Ellen’s Book Nook — December 2019

By Guest Blogger Ellen Bryant Lloyd 

Win a book of your choice from today’s blog!

December is known as the most wonderful time of year, yet, we are often pulled into the hustle and bustle with long “to do” lists, stressful preparations and just too many things going on at once. Go beyond the layers of stress and search for the calm, the moments where love and gratitude abides. This season, strive to truly be present with family and friends, and remember what really matters. Take time to relax and read each day, with special time devoted to reading books with young children. Enjoy all the gifts of the season!

Preschool to Pre-K — Merry Christmas Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton

In this sweet book by well-loved author, Sandra Boynton, Pookie and her mom experience the joys of Christmas Eve and the anticipation of Christmas as they bake cookies, decorate the house and sing with friends and family. After a day full of making memories, Pookie is tucked into bed, ready to dream of Christmas day. This book will be a Christmas Eve favorite for years to come.

Elementary — 5 Minute Christmas Stories from Disney

A wide array of popular Disney characters are featured in these delightful Christmas stories. Each story takes just five minutes to read, making it easy to enjoy many bedtimes stories in one sitting. Children will love reading about Christmas experiences with their favorite Disney stars. Do not be surprised if your young ones decide to don costumes of their favorite character while listening to these stories.

Older Elementary/Early Middle School — Top Elf by Caleb Zane Huett

Santa shakes up the North Pole when he announces that this would be the final year he would wear his jolly red suit. He decides to open the prestigious job to anyone who would like to apply, skipping over his oldest son, Klaus Claus. Two hard-working elves, Ollie and Celia, enter the contest with no clue what would be in store for them — the Santa Trials. Adventure and survival come at them from many angles, testing them beyond elf limits. However, whoever is able to make it to the top will realize a reward that is even larger than Christmas.

Young Adult — Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal

Without a doubt, the life story of Steve Jobs is fascinating and inspiring for people of all ages. Youth are often encouraged to “think outside of the box,” to follow their heart and make a difference in the world. However, sometimes these messages of encouragement are better heard from outside parties or by example from others. Considering that Steve Jobs did all these things and the fact that most youth own a cell phone or other Apple product, this biography will resonate with young adults. Who knows, reading this book may inspire the next Steve Jobs!

Moms — The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

A bookstore located on a barge is where Monsieur Perdu suggests the perfect book for each of his customers. As the barge meanders down the Seine River, Perdue uses his self-professed literary apothecary skills to recommend the perfect book to address what ails each person who visits. His intuition allows him to get a sense for what each reader needs, often mending broken hearts and souls as a result. The question is whether or not Perdu can heal himself through literature after being heartbroken by his great love. According to an online review, this book is known “as a love letter to books, meant for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people’s lives.”

Win a book of your choice from today’s blog! 
Remember to share your thoughts and comments, and you could be selected to win a copy of one of the books, compliments of Barnes & Noble, Friendly Shopping Center, Greensboro. The staff of Triad Moms on Main will choose a random winner one week after the blog runs. (Please be sure to enter your email address when you fill out your comment so they have a way to contact you.)

Ellen Bryant Lloyd is the author of FRECKLES and FRECKLES and The Great Beach Rescue. Please visit www.funwithfreckles.com and www.facebook.com/funwithfreckles to learn more about Freckles. Ellen writes a blog about her perspectives on life and parenting at www.mindfulmom.wordpress.com and tweets at @EllenBLloyd. She lives in Greensboro with her husband and two children.

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