Libraries Alive, Dec 2007

This children's Christmas DVD has two different stories that children of all ages will enjoy. Both contain colorful illustrations, interesting music and a strong message for the holiday. "Go Look in the Manger" is a true story about a young boy named Ricky who makes a promise to his mother that if anything happens to her special record he's taking for show-and-tell he will give up all his Christmas presents. The record does make their school party extra special. But on the way home, the record is broken and so is his promise to his mother. He will have to pay the consequences. At church on Christmas Eve, the story of the greatest Christmas gift ever, the gift of Jesus is told. Ricky is all ready to accept the fact he will have no gifts this year until his forgiving mother tells him to "go look in the manger" where he finds his gifts. "The Candymaker's Christmas" is about a candy maker named August. The King's messenger tells all the shopkeepers they must bring their finest gifts to the King's son, Prince James, on Christmas Eve. August makes many kinds of candy until he settles on a peppermint stick curved into the letter "J" for James. On Christmas Eve, August is walking to bring his candy to the prince when he encounters a crying boy dressed as a shepherd. He has no shepherd's staff to take inside the Nativity story. August gives him a candy cane. Inside the church, the canes are given to everyone. Someone mentions that the canes are shaped into the letter "J" for Jesus, and the red reminds us of the blood Jesus shed for us. The shepherd boy turns out to be Prince James and the King is impressed with August's gift. August learns everyone has a special gift to give, the gift of oneself.