Arthur, the Christmas Elf
A Christmas Adventure
by Valerie Connelly
Illustrated by Valerie Connelly
Arthur, the Christmas Elf, is written and beautifully illustrated by Valerie Connelly. This Christmas story
reminds the reader of the importance of not what you have or have not, or what you can buy and give, but that the
true meaning behind gift-giving is just that, giving. A homemade gift is something special.
The story is of two families, one rich and one poor. Both have children who are jaded by Christmas and have
forgotten the meaning. Angie, from the rich family, wants only money for Christmas. She thinks nothing her parents
buy her will be good enough. And from the poor family, Timothy vows that when he grows up he will be rich so he can
buy his children anything and everything they want. Both children get a visit from Arthur, one of Santa’s helpers
and the keeper of the Endangered Children List. Arthur tells each of the children the importance of making a gift
from the heart and discloses to Angie what might happen if she doesn’t.
A terrible blizzard caused Angie’s mom to drive herself and Timothy’s mom into a ditch. Luckily, on his way
home from work, Angie’s dad, Benjamin, is able to hitch a ride from Joe, who has a vehicle that can maneuver
through the snow. Benjamin has a feeling that his wife, Anna, has tried to take home their housekeeper, Marie,
and sure enough, the two men come upon them in the ditch, get them back on the road, safely get Marie’s family -
including Timothy and his handmade gifts - and bring them all back to Angie’s home, where they all celebrate
Christmas together.
At the end of this book is a section that Valerie Connelly has included with crafts and recipes for homemade gifts.
The crafts would be great for younger children with help from parents, and older children could definitely read and
come up with ideas of their own. She’s given directions for puzzles, necklaces, and rag dolls, just to name a few.
There is a recipe for sugar cookies and how to make your very own cookie cutters out of cardboard you might have on
hand. For more ideas, be sure to check out the book’s website. |
The Book |
Nightengale Press |
July 21, 2006 |
Paperback |
1933449233 |
Fiction - Children, 9 and up |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Holiday: Christmas |
The Reviewer |
Dawn Talley |
Reviewed 2006 |
NOTE: |
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