this book by WATER BROOK publishing company to review at no cost to me.
708242
This little book conveys a sweet Christmas-time message and can be read in one sitting.  This is a great December book for book clubs.
1100478
A wonderful book to read to the kids. It tells the real Christmas story in a format all will enjoy.
1409315
I've had the opportunity to review this book. It's the most wonderful time of the year. These pictures bring to life the beauty of Christmas.
2886608
I always enjoy Ann Perry's Christmas books and this one is my favorite. I am responsible for the December selection for my book club this year and I have chosen this book to share with the others. It has a good message.
3544737
This is a wonderful story, BEAUTIFULLY illustrated.

An adorable African-American boy who lives in a big city finds a baby reindeer.  He cares for the little reindeer on the roof of his high-rise apartment until the following year, when it is grown up and ready to return to Santa.

This is an especially good book for all those kids without chimneys who live in apartments! :)  The illustrations are sweet and gently humorous.  You will love reading this beautiful book to your kids-- it is full of both the magic and the goodness of Christmas.
1738836
I have a special place on my book case for Christmas books that I fall in love with, and Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul has a place of honor there.

This is a very charming story of Cora, and her boss Simon, who with a little divine intervention will find there way to a special book store for some special Christmas gifts.  And tucked among their purchases, each later finds a ticket to the Wizard's Christmas Ball.  From that point on, the two who previously knew almost nothing about each other, find themselves meeting at unexpected moments in this wonderfully charming book filled with holiday warmth.

Cora soon learns that Simon is actually a very warm-hearted man, especially when it comes to his family and his very sweet sister Sandy who has Down Syndrome (who is adorable in this book).

The characters are well developed and I love the flow of the story as readers see what the real meaning of Christmas is.  This is a very nice read and will only take a few hours.  I highly recommend it and think it would be a great holiday read for your book club.

*Note: I received a copy of this book for review from WaterBrook's Blogging For Books program.  All opinions are mine.
538266
A very delightful, fun Christmas reading for sure
2792896
This book is super good and you can count down to Christmas with it.
164060
Coming Home for Christmas is a wholesome story that is a perfect read for the holiday season. The story engages the reader and reflects the author's understanding of romance and emotions.  This book is now on my coffee table to invite my friends to read a heartwarming story.
2918498
This book has a simple, yet touching and meaningful story.  Kind ox invites old dog, stray cat, and small mouse into the warmth of the stable.

Then tired donkey, led by Joseph and carrying Mary on his back, is invited into the stable.  Of course there, the Christ child is born, surrounded by the kind animals.

Beyond the story, the pictures are absolutely beautiful.  It is a wonderful Christmas story to read to my young children.
595463
What a wonderful story to share at Christmas time.  The book is in excellent condition and I will treasure it.  Awesome illustrations as well.
4408013
The beautiful illustrations and peek-through pages in this board will make it one that children will want to read again and again as Christmas approaches.

The opening line, "It's almost Christmas!" leads us into the story of setting up a nativity set and explaining the events leading up to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem:

*Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem on a donkey, knowing God will keep them safe,
*They stay in a stable with the animals because there is no room in the inn,
*Jesus, the Son of God, is born,
*The angels appear to the shepherds to tell them a Savior has been born, and the shepherds go to the stable to see Jesus,
*A star appears in the sky, and the wise men follow the star for many months to the house where Jesus lived and give him gifts.

The last page show the children completing the nativity set by adding the wisemen, and includes the words of the first verse of "Silent Night".

This book has a button to push to hear the music of "Silent Night". I would like to have given this book a 4 1/2 because the tempo seems a little fast, not quite what I had hoped for. Since I doubt that the kids will care about the tempo, I gave it 5 stars.
2035742
I purchased this book for my son after receiving the Bear Snores On as a gift.  They are his absolute favorites. The pictures are beautiful and the words are lyrical and rhyming. I also like the way it subtly includes both the religious and secular sides of Christmas beneath the overall message of friendship and giving. He has MANY books, but wants me to read this one every night. It's so nice I din't mind.
3708075
Such a beautiful book! Get it for the holidays!
2909593
This Christmas tale is well written and accompanied by beautiful illustrations.  I feel this book is not only appropriate for children but also for vegan and non-vegan adults. It can give thought on being kind to all beings at Christmas time and all year.  I think it will be greatly enjoyed!