A Questionable Christmas


Book Description

What happens when the family that normally hosts Christmas cancels? Family drama, that's what. Over the years, Gail and Rashid Al Jabbar's mini mansion has become holiday central. They not only have the space, but also the resources, to host large family gatherings. This year, however, due to the premature birth of their son, all the cautious parents want is a quiet Christmas at home. No family. No friends. No guests. DaQuan's delicate immune system requires they limit the number of people to whom he's exposed. With everyone wanting to greet the new baby, will they get their wish? Or will family and circumstances conspire against them?




Christmas Street


Book Description

This spectacular lift-the-flap Christmas alphabet story is a book, a fold-out play-scene, and a beautiful festive frieze to decorate your room—the perfect Christmas gift! Everyone is busy on Christmas Street! Who is baking gingerbread? Who is wrapping presents? And who's that coming down the chimney? Find out in this follow-up to Alphabet Street. And after you read the rhyming story, lift the flaps to learn the letters of the alphabet and seasonal words. Then flip the book and have fun with the giant snowy concertina play-scene on the reverse! With two large, sturdy flaps on every spread; bright, cheerful artwork from Ingela P. Arrhenius, illustrator of the best-selling series of lift-the-felt-flap board books and the Peekaboo board book series; and a clever rhyming text from Jonathan Emmett, this is a charming Christmas alphabet book that little ones will return to again and again.




The Best Christmas Pageant Ever


Book Description

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.




Caillou: Merry Christmas!


Book Description

It's Christmastime and Caillou's family is gathering together. Even his Aunt Poppy and her cat Balthazar have come from far away to celebrate the holiday with Caillou, his sister Rosie, and their parents and grandparents. Before they know it, Christmas Eve has arrived, and Caillou—who is too excited to sleep—suddenly hears a strange noise. Could it be Santa? Capturing the precious memories and emotions of the holiday season, toddlers learn about the deeper meaning of Christmas.




The Binge Watcher's Guide to The Twilight Zone: An Unofficial Journey


Book Description

“You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind.” There are a lot of compendiums on The Twilight Zone out there, most offering a backstage peek at the ins and outs of producing this seminal genre series. The Binge Watcher’s Guide to The Twilight Zone will offer you something these other books do not: a microscopic look into the themes and ideas that Rod Serling weaved into his landmark show to give you a deeper understanding of why The Twilight Zone still resonates with audiences over 60 years later. This guide will examine how the socio-political turmoil of the early 1960s, the global anxiety over nuclear power, and the looming specter of trauma in post-war America influenced Serling to use The Twilight Zone as a bully pulpit, pushing back against social ills, from racism and censorship to McCarthyism and totalitarianism. Whether this is your first trip to the Zone or you’re an old fan returning for one more round, this retrospective is an opportunity to engage with the timeless classic in a way that can help you make sense of our here and now. “You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.”




Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas


Book Description

Profiles noteworthy Christmas films of all types, including movies for children and for grownups, comedies, sad movies, crime and adventure films, horror movies, versions of "A Christmas Carol," the worst movies, and the classics.




A Heartland Christmas Collection


Book Description

Midwestern humorist Gary Anderson's third book takes aim at the wide-ranging emotions of the Christmas season in this collection of short stories. From the insanity of the Christmas that brought a troop of clowns to the farm, to the poignancy of an old couple, recalling the most touching moment of their 60 Christmases together, this collection offers Anderson's unique reflections on both the hilarious and the touching sides of the holiday season. "Oh, that everyone would see what Christmas is really about! I long to have a simple Christmas, full of memories of family times and remembering why we celebrate Christmas. The commercialism has gotten to be too much. Thank you for a beautiful article. Run it again next year and maybe you can rid the world of some insanity!" -Traci Vujicich, syndicated columnist "I'm so excited about your articles! They just sparkle!" -Gloria Peck, Editor, Waterlines magazine "I'm always on the lookout for pieces that reflect solid values as well as a thoughtful writer-which you obviously are." -Linda Meehan, Editor, Country Heart magazine "You have a wonderful way with words." -Linda Radke, Managing Editor, Five Star Publications




