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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:
© 2006 MyShelf.com