A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher

On their way to meet Jamie's father for a Christmas cruise, the red convertible went off the road and into the pond of an Amish family.  Consequently they were unexpected guests in the home of Mattie and Sol Riehl and son Danny.  Jamie and C.J. easily warmed up to Mattie who was petite and quiet as well as friendly and hospitable.  Sol was a large man and stern but this first impression of him changed as they came to know him.  Danny was an inquisitive child who liked everyone.  When he disappeared, C.J.'s training and experience in search and rescue was a great help to all.  And Jamie was able to help Mattie focus her attention on things other than worry.  The differences between Amish and 'English' are obvious in the story but more important are the relationships and bonds formed between between Jamie, C.J., Mattie, Sol, Danny and the local Amish community.  During their 'down time' from a busy schedule in the 'English' world Jamie and C.J. each had a chance with the help of their new friends to reflect on their own problems and possible solutions.  The Christmas holiday was not what they expected but maybe time in an Amish winter wonderland was what they needed. 

Reserve this book!

~Beth H.

The Christkindl's Gift by Kathleen Morgan

The Christkindl's Gift by Kathleen Morgan

Erich and Rosa wanted a new father. So they decided to ask the Christkindl to bring one to their little home in Colorado. There they lived with their mother, Anna and grandfather Anton. When Anton found an injured stranger on the road he brought him home to heal. Anna did not trust him as it was strangers who had killed her husband Karl. She made it clear that he should leave as soon as possible. But maybe it was the Christkindl who brought him to Erich, Rosa, Anna and Anton. When they were snowed in there was no way for Ian to leave. These immigrants from Germany share Christmas traditions as well as a warm home with this another stranger at this blessed time of year. And each member of this home learns more about themselves and the love of the season.

You can find The Christkindl's Gift in our catalog by clicking here.
--Beth Hutcheson

Book Review for December 23rd

Here is Ms. Laurie's pick for December 23rd.

Who is Stealing the 12 Days of Christmas? by Martha Freeman

This is a great seasonal mystery book. Someone in Chickadee Court has been stealing all the neighborhood's 12 days of Christmas decorations. It is up to Alex and his best friend Yasmeen to crack the case and catch the Christmas crook. This is a great chapter book for older elementary school kids to enjoy while preparing for Christmas.

Book Review for December 22nd

Here is Ms. Candice's pick for December 22nd.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This is a must-read Christmas classic. When the town bullies, the Herdmans, take over the church's Christmas play the whole town is up in arms. But somehow their sincere and unusual interpretation of the Christmas story teaches the town the true meaning of the holiday. This is a chapter book filled with humor that unexpectedly uplifting ending.

Christmas Book Review for December 21st

Here is Ms. Heather's pick for December 21st.

Christmas is Coming by Claire Masurel

Juliette is all ready for Christmas! She and her stuffed animal friends have trimmed the tree and baked the holiday cookies! Now all that is left is to wait for Santa. Come Christmas morning Juliette has lots of presents under the tree, but did Santa remember her friends?

Christmas Book Review for December 20th

Here is Ms. Dona's pick for December 20th.

Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh

This book is a fun-filled scratch and sniff adventure! Olive, a tiny dog, is wrapping gifts one day when she hears her name sung in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (all of the other reindeer sounds very much like Olive, the other reindeer). She thinks that the song is a message for her from the North Pole, so she sets off on a mission to help Santa make his Christmas deliveries. This is a fun and engaging book full of delightful and humorous illustrations.

Christmas Book Review for December 19th

Here is Ms. Robin's pick for December 19th!

Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear! by Don and Audrey Wood

This book is a great holiday edition from the Mouse and Bear series. Little Mouse has so many presents this Christmas! But Bear never gets a single present, not even from Santa. Mouse learns the true spirit of Christmas as he shares his holiday with a friend in need

Christmas Book Reviews for December 17th and 18th

Here is Ms. Judith's pick for December 17th:



Duck & Goose: It’s Time For Christmas by Tad Hills

If you are fan of the Duck & Goose series by Tad Hill, then you will definitely want to check out this new holiday board book. Goose is too busy catching snowflakes, making a snowgoose, or skating. It is up to Duck to remind him what time it is!


and here is Ms. Heather's pick for December 18th:


Morris’s Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells

All of Morris’s brothers and sisters think he is too young to play with their Christmas presents on Christmas morning. That is until Morris gets the best gift of all, an invisible, disappearing bag! The whole family has a great time with the new gift until bedtime. Hopefully they can remember where they put it….

