Beloved author-illustrator Patricia Polacco’s holiday story is a wonderful ode to the magic of family, Christmas, and giving the right kind of gifts—gifts filled with love. Richie and Trisha want to buy Christmas gifts for their family, but they don't have enough money. Enter Kay Lamity, a new housekeeper . . . but is that all she is? She comes into their lives like a whirlwind, brimming with positive energy and a can-do attitude. Kay not only straightens them out when it comes to whether or not Santa Claus is real, she teaches them something about gifts: the just-good-enough kind that come from the pocketbook and the unforgettable kind that come from the heart. Because of Kay, Trisha and Richie—and the family—have a Christmas morning they will never forget. Celebrating the joy of homemade gifts, Patricia Polacco introduces readers to a new character who is truly a force of nature in this story reminiscent of Christmas Tapestry and An Orange for Frankie. This is a magical Christmas story the author swears is true, right down to the sleigh tracks on the farmhouse roof!

An inspiring account of America at its worst-and Americans at their best-woven from the stories of Depression-era families who were helped by gifts from the author's generous and secretive grandfather. Shortly before Christmas 1933 in Depression-scarred Canton, Ohio, a small newspaper ad offered $10, no strings attached, to 75 families in distress. Interested readers were asked to submit letters describing their hardships to a benefactor calling himself Mr. B. Virdot. The author's grandfather Sam Stone was inspired to place this ad and assist his fellow Cantonians as they prepared for the cruelest Christmas most of them would ever witness. Moved by the tales of suffering and expressions of hope contained in the letters, which he discovered in a suitcase 75 years later, Ted Gup initially set out to unveil the lives behind them, searching for records and relatives all over the country who could help him flesh out the family sagas hinted at in those letters. From these sources, Gup has re-created the impact that Mr B. Virdot's gift had on each family. Many people yearned for bread, coal, or other necessities, but many others received money from B. Virdot for more fanciful items-a toy horse, say, or a set of encyclopedias. As Gup's investigations revealed, all these things had the power to turn people's lives around- even to save them. But as he uncovered the suffering and triumphs of dozens of strangers, Gup also learned that Sam Stone was far more complex than the lovable- retiree persona he'd always shown his grandson. Gup unearths deeply buried details about Sam's life-from his impoverished, abusive upbringing to felonious efforts to hide his immigrant origins from U.S. officials-that help explain why he felt such a strong affinity to strangers in need. Drawing on his unique find and his award-winning reportorial gifts, Ted Gup solves a singular family mystery even while he pulls away the veil of eight decades that separate us from the hardships that united America during the Depression. In A Secret Gift, he weaves these revelations seamlessly into a tapestry of Depression-era America, which will fascinate and inspire in equal measure. Watch a Video

reflections on Christian love

There are many types of gifts. You can give a big, shiny, wrapped gift on Christmas morning, but you can also give the gifts of your help or your time. You can bake a cake for your parents or share what you learned in school with your little sister. You can help a friend unravel a knotty bracelet or smile at a stranger who looks sad. With a spirit of generosity, you'll find you have many gifts to give to the world--and that giving can be even more fulfilling than receiving. Featuring a die-cut cover and interior flaps throughout, My Little Gifts celebrates the gift of giving. The Growing Hearts series celebrates the milestones of a toddler's emotional development, from conquering fears and expressing feelings to welcoming a new sibling.

When Mike and Beth Pasakarnis lost their son, Wolf, their world seemed to crumble around them. Until meeting Mike and Beth, Suzanne Giesemann--a former "by-the-book" Navy commander--had cautiously refrained from using the word "proof" when speaking of the eternal existence of the soul, but no longer. The evidence Mike and Beth shared from their son provided all the proof she needed. Little did Mike, Beth, or Suzanne know that their lives would soon become even more entangled by unexpected visits from Wolf's spirit. As Wolf repeatedly made his presence known, Suzanne was able to piece together Wolf's puzzle and reveal a startling message that has profound spiritual implications for us all. Travel along on Suzanne's incredible journey as she unravels the web of clues Wolf wove to ensure that his uplifting message of hope and joy is understood by all mankind.

Second in the series! Encourage grieving hearts with true stories from people who experienced God's comfort in difficult times. This treasury of 50 true, heartwarming stories offers hope, love, and light beyond grief for those who are mourning. Sweet Tea for the Soul: Comforting, Real-Life Stories for Grieving Hearts, lets sufferers of tragedy or loss stay in their emotional comfort zone while encouraging them with accounts of real people who have been there--who have felt the pains of true heartbreak and witnessed the transformational power of a God who promises to stay close. For anyone who is crushed in spirit, God offers sweet comfort for the soul.

Taking orders was never an easy thing for Kyndel Rialey to do, she was independent and enjoyed working alone. From an early age, she learned that nothing lasted for forever. If you don’t get close, you can’t get hurt. Work hard for what you have and one day you will receive everything you need and no one can take it from you. Working with others had always been a beneficial thing for Enoch Cantrail. He had been able to acquire friends and business contacts around the world because of his ability to work with others. Having charm to spare he was never seen without a date to any function he attended, but would his charm be enough to make a working relationship last with his new partner, Kyndel? Kyndel wondered if the old saying “Too good to be true” would apply to the man standing in front of her. “Are you for real? What did you do with Enoch?” Realizing she was doing it again, Kyndel quickly shut her mouth, reaching her hand out to grasp Enoch’s outstretched hand. Taking on his offer with little idea as to what it could stand for. “Sorry, old habits die hard.“