The Black Day Book. It's a Scream.

"On Halloween morning, Brad delivered newspapers on his bicycle and, like every other morning, he did it while wishing he was a rockstar instead of a paperboy."

The opening line from the soon-to-be released new book, Black Day: The Monster Rock Band, had my boys and me hooked. We love Halloween and - let's face it - we've all wished we could be someone other than who we are, if even just for a day.

But it's what happens next that had us all in the true spirit of Halloween - in June! Brad discovers that a monster rock band is playing in a local garage . . .and he wants in! This book is full of fun right up to the last page. And, as a bonus, the illustrations are cute rather than spooky so that even my three-year-old could enjoy the story.

One of the coolest things about this book, though, is that it was written by a young man with Down Syndrome. Marcus Sikora is 25 and is an extremely creative soul. He is an actor and a writer who loves theater, singing, and exercising. His mom, Mardra, is the beautiful writer behind the blog Grown Ups and Downs. I got them both to answer some questions about Marcus's creative process and spill a little dirt about his next book.

KTF: Have you always loved reading books?
Marcus: I like to read books.

KTF: Which are your favorites?
Marcus: Black Day, Phantom of the Opera 
Mardra: Marcus participates in the Next Chapter Book Club. It has really encouraged him socially and has introduced him to books that he would never try with me).

KTF: Are you a musician? Or have you wanted to be in a rock band yourself? 

Marcus: Skeleton Pumpkin Head is the lead singer of the band, like me. 

Mardra: Marcus voices SPH on the DVD and on the song Black Day, both to be released later this summer. Many authors include their alter egos in their story. Marcus is SPH. 

KTF: How did you get the idea for the book? 

Marcus: I got the idea for a monster rock band while we were staying in a cabin at Mahoney State Park.

KTF: How long did it take you to write this book? 

Mardra: We took about a year, working in small chunks, to write and edit the story. Then over another year in getting the book illustrated and the DVD voiced and animated. Publishing a book is not for the faint of heart!

KTF: Why did you pick Halloween as the holiday for the book? Is it your favorite holiday?

Marcus: Yes!

KTF: Will your next book be centered around a certain holiday? 

Marcus: Book Two will be more with Brad and the monster band. Watch BlackDayBook.com.

KTF: Mardra, how do you encourage and support Marcus' talent for writing? 

Mardra: Weekly writing sessions.

KTF: How much did you help him or was this all his own idea?  

Mardra: His idea, his dialogue, and his plot twists. I added the fluffy words. My primary job is to get the details and ask “then what?”

KTF: Is he getting a big head from the fame or is he the same Marcus you know and love? 

Mardra: Ha! We’ll see after this book tour. He knows his job now is to autograph books and make labels for shipping.

KTF: Anything else about the process or about Marcus or your relationship that you want to add?

Mardra: The process of getting the book and DVD made has been more about community than I expected - from the people who voice, to the incredible work of the illustrator, Noah Witchell, and how his family is so on board and connected to Marcus’ vision, Brad (who voiced, Brad), the musicians on the song, and so much more. It’s just been crazy and cool.

Black Day: The Monster Rock Band will be available to order this Saturday, June 20th, which coincidentally is Marcus's 25th birthday! Use this link to order, or visit Mardra's website. 

If you are in Omaha on July 11th, Mardra and Marcus will be at The Bookworm for a 1:00 p.m. reading and book signing, so you can meet this incredible duo in person. 

I'm honored to be giving away one copy of the book to a lucky reader in the United States. Marcus will sign the book and send it to you after July 7th. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below, and be sure to check out Grown Ups and Downs, the blog, and follow them on Facebook. You can follow Marcus on Twitter here and Mardra here. Read a post that will give you the good chills about Marcus and Mardra here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I just love these two, and I hope you will, too!

*This giveaway has ended. 

Around the Pond with the Frog~October/November 2014

December 1st already!  Where does the time go? Time is definitely going to fly between now and Christmas. In case you've missed anything that's happened here around the pond, here it is summed up in one convenient place.

