(Hi there! Be sure to scroll down for a chance to win your very own copy of Easter Stories!)
As a growing family with two young children, my husband and I are very aware of our opportunity to build family traditions that we hope our children will remember and treasure as they grow. Story telling is one of our favorite ways to spend time together and this is especially true during holidays. Reading traditional stories, such as “The Night Before Christmas,” or the absolutely beautiful nativity focused version, “The First Christmas Night,” are some of our most treasured times together during Christmas. I’m thrilled that Fly By Promotions offered to let me review “Easter Stories – Classic Tales for the Holy Season,” compiled by Miriam LeBlanc. I have found several short stories in this collection that resonate with me and reinforce the messages of hope and joy I want my children to hear during this especially joyous season. If you wish, one of my favorite stories in this collection, “The White Lilly,” by Jane Tyson Clement is available through Plough Publishing for reading online.
My daughter’s favorite story in this collection is “The Golden Egg,” by Ivy Bolton. In this short tale, a young woman accidentally discovers the secret hiding place of a prize that would save her father from debtor’s prison and her whole family from unfair persecution and poverty. Her knowledge, though gained purely by chance, gives her an unfair advantage over others who are looking for the same prize. Faced with a moral dilemma, she chooses the righteous path and does not take the prize for herself, but leaves the hunt to others. Joyously, she is rewarded for her moral behavior and prayers for guidance from the Lord! I also love “The Golden Egg,” but my personal favorite story is “Mary’s Child” by the Brothers Grimm, where a young woman learns about mercy and grace, delivered from Mary in heaven.
Other authors included in this anthology are C.S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, Oscar Wilde, Anton Chekhov, Ruth Sawyer, and Selma Lagerlof. Some of the tales retell bible stories focusing on key players, such as “John,” by Elizabeth Goudge, but most are parables and fables that share God’s message. The pictures included in this collection are beautiful black and white woodcuts by Lisa Toth and appear at the beginning of each story. Although, the stories are most suitable for children able to sit still during family read alouds and chapter books, my toddlers were able to enjoy several of the shorter stories, which we read during afternoon snack time.
Fly By Promotions is Offering A Chance For One of My Readers to Win Their Own Copy of Easter Stories – Classic Tales for the Holy Season!
Congratulations to our winner – Melinda!
From the Publisher:
383 pg / multiple authorsEveryone who believes Easter is about more than Easter egg hunts will be grateful for this new anthology of short stories that illumine the true meaning of the season. Selected for their spiritual value and literary quality, these classic tales capture the spirit of Holy Week and Easter in a way that will captivate readers of all ages. Parents and grandparents will find that children love to hear these stories read aloud, year after year.Easter Stories includes time-honored favorites from world-famous storytellers such as C.S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, Selma Lagerlof, Oscar Wilde, Elizabeth Goudge, Maxim Gorky, Ruth Sawyer, Anton Chekhov, and Walter Wangerin – as well as many you’ve never heard before. Illustrated with original woodcuts.
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
Reading various Easter books with my boys.