Presents an account of how reindeer are raised at the North Pole by Santa and his helpers, with details on the skills they have to learn, the chores they have to do, and the tricks they like to play on the elves, along with descriptions of the personalities of some of the most famous reindeer.
Christmas is two days away, but Frances and her little brother Peter, who recently moved with their father to a lighthouse on an isolated island, fear that they will have no treats, no music, and no visit from Santa. Includes facts about the Flying Santa Service. Full color.
Three kids venture to the North Pole to help Santa defeat an army of evil elves in this holiday classic from the brilliant mind that brought you The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Art Atchinson Aimesworth—inventor, crime fighters, and all-around whiz kid—journeys north with his sister, Esther, and his pal Spaulding, by special invitation from Santa himself. Why did Santa call them to the North Pole? Art wants to know. But when Esther is taken by the Queen of the Dark Elves, Art must put his questions aside and save his sister. This reissue of William Joyce’s epic Christmas adventure now comes complete with lift-the-flap letters from Santa himself!
Christmas, as we celebrate it today, is a relatively recent invention. Our Puritan forefathers would not have thought of reveling in the birth of Christ-and frowned, or worse, on those who did. It was only in the nineteenth century, as the United States emerged as a nation, that so many of the traditions we take for granted as "Christmas" established themselves. So many originated in New England that, from sea to sea, American Christmas observances seem to smell of pine and fir, and even some in the South think of snow and sleighs when December 25 comes around. Christmas, writes McGuiggan, "is a cozy living room with a blazing fire, a piping mug of cider or hot chocolate and a plate of warm, spicy gingerbread boys and girls. It is woodlands of fragrant pine and an evening of crystalline air with a hint of wood smoke. It is the quaint, simple beauty of a town green and a white-steepled church aglow with candlelight. It is mittens and scarves, skating, sledding, and sleigh rides. And, most of all, it is snow." That, at least, is America's vision of a New England Christmas today. But how did all this come about? Here are some of the more than fifty holiday traditions traced and described in this fascinating treasury: Charles Follen and the Christmas Tree Church; Flying Santa; Silent Santa; Rudolph, the Most Famous Reindeer; A Magical Ride on the Polar Express; Louis Prang, Father of the American Christmas Card; Candlelight Strolls at Old Sturbridge Village and Strawbery Banke; A Norman Rockwell Christmas; and Captain James Magee's Holiday Party. Over 100 period illustrations, including a 16-page full-color insert, make this joyous book a family keepsake to be treasured by and forgenerations.
Warning: Top Secret! You’re probably wondering about this Santa guy. Who is he, and how does he keep track of billions of children around the world? Well, I’ve got the answer. In fact, I’ve got the answer to almost any question about Santa’s secrets you could ask. When Stevie decides that he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, he’s in for a big surprise! Santa and his elves, eight flying reindeer, and Harry W. Throckmorton the Dancing Cow show Stevie that there’s more to Christmas than he thinks. There’s Gift Fulfillment Centers, a string of satellites called PSSSSSST (Papa Santa’s Super-Secret Satellite Team), and a Spacetime Scruncher. But even more importantly, Stevie discovers that Santa is more than just satellites and science.
"I am, and always will be, a lighthouse keeper's daughter. I had the good fortune to be born to a different kind of childhood. I didn't recognize this fact back when I was small. I thought that everybody lived like we did on our little island of Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts, which in itself was a life apart..."This is the true story of a family's life at lighthouses on the edge of civilization. It's a story of adventure, devotion to duty, and love.Seamond Ponsart Roberts shares her memories and emotions with good humor, a sharp eye for detail, and above all an appreciation for a way of life that has passed into history.Illustrated with 30 B&W photos and maps."If you enjoy reading as much as I do, you will understand what it means to have a book 'grab you' right from its opening pages. This book captured me before I'd even finished the acknowledgements with the author's simple way of writing and her invitation to share her adventures as if 'we are old friends sitting on the porch telling each other stories.' A pleasant conversation with a treasured friend is exactly what reading this book is like. . . . 'Everyday Heroes' is a wonderful book rich with history and the everyday trials and tribulations of life as lightkeepers. It left this reader feeling nostalgic for a way of life I've never experienced –a life both rich and somehow uncomplicated by the hardships faced by those who lived it. The author's words will enthrall you and by the time you reach the end of the book, you will have a new appreciation for a lost way of life. But just as importantly, you will feel you have a new friend in Seamond Ponsart Roberts." -- Donna Suchomelly, World Lighthouse Society newsletter.
Celebrate the season with this New York Times bestselling wintry tale that will have readers of all ages believing in the magic of Christmas. This is one to pull out every year and savor all winter long! In the merry tradition of classics like The Polar Express, this special picture book captures the holiday spirit. This is a timeless classic one to reread every year and savor all winter long! Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa's elves.So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, extraordinary photographs, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season. And don't miss the other "Wish" books: The Reindeer Wish The Tiny Wish The Brave Little Puppy The Puppy's Wish The Polar Bear Wish
It's Christmas Eve, and Snap the sugar glider is practising his moves. He wants to be the greatest flyer in the rainforest, but the other animals just laugh at him. When Santa makes an emergency landing, all the animals get a chance to audition to fill in for Comet, who is injured. Is this Snap's chance to shine?A heart-warming story full of Christmas magic, from the team that brought you the CBCA shortlisted book Bat Vs Poss.'This delightful tale is an ideal stocking filler.' - The Herald Sun