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Friday, November 17, 2006

book review: Arthur, the Christmas Elf

Title: Arthur, the Christmas Elf -- A Christmas Adventure
Author: Valerie Connelly
Publisher: Nightengale Press, 2006 - 68 pages
Genre: Children's Fiction, Children's Activities
ISBN: 193344923



Arthur, the Christmas Elf is a story book that will keep on giving long after the read-aloud part is done. Fine-tuned through years of retelling it to her own youngsters, author Valerie Connelly’s tale about two self-absorbed children, a storm and Santa’s elf Arthur will help kids gain a new perspective on Christmas gifts in both the giving and getting departments.

The author-illustrated 43-page story section is only the first part of this two-part book, however. In the second part are instructions on how to make the seven craft projects mentioned in the story. These easy-to-make, family-tested projects use materials most people probably have around the house. The instructions are well-organized, easy to follow and include traceable patterns and photographs that illustrate the projects at various stages of completion.

I can see this dual-purpose and prize-winning book being a great addition to the Christmas of any family with kids up to and including teens. The story will probably become a holiday favorite. And the book may be the catalyst for a new tradition of kids and parents (or older siblings) spending quality time together making things in the days before Christmas, and then giving gifts that come more from the heart than the wallet.

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