The King's Christmas List [Hardcover]

Eldon Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2010 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Emma couldn’t wait to go to the King’s birthday party, but what should she bring?

Emma couldn’t wait to go to the King’s birthday party, but what should she bring?

Emma and her little dog Shu-Shu were thrilled to be invited to the King’s birthday party. But what do you get a King for his birthday? Emma and Shu-Shu have no gift, but they bring the Christmas cake they made with Mom and put on their Sunday best as they dash to the King’s carriage.  And of course, Emma couldn’t go anywhere without her beloved Cherry-Bear.  On the way, they have encounters that lead them to bestow their cake, winter-cape, and even Cherry-Bear, on others. Now they’re chilly, rumpled, and empty-handed—what will the King think? Emma frets, but when they finally meet the King at his palace, they discover they gave the King exactly what he wanted.

Children and parents will be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, and that the greatest gifts we can offer to the Savior are gifts to the least of his brothers and sisters (based on Matthew 25:40). Families will be able to go online and be directed to notable charities to give their own gift to the King.

Children and parents will be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, and that the greatest gifts we can offer to the Savior are gifts to the least of his brothers and sisters (based on Matthew 25:40). Families will be able to go online and be directed to notable charities to give their own gift to the King.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eldon Johnson is a Harvard grad and former Harvard chaplain. He is the founder of the non-profit organization, RISK—Relationships In Serving Kids, and the writer of many scripts and books. He and his wife Kristen have three daughters. This is his first children’s book.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400316456
• ISBN-13: 978-1400316458
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 0.4 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #960,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The message of giving September 23, 2010

By D. Kidle

Format:Hardcover

The King's Christmas List is written by Eldon Johnson and Illustrated by Bonnie Leick.

I know that fall has only just begun, but it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas and the joy of giving to others! This book teaches children about giving and helping others who are in need.

The story begins with a young girl named Emma and her dog Shu-Shu. They receive a letter inviting them to the King's birthday party, but they aren't sure what to bring. What would be the very best gift for the King? Emma brings along a cake that she made with her mom and a few of her own belongings. On the way to the King's castle she meets a couple families in need. She selflessly gives them everything she had brought along. Emma and Shu-Shu arrive at the castle with nothing to give to Him; However, they are surprised when the King tells everyone His Christmas list. The message in this story is wonderful for young children who are beginning to understand the true spirit of Christmas and what it means to give to others. The last few pages encourages people to donate to organizations such as blood: water mission and World Vision, so that you too can give back.

The illustrations by Bonnie Leick are absolutely beautiful and captures the tone and wonderment of the story. Children will love looking at the pictures as you read it aloud. This is a great book to read the night before Christmas or the day of.

Disclaimer: I am from a book review program and received this book free from the publisher. I would like to note that these thoughts are mine and that I didn't have to leave a positive review.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Is this the best they can do? November 15, 2010

By K. Wilson

Format:Hardcover

I thought this book had so much potential by it's description. I was sorely mistaken. I hated this book and there is no way I'll read it to my children. It's going in the trash where it belongs. Does Thomas Nelson really think that this is a good quality children's book?

First off, the story is long winded. Then there is the addition of the talking dog (why add the talking dog in there, he adds absolutely NOTHING to the story). It's also got a lot of magic in it, which we don't allow at our house. Why a "Christian" book has magic in it is beyond me.

The book description makes it sound like such a sweet little story and children's book, but it's not. Don't waste your money on it. Buy another book and get something that is good quality and worth reading. I wish I could give it no stars. This book is awful.

This book was sent to me for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for a review.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Christmas Book about the True Meaning of Christmas October 2, 2010

By R. DeMille

Format:Hardcover

This is a cute hardcover book about a girl who is magically invited to the King's Birthday. Lots of magical things happen that help to get her to the party, such as her dog begins to talk and a carriage magically appears. She wants to take a gift for the King, so she takes a cake that she had made with her Mom and her favorite teddy bear. Along the way to the King's Birthday Party, she comes across others in need. Even though she wanted to give the King her cake, when she had passed an old woman and a young boy who were cold hungry, not only did she give them her coat, but she also gave them her cake because they looked hungry. Then she passed a little girl who was upset because she had lost her teddy bear in the river. Even though she loved her teddy bear (Cherry-Bear) she willingly gave the little girl her teddy bear. The story goes onto her arriving to the King's birthday party where she learns that giving gifts to others is giving gifts to the King and honoring him.

This is a great story about the true meaning of Christmas. You can tell that the King is actually Jesus and even though the story doesn't talk too much about Christmas, it is a great book for the Christmas season. Although, I'm not completely sure why it's called the Christmas List because it never does talk about a Christmas list. Tobin is a bit too young for this book and the sentences were a bit lengthy, so I paraphrased each page for him and that helped to keep his interest. He really liked the cake and the dog. I'm sure when he is older, he will really appreciate the book then and understand it a lot more. It's a great way to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas.