My wife, Karen and I, (Karen has passed away) had four children and 14 grandchildren. The birth of those grandchildren brought great joy to us and motivated me to create a story upon the birth of the first eight grandchildren, the first in 1986 and the last in 1998. Each chapter lists chronologically the names of these eight grandchildren. One of the stories was created as I was driving one night from a YMCA job interview in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Kokomo, Indiana, where I served as CEO. This book contains Christmas stories I created for children to enjoy. It begins with Santa’s dog who gets lost and must be found so he can accompany Santa on his trip. Other unique characters are introduced, the Blue Angel, Miss Frilly Fox, a little boy named Bo who could fly, the walking trees, how snow began, the batmasters Desmo and his brother Rufus, the twin girls I and Y and many more. My grandchildren took great pleasure from reading their stories and I’m hoping to instill imaginative minds in others. Older children will enjoy reading the stories themselves and younger children having them read to them. The stories provide the children with something to think about. Many people said I should put these stories in a book, and so I did!

Originally written by French author Reuben Saillens and later retold by Leo Tolstoy, this endearing story has now acquired the status of a folk-tale. The heart-warming story of lonely shoemaker Papa Panov's generosity reflects the true spirit of Christmas. Mig Holder's much loved text is complemented by charming illustrations by Julie Downing which capture the changing mood of the story.

Papa Panov's Christmas wish is to worship the Christ Child and give Him the finest pair of shoes he's ever made. In a dream on Christmas Eve, he's promised that his wish will come true, but he must watch carefully. What follows is Papa Panov's most joyful Christmas as he learns that the best way to celebrate the Savior's birth is by following His example.

In a book with foldout pages, Monica's father fulfills her request for the moon by taking it down after it is small enough to carry, but it continues to change in size.

As a shoemaker waits all day for Jesus to visit him on Christmas, he performs many acts of kindness for the passersby.

Meeting Barbapapa for the very first time is a magical moment - every child will adore this loyal, gentle, friendly creature, who can change into any shape and solve any problem for his family and friends. In this story, Barbapapa arrives and finds his place in the world.

Six-year-old Alice would rather get toys than a book any day. But when her grandfather explains that this book is different, Alice begins to see why their first-edition Book of Mormon is so special to her family. Set in the early 1900s, this charming story is the perfect picture book to read with your family as you gather round the Christmas tree.

A version in Cajun dialect of the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas," set in a Louisiana bayou.

Share the true meaning of Christmas with your children this holiday season. This simple but poetic text brings to life the story of Jesus' birth in a stable in Bethlehem. First published in 1952, this Little Golden Book adaption of the Christmas story was illustrated by beloved artist Eloise Wilkin. This classic picture book retelling of the Christmas story is a perfect gift for the holidays.

Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw's Papa Brings Me the World is a poignant picture book that celebrates the bond between parent and child, and follows their long-distance trip around the world. Most parents drive a car or ride a bus or train to work—but not Lulu’s papa. He navigates mountains, deserts, and oceans, each time returning home with pockets full of treasures. There’s an ancient calculator from China, a musical mbira from Zimbabwe, and a special game from Sumatra. But the best treasures are special stories Papa tells when he comes home—tales of playing peekaboo with rare birds in the Andes and befriending dragons in the Irish Sea. This long-distance love story between parent and child celebrates inclusivity, imagination, and the richness of global cultures. Christy Ottaviano Books