Stanley's Christmas a book review

The following is a review by Don Blankenship:

Stanley the Christmas Tree, A Wish Come True by R. E. Hughes and illustrated by Anita Saunders is a wonderful little Christmas story that is certain to warm the hearts of all who read it.

Stanley is a small tree, growing with other trees on a Christmas tree farm and his dream is to be taken by a household with children, for as the other bigger trees are quick to point out, Stanley is certainly no large enough to be a tree chosen for a large city as the city tree. Stanley makes every effort to grow straight and tall and full so that a family will chose him as their special tree.

The day comes when the trees are harvested and Stanley finds himself in a Christmas tree lot. After being insulted, again, by other trees, Stanley is finally chosen by an older man and is on his way to his new home for Christmas. He is decorated, presents placed under his branches and his dreams seem to be coming true.

But alas, as with so many dreams and plans, much goes awry, and to make this review short, Stanley finds himself stripped of his decorations and in an alley with some rather sarcastic trash cans; and all of this before Christmas!

Despair? Well I should think so! Stanley has only one decoration left; a candy cane and wouldn’t you know it… a stray dog comes by and takes even that from our little tree, which was great for the dog, but rather a last slap on the face for Stanley.

Now I have a strict policy of never giving away spoilers in my reviews, but I will tell you that through a bit of luck, if luck you want to call it, (I personally think there was much more going on here, to be quite frank), all turns out well for Stanley and not only does he find a fine Christmas home, but helps and adds so much to several other lives, which is truly in the spirit of Christmas, when you really think about it.

This is a lovely little Christmas story and is quite well written. The art work by Anita Saunders drifts between reality and whimsy and is very well done. The entries book is professionally produced and is of good quality and even though it is paperback, it should hold up well over the years. The print quality and quality of the paper used is the best.

It should be noted that there is a CD audio version of this book, ISBN 978-0-0820328-1-7 which is a wonderful reading of this story by Paul Mackenzie and includes some wonderful and original music by Maynad Williams, in addition to the reading.

This is a great read along book and it has been kid tested. I tried this one out, along with the CD on two different classes of second grade students just a few days ago, and they loved it. I even had one parent contact me the next day as to where they might get a copy as their child liked it so well. Being endorsed by kids is about as good an endorsement that you can get for a children’s book.

Check out the website, www.stanleythechristmastree.com or the publisher's website www.pennierich.com

Christmas Trees for everyone

When growing up, I watched my father take the worst tree on the lot and transform it into a perfect Christmas Tree. Adding branches, trimming, tweaking until all who saw it stood in awe.

On the other hand, my brother's daughter was always sick at Christmas. Every year it was a struggle to keep her well enough to join in the celebration. Then it was discovered she was allergic to the Christmas tree and wreaths.

On Christmas Eve they were off to find an artificial tree and actually found one that was pre-lit. After that, Christmas was a fun time for the family.

There are Christmas Tree Farms in every state and in most countries that celebrate Christmas, but for those, like my niece, who cannot have a real Christmas tree, there are pre-lit trees available.

Check out www.ChristmastownTrees.com They have some great deals on pre-lit trees and some other novel lighted decorations, including Snoopy on a Dog House, Motorcycle Santa, a 3' tall x 8' long lighted train (see picture above), and many others...

Tell them Stanley the Christmas Tree sent you....

Stanley still moving... 5 1/2 months to Christmas

Stanley is still selling. Nearly 100 degrees around the country, high 80's here in the mountains, which is very rare, and orders for Stanley the Christmas Tree, A Wish Come True are still coming in. Today we had an order for 3 books and one was going to a family who actually sits down and reads with their child... Amazing!!! So rare these days, but there are some parents and grandparents who care and take the time to actually talk to their children and grand children.

Hats off to you!!

Stanley is on special, along with the pre-orders for the audio books for PJ Nickels three new books... www.pennierich.com just click on the Specials button.