I sort of fell off the blogging wagon in October. I wrote about our upcoming move and how I hate change. I also shared my inclusion in the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Inner Strength: 101 Empowering Stories of Resilience, Positive Thinking, and Overcoming Challenges. I'm so honored to have been included in one of these well-loved and timeless books. It would make a great gift for anyone this holiday season. Finally, I stopped by Coach Daddy's blog for another of his wonderful 6-word posts - this one on how we'd spend Hermit Day.

Early in November, I was struck hard by the death of Brittany Maynard, the young woman who had a brain tumor similar to Joey's. I quickly lightened the mood by reviewing my friend Nikki's series of children's books called The Peppermints. These would also make a great holiday gift for the kids on your list.

National Children's Grief Awareness Week was at the end of November, so I shared some personal experience by giving 10 Tips for Talking to Children About Death and sharing The Best Grief and Grieving Resources for Children. The holidays can be an especially hard time for anyone who is grieving. Please share these if you know someone who can be helped by them.  

Finally, I asked and they answered: I shared some Christmas gifts that teachers actually want. Now get out there and get shopping!

December is such a busy time for everyone, and it's going to seem even shorter this year with Thanksgiving being later. It's going to fly for us, as we are finally moving at the end of the month! It's supposed to happen five days before Christmas, but there's still a lot of work to do on our house. I really have to get busy packing, so I probably won't be around blogging or on Facebook very much. 

January will mark FOUR years that I have been blogging and writing. That seems so crazy to think about. Read my very first blog post here to see how the whole thing got started. Throughout the month, I will take a trip down memory lane and share some old posts with you and for the people who have found me along the way. I might write something new; but in case I'm too busy with the move, I wanted to give you something to read. It's kind of a crazy time for me right now, and packing is hard because, you know, I have "help."

"But it's fun, Mommy!" #nothelping

Anyway, I hope that you have a joyous and safe holiday season. I will talk to you again soon, Dear Readers. 

Have a "Peppermints" Christmas (Review and Giveaway!)

I love a great children's book. I remember when I was little begging my mother at the checkout of the grocery store to buy me another Little Golden Book. It's the stories that transcend time and delight all generations that I love the best; obviously because they stay with us and can be enjoyed by everyone over and over and over.

That's why when my high school friend, Nikki Maloney, shared her new series of children's books with me, I knew I had to share them with YOU!

The Peppermints are a family created from Nikki's father's imagination and brought to life on the page by Nikki and her illustrator, Ted Layton. The stories of Mr. and Mrs. Peppermint and their children - Pete, Patty, Philpot, and Peggy - are based on Nikki and her siblings. The stories have been revived and given a classic spin. Timeless for every generation of readers from Grandparents to grandchildren, each of the intended 9 stories takes place in the 1950's and highlights a different family member and a variety of experiences.

The first book, Summer Camp Treasury, centers around Pete and his first experience at summer camp. The second, Ski Vacation, centers around the Peppermints' annual ski trip. It is Philpot's (Potty, for short) first time, and he's worried he won't be able to keep up. But HOT DOG, hilarity ensues and the trip is saved! Nikki sent my boys this book, and they gave it a very enthusiastic 8 thumbs up!! They were literally giggling the whole time I was reading the book. As a bonus, there are peppermint sticks hidden on every page, and my boys were delighted when they found each one.

The third book in the series, Thanksgiving Day Parade, is out TODAY and I can't wait to get my hands on it! From Nikki's website: "It's the holiday season! The Peppermint family travel to New York City for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Expect the unexpected, where surprise and excitement are right around the corner. It's that wonderful time of year when anything is possible."

