Write2Ignite

Tis the Season

Tis the season to savor excellent Christmas books! This week you’re in for a treat with a review of MOUSE’S CHIRSTMAS GIFT. To top it off, we have an autographed giveaway copy. 

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la-la!

Review

When Parson gets sick, the village’s Christmas Eve service is cancelled. But, one tiny church mouse doesn’t give up hope. He prepares the nativity set and lights a small candle in the window in hopes that someone will see it.

Someone does see the thoughtful gesture and it inspires him to do a kind deed. That kind deed is noticed by someone else and the inspiration continues throughout the book.

Each person doesn’t look around to see who is watching. They simply do one, small thoughtful thing such as making a fresh wreath and hanging it on the church door, baking bread, or tying hair ribbons to a tree.

Actions as small as Mouse unlocking the church door, or a man starting a warm fire, or people using their voices to sing, may seem simple, but children will discover they all make a difference.

I like how this book includes within the story a portion from Luke 2 (NIV).

You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens with Mouse, Parson, and the cancelled Christmas Eve service. But, I will tell you it is joyful!

Recommendation and an Extra

I highly recommend this book. It’s a heart-warming story is a sweet reminder that even the smallest among us has the power to affect the lives of others with one thoughtful act. Even when we don’t fully understand the situation, we can choose to act with kindness. God works through the small things to bring about something wonderful.

I encourage you to consider signing up for Mindy Baker’s free, mini-magazine that arrives via email. If you sign up, you receive a wonderful teaching guide for MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT. It’s a beautiful and helpful resource. It’s full of lessons and activities for you to use with the picture book with children (pre-k through 3^rd grade). This will be excellent for use in a classroom, as a family devotion, or as part of a Christmas celebration. You can learn more about Mindy and the mini-magazine at www.mindybakerbooks.com.

The Author: Mindy Baker

Mindy Baker, a high school Spanish teacher, resides in Indiana with her family. She has been in full time Christian ministry with her husband for over twenty years and has traveled in over twenty-five countries.

She enjoys writing for several websites including www.readdiscussdo.com, www.write2ignite.com, and www.christianchildrensauthors.com.

Mindy also publishes a bi-weekly mini-magazine for parents, grandparents, and caretakers of children entitled Make the Time!  and co-authors a quarterly newsletter entitled Talking Story. Through her writing, she hopes to plant seeds of truth in the hearts of her readers.

The Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk

Dow Phumiruk (silent h: Poo’ mee ruck), a retired pediatrician, is now an award-winning illustrator. Though creative throughout childhood, she said she put her artistic part aside as she pursued a career in medicine. Years later, when she chose to take time off to be a stay-at-home mom, she rediscovered her love of all things creative, finding much joy especially in children’s book illustration.

Originally from Thailand, she now lives in Colorado with her husband, three daughters and a dog.

Dow illustrates MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT so beautifully! The colors are warm and inviting. She does an exceptional job capturing the essence of a diverse group of people. And, of course, she illustrates a precious little mouse wearing a green vest.

Giveaway

A big thank you to the author and Zonderkidz for donating an autographed copy of this book for a giveaway. Leave a comment by Monday, December 10 to enter along with how you want it autographed if your name is chosen.

(This review was originally published on Sally Matheny’s blog.)