TV Interview

We are slowly getting the TV interviews sent in that RE did last Christmas Season.

Here is one from Denver... http://video.aol.com/video-detail/stanley-the-christmas-tree-a-wish-come-true/1563879557

Stanley goes to Africa

Stanley the Christmas Tree is on the way to Africa. Books and audio books will be shipped to Liberia for use in teaching reading, along with other books from PrP.

Stanley is alive and well

Well, it is nearly summer and Stanley is still getting reviews and write ups.

Here at Pennie Rich Publishing, we have released three new books by author PJ Nickels. As with Stanley the Christmas Tree, A Wish Come True, they each have an audio book narrated by Paul Mackenzie and have music by Maynard Williams.

They also have Lesson Guides, aligned to National Standards with components for reading, writing, math, geography and contain activities, puzzles, and many other things...

A Christian Lesson guide is being released for each project as well. They are designed for Home School teaching, Christian Schools, Sunday Schools and the like.

visit www.pennierich.com for more information.

Now that I have been able to access this blog, I plan to keep it up....

I am working on a sequel to Stanley's story... where his name came from, etc.

R. E. Hughes

Christmas Markets

Tis the season for Christmas markets. These seasonal markets are great places to not only find unique gifts, but to also expose your kids to different ethnic foods and cultures. An outing to one of these markets is fun for the whole family, so check out some of these great ones in your area:

Christkindlmarkt in Denver, CO
Nov 28 - Dec 23, 2008
The 8th annual Denver Christkindl Market will take place at downtown Denver’s Skyline Park at the 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street. This market will host vendors from Germany and other European countries, with traditional German food.

Christmas Market in Chicago, IL
Nov 27 - Dec 24, 2008
The Christkindlmarket Chicago is a popular German winter holiday event. In its 13th year, they will host almost one million guest to Daley Plaza.

Festival of Gingerbread in Fort Wayne, IN
Nov 28 - Dec 14, 2008
Held at The History Center the annual Festival of Gingerbread features hundreds of gingerbread creations, from those made by area grade school children to master bakers.

16th Annual Kristkindl Markt at Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, MO
Dec 13 - Dec 14, 2008
This is a traditional German Christmas market with crafts, entertainment, food and demonstrations.

Union Square & Columbus Circle Holiday Market New York City, NY
Nov 22 - Dec 24, 2008
Union Square Holiday Market: Nov 22 - Dec 24, 2008
Columbus Circle Holiday Market: Dec 3 - 24, 2008
These yearly markets are the perfect place for unique gifts.

German Christmas Market, Dayton Liederkranz-Turner in Dayton, OH
Dec 13 - Dec 14, 2008
Visit the Liederkranz for the annual celebration of the centuries old German Christmas market tradition that originated in Nuremburg, Germany. The Christmas Market will feature authentic German food, desserts, coffee and a Christmas Raffle.

Christkindlmarkt in Tulsa, OK
Dec 5 - Dec 7, 2008
Her the German-American Society of Tulsa (GAST) provides the annual presentation of this wonderful custom where St. Nikolaus will walk among the booths. Kitchener Christkindl Market

Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, PA
Nov 24 - Dec 31, 2008
This Christkindlmarket is located in Bethlehem's historic downtown district. It is a heart warming holiday event for the whole family featuring live holiday music, great food, children's rides and old St. Nicholas.

Mifflinburg Christkindl Market in Mifflinburg, PA
Dec 11 - Dec 13, 2008
Come find unique handmade crafts, traditional Christkindl treats, and German Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) hearts.

German-Texan Heritage Society Christkindlmarkt in Austin, TX
Dec 9 - Dec 11, 2008
Enjoy live performances of traditional German Christmas music and songs throughout the day and a special visit by Sankt Nikolaus.

Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart, WI
Dec 5 - Dec 14, 2008
The Osthoff Resort's 11th annual traditional European Christmas Market features authentic gifts, toys, ornaments and food specialties from international and regional artisans.