by Kevin Alan Milne
ABOUT THE BOOK...
Written By: Kevin Alan Milne
Published By: Center Street, A division of Hachette Book Group Inc., USA, 2006, First Edition, 150 pages, hardback, ISBN 978-1-59995-073-0
Dr. Christopher Ringle is the last person you'd expect to find moonlighting as Santa Claus at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. But it is there that he meets a young man named Molar Alan, who desperately needs a new perspective on the underlying value of Christmas. Dr. Ringle recruits Mo and his older brother as volunteers at a nearby children's hospital for the holiday season. At the hospital, Mo is tasked to help bring holiday cheer to the young cancer patients on the fifth floor. His biggest challenge is befriending a decidedly angry girl who is so embarrassed by her scarred appearance that she hides her face behind the safety of a paper bag. Almost in spite of himself, Mo finds that Christmas joy emanates from a source far greater than the North Pole, while the young girl learns that she is more beautiful than she had ever imagined.
If you want a book to give as a gift for that hard to shop person or need a book to read aloud to the kids that is beautifully written that will keep them sitting still listening to the story- go grab this up.
I was recently sent this book to read, and to be honest..I opened it and started reading and did not want to put it down...
SO WHAT DID I DO? I read it in an afternoon.
As an adult I enjoyed the book and found it moving and emotional (funny and sad). I found the story to be full of lessons and reminders of what Christmas is all about. Not about what is the favorite toy everyone has to have but the true meaning of Christmas. It is easy to read, and to me did not single out any age or religion- its a story of friendship and caring.
The kids are asleep now but do plan on reading this during our out loud reading time. My children do know the meaning of Christmas and that it isn't or should be just one day each year but everyday.
Well, I loved the book for it was beautifully written and kept me reading even as I cooked dinner. I will not be a spoiler but I will say go read the book...SINCE my older kids look at my blog I will not give even one hint away except there are many lessons learned through the reading of this book- friendship being just one of the many ones. I will also say to all remember the true meaning of Christmas- its not about the toys and the what can be bought....its so much more than that and even talking your child and adopt an angel tree angel- young or old can teach a great lesson in life.
This is the authors first book and for a first book it was outstanding. He did have an advantage as anyone with the last name Milne sort of grabs my attention. It also has a beautiful cover...I just wished he lived close enough so I could go to a book signing to be autographed as I feel this book is going to be read over and over for many years to come, as well as I know he is going to be having more great reads. I can honestly see this as a tv movie by Hallmark. I recommend this book, its an emotional book filled with laughter and tears (yep pull out the tissues).
Mr. Milne if you want someone to read anymore of your books, or stories, I would love to read them.
This book to me is for the young and the old..if they can sit and listen, then it will grab them as you read the story to them. I plan on sending a few off to people who need to be refreshed of the true meaning of Christmas.
If you want a book that is not the usual Christmas story, The Paper Bag Christmas is what you are looking for.
A special thanks to Miriam at Hachette for sending me this book....and to Kevin Thankyou for writing this book and sharing it with us all. If I could afford to be a little elf I would go take this to the veterans hospital and other places around the area...thats how great I think this is.
When we adopt our angels this year, I will be buying a few and adding them to the goodie boxes I make.
I am reading this book to review right now! I am only a couple chapters in but I like it so far.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know about the contest I am having right now. It is for a two week taster pack of Glow Mama drinks! They are great for moms and pregnant women. Stop by and enter when you have a minute :-)
http://babyfingers.blogspot.com/2008/11/glow-mama-drink-made-just-for-you.html