Best of
Holiday

2008

Grace


Richard Paul Evans - 2008
    The New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Box and The Walk series returns with a holiday novel of hope, love, and redemption.She was my first kiss. My first love. She was a little match girl who could see the future in the flame of a candle. She was a runaway who taught me more about life than anyone has before or since. And when she was gone my innocence left with her. As I begin to write, a part of me feels as if I am awakening something best left dead and buried, or at least buried. We can bury the past, but it never really dies. The experience of that winter has grown on my soul like ivy climbing the outside of a home, growing until it begins to tear and tug at the brick and mortar. I pray I can still get the story right. My memory, like my eyesight, has waned with age. Still, there are things that become clearer to me as I grow older. This much I know: too many things were kept secret in those days. Things that never should have been hidden. And things that should have.

His Christmas Wish


Melissa McClone - 2008
    But now, six years later, her family needs her. Carly returns home to face her past and give her niece and nephew the best Christmas ever.Burdened with guilt, Jake Porter believes he could have saved his two friends on that fateful day and kept Carly from experiencing such a heart-wrenching loss. When she arrives in town, Jake wants to make amends so they can both finally move forward with their lives.As Jake helps Carly experience the magic of Christmas so she'll embrace the holiday again, will he also be able to open her heart to something else she’d given up on…love?Previously published as Rescued by the Magic of Christmas.Mountain Rescue Romance seriesBook 1: His Christmas WishBook 2: Her Christmas SecretBook 3: Her Christmas KissBook 4: His Second ChanceBook 5: His Christmas Family

A Dog Named Christmas


Greg Kincaid - 2008
    That's what they do. Besides, we don't need another animal around here, and most definitely not a dog.When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents' Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd's persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas.But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program. What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men and animals.

Race To A Christmas Reunion


Brenda Jackson - 2008
    It’s been five years since their break-up, and Lisa St. Claire is just as stunning as ever. He knows he should keep his distance, especially since she doesn’t know the real reason he left their small town…With wedding responsibilities keeping them close, they are forced to face one other—and the chemistry that still sizzles between them! As the festivities come to a close, will Myles and Lisa race off to their happily ever after or will the secrets of his past keep them apart forever?

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas


Philip Yates - 2008
    Moore classic. On this ship of mischievous brigands—who have visions of treasure chests, not sugarplums, dancing in their heads—you wouldn’t expect a visit from nice St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. Philip Yates’ rollicking rhymes and Sebastià Serra’s sprightly, fun-filled pictures—featuring whimsically multicolored seahorses, stockings hung on the ship’s bowsprit with tar, child-friendly pirates, and a complete treasure map—turn this Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration!

Geronimo Stilton: #11-12


Geronimo Stilton - 2008
    And then my nephew Benjamin dragged me to a graveyard to do research for a book, where I met a very spooky mouse who tried to lock me up in her coffin!On Christmas, my favorite nephew Benjamin and I were planning to trim the tree and eat lots of delicious holiday Cheesy Chews. But then disaster struck! My mouse hole caught on fire! Holey cheese, this was turning out to be the worst Christmas ever....

The Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story


Hena Khan - 2008
    With lush illustrations that evoke Islamic art, this beautiful story offers a window into modern Muslim culture—and into the ancient roots from within its traditions have grown.

Where's My Mummy?


Carolyn Crimi - 2008
    The night is deep and dark, full of friendly creatures that click their clacky teeth and whoosh past on flippy-floppy wings. But who will comfort Little Baby Mummy if a small, scritchy-scratchy someone gives him a scare? Big Mama Mummy, of course! Fresh, comical illustrations complement this ever-so-slightly suspenseful story with a satisfying ending.

The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes


Deborah Pace Rowley - 2008
    Has some very special features you won't want to miss.

Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse!


Laura Joffe Numeroff - 2008
    A surprise at the end adds to the read-aloud fun!