The Myths That Stole Christmas


Book Description

In The Myths that Stole Christmas, Johnson argues that Christmas has been hijacked by seven different myths-seven myths that control how people conceive of and celebrate the holiday. Myth #1: Jesus Is the Reason for the Season Myth #2: There Is a War on Christmas Myth #3: Our Christmas Traditions Are Old-Fashioned Myth #4: Christmas Spending Is Good for the Economy Myth #5: Santa Claus Is Saint Nicholas Myth #6: The Santa Claus Lie Is Harmless Myth #7: Christmas Can't Change Historically, holiday celebrations served useful social functions; they smoothed tension between social classes; they helped us prepare for the long hard winter; they turned the literal darkest days into the "hap-happiest season of all." Modern Christmas celebrations, however, serve as a source of conflict-and can make us anxious, stressed, fat, poor and stupid. Christmas owns us; we do what it wants, when it wants. But, Johnson argues, taking a close look at the history of the holiday, and the social, political and economic issues that surround it, can turn the tables and allow us to own Christmas once again. Christmas is not a Christians-only holiday that can only be properly celebrated a certain way. Christmas belongs to us all and we can each simply make it what we need it to be.




Christmas Unwrapped


Book Description

My eyes are blurred, my brain is mush. My hands begin to tremble. I fell for those deceitful words: 'Easy to assemble.'" -Christmas Unwrapped: Lighthearted Humor to Get You Through the Holidays If the holidays conjure up images of maxed-out credit card bills, mile-long mall lines, or that lamp from Aunt Jane that graces your abode only when she comes to visit, this colorful keepsake provides rhyming redemption. More About Christmas Unwrapped Rhyme master Scott Emmons approaches Christmas with a joke and a grin by offering 47 original poems, including: * Dear Santa, Toys get broken. Candy's cheap. Pets take effort. Fruit won't keep. Candles smell. Clothes might clash. Games are boring. Please send cash. Love, Mindy * Grandma's Gift Which present came from Grandma? It isn't hard to see. The gift wrap is the same she's used since 1943. Book attributes include a stocking-friendly trim size and ribbon marker, along with four-color art and photography throughout.




Famous Detectives On Christmas Duty - Ultimate Murder Mysteries for Holidays


Book Description

Famous Detectives On Christmas Duty - Ultimate Murder Mysteries for Holidays is an eclectic anthology that weaves together the yuletide spirit with the intrigue and suspense of detective fiction. This collection showcases a variety of literary styles, from the gothic and macabre of Edgar Allan Poe to the sophisticated puzzles crafted by Agatha Christie. The anthology stands out for its unique juxtaposition of the festive season against the backdrop of mystery and crime, exploring themes of justice, redemption, and human nature across different historical periods and locales. The diversity and literary significance of these works make this collection a compelling read for enthusiasts of both holiday fiction and detective stories. The contributing authors and editors are titans of the literary world, each having left an indelible mark on the genre of detective fiction. The likes of Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle have shaped the foundational narratives and archetypal characters that define the genre, while authors such as Melville Davisson Post and Victor L. Whitechurch have contributed with their unique voices and innovative storytelling techniques. This collection aligns with and celebrates the rich tradition of detective fiction, offering a panoramic view of its evolution through the lens of the Christmas season. The varied backgrounds of these authors provide a rich tapestry of cultural and historical perspectives, enriching the anthologys thematic depth. This anthology offers readers a unique opportunity to explore a wide array of detective narratives set against the festive yet eerie backdrop of Christmas. It is an invitation to delve into the complex interplay of light and shadow, joy and mystery that these stories encapsulate. With its diverse range of voices and styles, Famous Detectives On Christmas Duty is not just a celebration of holiday mystery but a testament to the enduring appeal of detective fiction. Readers will find themselves returning to this collection year after year, discovering new layers and insights within its pages. It is an essential addition to the library of anyone passionate about crime fiction, the cultural significance of holidays, or the study of literary movements.