Joy to the World Inspirational Read …….. Recommended …. 4 stars

The Review This gift book is meant for the holiday season. Table of Contents includes ‘Words of Christmas Joy,’ ‘Facts and Legends of Christmas Joy,’ ‘Christmas Joy in Other Lands,’ ‘Christmas Joy of Yesterday,’ ‘Making Your Christmas Joyful,’ and of course ‘Joy to the World,’ the Carol. Each of these titles is a section title. I particularly enjoyed the section with information about other Lands. Several Christmas greetings began the section, then came a description of Christmas in Australia. Christmas food in Austria includes baked carp, beer, vegetables and ‘Fruchtbrod.’ In Belgium it is a high honor to be chosen one of the Three Wisemen to stroll about the village in the days preceding Christmas. Thirteen, yes, 13, foods representing Jesus and his disciples are served during the meal following Midnight Mass in many areas of France during the Christmas festivities. Delicious recipes are included in the section titled ‘Making Your Christmas Joyful.’ The section titled Facts and Legends of Christmas Joy is packed with interesting details with why December 25 is the day most Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, why the Cuban city Navidad is so named, why tinsel is placed on Christmas Trees, legends of the Poinsettia, Holly, and Rosemary, as well as a list of U.S. towns with the word Christmas in their names. Joy to the World Inspiration to Celebrate the Season is a delight. There is something for everyone included in this variety of facts, detail, trivia, recipes, information, legends, and tales. The section with Christmas customs in other countries is one kids can use for a Christmas report. The recipe for Christmas cookies is delicious and the overall information presented kept me turning the page. I like learning new and interesting facts, and having old ones refreshed. Finding so many tucked into one volume is especially nice. The book is well made, small enough to tuck into a Christmas Stocking, or give to a co-worker for a ‘little gift.’ The collection of facts, histories, recipes and traditions are presented nicely, pique reader interest and in general lend a feeling of ‘Neat! I didn’t know that.’ I found the thirteen foods of noteworthy interest. It is nice tribute, but I do wonder how on earth all thirteen might be downed at a single sitting! Joy to the World Inspiration to Celebrate the Season is a good addition to the personal gift book collection as well as one bought for others. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend for ‘grown up’ readers of 9 or so and everyone to 99.

Reviewed by: molly martin 20+ years California classroom teacher

Genre: Christmas Gift Book Author: compilation Line/Publisher Honor Books .honorbooks.com Mail: P.O. Box 55388, Tulsa, OK 74155 ISBN: 1562929364 Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.42" x 6.08" This item is illustrated Pages: 160