Tuesday, December 24, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #24

For the last book I thought I'd go traditional and to make it from my favorite paper engineer.

The Night Before Christmas by Robert Sabuda
This is a treasure with the white mice, detailed pop ups, and delightful story line.


It is been a joy to share some of my favorite books, although I'll admit I didn't know I had so many for Christmas.  No, I didn't share them all, there's about half as many again, both pop up and picture.  I have a problem collecting books, specifically by favorite authors and illustrators, but what a problem to have!

Yes, by the time this last book has been shared, I have bought the one that started it all ... The Night Before Christmas by Holly Hobbie!

Have a wonderful Christmas and dream happy thoughts about BOOKS!

Monday, December 23, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #23

Having enjoyed the first pop up [sort of] by this paper engineer, I jumped at his next two holiday books.  They're hard to share so I'm only showing one, but they are a wealth of information in the small side pamphlets.

Christmas Around the World by Chuck Fischer

Sunday, December 22, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #22

Taking the paper-cut idea a step further is the next book and one I gave to a few different hostesses as a thank you for the party kind of gift.

The First Noel: A Christmas Carousel by Jan Pienkowski
Each page is a beautiful image with a few words, but it's a marvelous book when tied open and hanging from the loop attached to the top spine.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #21

Silhouette art is an old style and it's gorgeous, done today and it's stunning!

Recently a cut paper Christmas book was released and I bought it and a few copies for friends with kids.  It wasn't quite pop up, although there is one at the end, but the cut paper, silhouette images and color blocking was a pure joy to read.

I haven't said this so directly during this sharing of my collection, but I am now ... if you can find this book, check it OUT!

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore and Illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat

Friday, December 20, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #20

This series has to be the most recent additions to my collection and I still give the first one as a gift to newborns.  They are the cutest pigs who are polar opposites which makes for interesting and entertaining stories that are relevant!

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie
One little pig goes traveling and the other stays home, decorating and preparing for Christmas, will the other make it back in time to celebrate the day?  I so love these piggies!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #19

Another series I've collected since I was a kid is about a mouse who wants to be a ballerina.  It's cute and fun, and then her cousin joins in for even more fun.

Angelina's Christmas by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig
Cookies are baked and halls are decorated, but cousin Henry wants to see Santa, badly!  It all is well, but there are mouse tears along the way and COOKIES!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #18

Different author, but a relative, and same illustrator ... how unique is that?!?

Okay, I'm a cat lover, have always been and so its no surprise I bought this treasure when I was a kid.  The story always makes me cry, a kitty left alone in the woods, but there's a happy ending with a saucer of milk to come.

The Christmas Cat by Efner Tudor Holmes and illustrated by Tasha Tudor

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #17

Same illustrator, different book ... I've mentioned earlier that I was a huge fan of Tasha Tudor and this kind of shows my devotion.

The Dolls' Christmas by Tasha Tudor
This tale is about two sisters and their dolls at Christmas.

Monday, December 16, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #16

The second book has different images and is also setup differently ... they have elaborately framed medallions.  Each page is unique and looks nothing like the first.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and illustrated by Tasha Tudor

Sunday, December 15, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #15

Can an illustrator approach the same story in two different way?  Yes, actually, Tasha Tudor does this with the next book and I'll share both ... yes, I have both in my collection, acquired nine years apart.

The first one I got was...

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore Tasha Tudor
This is a hardcover picture book without a jacket and each page was a painting.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #14

The female character, the star of this series, is so very spectacular I have a stuffed version of her on my desk to remind me it's all possible ... yes, that's only one of the many lessons she teaches in her fun books.

Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
The antics of Olivia and her family are hilarious and fun, making this a must read .... then again I'm biased, I think this is a must read series for every girly!

Friday, December 13, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #13

How about another pop up, another pop up by my favorite paper engineer and let's make it one that depicts an old beloved song!

The 12 Days of Christmas by Robert Sabuda
This is one of the last book of his that the white mice appear ... love those critters1

Thursday, December 12, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #12

Another series, this one with a bear on a farm is adorable ... drawings and story!

Willow at Christmas by Camilla Ashforth
There are other Willow books, but sadly I only have two others.



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #11

A series from the 40's was republished and I was able to collect all but three, yes, those three haunt me and I still look for them.  While this is one of two books of mine that aren't first edition, it is a first edition of the republished set.  Told you I'm a big book collector!

