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The Spider & The Fly by Becky Clifford

Oct23

Stunningly Beautiful

The Spider & The Fly by Becky Clifford is a stunningly beautiful Christian Christmas book for young children.

Becky Clifford has used Matthew 2 as a basis for her poem telling of the birth of Jesus, with the addition of a spider and a fly. It is a unique and very beautiful take on a familiar Bible story. It is a beautiful and memorable way to introduce Jesus to young children. As a grandparent, I am very familiar with the Christmas story, and I absolutely adored The Spider & The Fly.

The story is told through rhyming couplets, making it easy for children to anticipate what is coming next, and to join in, once they have heard the story a few times. It has a wonderful rhythmic bounce to the tale.

When we see the Wise Men or the Holy family, look very carefully as there will be a spider and/or a fly hidden somewhere within the illustrations. This makes the book interactive for young (and not so young) children.

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The Twelve Wishes Of Christmas by Ruby Basu

Oct13

Christmas In A Book

The Twelve Wishes Of Christmas by Ruby Basu is the most delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart. It is definitely Christmas wrapped up in a book. As you snuggle into its pages, you will feel the warmth and love.

Christmas is snow and candy canes, Christmas trees and hot chocolate, peace and goodwill. Christmas is The Twelve Wishes Of Christmas. It is positively charming and I am sorry it is over.

All the characters were warm and welcoming. There was a wonderful community atmosphere that helped to divert potential disasters.

Christmas is a time for family. Not all family is blood related. Sometimes family are those with whom we have a connection. Age is no barrier. Distance is no barrier. Connection remains even beyond the grave as we look back with fond memories.

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The Air Raid Girls At Christmas by Jenny Holmes

Dec30

The Lights Will Come On Again

The Air Raid Girls At Christmas by Jenny Holmes is a delightful historical novel set during the weeks leading up to Christmas 1941. It is the second book in the Air Raid Girls series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action takes place in a small Yorkshire town on the coast. We witness residents pulling together in their fight against Hitler. On the whole there is a solidarity and a sense of community.

All is not a bed of roses as there are those with racial prejudice, believing every German is an enemy alien. They do not take in the facts of those who are German but Jewish who fled persecution in Germany, only to be treated unfairly in England. Fortunately, kind hearts outweigh those who are black-hearted.

There is the theme of unmarried mothers. The act of how a pregnancy occurred is not taken into account. The father is not blamed but guilt and shame heaped upon the innocent. In contrast we see those with kind hearts who are determined to love and support and help heal those with broken spirits. It is shameful the way unmarried pregnant girls are treated by those who should know better as they are hidden away in homes run by the church.

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Christmas Stories by Various

Dec27

A Treasure Trove

Christmas Stories 32 Classic Stories And Poems For The Young And Old by Various is a delightful collection, mainly of stories and a few poems, all of which will warm the reader’s heart. Some stories are familiar although many are not, despite being written a century ago.

This is a book that can be dipped into or read cover to cover. I chose the latter, for the first reading.

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