Review: It's Not About You, Mr. Santa Claus by Soraya Diase Coffelt

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU, 

MR. SANTA CLAUS

The Love Letter Book Series

by Soraya Diase Coffelt

Illustrated by Tea Seroya

Children's Picture Book

ages 3+

Where Did Gift Giving Begin?

Christmas is one of the most important holidays celebrated in most countries around the world, yet the true origin of this special day is often missed. Almost everyone equates Santa Claus and the giving of gifts with Christmas, but what event was the catalyst behind this centuries-old tradition?

This delightfully illustrated children's story is sure to become a tradition for you and your family as the holiday rolls around each year. Christmas is a special time of celebration and one in which we have time to reflect on what is most important. 

MY TIDBITS

After reading the first two books in this series, my youngest two children and I were really looking forward to this one. 

This book - like the others in the series - begins with a little boy writing a letter, this time, to Santa Claus. Unlike the normal Christmas wish list, the boy decides to ask Santa Claus if he knows where all this gift giving really started. 

Being a Christian series, the history and background surrounding Christmas concentrates on the birth of Jesus Christ. It's always a delight to read this to the kids, but I love the way this author weaves Santa Claus in while telling the tale of Bethlehem. Neither the fun fantasy around the North Pole nor the respect for Christ's birth is lost as the little boy explains everything to Santa in his letter. So bonus points for that!

The illustrations are perfect--colorful and fitting to the story. They don't simply follow along with the written words, but add to the story. My daughter especially liked flipping through these again and again.

I also enjoyed the addition of King Herod to the Christmas story (someone who is often forgotten in traditional tellings). The 'evil' king's intentions add just the right dash of adventure which kids will love. . .and it's so fitting to the little boy writing the letter.

Summed up, this is a delightful read right before Christmas. I wouldn't recommend it to the youngest readers since the story is a bit longer for a picture book, but kids 4+ will enjoy it. It carries everything needed to explain Christ's birth, while 'allowing' kids to keep the tradition of Santa Claus. It's a book kids will love to listen to while drinking some hot chocolate, nibbling on a few Christmas cookies, and snuggling close together near the Christmas tree.

All about . . .

SORAYA DIASE COFFELT!!!

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt is a native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a widow, mother of two sons, lawyer, lay minister, and former judge. She loves ministering to children. Active in her church, she served as a parent volunteer in the children’s ministry and then as a volunteer lay children’s minister and leader for over 15 years. She has also participated in missionary trips to Honduras and the Amazon Region of Peru. Her late husband, Gordon, supported her wholeheartedly.

All proceeds from book sales will be used to help children in need in the U.S. and around the world. As the Stars of the Sky is a philanthropic project; a new nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping children by changing their lives. We greatly appreciate your help.


www.asthestarsofthesky.org

Review: It's Not About You, Mrs. Turkey by Soraya Diase Coffelt

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU,

MRS. TURKEY

A Love Letter About the True Meaning of Thanksgiving

 by Soraya Diase Coffelt

Morgan James Publishing

32 pages

For ages 5 to 10

“It’s Not About You, Mrs. Turkey” is a unique tool for parents, grandparents and teachers to share both the historical and religious background of the holiday with young readers. The fun and colorful illustrations give children the opportunity to see clothing styles of the past as they learn the importance of courage, sharing, friendship and giving thanks.

MY TIDBITS

Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn--Thanksgiving is a holiday hungry tummies look forward to, and this book gives kids (and parents) a chance to stop and learn what this food-filled holiday is all about.

Like all books in this series, it starts with a little boy writing a letter to Mrs. Turkey. It's a cute letter, which will make readers smile. From here, the book slides into the history of Thanksgiving, starting all the way across the ocean in Europe. My son was happy to find several names and places mentioned that he'd already heard about in school, and fell into a conversation concerning the holiday and all it's aspects. In other words, not only were my kids intrigued by the history but were ready to learn more.

The illustrations in this are colorful and well done. They help bring the story of the pilgrims to life and let even the youngest listeners follow along.