Christmas for a Dollar


Gale Sears - 2008
    America is in the midst of the Depression, and the Kamp family is struggling to get by, especially after Mrs. Kamp's untimely death. Now little Ruthie, with her mother gone and her father overwhelmed by doctor bills resulting from her brother's polio, expects another Christmas without presents or festivities. But when her father brings home one dollar in change and lets the children use it to buy special gifts for each other, the Kamps come to find that money isn't what fills Christmas with joy, love, and miracles. About the Author and Artist Gale Sears grew up in Lake Tahoe, California, and spent her high school years in Hawaii. She went on to receive a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young University and an MA in theater arts from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Utah, where she celebrates life with her husband, George, and her children Shawn and Chandler. Ben Sowards's paintings and illustrations have gathered national attention and can be found in many beautiful picture books, including the bestselling Christmas Oranges. Formally trained at Brigham Young University, Ben is now an instructor at Southern Utah University, where he enjoys teaching others how to paint both traditionally and digitally. Ben's wife, Connie, and their five children are happy to help with any art projects they can. Hardcover $15.95 32 Pages ISBN 978-1-59811-579-6

Seducing the Matchmaker


Elaine Overton - 2008
    When world-renowned and drop-dead gorgeous architect Derrick Brandt graces her doorway, she's incredibly pleased. Hooking him up will raise her agency's profile and give it an incredible public-relations boost. But after a few moments of conversation with the arrogant Derrick, Noelle understands why the tabloids have labeled him the most ineligible bachelor in the city.Derrick needs to find himself a wife—a woman who understands his demanding career. He's stunned to find himself captivated by the sexy siren Noelle. As the sparks of passion heat up between them, they both wonder if their relationship is indeed the perfect match.…

Mrs. Muddle's Holidays


Laura F. Nielsen - 2008
    Muddle declares more holidays than anyone else, and she celebrates them in style. In March, she makes peanut-butter-and-birdseed cookies for the birds to enjoy on First Robin Day. The next month, she and Katie dance in the rain during First Shower of April. As the year goes on, Mrs. Muddle creates a unique holiday for each month, and all of Katie's friends get in on the fun. Then Katie comes up with a special holiday of her own, and Mrs. Muddle Day is the biggest celebration her neighborhood has ever seen!The particular joys of each season are brought to life in lively, entertaining watercolor-and-ink illustrations by Thomas F. Yezerski.

Mistress Christmas


Lorelei James - 2008
    The combination of a velvet mask and a Mrs. Claus-meets-dominatrix costume gives Holly the courage to approach the hot-bodied man across the room who is as lickable as a candy cane. Detective Nick West is working undercover to find the sexy vixen who supposedly robbed his buddy at Sugar Plums. His interest in the pole dancers vanishes faster than a flying sleigh upon his introduction to Mistress Christmas—a leggy brunette with smoky eyes and a lush mouth that begs for hours beneath the mistletoe. One lap dance and their attraction flares hotter than a fireplace on a cold winter evening. And Nick is only too happy to oblige when Holly blurts out her secret Christmas wish…a night filled with sweet and dirty carnal pleasures that will land them both on the naughty list.

Peterson's Holiday Helper: Festive Pick-Me-Ups, Calm-Me-Downs, and Handy Hints to Keep You in Good Spirits


Valerie Peterson - 2008
    Whether you need to ease the friction at the Thanksgiving table, dull the guilt of smashing one of Great-Grandmama’s heirloom Christmas ornaments, or take the bite out of a New Year’s Day hangover, the collection of cocktails and tips in Peterson’s Holiday Helper will keep you afloat. With festive, original concoctions (such as Pilgrim Sangria and the Ginerous Regift) as well as time-honored classics (Mulled Wine and Eggnog), Peterson administers easy and delicious pick-me-ups for holiday humbugs and soothing calm-me-downs for the inevitable celebratory crises.Whatever your seasonal malady, Peterson’s Holiday Helper has the cure:Heading home for the holidays stuffed  into a coach-class center seat? Fly the skies in a friendlier fashion with Whatever Gets You Through the Woods, prepared with $10 of onboard liquor and other ingredients handily available from your cooperative flight attendant.Run out of transparent tape with  twenty-seven more presents to wrap?Hold yourself together with a Double-Stick Scotch Coffee, made with Drambuie, butterscotch schnapps, and piping-hot coffee.Memories of Christmases Past have you wishing you could change a few things (your choice of an ex-husband or your high-school hairstyle, perhaps)? Skip the ghastly recollections and go right for the spirits with a citrus-and-spice-infused Dickensian Smoking Bishop.In addition to these tasty and therapeutic cocktails, Peterson’s Holiday Helper is filled with vintage photographs and holiday ephemera that capture the jolly old days, as well as helpful tips to further your merry frame of mind. With easy instructions for making basics such as simple syrup and infused vodka, along with more than fifty scrumptious recipes, Peterson’s Holiday Helper will help you maintain that old-fashioned feeling of peace and tranquilization–er, tranquillity–for the entire season.

