Day 271 : Red Ranger Came Calling

Chatting Books Online Day 271. Today's recommended book is one that I happened upon one day when my husband's Brother and his wife, both of whom have fantastic taste in books , commented about it on another post about children's books. Well I was intrigued so I ordered it and as a result today's recommended book is "Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed.

Berkeley Breathed is the creative genius behind the comic strip Bloom County and he brings that same style of illustrations and wacky out of this world humor to this book about the author's father's favorite Christmas (or at least the story he told about it ).

As a boy his father was obsessed with the Red Ranger of Mars ; a character from the movie serials. At Christmas time this moody young boy was sent to stay with his aunt on a small island where all he really wants in life is a Red Ranger bicycle. Now though the boy is 'far too swanky" to actually believe in Santa he learns that there is an elusive hermit living on the island named Saunder Clos who is rumored to be the real Santa Claus so he decides to give it a shot and sets out on a journey to find the hermit and ask him for the bicycle. To find out how the adventure ends you will have to read the book but you will have great fun doing it so why not!

This Paperback , large format book sells for $9.99 a copy.

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and Thanks for the recommendation Mark & Linda!

Day 270 : Gaston the Green Nosed Alligator

Chatting Books Online Day 270. Today's recommended book is "Gaston the Green-Nosed Alligator written and illustrated by James Rice who also wrote The Cajun Night Before Christmas.

In this book Santa is back up North in his house made of ice but his reindeer are slacking on the job. Someone has a splinter, someone else a sprained hoof, you get the picture. And Santa himself is quite chilly so they decide after searching the world over to more to the Louisiana Bayou to warm up a bit. The problem is even there the reindeer are too slow and have trouble flying in the terrible rains we get here so Santa doesn't know what to do until he looks up and sees Gaston the Alligator sailing through the treetops super fast and as graceful as anything. Well this gives old Santa an idea and he gathers up 7 more gators and gets Gaston to teach them to fly too. Not so easy at first but eventually they catch on, and they live happily ever after....

This storybook ,matching in size and style to The Cajun Night Before Christmas sells for $16.99 a copy.

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and Merry Christmas to all, till I saw yo some mo!

Day 269 : The Polar Express

Chatting Books Online Day 269. Today's recommended book is The Polar Express WRitten and Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg.

As many of you know this is one of my favorite Christmas season storytime books. We usually have a Polar Express storytime (or two) at some point this month (darn Covid). So you know that I love this story about maintaining a childlike belief in the magic of Christmas. But I do not know if you are aware that I particularly like this version of the storybook not only for the beautiful illustrations by author / illustrator Chris Van Allsburg, but also because when you purchase this particular version you also get a keepsake Polar Express "All Aboard" train ornament (cut out gold colored metal ) to hang on your tree and a free download of the audiobook read by Liam Neeson! (No, not kidding!!!)

This lovely hardcover storybook (all the extras listed above sell for just $19.99 a copy.

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and be one of us who TRULY BELIEVE !

Day 268 : How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Chatting Books Online Day 267. Today's recommended book is THE Christmas Classic: "The Night Before Christmas or a Visit from St Nicholas". by Clement Clarke Moore.

This storybook is a reproduction of an antique copy of this book complete with an introduction that gives the history of this classic. Did you that this poem was not initially intended for publication but instead was written by a well known writer of the time to send to his children while he was travelling on a Christmas shopping trip? A year later a friend submitted it for anonymous publication to The New York Sentinel and it became part of Christmas history but it took more than 20 years before the author claimed credit for it and published in his own book of poetry.

This lovely oversized edition is a reproduction of one published originally around 1870 with artwork by William Roger Snow. the full color , full page illustrations are charming. While we all know the poem that is this story here is an interesting tidbit for you: according to this copy reindeer number 7 was not "Donner" as we have come to know her but actually named "Dunder" which just doesn't feel very kind now does it ? Also, the final line is :Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night" in this book rather than the "Merry " we have come to expect - actually I have found that in England still today you more often hear "Happy" than "Merry" Christmas. Just another small difference that I find so interesting.

This lap sized story book sells for just $9.95 a copy if you can believe it!

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and a "Happy Christmas to all" .

Day 267 : The Night Before Christmas or A Visit from St Nicholas

Chatting Books Online Day 267. Today's recommended book is THE Christmas Classic: "The Night Before Christmas or a Visit from St Nicholas". by Clement Clarke Moore.

