Christmas In America

I absolutely am thrilled when I discover a great children's book that I would be honored to not only own but to read to my children, grandchildren and anyone who enjoys a great look back at America's history and how we celebrated Christmas over the years. Callista Gingrich has written a series of children's books incorporating Ellis the Elephant. In Christmas in America, Ellis journeys back to discover the many ways Christmas has been celebrated in America's history and I found myself a bit amazed at how little I actually knew.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Ellis travels back in time to experience Christmas with such notables as the colonists in Williamsburg, Virginia, George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon, Andrew Jackson at the White House, Civil War soldiers on the battlefield, Calvin Coolidge as he lights the first national Christmas tree and even the Apollo 9 astronauts as they orbit the moon. What surprised me the most was how Presidents Andrew Jackson and Teddy Roosevelt both invited children into the White House to celebrate Christmas. Andrew Jackson opened it to orphans as he was an orphan himself, and no adults were allowed. Teddy Roosevelt offered a Christmas carnival to over 500 children.

I had never considered that the Apollo 8 astronauts actually took turns reading the Bible in a televised broadcast from the Book of Genesis and wished everyone a blessed night. Today these types of events would not be permitted because of fear of offending someone who might not agree. The best part is that it is written in a rhyming pattern for children much like Dr. Seuss books do and there are resources at the conclusion of the book to help your children research these historical topics in greater detail.

I received Christmas in America by Callista Gingrich compliments of Gingrich Productions for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest personal review. This is such a great resource for anyone who has children or even for a church children's ministry to share with their children. I can't wait to add the rest of the books to my personal library collection and think these are well written to help keep a child's interest in not only American history but in the Christmas traditions as well. This one is well worth all 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Christmas in America, Callista Gingrich or where you can pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Christmas in America by Callista Gingrich

You can find Callista Gingrich on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

Christmas From Heaven/Ornaments

Being a huge lover of History, I was so thrilled when I got a surprise request to review not only a book, Christmas From Heaven but wrapped up like a true gift was a DVD recording from Tom Brokaw that captured the retelling of this wonderful story. You get to chose between either simply reading the wonderful book, Christmas From Heaven or watching it being narrated by Tom Brokaw along with musical accompaniment from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Christmas From Heaven conveys the historical significance of Lt. Gail Halvorsen, a young pilot in the US Army Air Corps who was assigned as a cargo pilot to the Berlin Airlift, in which US forces flew much-needed supplies into a Soviet blockaded Berlin. As he performed his duties, Lt. Halvorsen began to notice the German children gathered by the fences of the Tempelhof Air Base. Knowing that they had very little, he one day offered them some chewing gum. From that small act, an idea sprang: He would "bomb" Berlin with candy. Fashioning small parachutes, he and his crew sent them floating down as they approached the Berlin airport, wiggling the wings of their C-54 as a signal to the children that their anticipated cargo would soon arrive.

Lt. Halvorsen became known by hundreds, if not thousands, of children in Berlin as "Uncle Wiggly Wings" or "The Candy Bomber." Word soon spread, and donations of candy and other supplies poured in from sympathetic Americans. Lt. Halvorsen's small idea became a great symbol of hope not only to the German children in a bombed-out city but to all those who yearned for freedom. It showed everyone in the midst of a war what the true spirit of Christmas looks like.

Famed broadcast journalist and author Tom Brokaw brings this remarkable story to life in a stunning live performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, captured on the accompanying DVD. Also included in the book is a template and directions for creating your own "Candy Bomber" parachutes. At the ending of this DVD you get to see Gail Halvorsen, now 92 years young. See if this story doesn't make you cry. One selfless act brought hope to those who only knew the horrors of what war would bring.

In addition to this wonderful book, I also got the opportunity to review a collection of Christmas ornaments called the Biblical Names of Christ. These are so beautiful to add to the Christmas Tree Decorating that you and your family take part of and as you add each of them to your tree, on the back of the box are Bible Scriptures that accompany each name of Jesus Christ. There are 12 star-shaped antique pewter-finish ornaments you can use as gift tags, adorning a wreath on your front door or added to your Christmas tree this  year. Create a Christ-focused holiday tradition as you review the sacred names of the Savior.

I received both the book/DVD Christmas From Heaven and the 12 Biblical Names of Christ Ornaments compliments of Deseret Books and Shadow Mountain for my honest review of these products. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. I think both of these items would make a wonderful gift this Christmas in order to keep the Spirit of Christmas and Jesus at the center of our celebrations. The ornament collection can only be purchased through the link below.  I rate both of these products a 5 out of 5 stars and for more information on either product, please click on the links below: 

Christmas From Heaven as read by Tom Brokaw

12 Ornament Set of the Biblical Names of Christ

The Sparkle Box - Giveaway and Review

Ever wonder if there was a way to inspire your children and family to do more this Christmas for those less fortunate? I've got the perfect way to do just that! The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie is a children's book that showcases a unique sparkle box that Sam's parents place on the mantle just at the start of the Christmas season. Sam is more than curious to know what it is, and his mom tells him that he can open it on Christmas morning but that they haven't finished filling it yet. As the days go by, Sam participates with his parents in doing things for others less fortunate, donating blankets and food, helping to finance a well for clean drinking water in Africa among other things.

Besides all the Christmas parties and food, Sam's looking forward to opening the presents most of all. What Sam finds inside the Sparkle Box sheds light on the true meaning of Christmas. This beautifully illustrated book by Christine Kornacki, is what my youngest daughter calls a "classic!" meaning simply that the pictures alone tell a story for those too young to read to enjoy! The best part is the Sparkle Box that is included at the end of the book for your family to incorporate this idea into your Christmas every year. I, for one, can't wait to assemble ours.

I received The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie compliments of Ideals Books and Fly By Promotions for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and I can't wait to incorporate this into our Christmas traditions! This enables families to enjoy the Christmas season the way it was intended and to bring about the true meaning instead of simply getting presents. This book is perfect for children ages 3 and up.

Author Bio
Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree was a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday. The first time they open His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace. Jill hopes The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.

For more information about The Sparkle Box, Jill Hardie, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie

You can also find more great childrens' book at Ideals Books website.

You can also find Ideals Books on Facebook to enjoy more great children's books to add to your own personal home library.

You can also find The Sparkle Box on Facebook to get more ideas of how to keep the meaning of Christmas close to your family.

Now for the best part...

Thanks to the generosity of Ideals Books and Fly By Promotions, they are offering a giveaway copy of this book to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines to enter:


1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. 

2. "Like" Ideals Books Facebook page.

3. Must be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes. 

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner of this giveaway by email so make sure to include it with your comment below when it ends on November 22nd.