Miss Flora McFlimsey's Christmas Eve by Mariana
This series is about a doll, Miss Flora McFlimsey, who has some fabulous adventures and her personality reflects the times.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #10

Tasha Tudor is a long time favorite author and illustrator of mine.  She and a relative will make more appearance before Christmas.  In later years her drawings became a little less precise but remain treasured.

Corgiville Christmas by Tasha Tudor

Monday, December 09, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #9

I remember when I was young going to a Christmas Festival with my mom.  She was all up for seeking a jam, chutney or something like that, I was after books.  I came back with one and it's signed by the author and illustrator ... cool!

Sophie's Surprise by Shirley Holt and Lee Richardson
This is a tale about a found cat who becomes the mouser for a local toy store and then she gifts the owner with a fabulous surprise ... a bevvy of little mousers!  A great read and I wish it was around today.


Saturday, December 07, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #8

Gift books bought at the counter are a part of my collection an, again, so are illustrator from the past.

Christmas is a Time of Giving by Joan Walsh Anglund
This little gem offers brief statements on why it is such a joy to give something to another ... great reminder for every age.

Friday, December 06, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #7

 Illustrators from years gone by have not passed me by.  At some point I've collected them, but many didn't make the move to England and back again, the next two did.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

A Treasured Christmas Book #6

Everyone knows I'm a huge pop up fan and a few are on this list but not all, we'd go into the New Year if I did ... yes, my love for pop up's is that big.

Anyway, I chose this one because it's the first holiday book by this paper engineer that I put into my collection and it's a good advent calendar book.

The Christmas Alphabet by Robert Sabuda

Thursday, December 05, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #5

New York City is where this story takes place and is full of magic!  Oh, and a animation movie has recently been optioned ... yah.

Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera
There are two books that come after this one and are called Auntie Clause and the Key to Christmas and Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #4

His mother is famous and so is he ... love his Girls Night Out poster for Fall!

Silent Night by Will Moses
Moses takes the song and breaks it down into a short story sure to entertain the family and make you think when the song is played.

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #3

This book is by an illustrator who had a series on Disney Channel and is a recent Oscar winner (animation) and I can say I bought him well before he was famous.

Santa Calls by William Joyce
An adventure in a world kids would love to visit is where this book takes place.

Monday, December 02, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book #2

A book that always makes me cry then smile while I enjoy the beautiful illustrations while being timely ... currently working on my Branded series ... is:

A Cowboy Christmas: The Miracle at Line Pine Ridge by Audrey Wood and Robert Florczak
Wonderful book for everyone and particularly a young boy, not many of those around.

Cyber Monday Only!

Everything just turned spectacular in my book purchasing world!  All Romance has a 50% rebate for today only ... buy an ebook and get 50% back, so cool!

Visit my author page and see all the fantastic deals to be had ... make a cuppa tea, get a couple of cookies, and get shopping :-)

Giveaway Time!


I am over on Lex Valentine's 30 Days of Christmas Giveaway today only ... go comment and be entered to win a copy of Mythological Messes Redux!

Mythological Messes Redux by Tilly Greene
6 ebooks in 1
Sex, Love and Immortality

Mythology is full of fascinating details of Ancient Greek society, unique scenarios, interesting characters and their lives which culminate in powerful moral lessons on life, love and war. Unfortunately, the stories don’t always end on a good note for those involved. It’s time to shake things up and give a few of the heroes and heroines a chance at a happy ending.

Myths with Hephaestus, Castor and Pollux, the Cyclopes, Marsyas and Zeus are extended and the men find themselves face to face with love.

Their days and nights are full of glorious sex, some with multiple partners and some with bondage, but there’s one question left unspoken. Will their quests for happiness be long lasting or will someone leave once a problem arises?

Sunday, December 01, 2013

A Treasured Christmas Book

In the shops I saw a Christmas book by a favorite children's illustrator I wanted and checked my collection to see if I already owned it.  Well, I didn't but boy did I own quite a few ... a pile plus!

To expose my shame and share the love I have for them, I thought I'd post one a day until Christmas.  Some are out of print, some we're limited release and some by smaller press ... yah, I went to them even as a child.

The first is a favorite, one I got in our advent calendar as a kid:

Take Joy! by Tasha Tudor
There are short stories, songs, poems and more in this book and punctuated with delightful Tudor illustrations.