Without giving too much away (because of course there is a surprise at the end), here are samples of the delightfully vintage-feeling illustrations: 

Macy's is celebrating the 88th anniversary of the parade, so this book will make the perfect gift this holiday season. Nikki is giving one of my readers a copy of their very own, along with another surprise gift. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win (open to US residents over 18). Deadline to enter is midnight 11/19. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To learn more about all things Minty, visit Nikki's website and order the rest of the Peppermint's books here. Even though Nikki is my friend and she gave me a copy of her book to review, all opinions and the opinions of my children are our own. We LOVE these books! If you are looking for a sweet and unique gift idea, these are it!! I promise you will fall in love with the Peppermint family.

*This giveaway has ended. 

I Found My Inner Strength with Chicken Soup . . .For the Soul

Longtime readers of Kissing the Frog know that I have been through my fair share of hard things. Icky stuff like cancer and autism and infertility and miscarriage and bed rest and birth defects.

Each of these things has sucked in it's own way; but I can't say any have broken me. No, not even losing my sweet Joey to cancer has broken me. It can't. None of it can. Some days I feel like I don't have a choice but to go on and forge ahead. For my spouse, for my children, for me. 

As someone who grew up living a simple life with an extremely loving and supportive family, I've had it pretty good compared to some other people. Many people have faced challenges that I'll never begin to understand. Since Joey's cancer battle and death, I've begun to say to people that just because I've experienced something worse than you have, it doesn't make your hard thing any less difficult for you. It's all in what we know. It's all in what we know as our personal experience.

I am so honored to be sharing my personal experience in the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, Find Your Inner Strength, which is officially on sale today. In my essay, "Bit by Bit," I share how I, along with my family, am healing a bit every day since Joey's loss.

Rawr!

Find Your Inner Strength includes 101 stories of resilience, positive thinking, and overcoming challenges. Included are sections on overcoming self-destructive behavior, fighting health challenges, powering through loss (in which my story is included), moving past disabilities, accepting the new normal, accepting what makes you different, learning to reach out, rising to the challenge, pursuing your dreams, and taking back your life. I cannot wait to read the other stories in this anthology!

Chicken Soup for the Soul has been around for over 20 years. It's tag line - "Changing lives one story at a time" - alludes to their powerful purpose. They allow writers to share their stories in the hopes that they just might change someone's life. You can follow Chicken Soup for the Soul on Facebook and Twitter. You can get your copy of

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Inner Strength: 101 Empowering Stories of Resilience, Positive Thinking, and Overcoming Challenges from Amazon (this is an affiliate link), from the Chicken Soup for the Soul website , or anywhere books are sold.

OR you can get one from me. I have a copy to give away to a reader who can tell me:

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome and how did you do it? 

The rules are simple:
1. Go to my Facebook page and find the pinned post at the top.
2. Answer the question honestly. Speak from your heart.
3. You will get an automatic "like" from me.
4. The post with the most likes by 10:00 p.m. Central Time Wednesday night 10/29 will win the book. In the event of a tie, I will ask my fellow BlogU planning team bloggers to help decide the winner.
5. I'm only sending the book to residents of the US. Sorry, if I were a famous author I could afford to ship anywhere. Maybe someday. :)

That's it. Good luck finding your inner strength!

*This giveaway has ended. 

Spending an Evening with David Sedaris

David Sedaris via ticketomaha.com 

Ask any humor writer who their idols are and inevitably the name
David Sedaris comes up. A popular humorist, comedian, author, and radio contributor, Sedaris is known for his self-deprecating and autobiographical wit. Born in New York in 1956, Sedaris discusses his middle-class life with five siblings, his education, a speech impediment, his Greek heritage, the numerous jobs he's held and places he's lived, and obsessive behaviors such as his use of drugs.

I appreciate anyone who can take a look at their life and speak openly and honestly about it. Adding in a dash of laughter about oneself is just icing on the cake! When I heard that he would be performing his one-man show, An Evening with David Sedaris, in Omaha on October 30 I was intrigued. I asked some humor blogger friends what books of his they would recommend, and I downloaded them eager to learn more.