I especially appreciate the writing in these, just right for the intended age group. It's never dry despite the names, places and dates, and has moments with a bit of humor, which made me smile. The Christian aspect on Thanksgiving falls nicely into place, especially since the pilgrims made their journey due to religious reasons. The entire journey and move isn't presented with exaggerated happiness, but rather states the troubles and dangers clearly without ever becoming graphic.

Summed up, this is a delightful book, perfect for this time of year and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. And I really recommend it for families who'd like their kids to get better acquainted with the story behind this important holiday.

And here she is. . .

SORAYA DIASE COFFELT!!!

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt is a native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a widow, mother of two sons, lawyer, lay minister, and former judge. She loves ministering to children. Active in her church, she served as a parent volunteer in the children’s ministry and then as a volunteer lay children’s minister and leader for over 15 years. She has also participated in missionary trips to Honduras and the Amazon Region of Peru. Her late husband, Gordon, supported her wholeheartedly.

All proceeds from book sales will be used to help children in need in the U.S. and around the world. As the Stars of the Sky is a philanthropic project; a new nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping children by changing their lives. We greatly appreciate your help.


www.asthestarsofthesky.org



Join us today over on Kidbits for an Interview with Soraya Diase Coffelt!!!

Review: It's Not About You, Mr. Pumpkin by Soraya Diase Coffelt

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU,

MR. PUMPKIN

A Love Letter About the True Meaning of Halloween

by Soraya Diase Coffelt

Illustrated by Tea Seroya

Morgan James Publishing

Picture Book 

Ages 5+

32 pages

Halloween has become one of the most popular and commercially profitable holidays in America, yet the true origin of the day is often missed. Almost everyone equates "trick or treat" with Halloween, but what events were the catalyst behind this centuries-old tradition? 
This delightfully illustrated children's story is sure to become a tradition for you and your family as October rolls around each year. It will be a helpful tool to instruct children on the important historical background behind this holiday and to reflect on what is most important.

MY TIDBITS

Ghosts, witches, vampires and Jack-o-Lanterns--these are some of the things that first come to mind when anyone mentions Halloween. And kids? Well, they immediately dream of all the trick or treating candy involved. But the origins of Halloween aren't about fun and dressing up. The practice is hundreds if not thousands of years old. This book gives the history in a way kids will understand, while letting the Christian viewpoint seep through. And all of this without being preachy.

The entire thing is written as a letter from a little boy to a pumpkin. It's not only cute but takes on a very believable children's voice and makes it easy for kids to connect to the story in a way that doesn't feel like facing a text book. The history isn't explained with the dryness that such things usually have, but there's enough humor and child-like insight thrown in to make it enjoyable. . .almost like an interesting conversation. The facts are interesting and kids will find some of them amazing. I'm betting that they'll even run back to their friends and try to impress them with some of this new found knowledge.

The illustrations are well done--bright and colorful with a sweet touch which will draw kids in and have them flipping through the book again just to enjoy them. There are some familiar things in the pictures as well as informative sections, creating a nice balance for various levels of readers.

Although this is written from the Christian stand point, I appreciated the way the facts were delivered without instantly adding a direct verdict. Rather, kids and parents are allowed to make their own judgement and are even offered a nice compromise in the end (which I'm not going to expand on and you'll have to read for yourself to find out what.)

Summed up, this is a great little book which offers younger readers a glimpse at the origins of Halloween and it's many aspects in a way that won't leave them feeling bored or preached at. It's a great read for kids ages 4+ and adds a new perspective to one of their favorite times of year.

And here she is. . .

SORAYA DIASE COFFELT!!!

Author Soraya Diase Coffelt is a native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a widow, mother of two sons, lawyer, lay minister, and former judge. She loves ministering to children. Active in her church, she served as a parent volunteer in the children’s ministry and then as a volunteer lay children’s minister and leader for over 15 years. She has also participated in missionary trips to Honduras and the Amazon Region of Peru. Her late husband, Gordon, supported her wholeheartedly.

All proceeds from book sales will be used to help children in need in the U.S. and around the world. As the Stars of the Sky is a philanthropic project; a new nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping children by changing their lives. We greatly appreciate your help.


www.asthestarsofthesky.org













 Lo