Christmas Book Review for December 16th

Here is Ms. Dona's pick for December 16th.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Berry

Mr. Willowby ordered the best Christmas tree he could find. It was beautiful, it was splendid, it was BIG. A little too big for Mr. Willowby's parlor, so he cut off the top. But why waste such a perfectly good tree top? And so the story begins of how Mr. Willowby's tree top helps many families this Christmas season.

Christmas Book Review for December 15th

Here is Ms. Mollie's pick for December 15th

If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff



“If you take a mouse to the movies, he’ll ask you for some popcorn. When you give him popcorn, he’ll want to string it all together. Then he’ll want to hang it on a Christmas tree.” In this holiday version of the classic If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, the mouse experiences all joys of Christmas and lots of holiday fun.

Christmas Book Review for December 14th

Here is Ms. Dona's pick for December 14th.

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

This is a sweet story about an unlikely friendship that blossoms between two very different people. It tells the story of Buddy, an orphaned young boy who has a great friend in his elderly and eccentric cousin. A Christmas Memory shows their Christmas tradition of baking fruitcakes to send to people they admire and preparing for the big holiday in their own special way. This is a touching tale about how friendship and trust can bloom in unexpected ways. It's sure to be an interesting tale for adults and kids who are interested in local stories, as it is set in rural Alabama.

Christmas Book Review for December 13th

Here is Ms. Candice's pick for December 13th.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto

Every family has different Christmas traditions and in Maria's family, they make tamales on Christmas Eve. But what happens when Maria loses her mother's wedding ring in the tamales? Soto showcases how every family celebrates Christmas differently, whether it is with food or unique traditions.

Christmas Book Review for December 12th

Here's Ms. Robin's pick for December 12th.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May

This is a perfect board book to teach your toddler about the magical story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. There is no way that Santa can see through all the fog on Christmas Eve. He needs a very special reindeer to help him deliver Christmas to all the little boys and girls of the world.

Christmas Book Review for December 11th

Here is Ms. Mollie's pick for December 11th

Jeannette Claus Saves Christmas by Douglas Rees



It is Christmas Eve and Santa Claus has a nasty cold. He has been coughing and sneezing up a storm, but who can deliver the presents if Santa is sick? Jeannette Claus, his daughter, steps in to save the day. But will she be able to deliver all the present to all the little boys and girls all over the world in time?

Christmas Book Review for December 10th

Here is Ms. Heather's pick for December 10th!

Jingle Bells by Iza Trapani

This festival story set to "Jingle Bells" showcases how different countries celebrate Christmas. From Mexico to Kenya, a sleigh full of children discovers how different families of the world come together for Christmas. This book is a great way to educate your family about the different customs of other countries during the Christmas season.

Christmas Book Review for December 9th

Here is Ms. Laurie's pick for December 9th!

Hark! The Aardvark Angels Sing by Teri Sloat


Set to the tune of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, Sloat creates a magical world where aardvarks help with the holiday mail. Aardvarks as mailmen? If you don’t believe it, simply check out Hark! The Aardvark Angels Sing!

Christmas Book Review for December 8th

Here is Ms. Laurie's pick for December 8th



I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rex

Don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinkertoy, I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy. And only a hippopotamus will do! This beloved children’s class is a must for any Christmas. The book even comes with the sheet music in the back! Be warned though, after you and your family have finished the book, the song will be stuck in your head!

Christmas Book Review - December 7th

Here is Ms. Judith's pick for December 7th.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

The day before Christmas, snuggled on the floor, Bear sleeps soundly with a great big snore. But his friends are determined and they won't let Bear sleep through Christmas this year! Will Bear be able to stay up till Christmas? This is a delightful story about friendship and the joy of the Christmas season.

Christmas Book Review - December 6th

Here is Ms. Dona's Christmas pick for December 6th.

Emma’s Christmas by Irene Trivas


Emma is a sweet simple girl, who loved living on a farm. She loved her farm so much, she even turned down the Prince when he asked her to marry him. Too bad the Prince doesn’t give up that easily! This is an endearing rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas that will put a smile on your face!

Christmas Book Reviews - December 4th and 5th

Here is Ms. Candice's pick for December 4th


The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket
This is a quirky Christmas tale about a lonely lump of coal, who dreams of being an artist. He tries to make it big in an art gallery and in a Korean restaurant, but it seems there are no Christmas miracles for this unlucky lump of coal. That is until he meets Santa Claus. Will Santa be able to give this lump of coal his true wish? Miracles can happen even to those who are small, flammable, and dressed all in black.

And here is Ms. Robin's pick for December 5th



Bear Noel by Olivier Dunrea
The animals in the forest are patiently waiting. They hear him jingling the bells and tramping through the snow! Bear Noel is coming and he is bringing Christmas with him! Dunrea’s beautiful snow covered illustrations create a magical setting for this warm story about Christmas in the forest.