Film plays a vital role in the celebration of Christmas. For decades, it has taught audiences about what the celebration of the season looks like – from the decorations to the costumes and to the expected snowy weather – as well as mirrors our own festivities back to us. Films like It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone have come to play key roles in real-life domestic celebrations: watching such titles has become, for many families, every bit as important as tree-trimming and leaving cookies out for Santa. These films have exported the American take on the holiday far and wide and helped us conjure an image of the perfect holiday. Rather than settling the ‘what is a Christmas film?’ debate – indeed, Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are discussed within – Analyzing Christmas in Film: Santa to the Supernatural focuses on the how Christmas is presented on the deluge of occasions when it appears. While most Christmas films are secular, religion makes many cameos, appearing through Nativity references, storylines involving spiritual rebirth, the framing of Santa as a Christ-like figure and the all-importance of family, be it the Holy family or just those gathered around the dining table. Also explored are popular narratives involving battles with stress and melancholy, single parents and Christmas martyrs, visits from ghosts and angels, big cities and small towns, break-ups and make-ups and the ticking clock of mortality. Nearly 1000 films are analyzed in this volume to determine what the portrayal of Christmas reveals about culture, society and faith as well as sex roles, consumerism, aesthetics and aspiration.

Single mother Sophie Beck is hoping that moving to the cozy little town of Twinkle Falls is just what her family needed to get them through a difficult time. As Christmas approaches, Sophie’s days are a haze of cupcake frosting, holiday cheer and preparing for the town’s festivities—but Christmas represents a piece of her that’s missing, a part of her past she must learn to face. Mysterious, broody Pet Rescue volunteer Liam James helps Sophie find the new addition to their family...their dream dog Shelby, and Sophie can’t deny the impression he leaves on her—and on her children Zoey and Cam. However, Liam, who is following direct orders from his Commanding Officer to take leave from the Air Force, will only be in town until the end of December. Begrudgingly, his guarded heart is slowly thawed by the warmth of the townsfolk around him, forcing him to reconsider what he wants out of life. As he spends more and more time at Sophie’s bakery, enjoying her coffee and the festive atmosphere of Twinkle Falls, he begins to realize that it’s not just the coffee that brings him back every morning. Will it take a magical Christmas for Sophie and Liam to realize that in order to be truly happy, all they need to do is take a chance?

For thousands of years, men and women have known who to turn to in times of trouble - a dog. All over the world dogs have risked, and often lost, their lives to look after the human beings they care for. Their intelligence, devotion and astonishing courage to help humans in distress on countless occasions almost defies belief. Their stories range from Roselle the Labrador, who led her blind owner to safety from the carnage of the World Trade Centre, to the legends of Balto and Togo, two of the huskies who traversed over 1,000 kilometres of snow and ice to bring life-saving medicine to an isolated town, and Swansea Jack, the black Labrador who rescued almost 30 people from drowning and who had a statue erected in his honour. Many of the dogs featured in this book have been specially trained to help humans, a task they eagerly set about regardless of the physical risk they face as a result. Then there are the family pets who, when danger threatens, react with total disregard for their own wellbeing, caring only about one thing; protecting the humans they love.

Marty will do anything to save his new friend Shiloh in this Newbery Medal–winning novel from Phillis Reynolds Naylor. When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight—and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers, who drinks too much and has a gun—and abuses his dogs. So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger. How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his?

New York Times bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron presents the totally irresistible tale of a little stray puppy rescued from a life on the streets to become the star of A Dog's Way Home, the basis for the major motion picture! Shelby doesn’t remember much of her early life—only that she was always hungry and cold. Then one day, Shelby is rescued by a kind woman, and things change forever. She soon finds herself on a movie set, and her new life is filled with challenges and rewards. She learns things like to Go Mark, Cut, and Dig. Her rewards include squeaky toys, yummy chicken, and best of all, love and affection from castmates and crew. Everyone loves Shelby! And so will young readers and movie fans. Shelby's Story includes charming illustrations by Richard Cowdrey as well as a reading and activity guide at the end of the book. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A meticulously researched and tautly written story of the drowning death of Dr Duncan in SA's Torrens River in 1972.

This bride makes every effort to dodge her father's dictates for a husband… Christmas at a raucous fur-trading post in 1829 As Chantal Sorley dodges her father’s list of suitable husbands, she falls for the one man her father cannot abide, a fur trapper new to the area. But while this mysterious trapper helps Chantal pare down the list, he finds he is secretly losing his heart to her.