After reading Me Talk Pretty One Day and Holidays on Ice, I think it's safe to say I'm officially a fan. Reading about him as a fifth grade boy pretending his speech therapist was on a covert government operation (my fifth grade son is in speech therapy) and reading about his quest to become a Macy's Elf during Christmas time (I have memories of seeing Macy's all lit up for the holidays when we lived in New York), I found his stories to be hilarious and relatable. I'm on to his 1997 best-seller, Naked, now; and while I feel like I know what to expect, I suspect Sedaris is the kind of writer who keeps you guessing what he is going to say next.

Sedaris is a three-time Grammy Award nominee and a New York Times bestselling author. He is currently touring the country reading his new and unpublished works, holding Q&A sessions about his work, and signing copies of his books. If you live in or around the Omaha area, he will be performing his show An Evening with David Sedaris on Thursday, October 30, at 7:30 pm at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Kiewit Hall. You can purchase tickets here through Ticket Omaha.

I personally can't wait for the show and to learn more about this amazing writer. Hope to see you there!


*I was comped with two tickets from Omaha Performing Arts to Sedaris' performance for this post, but my new found love for him is all my own. 

Grief, Healing, and a Rare Bird: A Review of Anna Whiston-Donaldson's New Memoir

Rare Bird. A memoir of loss and love

Every once and a while you meet someone (or in the case of blogging - come across someone) with whom you feel an instant connection. About three years ago while I was still reeling from the loss of my son from cancer, I began seeing other bloggers posting a blog button for An Inch of Gray and saying, "Let's lift her up." Of course being curious, I clicked over.

Author Anna Whiston-Donaldson

Anna was a mom who started out writing a blog about crafts and DIY projects; but after one fateful afternoon, her blog became about grief. It was a rainy September afternoon - much like it is today where I live. The rain came softly at first, so she allowed her squirrely kids out to play. But then the rain came harder and swelled the creek bed in their neighborhood, and only one child returned.

Her beautiful, precocious, gentle-hearted son, Jack, was gone.

I got chills typing that. And I get chills every time I read Anna's blog. She writes so eloquently and with such grace (that's what we say about moms who have lost children - they have such grace). It seemed to me that she was still able to love God despite having suffered this horrible circumstance. And I didn't understand that because my own relationship with God was shattered after losing Joey. She drew strength from one of Jack's very favorite Bible verses:

And so she set about writing a book about that: the healing process. I fell in love with Anna and her words and offered to help her promote her book. But, I must admit, when it was in my hands I was afraid to open it. My own wounds were still so raw. But she does not write about Jack's accident. You can read about that here.

What she does write about is the after. The funeral, picking out something to memorialize Jack, the lingering feelings of doubt, sadness, resentment, and shame. Yes, shame.

Rare Bird is a story about Anna's healing process; and since it's a process, it is still on-going. I was drawn so much to her words as I have felt the same feelings she has felt. Seeing grieving from her perspective helps me as I work through my own grief. 

This isn't just a book for those who have lost a child or lost someone they love. Life hands us many things that we feel are unfair and cruel. Anna shows us that it is okay to question, to doubt, and to feel anger and shame. This book is a journey through one of life's toughest lessons, and Anna is our guide.

The book has already been praised by The Washington Post and Publishers Weekly. See Anna tell about the book in her own words:




Rare Bird isn't just a book about grief and healing. It's a book about human-ness and hope, vulnerability and trust. Anna's sweetness, faith, strength, and resolve clearly resound on every page. I cannot recommend this book enough. Even if I hadn't hugged Anna in person at BlogU, I would still tell you to read it.

Jessica of Four Plus An Angel, Courtney of Our Small Moments,
Me, and Anna - still smiling despite our collective grief.

Visit Anna's author page, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter. Get her book here. You will be so glad you did.

*I begged Anna for a copy of the book to review, which she graciously sent me. A big thank you to Julianna of Rants From Mommyland for the beautiful graphics. Stay tuned for my end of the month wrap-up (Around the Pond with the Frog) when I give away Anna's book, plus the other books I'm reviewing this month.

