"Keep Watching the Skies" is an anthology of prize-winning prose from one of America’s richest writing competitions, namely the annual Tom Howard Short Story, Essay and P..
An adventurous boy, a mischievous dog and a favorite cousin provide the necessary ingredients for a delicious tale of Christmas warmth. The book features a young Hardy Belch whose father demonstrates forbearance, forgiveness and creativeness when dealing with a minor holiday mishap. Hardy, Tiny and Mardi learn that when accepting responsibility even mistakes can turn out to be beautiful.
A proactive child will often tackle things that are beyond their abilities and can end up in situations not to their liking or their parents liking. In this story, Hardy’s Dad appropriately appreciates that Hardy’s goal was to help. In spite of his laudable goal, circumstances conspire to create amusing discord. A good parent can laud the attempt and quietly despair the outcome. A proactive child is to be cherished and guided not disparaged or punished. Hopefully this book provides an appropriate example of proactive children and nurturing parents.
Excerpt
“Oh no! Look out, Tiny, don’t get tangled up in the..,” shouted Mardi but it was too late. Tiny wasn’t nearly as nimble as the squirrel. He suddenly found himself tangled in a string of lights. He rolled over to try and get untangled and got caught in the next string. As he struggled to his feet the squirrel chattered and ran up the tree. Tiny lunged after him and got caught in another string of lights.
A Christmas Knot - a delightful story
William Bentrim has done it again! His latest children's book, "A Christmas Knot," is just delightful to read - for both child and adult. It tells a sweet story about Hardy who is helping his Dad put up Christmas lights. Dad is called away for awhile. Hardy and his cousin Mardi decide to lay out the strings of lights so they'll be ready to go up when Dad returns. Great idea. But Tiny, Hardy's pup, sees a squirrel. Well, we all know where this is going. After the wild chase, there sits Tiny entangled in a ball of Christmas lights.
Dad returns and realizes Hardy and Mardi were just trying to be helpful. So off he goes to the hardware store to get new lights. Rather patient Dad, I'd say. I'm not sure if I would have been quite as calm. But there seems to be a lesson here for parents also.
The ending of the story brings us back to the meaning of Christmas. Dad decides to offer the large ball of lights to the local Nativity scene and it lights up as the Christmas Star.
Mr. Bentrim has created a fun story for children with a wonderful lesson for both children and their parents. And he brings in the true meaning of Christmas all at the same time. Read Bentrim's "A Christmas Knot" to your children. You won't be sorry.
A Warm Delight
This story is sweet and warming which is excellent for family story time during the Christmas season. Although it could use a bit of editing the message is there and the illustrations are simple yet effect.
I plan to read this story to my own son during the coming months.
The Christmas Knot by William G. Bentrim
Another good book from author William G. Bentrim. The Christmas Knot features a younger Hardy Belch who appears in another of William's books. It was good to see Hardy again and if you haven't read The Adventures of Hardy Belch it doesn't matter too much if you read the Christmas Knot because there are no references to the previous book.
The illustrations are really good. They're not overly complicated so a young child can pay attention to them without getting too confused.
I really enjoyed the story and I think that young children will love it too. Not only is it an entertaining story relating to Christmas but it teaches a lesson as well.
The Christmas Knot is a nice little story that will be enjoyed by young children. It's definitely worth looking into.
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