The Christmas Chronicles


Jeff Guinn - 2008
    The Autobiography of Santa Claus “A book that deserves classic status.” —The Dallas Morning News This enchanting classic combines solid historical fact with glorious legend to deliver the definitive story of Santa Claus. For anyone who has ever wondered . . . you’re right to believe in him!How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas “A humorous, well-written historical romp.” —Atlanta Woman In this delightful tale, the first lady of Christmas herself tells the story of how she and a very brave group of people once saved a treasured holiday from being lost forever.The Great Santa Search “The first-person narrative is once again richly detailed, as Guinn continues to unearth more of Santa’s backstory.” —Fort Worth Star-Telegram Acharming story that takes readers on a sleigh ride through the history of Christmas in America that lands smack-dab in 2006, as a reality TV show threatens to destroy the true spirit of Christmas.

Happy Halloween, Curious George


H.A. Rey - 2008
    There are so many costumes to try on, treats to share, and games to play! George has so much Halloween fun picking out the perfect pumpkin, decorating his house, and celebrating with his friends that he’s not sure he’s ready for the day to end. Follow the little monkey through his fun-filled day with this book of poems. Happy Halloween, Curious George is a sweet treat to help Curious George fans of all ages get in the Halloween spirit.

The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas


Anne Muecke - 2008
    And with the enclosed CD, children of all ages can enjoy dinosaur-themed Christmas party music, and hear the story read aloud by the Today Show's Al Roker! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book goes to support the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where the story is set.

Moon and Star: A Christmas Story


Robin Muller - 2008
    

The Hawaii Snowman


Christine Le - 2008
    #1 bestseller list in Hawaii. When he sees a shooting star, a lonely snowman is granted his wish to go to Hawaii. There is only one problem: when the sun rises he will turn into a puddle. But this tiny snowman with a big heart finds a way to use his snow to help others, and ends up right where he belongs. 50% of profits are donated to charities that help children, and to provide books for children in need.

A Victorian Christmas: Sentiments and Sounds of a Bygone Era


Lucinda Cockrell - 2008
    With foil, embossing, and a rich, saturated four-color interior full of classic Victorian images, A Victorian Christmas is perfect as a gift eager for a coffee table to adorn with its winsome design. Inside, readers are greeted by inscriptions from postcards and Christmas cards, poems and prose from the early twentieth century, and the accompanying CD lends soft, simple Christmas songs performed by acclaimed mandolinist Butch Baladassari. The result is an experience of Christmas from a bygone era, a unique way to say "Merry Christmas."

Wine Dogs: USA 2: More Dogs from North American Wineries


Craig McGill - 2008
    Wine Dogs USA 2 features over 300 wineries across the United States and over 450 stunning photos of their loyal pooches. Along the way, the mutts and purebreds are interspersed with short essays by Robert Parker Jr, Jennifer Rosen, Elin McCoy, Heidi Barrett, Garen Staglin, Susan Sokol Blosser, Brian Doyle and many more. Find out which dog eats underwear, who hangs out with the Doobie Brothers and discover America's iconic Wine Dog - The Scheming Beagle! Wine Dogs USA 2 is a photographic journal of stunning pictures and great stories created all for the love of dogs and wines. Pre-packed with two postcards and a Wine Dogs bookmark

The Secret of St. Nicholas


Ellen Cook Nibali - 2008
    Inspired by Jesus, Nicholas sneaks over at night and throws a bag of gold for dowries through their window. It lands in a stocking. One daughter is wed, but the father keeps wasting gold until Nicholas is down to his last bag of gold. What should he do? Can he save the girl and keep his giving a secret? Almost two thousand years later, St. Nicholas still comes secretly at night, putting surprises in children's stockings.