Around the Pond with the Frog~March 2014

Forgive me for a being a little late getting this wrap-up out there. This spring is proving to be a busy time for the Frog house. We're trying to clean everything out of our house so it doesn't look like 6 people - and the spirit of a seventh - live in it. Shooting for a June date to put it on the market. It's hard, and it will surely be the subject of a lot of what I write in the coming weeks and months.

That said, I won't be writing or be on social media as much. I've already stepped back a little and put my series, Grief Stories, on hold. I thought about completely taking a break, but that wouldn't be fair to me. Writing is my outlet. It is a source of good things for me, so I think I'll keep it.

So, that said, in case you missed anything in the month of March, here's what I said:

• I wrote about little panic attacks I get when I realize we are halfway there (wherever "there" is). Read that here.
• I was on Mamalode twice in March talking about Mom friends here and about being a fit mother here. Please click on these links as these are paid writing gigs for me. You can choose the $0 option to read, for now. 
• I shared a couple meatless recipes for Lent. You can find the pins on Pinterest here and here.
• I talked about fire safety and told you how you could view some rad fire safety videos and get lesson plans if you are a teacher right here. 
• I featured my former Her View from Home writer, Kelly, talking about pet loss on Grief Stories here. 
• I reviewed a book by Matt Mooney called Unspeakable Joy about the loss of his son here. I will be interviewing him soon. In the comments, please share a question you'd like me to ask him.

And finally, the book came out! You know, the one by all the Super Cool Lady writers called I Just Want to Be Alone. The one that already has FORTY five-star reviews on Amazon. Click here to read more about my co-authors and HERE to order the book.

Phew, I think that's it. So I will be writing, but it will probably only be about once a week - maybe twice - we'll see. To be sure that you see everything I post, please subscribe to my blog by clicking one of two buttons in the top left-hand column. Either follow me on Bloglovin or by e-mail. You will only get mail if I post something new.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest if you are not already.

Now, off to pack up the basement. If anyone has ANY packing or storage tips, please feel free to share them in the comments. Newbie here. 

Love to you all and here's hoping by my next wrap-up we'll all be wearing shorts and feeling warm.

My Hubby Even Thinks I'm a Super Cool Lady Writer

I've long considered myself extremely lucky to have such a helpful husband. He's always been willing to cook, wash dishes, and vacuum floors among other household tasks. From the get-go, he was a loving and involved father - he had to be with twins right out of the gate.

He's funny and he's sweet. When I cut myself down, he calls me on it. He might not understand all of my quirks - which are MANY - but he puts up with them. Which is all I really ask anyway.

Just this past weekend, I was kind of going on a little OCD rant about the way the babysitter folded the towels. He said, "Do you hear yourself right now?"

Okay, yes, yes, I may have been over-reacting just a tad.

Later, when we went out to dinner for his birthday and I refused the bread the waitress offered, he said, "Oh, because of your raging diabetes?" Which is of course a nod to the fact that I KNOW I have or will get diabetes because many of my relatives have it and I had gestational diabetes twice.

He never quite makes fun of me outright; it's more of a poking little jab to agree with whatever ridiculous statement I've made.

One thing he's always been supportive about is my writing. From when I started writing about Joey on Caring Bridge to now on the blog, he always has kind or constructive words to say. From telling me he enjoyed a post I wrote about one of the boys or admitting he had to stop reading one about Joey that choked him up or responding, "Of course they do," when I tell him Huffington Post wants to publish one of my latest blogs, I know he's proud I'm finding success at something that I like (even though he does make fun of my pet articles in Women's Edition).

So when I mentioned that "one of my blogger friends," Jen of People I Want to Punch in the Throat, was compiling an anthology of stories about husbands, he didn't really say I couldn't write about him. And when I did write something, he even smiled a few times while reading it.

But THEN, when I got the e-mail from Jen saying that she'd accepted my essay into her new book (squeeee!) and that I was officially a "Super Cool Lady Writer," he didn't make fun of me AT ALL!

