| Merry Christmas! Every December many people | | | | take some of them to a local nursing home |
| around the world utter these words to one | | | | where a group of people from Grandma's church |
| another as they look forward to the wondrous | | | | sing Christmas carols to the elderly. The true |
| holiday season. In A Very Special Christmas with | | | | "reason for the season" is not forgotten as Sarah |
| Grandma, Leanne Bush charms readers with the | | | | helps her grandmother set up a nativity scene on |
| story of young Sarah who visits her grandmother | | | | the coffee table, and later, Grandma tells her the |
| for an entire week before Christmas. Readers will | | | | story of Jesus' birth. |
| find themselves wishing that all children could have | | | | The week passes quickly as the two build a |
| the same experience as Sarah-and by writing this | | | | snowman, wrap Christmas presents, watch |
| book, the author has made this possible. Other | | | | Christmas shows on TV, and read Christmas |
| children, along with Sarah, can experience an | | | | stories together. And on Christmas Eve, they |
| old-fashioned Christmas, with all its wonderful | | | | hang up a stocking for Santa to fill with goodies |
| traditions. | | | | for Sarah. Of course, they don't forget Santa, |
| From the moment that Sarah's parents leave | | | | leaving the jolly old man milk and cookies. Before |
| their daughter at Grandma's house, it is a very | | | | going to bed, Sarah's grandmother gives her a |
| busy time for this couple who are separated by | | | | Christmas ornament and a special stuffed rabbit |
| generations but united by love. It is obvious that | | | | named Levi that she had received when she was |
| the grandmother and grandchild are very close as | | | | a little girl. Grandma had kept him in very good |
| they happily work together on Grandma's "to-do" | | | | condition. Now Sarah will need to do the same. |
| list to prepare for the yearly holiday. There are | | | | On Christmas morning, Sarah discovers that |
| Christmas cards to prepare, and a tree to | | | | Santa Clause has come and given her many nice |
| decorate. The tree is a real one given to them by | | | | presents. Later Sarah's parents arrive, and there |
| a neighbor who lives on a large farm. The tree | | | | are more presents to exchange. Then, after a |
| goes into a stand that holds water; it is Sarah's | | | | delicious ham dinner with all the trimmings, it is |
| job to water the tree every day. The author | | | | time for Sarah to go home. She gives Grandma a |
| describes in detail how they decorate the tree, | | | | very special hug and kiss, and of course, thanks |
| going into detail about how they make a long | | | | her for the wonderful memories of such a special |
| chain from loops made of construction paper. | | | | week. |
| Though I'm revealing my age, I remember doing | | | | This book is excellently narrated and an adventure |
| this for our Christmas trees in grade school. It is | | | | that young children should not miss out on. It is |
| fun and seems to look better than many modern | | | | written in age-appropriate language for children |
| decorations we buy from stores today. | | | | who want to be read to as well as for children |
| After the tree is finished, Grandma makes them | | | | who are old enough to read the words all by |
| some mouth-watering hot chocolate with her | | | | themselves. Readers should thank the author for |
| added ingredients of crushed peppermint candy | | | | reminding children of the values of yesterday and |
| and small marshmallows on top. Then it's time for | | | | the special bond that they can have with their |
| bed so they can go to church the next morning. | | | | grandparents. It is my recommendation that |
| The rest of the week keeps them continually | | | | individuals buy several copies of this book for |
| busy as they make various kinds of cookies and | | | | Christmas gift-giving. |