Sharon Chance

Children's & YA

Rocking around the Christmas tree

Feature by Sharon Chance

Christmas is always seen through the eyes of young children as a special joy, just as it is for the writers and illustrators of children's books. This holiday season, there is a wide selection of unique and endearing Christmas books for young readers to choose from, with stories ranging from the timeless retelling of the birth of Christ to how one special little mouse celebrates the holidays.

Young fans of Laura Numeroff's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and her other equally silly books will be thrilled with the latest adventures of that little mouse in Numeroff's Christmas offering, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies. In this book, the energetic little mouse and his human friend set out to celebrate Christmas in style, decorating trees, building snowmen and having lots of fun. Felicia Bond's delightful illustrations make this a charming book for the ages 3-6 crowd.

The bright and fanciful artwork of Eric Carle graces the pages of his latest book, Dream Snow, which tells the story of a farmer who dreams of snow for Christmas. Each page is preceded by a clear plastic overlay of snow that settles down on the farmer and his animals. When the farmer finally wakes up, he discovers it really has snowed. A surprise awaits the young reader at the end of the book, with a built-in music box cleverly placed in the back cover.

For sheer beauty in a Christmas book, parents need look no further than Eve Bunting's Who Was Born This Special Day?. The animals in the manger ask each other who was born on the special day of Christ's birth. The soft, beautiful paintings by illustrator Leonid Gore are enchanting, and the soothing poetry and gentle simplicity of Bunting's words make this book a treasure.

Another gorgeous book on the birth of Christ comes from beloved Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown. A Child Is Born is Brown's joyful rendition of the miracle of Christmas. This manuscript was found after Brown's death in 1952 and is published for the first time this year. The magnificent illustrations by Floyd Cooper portray a unique, multicultural manger scene, with the baby Jesus and his parents portrayed as African-Americans. The combination of author and illustrator provides a unique and interesting exchange of cultures.

The classic story The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for children and adults alike, and there are many versions of the popular story available. But for those children and adults who like a more hands-on rendition, David and Noelle Carter present a fascinating pop-up version of The Nutcracker that will entertain everyone for hours. Each page features an intricate pop-up scene with figures that move by pulling a small tab on each. A brilliant concept for a delightful story.

Christmas children's books tend to be mainly written for the younger set, but this year popular teen writer Avi presents his readers with a Christmas story of their very own. The Christmas Rat is a thrilling mystery of a vengeful exterminator, a young boy caught up in the hunt and one stubborn little rat. In true Avi-style, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats.

Finally, qualifying as probably one of the weirdest books of the season is How Murray Saved Christmas. The author, Mike Reiss, is a former writer and producer of The Simpsons. His rollicking, slightly skewed tale of Christmas is one that older kids and adults will find hilarious. When poor Santa is accidentally knocked out cold, deli-owner Murray Kleiner agrees to take his place. With the help of a pushy little elf and an eager young boy, Murray manages to get the job done, but not without a lot of mishaps along the way. The colorful, if slightly bizarre, illustrations of David Catrow make this book an interesting change of pace for holiday reading. (With endorsements from comedians such as Jon Lovitz and Conan O'Brien, you know it has to be a little out there. )

Whichever books you choose, just remember to take a few minutes this holiday season to sit down and read one . . . together.

 

Sharon Galligar Chance is the mother of four book-loving boys.

Christmas is always seen through the eyes of young children as a special joy, just as it is for the writers and illustrators of children's books. This holiday season, there is a wide selection of unique and endearing Christmas books for young readers to choose from, with stories ranging from the timeless retelling of the birth of Christ to how one special little mouse celebrates the holidays.

LifestylesFamily & Relationships

The bookshelf and down the aisle

Review by Sharon Chance

It must be the romantic evenings by the fire during the cold winter months that inspire all those June weddings. So while the weather outside is busy being frightful, snuggle up with a notebook, a pen, your partner-to-be and a few beautiful new wedding books and plan your dream wedding with ease.

A romantic affair

From the editors of Victoria, one of the most romantic magazines around, comes Victoria: Romantic Weddings. This oversized edition is overflowing with ideas and advice on how to put on a romantic wedding. Through the lavish Victoria photography and author Mary Forsell's detailed interviews with wedding professionals and couples-to-be, every aspect of a romantic wedding is explored: how to find the right gown, the right flowers, the right hairstyle, the right location, etc. Five couples share the details of their real-life weddings, ranging from an upscale affair in New York City to a simple gathering at a chapel in the woods to an overseas adventure in a French chateau. To make planning your romantic wedding a little easier, the editors at Victoria have put together a companion planner guide in Victoria: A Romantic Wedding Planner. This spiral-bound organizer features seven sections to help the bride keep track of everything involved in her wedding, from the engagement party to the honeymoon. Illustrated with delicate drawings and beautiful wedding photography, this planner will surely become a keepsake memento.

