Search Results for: blog how the hibernators came to bethlehem norma farber

Traveling to Bethlehem for Christmas

If you are traveling to Bethlehem this Advent season expect a lot of company. According to travel experts, the West Bank area has seen (and expects to host) more tourists this year than in any holiday season since Israeli-Palestinian fighting broke out seven years ago. Bethlehem’s mayor speculates that the relative calm between Israelis and Palestinians has helped persuade Christians that it’s safe to visit. The onslaught of new visitors is a stark contrast to years past when heavy fighting and continued violence frightened many away. Government officials are expecting around 65,000 tourists to visit the traditional site of Jesus’ … Continue reading →

How the Hibernators Came to Bethlehem – Norma Farber

This small children’s picture book captures some of the magic of that first Christmas night. A new star appeared in the sky, waking up all the sleeping creatures. Bear was first to wake up. The star shone down, glistening on his black fur and touching him, singing, “Bethlehem!” He yawned and stretched, wondering what it all meant. Next was Badger. The light from the star shone down his tunnel and lit up his home, guiding him up to the surface, all the while singing, “Bethlehem!” Skunk and Raccoon, living near each other in similar burrows, were awakened when the light … Continue reading →

Tumbleweed Christmas – Alane Ferguson

Not everyone has a Christmas made up of snow and evergreen trees! In “Tumbleweed Christmas,” a children’s picture book by Alane Ferguson, we see what Christmas is like out in the desert. Scotty and his mother are driving through the desert on their way to his grandmother’s house. She’s preparing a traditional Christmas dinner for them with all the trimmings, and he can’t wait to get through the boring desert and reach their destination. But all of a sudden, he hears a “ka-boom!” And then another and another. Smoke starts to pour from the engine, and his mother quickly pulls … Continue reading →

Week in Review — November 5th – 10th

We had a lot of fun here in Media Reviews this week! For those of you who weren’t able to join us, here are the highlights. Tristi wrote a review of Mary Higgins Clark’s novel “The Second Time Around,” the story of a financial reporter who is asked to investigate her brother-in-law’s suspicious death. “Thanksgiving in the Barn,” a cute holiday pop up book featuring animals who have done their best to prepare a delicious feast, was reviewed by Lauri. Then Tristi reviewed “An Acquaintance with Darkness,” a novel by Ann Rinaldi about the assassination of President Lincoln. She also … Continue reading →

Pashmina, the Little Christmas Goat – Geraldine Elschner

Tomorrow is Christmas and the children are excited, but Manja is worried. She doesn’t have anything special to serve her children for Christmas dinner. They have beans, but she wants to prepare a nice roast or something that will truly make the day a celebration. She asks Simon, her husband, to go hunting or fishing, anything that will add to the meal. They don’t have money to buy anything. Simon doesn’t think he’ll be able to find anything on such a cold and snowy day, and he’s right. After wandering around for hours, he still has no meat. He doesn’t … Continue reading →