This storybook is a reproduction of an antique copy of this book complete with an introduction that gives the history of this classic. Did you that this poem was not initially intended for publication but instead was written by a well known writer of the time to send to his children while he was traveling on a Christmas shopping trip? A year later a friend submitted it for anonymous publication to The New York Sentinel and it became part of Christmas history but it took more than 20 years before the author claimed credit for it and published in his own book of poetry.

This lovely oversized edition is a reproduction of one published originally around 1870 with artwork by William Roger Snow. the full color , full page illustrations are charming. While we all know the poem that is this story here is an interesting tidbit for you: according to this copy reindeer number 7 was not "Donner" as we have come to know her but actually named "Dunder" which just doesn't feel very kind now does it ? Also, the final line is :Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night" in this book rather than the "Merry " we have come to expect - actually I have found that in England still today you more often hear "Happy" than "Merry" Christmas. Just another small difference that I find so interesting.

This lap sized story book sells for just $9.95 a copy if you can believe it!

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and a "Happy Christmas to all" .

Day 266: The Week In Review : Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Chatting Books Online Day 266. The Week in Review November 30 - December 6, 2020.

We were getting into the Christmas Spirit this week with 5 books about Christmas and one that will be the perfect Christmas gift!

I recommended local classics like The Cajun Night Before Christmas and Bayou Santa. We also talked about a newer book that tells the tale of how Santa got his reindeer in Dasher.

Then we went classical in a replica of the first edition of A Christmas Carol and then a book about the man who brought that book to us in Dickens on Christmas.

Then we closed out the week with the perfect gift: Anne Butler and Darrell Chitty's beautiful new book The Soul of St Francisville. And remember, they will be joining us today (Sunday Dec 6) from 11-1 to sign copies!

If you missed any of these reviews and want to read what I had to say about them you can see all of our Chatting Books Online picks by visiting our website at: http://www.conundrumbooks.com/chatting-books-online .

We still (and always will going forward) offer shipping if you cannot make it to the store. Or just stop by the shop during or normal hours . See you soon !

Day 265: The Soul of St Francisville

Chatting Books Online Day 265. Today's recommended book is "The Soul of St Francisville" written by Anne Butler with artwork by Darrell Chitty.

This book is beautiful in more ways than one. It is visually beautiful, and it is also lovely in the amount of local history and lore that is shared within its pages. This is a coffee table book that is heavy on text and information - so much so that there was actually another column of information that somehow missed being printed but Ms. Anne has meticulously added it into each book so that you will get the full story. The people are such a big part of the allure of this town and this book goes a long way toward explaining why that is and introducing you to some of those folks as well as giving you a context of place and history along the way.

In its 160 pages, the book celebrates the small-town charm and natural beauty of the area, with incredible portraits and photographs complemented by text brimming with little-known historical facts about iconic places and faces. This is a book that is sure to be a favorite book "of the area" for many years to come.

This hardcover , full color , coffee table book sells for $49.95 a copy. It is available in our store (we currently have some copies pre-signed by Ms . Anne Butler ) or through our website and don't forget to join us this Sunday Dec 6, 2020 between 11am and 1pm when Ms. Anne will be here to sign and personalize the books in our store.

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and share the
Soul of St Francisville.

Day 264 : Dickens and Christmas

Chatting Books Online Day 264. Today's recommended book is "Dickens and Christmas". by Lucinda Hawksley.

This book tells the tale of a place and a person who have in many ways shaped how we celebrate Christmas today. Charles Dickens had a special affinity for Christmas, so much so that he wrote about it in not only "A Christmas Carol" but also in other novellas he wrote during the same time period. What was his connection to Christmas? How was Christmas celebrated in this time of social change and how did the changes that took place in Dickens time influence our celebration today? All of these questions are answered in this book which was written by one of Charles Dicken's direct descendants. After reading this book you will not only have a better understanding of the writer, Charles Dickens, who has been such an important literary voice; but you will have a better understanding of the man, the era, and the holiday. Such an interesting book . Pair it with the replica first edition of "A Christmas Carol" recommended earlier this week and you will have a gift any fan of literature and /or Christmas will certainly enjoy.

This hardcover book sells for $32.95 a copy.

To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up and share the joy of Christmas!