Archives for November 11, 2025

This holiday season, instead of another chocolate advent calendar that’s gone by December 25th, Emmy-nominated TV host and Hallmark Channel star Megan Alexander is offering families a keepsake tradition to enjoy year after year.

Her new book, The True Gifts of Christmas (Loyola Press; August 11, 2025), is designed like an advent calendar in book form, with 25 “gifts” that count down to Christmas. Each day reveals the story and meaning behind a beloved holiday tradition like candy canes, mistletoe, and stockings alongside festive recipes, hands-on crafts, and family activities.

With its beautiful photography and heartfelt storytelling, The True Gifts of Christmas transforms the countdown to December 25th into a meaningful journey of reflection, connection, and celebration. It’s a substitute for the traditional advent calendar that won’t disappear when the season ends, it’s a keepsake families can return to year after year.

I love this book and even learned a few things such as what the meaning of candles at Christmas and what cardinals are associated with Christmas. I also love that there are recipes, and I can’t wait to try the Gingerbread cookie recipe.

Christmas Advent books seem to be the hot thing this holiday season! Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers has acquired THE CHRISTMAS CONTEST, an illustrated chapter book featuring Santa’s elves that uses a patented book design allowing readers to unlock one chapter per day in the lead-up to Christmas with an innovative perforated chapter design.

Santa Claus has a problem. There are too many kids on the nice list this year, and he’s worried he won’t be able to deliver all the presents by himself! The only solution is to recruit an apprentice for the first time in his long career—to be chosen through a carefully crafted competition.

Soon, the North Pole is buzzing with excitement as contestants come forward to show they’ve got the Christmas spirit and know-how to help jolly old St. Nicholas himself. As Christmas Eve draws closer and Santa Claus tasks the hopefuls with more and more creative tests, who will come out on top?

Young children will love this book! It’s a must-buy this holiday season!

Discover the enchanting magic of Hansel and Gretel in this musical reimagining of Humperdinck’s most famous suites – press the buttons on each of the 10 pages to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Humperdinck’s score. At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Engelbert Humperdinck, with details about his composition of Hansel and Gretel. You can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms, and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms. Ages 5 to 8. 

Self Disclosure: I received free books to facilitate this featured book post. Images were also provided.