Planning made easy

For the computer-literate bride-to-be, the Easy Wedding Planner  by Elizabeth and Alex Lluch features a free CD-ROM that allows you to keep track of all the details of the big day, including the invited guests, gifts received and the all-important To Do list. The handy-sized book itself is a fount of straight-to-the-point information from two of the foremost experts in wedding planning. The Lluchs offer advice and suggestions in a concise, easy-to-read format that includes estimates on how much each element should cost, and tips on how to save money by doing it yourself. A companion planner, Easy Wedding Planner Organizer and Keepsake is also available and is probably one of the most complete planners on the market. Filled with lovely photographs and unique ideas, the detailed worksheets, tabbed sections, handy pocket pages and plenty of blank pages will help make personalizing your wedding easy and stress-free.

Some friendly advice

Having survived her own wedding extravaganza, author Lara Webb Carrigan shares advice in her new book, The Best Friend's Guide to Planning a Wedding. Webb interviewed hundreds of newlyweds, brides-to-be, caterers and wedding coordinators to collect all the useful tips and information that no one thinks to share until after the big day is over. Filled with practical suggestions and hilarious anecdotes, this handbook is warm, funny and wise. If you can't have your best friend there to help you, this book is the next best thing.

It's all in the details

When it comes down to the details of the actual wedding, several new books share advice on every specialized aspect from photography to vows to the reception.

One of the most precious and lasting keepsakes of the wedding is the photograph album, and in their new book, The Art of Wedding Photography, Bambi Cantrell and Skip Cohen share proven techniques for capturing the joy and celebrations of the special event. Although this book is primarily for professional wedding photographers, the 120 black-and-white and 80 color photographs give brides helpful insight into what to expect from the photographer, and how to ask for specific types of photos for those special memories.

As editor-in-chief of theknot.com, the number one wedding site on the Internet, Carley Roney has established herself as an expert in the art of wedding planning. In her book, The Knot Guide To Wedding Vows and Traditions, she offers information and advice on how to find the perfect vows, readings and toasts for your wedding, as well as the history behind a variety of wedding ceremonies and rituals. Drawing from hundreds of fascinating customs and traditions from around the world, Roney has created a complete guide to finding just the right words to make your wedding unique.

Time to party

After the wedding is over, it's time to celebrate. The wedding reception itself has become almost as important as the ceremony, and the planning can be just as stressful. The Perfect Wedding Reception: Stylish Ideas for Every Season. Filled with over 275 full-color photographs and over 100 pages of resources and addresses, this guide showcases four incredible receptions, one for each season, and presents a wide variety of imaginative ideas for absolutely everything it takes to put on a memorable celebration.

An escape plan

And last, but certainly not least, when you are feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole wedding planning process, there's always one alternative left eloping! And yes, there's a planning guide on how to plan the perfect elopement. Let's Elope! The Definitive Guide to Eloping, Destination Weddings, and Other Creative Wedding Options  by Lynn Beahan and Scott Shaw is a fun, informative little book filled with wonderful ideas for frazzled couples considering alternative wedding statements. Included are delightful stories and experiences of over 50 "eloped" couples, as well as plenty of helpful hints to stay sane before and after the wedding. There's even a quiz to determine whether or not you are a good candidate to elope.

Curl up in front of the fire with a few of these creative and informative wedding planners while future wedding bells chime gently in the winter breeze. Come summer, as you're walking down the aisle, you'll be glad you did.

Sharon Galligar Chance is a happily married book reviewer in Wichita Falls, Texas.

It must be the romantic evenings by the fire during the cold winter months that inspire all those June weddings. So while the weather outside is busy being frightful, snuggle up with a notebook, a pen, your partner-to-be and a few beautiful new wedding books…

Children's & YA

Across the universe

Review by Sharon Chance

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

Ken Crosswell has developed an exciting new way to help parents and children find that illusive first star of the night, as well as identify all the rest of the constellations, in his new book, See The Stars: Your First Guide To The Night Sky.

With a Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University, Crosswell first became interested in the subject the day his first grade teacher introduced his class to the planets of the solar system. He has retained that love of the planets and stars and now shares his knowledge of locating them in easy-to-understand language that both young and old will comprehend.