See, I get to make fun of HIM a little in this book.

Many of you will remember the first installment of this series, I Just Want to Be Alone. It is super funny and written by some "kick-ass lady bloggers."

This second installment is called I Just Want to Be Alone, and here is what it's about:

"Don't get us wrong, we love the men in our lives – we do (most of the time). It's just that sometimes we would like them to go away. Not forever or anything like that. Just for an hour … or a day … or a weekend. We want some time to ourselves to read a good book or take a walk or do anything other than try to make a dent in the never ending mound of dirty clothes that keeps piling up on the floor on his side of the bed. We just want to be alone. All alone. Is that too much to ask?

I Just Want to Be Alone is a collection of humorous essays from 37 of the most Super Cool Lady Writers you'll find on the web. Including: People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Baby Sideburns, A.K. Turner, My Husband Ate All My Ice Cream, and Bad Parenting Moments.

Read hilarious essays like:

Open Letter To My Son (Or: Your Mother’s Top 10 List of Ways Not to Be a Douchebag Husband)

Exploding With Love, Literally

Romance is Overrated

Life With the Thin Guy

Dear Magnolia, Should I Marry This Man?"

I am so excited to be a part of my second anthology, and one that includes amazing bloggers like these:

People I Want to Punch in the Throat

Moms Who Drink and Swear

Baby Sideburns

A.K. Turner

My Husband Ate All My Ice Cream

Bad Parenting Moments

The Underachiever's Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess

The Ugly Volvo

Let Me Start By Saying

Motherhood, WTF?

Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Frugalista Blog

Toulouse and Tonic

Nicole Leigh Shaw

Somewhat Sane Mom

MyLifeSuckers

The Mom of the Year

Hollow Tree Ventures

When Crazy Meets Exhaustion

Funny Is Family

Abby Has Issues

Kissing the Frog

Nurse Mommy Laughs

Our Small Moments

I'm Still Learning

The Fordeville Diaries

You're My Favorite Today

Ironic Mom

Life on Peanut Layne

Loripalooza

I Love Them The Most When They're Sleeping

From Meredith to Mommy

The Nomad Mom Diary 

649.133: Girls, the Care and Raising Of

Lisa Newlin – Seriously?

Keeper of the Fruit Loops

Magnolia Ripkin

That is far too much awesomeness for one book!! But that's not even the best part. The best part is that, although its official release is not until March 22, you can pre-order I Just Want to Be Alone TODAY to ensure that you get your copy right away! Just click on that little link or the Amazon link at the top of the page.

This is going to be so fun - because, hey, we all love our men. And what better way to show our love than poking a little fun at them?

Order your copy - today. And while you're waiting, have you read the first book yet? On the off chance you haven't, order your copy of I Just Want to Pee Alone and get in the mood for more hilariousness come March 22nd.

I can't wait!

Oh, and for the record, Hubby, that's Ms. Super Cool Lady Writer to you!
 

The Frog's Best Picks for Christmas Reading

By now the turkey is eaten and the stuffing is licked clean. You may be ready to do some of that holiday shopping.

I've admitted that by December I'm usually already a little sick of Christmas. But, for me, there's nothing like a good book to put me back in the mood and to remind me what the season is really all about. Christmas books make great gifts for teachers or anyone on your list for whom a scarf will just not do.

Exclusive of some of the obvious books, such as A Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Miracle on 34th Street, here are some of my personal favorite Christmas books for children and adults.

Best for Adults Wanting to Re-capture the Christmas Spirit:



The Gift of the Magi by O Henry
This by far is one of my most very favorite stories ever. A husband and wife, finding themselves on hard times, will sacrifice their most prized possessions to get the other a gift. It is the tale of unselfish love and giving that has been the basis of several other stories and movies.




The Greatest Gift by Phillip Van Doren Stern
Did you know that the classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life (which is also one of my favorites) was actually based on this short story? This is the original story in which George Bailey learns that life is a gift and every person is indispensable.