Slippery Slopes, High Hopes and My Winter Dream Boy


Liz Elwes - 2008
    Having been dumped by text after just one date with her dream boy, Sam Harrson, all she wants to do is escape. And, of course, there's always the chance that she'll meet a gorgeous Austrian hunk on the slopes...But having the skiing ability of Bambi on ice isn't going to help!

The Lump of Coal


Lemony Snicket - 2008
    This is a story about a lump of coal who can think, talk, and move itself around.Is there a more charming holiday tale to behold? Probably, but Lemony Snicket has not written one.

The Miracle Jar: A Hanukkah Story


Audrey Penn - 2008
    But when their mother shares her worry that they do not have enough cooking oil to last eight days, their father tells them the story behind the holiday celebration and the miracle of the oil. Inspired by the story, the family creates its own Miracle Jar and watches the oil disappear as they enjoy the special food that each day brings. The family's hope and faith is confirmed when a last wipe of the cloth produces enough oil to prepare the eight day's treat.

Oh Say Can You See [With CD]


Francis Scott Key - 2008
    Each spread focuses on one line from the this beloved favorite and is brought to life with beautiful photographic images of America today. Touch-and-feel and lift-a-flaps elements throughout the book will encourage children to participate in learning about the history and culture behind this anthem. Additional information and captions will ensure that young readers want to explore all the pages. Informative text backed up by factual captions make the book a delight for adults to read with young children. The book also comes with a CD featuring ten songs for children and parents to enjoy together.

Ghosts in the House!


Kazuno Kohara - 2008
    She catches them, puts them in the washing machine, airs them out to dry, and gives them new lives as sofa covers, table cloths, and, of course, bed sheets to cozy up under. Fresh and charming illustrations in dynamic orange, black and white bring this resourceful heroine and these spooky ghosts to life.   Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 7/6/2010 Pages: 32 Reading Level: Age 3 and Up

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: with Fiestas, Music, and Dance


Carolyn B. Otto - 2008
    Many mistakenly assume that the fifth of May is Mexico's Independence Day. In fact, the date marks the anniversary of a famous 1862 battle in which the Mexicans defeated the French. Known as the Battle of Puebla, the victory marked a watershed in Mexican pride and unity that echoes down to the present day.With succinct text and dazzling photography, Celebrate Cinco de Mayo takes readers on a journey to discover the rich variety of celebrations across our country--from Texas to Minnesota to New York. This inviting book gives readers a flavor of the wide range of colorful holiday traditions: parades and pageants; races and rodeos; mariachi music and dancing; parties with pi�atas and delicious Mexican foods. Children will learn how the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the world, the Fiesta Broadway, actually takes place in the United States, and attracts more than 600,000 revelers each year.Mexico is our closest neighbor and the birthplace of America's largest immigrant community; a knowledge of Mexican culture and history is increasingly relevant to students across the United States.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Rock Star Santa


Gayle C. Krause - 2008
    A new take on what happens the night before Christmas. Rock Star Santa and his rowdy reindeer band perform a Christmas Eve rock concert for children they'll never forget.

The Cowboy and the Angel


Marin Thomas - 2008
    Even if it means stepping in front of a ten-ton wrecking ball aimed at their temporary home. And especially if it means clashing with gorgeous corporate cowboy Duke Dalton. To Duke, the blue-eyed blonde seems more like an angel than a social worker. Until he discovers a group of runaways camping out in his warehouse! The Tulsa businessman came to set up shop in a new town, not provide free housing for the masses. But Renee and the kids are making him rethink his bottom line...and what the spirit of the Christmas season really means. Now this cowboy Santa is looking to give Renee--and her young charges--a gift straight from his heart!