Giving detailed instructions on the best ways to find the premium place to look for specific stars, and what equipment will be needed (a simple pair of binoculars and some warm clothing is all that's necessary), Crosswell shows how easy it is to observe the wondrous world of the cosmos. The information in See The Stars is broken down into monthly segments. With the help of beautiful and clear constellation photographs, many obtained from NASA, Crosswell explains when and where to look for the brightest stars of any particular month, as well as the names of the different stars and what colors they show. There's even a chart in the back that helps to identify the most prominent stars as well as planets in the sky, the constellation they belong to and how far away they are away from Earth.

See The Stars is a delightful book that would be a perfect gift for that budding astronomer, and a real help for the befuddled parent who can't quite remember where Orion's famous Belt might be on any given night.

Sharon Galligar Chance is the senior book reviewer for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas, and the mother of four budding astronomers.

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

Ken Crosswell has developed an exciting new way to help parents and children find that illusive first star of the…

Mystery & SuspenseFictionShort StoriesMysteryHistory

Books to please the Irish eyes

Review by Sharon Chance

A variety of Irish-influenced and Irish-themed books will make their charmed appearances as Irish authors take over the literary world for St. Patrick's Day. For those readers who happen to be a wee bit Irish, or for those who are simply fascinated by Irish literature, these are four of the best.

Fans of priest/author Andrew M. Greeley's Irish mysteries will be delighted with his latest: Irish Eyes: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel. In the new installment, the beautiful and fey Nuala Anne McGrail and her devoted husband, Dermot, have welcomed a wondrous baby girl into the family. Followers of Nuala and Dermot's story from previous books will not be surprised to find that the wee lil' babe, Nelliecoyne, is as fey as her mother. It's little Nellie's vision of an ancient shipwreck off the shores of Lake Michigan that plunges her adventure-seeking parents into a search for buried treasure and the solving of a century-old mystery.

There are several side stories in Irish Eyes, all of which gel delightfully. In one subplot, Nuala Anne enjoying great success with her singing career is suffering ongoing personal and professional attacks by local arts critic Nick Farmer, who holds a vicious grudge against her novelist husband, Dermot. Farmer is out to ruin her budding career and has even threatened to institute proceedings to have her baby taken away. Fleeing Farmer's constant ranting, the family escapes to a vacation house along the shores of Lake Michigan. It's in the rented lake house that Nuala and Nelliecoyne sense strange vibrations from a place where a ship bearing members of the Ancient Order of Hiberians sank over a hundred years before.

In typical Nuala Anne style, she and Dermot set out to solve the mystery of the shipwreck. Along the way they discover that a mysterious couple who'd survived the shipwreck once lived in their lake home. In trying to discover what happened to that family, they investigte a nearby suburb, which turns out to have Irish revolutionary ties, which leads them back to Nick Farmer, who now has the Balkan Mafia looking for Nuala and Dermot with intentions to rub them out. Whew! Greeley has a remarkable way of tying all the loose ends together to create a memorable story. Along the way, he throws in commentary on racism, intolerance, and a short lesson on the Bill of Rights. Irish Eyes is an appealing installment in the ongoing story of Nuala Anne and, even if you haven't read the previous novels, you can pick right up on Nuala and Dermot's adventures. Once you get to know these two engaging people, you'll find yourself wanting more. Call it the charm of the Irish.

Another new release with Irish attitude is the breathtaking love story of a young woman's betrayal, Water, Carry Me. A haunting portrait of the amazing beauty and inexcusable violence of a divided Ireland surrounds the story line of Thomas Moran's latest novel. In what is destined to become his most acclaimed work, Moran expertly transports his readers to the weather-weary harbor towns of southern Ireland. In this rather dark tale, Una Moss is a bright young medical student struggling for independence from the world of her family's secret loyalties. Aidan Ferrel is the man who wins her love, the mesmerizing stranger she chooses to trust. Water, Carry Me is the beguiling story of love pitted against political passion. It's also the journal of a young woman's journey from innocence to betrayal, set against a background of the heartache and despair that often defines the landscape of her beloved Ireland.

