Centering around the theme of the familiar song "The Friendly Beasts," this intriguing program depicts what the animals who witnessed Jesus' birth might really have been thinking -- if they had human minds. There's humorous interplay among camels, sheep, cows, and the donkey that carried the pregnant Mary as they share their unique perspective on the nativity. This complete presentation allows many different parts of the congregation to participate; speaking roles can be performed in a readers' theater format by adults or youth, young children can portray the humans at the manger in a silent tableau, and musical selections allow the choir to be involved, as well. This adaptable drama can be used not only in church settings, but also in schools or for children's programs. As an added feature, customers with PowerPoint and broadband capability may obtain access to a downloadable PowerPoint presentation to accompany the drama at (http: //www.csspub.com/BeastlyChristmas/). A companion coloring book for young children, based on the imagery in the PowerPoint file, is also available in packages of five. John O. Eby has been an ordained pastor for four decades, serving several Baptist congregations in California. He is currently the pastor of First Baptist Church in Porterville, California. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and American Baptist Seminary of the West, Eby is the author of more than 30 skits and plays. Natividad Briones is a member of the worship team at First Baptist Church in Porterville, California. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and merchant marine, Briones began drawing caricatures of fellow sailors. He subsequently did freelance cartooning, and he had prepared composite sketches for the Los Angeles Police Department and the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

Join author Brenda Anderson in her fascination with scary-cute creatures to crochet. In this collection Brenda presents 23 accessories and toys, featuring furry monsters, carnivorous plants, killer robots, and menacing tiki figures. While there are some literal monsters in the bunch--toys and amigurumi--a majority of projects are wearable accessories and garments. Some projects, such as a robot-themed intarsia blanky, are aimed specifically at children, while many others are for adults and teens who want to have a little fun. Brenda shows how to tackle all the sewing and appliqué techniques required in her patterns, including how to install zippers, as well as subtle tricks for achieving personality in your critters with a section on "The Principles of Cuteness." Beastly Crochet is a book that is as fun to read as it is to crochet from!

"The simple strains of this old Christmas melody are superbly reflected in the graceful, delicate, yet strong images that dePaola brings to the page....A Christmas remembrance to be long treasured." -- Booklist (starred review)"Beautiful." -- The Horn Book"Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail of design, color, and layout." -- School Library Journal

Christmas is murder-- when you're stranded in East Sussex with a killer. When guests at a secluded Victorian hotel start dying, all hopes for a jolly holiday are dashed.

Though Santa may be unable to come due to bad weather, two friends resolve to have a grand Christmas.

A woman discovers her daughter is being raised by a very dashing earl in this Victorian holiday romance by the author of The Christmas Heiress. A Woman with A Past . . . Six years ago, Rebecca Tremaine, the daughter of a vicar, became pregnant by her fiancé. When he died unexpectedly, Rebecca was heartbroken and disgraced. The child was stillborn—or so Rebecca believed. Now, she’s both shocked and jubilant to discover that her relatives arranged for her baby girl, Lily, to be given to a distant family connection—Cameron Sinclair, Earl of Hampton. The widowed earl reluctantly agrees to let Rebecca visit Lily over Christmas at his home in Kent, where she finds that the little girl, while a darling, is alarmingly spoiled . . . and the handsome, confident earl is attractive beyond measure . . . A Love for All Seasons . . . Graceful, tender-hearted, and completely captivating, Rebecca fills Cameron Sinclair’s home with warmth and light. Ther’s no denying that her concern for Lily’s behavior is well-founded. Just as he knows there’s also no denying the ache he feels at the thought of her departure. After his wife’s death three years ago, Cameron was adamant that he could never love another woman. But as the holiday season draws to a close, he can only hope that it is not too late to admit the joy of being proven thoroughly, delightfully wrong . . . Praise for The Christmas Countess “Love, family, and the magic of the holiday season bring two different couples together in Basso’s latest richly emotional and elegantly written Victorian historical romance.” —Booklist