The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
Written originally for his daughters and some family members, Evans's story of a widow and the family who moves in with her will make you rediscover the reason for the season.




Letters From Father Christmas by JRR Tolkien
This book by The Lord of the Rings Trilogy author tells the story of life at the North Pole through pictures and drawings the author sent to his own children over a period of 20 years.




Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
I happen to be a John Grisham fan, and I think this book is funny. It is about a family who decides to, well, skip Christmas one year and go on a cruise instead. The ensuing fallout from neighbors and other family members is what makes this book so hilariously realistic.




The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon
This book reminds me of another of my favorites, The Giving Tree. In this story, an orphaned girl befriends a tree, and when she is an old woman gives the tree up to be THE most famous tree in America. It's a story of love and sharing that love with others.




On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts
The story of several disgruntled wives and moms who are tired of doing everything at Christmas, this book was turned into a cheesy movie that showed how a little holiday cheer is exactly what everyone needs.




Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen of PIWTPITT
This is a book for anyone who has that crazy mother or mother-in-law who takes holiday decorating just a little too far. It is a quick and fun read by the popular blogger who is always willing to call someone out on their B.S.




Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris.
This book is a collection of stories about Christmas by one of America's favorite humorists. Among the most loved story in the collection is the story of Sedaris's take on working as an elf at a supermarket display during Christmas season.




The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell
What do you get for someone who has everything? This sweet little book has the answer.


Best for Children and Families:



Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Oh, how I remember reading and rereading all of the Little House on the Prairie books as a child. A piece of this classic series reminds us how wonderful Christmas can be especially when it is simple.




Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present by John Burningham
This has to be one of my favorite Christmas books for kids. Harvey is a boy who lives far away and only ever gets one present. When Santa returns home and realizes it's still in his sack, nothing will stop him from delivering it. With repetition and a surprise at the end, it will be one of your kids' favorites, too.




Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate
I adore this little story of how everyone fits in during Christmas time. Little porcupine thinks he has no important role in the Christmas play. But when the night of the play arrives, he is given the most important role of all. It is illustrated by Felicia Bond of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie fame.




The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
There are so many wonderful things about this time of year, but the narrator just isn't feeling them all. Something's missing. This beautifully illustrated book reminds us what's most important during the Christmas season.




The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Remember this classic from our childhood days? Written in 1971, it follows the disastrous Herdman family who go to church for the first time after being told that the church offers snacks. Despite protests from other church members, they are given roles in the Sunday school's Christmas play, in which they tell the Christmas story in a nonconventional fashion.




Dream Snow by Eric Carle
I just love anything by Carle. In his whimsical style, he illustrates the story of an old farmer who goes to bed wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow. In the morning he, and we as the reader, gets a surprise.




Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown 
Without this story of our Savior's birth, there really is no Christmas, right? It is illustrated and told in a very simple way that children will understand and enjoy.




Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton
I love the Splat series of books about a little cat who always tries his best. In this installment, Splat is worried about what all kids are worried about this time of year: that he hasn't been good enough to get any presents. So the night before Christmas, he sets about "helping" his mom to ensure his receipt of gifts in the morning.




Eloise at Christmastime by Kay Thompson
This classic 1958 book takes place mainly in the lobby of New York's Plaza hotel as Eloise, who is trying to find a gift her mother left before she departed for Paris, gets wrapped up in the arranged engagement of the hotel owner's daughter and other drama of the hotel residents.




Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson
How can you not love this adorably illustrated book of a bear who cannot stay awake for Christmas? Bear's friends do their best to help him stay awake until Christmas.

*        *        *

I really admire all of you who do your Black Friday shopping and get it all done in one day. I went shopping once when Black Friday was just on Friday (not starting Thanksgiving night as it is now), and I vowed never to do it again. The hot stores, the angry shoppers, the crabby employees - that is so not for me!




Tell us, what are some of your favorite holiday reads?



*This post contains affiliate links.