New York Observer editor/columnist Terry Golway offers insight into some of Ireland's renowned leaders and legends in For the Cause of Liberty: A Thousand Years of Ireland's Heroes. From High King Brian Boru to Jonathan Swift, from Michael Collins to present-day leaders Gerry Adams and Jean Kennedy Smith, Golway covers the breadth and span of Irish history through fascinating vignettes of the ancient land's rebels and patriots, poets and kings. Golway gives a vivid account of the thrilling history of Ireland and its people. Particularly fascinating are the stories of the brave legion of women who helped shape the country's history. Golway recounts the story of Countess Constance Markievicz (nee Constance Gore-Booth of County Sligo), who, as a lieutenant, was the highest ranking woman in the Irish Citizen Army and an active soldieress who was arrested in connection with the Dublin rebellion of 1798. Also profiled is Bernadette Devlin, the youngest woman elected to the House of Commons, whose heroic battles in the fledgling Irish civil rights movement are awe-inspiring. Golway also examines present-day ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith's ceaseless efforts at obtaining peace in the divided land. For the Cause of Liberty includes dozens of black-and-white photographs and artistic renderings of Ireland's celebrated champions, and will be an invaluable reference source for those interested in the prominent and influential people who make up the rich history of the Emerald Isle.

Alice Leccese Powers gathers samplings from some of Ireland's most beloved writers and poets in her anthology Ireland in Mind. This collection covers three centuries of fiction, poetry, and essays that expound on the beauty, glory, and fascination with the land of the leprechauns. From the comic terror of Frank McCourt's First Communion to the raucous pagan festival Muriel Reykeyers attended in County Kerry during the 1930s, from playwright Oscar Wilde's descriptive family letters to poet Oliver Goldsmith's heart-wrenching verse, this anthology offers a varied look at a mysterious and ancient culture. For those who are traveling to Ireland or those whose hearts have never left its eternally green shores, Ireland in Mind will provide a delightful journey back to the Auld Sod.

Sharon Galligar Chance is a book reviewer and freelance writer from Wichita Falls, Texas.

A variety of Irish-influenced and Irish-themed books will make their charmed appearances as Irish authors take over the literary world for St. Patrick's Day. For those readers who happen to be a wee bit Irish, or for those who are simply fascinated by Irish literature,…

Children's & YAPicture Book

If I Were Your Mother

Review by Sharon Chance

With Mother's Day just around the corner, there's no sweeter gift than a child's pure and adoring love. That most wondrous of loves is the subject of Margaret Park Bridges's delightful new book, If I Were Your Mother.

In this enchanting story, a little girl offers her own imaginative version of what she might do if their roles were reversed and she was her mother's mother. In her fanciful world, the little girl, as the pretend mother, would serve breakfast in bed on a silver tray, and take her little girl to work to dance on her desk, and spin her around until she was all dizzy.

The real mommy just smiles and agrees as the little girl imagines curling her little girl's hair, making up her face, and painting her fingernails just so she could look silly. Taking a bath with a school of goldfish and having a nap in grandma's soft furry coat (with her legs in the sleeves) are highlights of the day the little girl has planned.

But the little girl soon begins to see that the most precious things in life a simple kiss on the forehead, an ear to whisper in, a warm, secure place in her mommy's lap are always ready and waiting just when she needs them most.

Parents and children alike will adore the wistful, fanciful imaginings of the little girl, and the marvelous wisdom of the mother. Margaret Park Bridges manages to touch the very pulse of motherly love in If I Were Your Mother, and the delightful illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton, one of Canada's foremost illustrators, are warm and loving. As much an example for parents as an entertaining tale for children, If I Were Your Mother is a thoroughly enchanting lesson in pure love and would make a charming Mother's Day present for mommies everywhere.

Sharon Galligar Chance is a book reviewer for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, there's no sweeter gift than a child's pure and adoring love. That most wondrous of loves is the subject of Margaret Park Bridges's delightful new book, If I Were Your Mother.

In this enchanting story, a…

Inspirational Fiction

Father Tim is leaving Mitford?

Review by Sharon Chance

Author Jan Karon began her tales about the peaceful little North Carolina town in 1995 with At Home in Mitford. With the series, she introduced one of the most beloved characters in recent literary history kind-hearted Father Tim Kavanagh. In A New Song, the fifth in the beloved Mitford series, Father Tim has retired from Lord's Chapel. Dooley, his adopted son, has grown up and gone away to school, and Cynthia, his new wife, is busy at work on another Violet book. Father Tim is content to spend his time watching over his flock. These peaceful plans are changed, however, when he is asked to serve as interim minister of a small church on Whitecap Island.

Always up for a challenge, Father Tim and Cynthia pack their bags, close up the house, and set off for new adventures beachside. The Kavanaghs soon find that Whitecap has its own unforgettable characters in a church organist with a mysterious past, a lovelorn bachelor placing personal ads, and an eccentric homebound piano virtuoso. Father Tim also realizes he has his work cut out here solving squabbles, soothing hurt feelings, and even taking in a parishioner's three-year-old son. Whitecap is not so very different from Mitford. Father Tim also realizes that Mitford is never far away as various problems back home keep the phone ringing off the hook. Karon's gentle style and beautiful descriptions make her books an absolute joy. She mixes a little romance, a little mystery, and a generous dash of humor, serving up a delicious helping of fine reading.

Devoted readers, old and new, will discover that no matter where Father Tim resides, Mitford will always be a delightful slice of life. 

Sharon Galligar Chance is a reviewer for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

 

 

Author Jan Karon began her tales about the peaceful little North Carolina town in 1995 with At Home in Mitford. With the series, she introduced one of the most beloved characters in recent literary history kind-hearted Father Tim Kavanagh. In A New Song, the fifth in the beloved Mitford series, Father Tim has retired from Lord's Chapel.

NonfictionFictionTravelSelf-HelpHumorHistoryFamily & Relationships

For the love of all things Irish

Review by Sharon Chance

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, a widely varied batch of Irish-themed offerings are appearing on the bookshelves. For all those who are a wee-bit Irish, and for those who long to be Irish, the following books represent the best of the bunch.

Take seven of Ireland's most famous storytellers, give them a great subject such as an infamous Dublin hotel, then stand back and see what magic they're able to spin. The result in this case is the delightful novel, Finbar's Hotel. This cooperative project, devised and edited by best-selling Irish author Dermot Bolger, includes the literary efforts of Roddy Doyle, Colm Toibin, Jennifer Johnston, Hugo Hamilton, Anne Enright, and Joseph O'Connor. Each lends a distinctive, imaginative flair to individual chapters as the overall book explores the varied guests on the final night in the life of a dingy urban hostelry. A bestseller in the United Kingdom, Finbar's Hotel gives Americans a chance to experience a side of Ireland not often seen.

St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, stands out as the most familiar and beloved of all the saints, and the most recognized symbol of all that is Irish. In his book, The Wisdom of St. Patrick: Inspirations from the Patron Saint of Ireland, Greg Tobin presents a treasury of St. Patrick's inspirational observations. Topics include St. Patrick's own views on grace, faith, prayer, and honesty; a commentary on his life and times; contemplations on how St. Patrick's words apply to modern, everyday life; and finally, a meaningful prayer relevant to each passage. Tobin seeks to prove how the powerful, charismatic words of the remarkable saint are just as relevant today as they were more than a millennium ago.

More than 44 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, but how many really understand that heritage, and the many contributions Irish Americans have made to this country? The amusing and informative May the Road Rise up to Meet You: Everything You Need to Know About Irish American History by Michael Padden and Robert Sullivan is written in a lively question-and-answer format and covers every aspect of Irish history from the first Irishmen back on the Emerald Isle to contemporary Irish Americans who are making their mark in the world today. (Who would have guessed that General Colin Powell is of Irish descent?) With a foreword by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (a heavy-duty endorsement in itself), this one is an absolute must-have for every son and daughter of the auld sod, or anyone interested in Irish history.

For a more humorous look at Irish traditions, authors Sean Kelly and Rosemary Rogers offer How to Be Irish: Even If You Already Are. This whimsical guide includes tongue-in-cheek advice on How to Talk, Look and Act Irish, How to Eat and Drink Irish, and How to Vote Irish. Cute illustrations, including cartoons, photos, charts and graphs, along with hilarious quizzes and lists make How to Be Irish the perfect book to take to St. Patrick's Day parties.

Ireland, that glorious isle of emerald green, has inspired writers for centuries. They write of its beauty, its mystery, and its wonder. In The Reader's Companion to Ireland, edited by Alan Ryan, 19 authors, both present and past, share observations on travels through this incredible land.

From Michael Crichton's Dublin experiences while filming The Great Train Robbery in the 1970s, to Chinese author Chiang Yee's reflections on walking down O'Connell Street in the 1940s, this collection of delightful vignettes will enhance any traveler's journey (whether armchair or actual) to Ireland.

Sharon Galligar Chance is a book reviewer for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, Texas.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, a widely varied batch of Irish-themed offerings are appearing on the bookshelves. For all those who are a wee-bit Irish, and for those who long to be Irish, the following books represent the best of the bunch.

Take seven of Ireland's…

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