High in the mountains lies the town of Noel, surrounded by beautiful white walls and a great silver gate. Every year Alexander and his mother walk the long distance to Noel to watch the lighting of the village Christmas tree. This year Alexander learns that the Keeper of the Flame will choose the person who has given the truest gift of Christmas to light the flame. On his way to Noel, Alexander helps a poor old man he finds lying in the snow. His act of charity is rewarded when he is chosen to light the Christmas flame. Alexander learns that it isn't what you have to give, but how you give of yourself that matters most.
Master storyteller Richard Paul Evans weaves a heartwarming tale of the true meaning of Christmas spirit.
In the long-ago world of Evans's (The Christmas Box) message-driven tale, the high point of Christmas is not a visit from Santa, but the lighting of the Christmas flame in the mountain "Christmas town" of Noel. This particular year, the aging Keeper of the Flame (who looks a lot like St. Nick) turns over his duty to a pure-hearted boy who performs a selfless act of kindness. Craig marks his children's book debut with a series of dimly lit, opulent computer-generated scenes that often have the appearance of acrylic or oil paintings. Realistic in their details and Old World in their mood, they reinforce the old-fashioned, homily-like quality of the text. All ages. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-In the town of Noel, the Keeper of the Flame rekindles the torch each Christmas Eve. This year he will choose "whoever gives the truest gift" to light it. Young Alexander wishes he had something special to offer and, of course, he does; he helps an old man who turns out to be the Keeper of the Flame and is chosen over all of the other hopeful (but not helpful) gift-givers. A predictable "true meaning of Christmas" story, with equally predictable faux-classical illustrations.-S. P. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Richard Paul Evans When Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author.
Officially, he was an advertising executive, an award-winning clay animator for the American and Japanese markets, candidate for state legislature and most importantly, husband and father. The Christmas Box was written as an expression of love for his (then) two daughters. Though he often told them how much he loved them, he wanted to express his love in a way that would be timeless. In 1993, Evans reproduced 20 copies of the final story and gave them to his closest relatives and friends as Christmas presents. In the month following, those 20 copies were passed around more than 160 times, and soon word spread so widely that bookstores began calling his home with orders for it.
His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. The Emmy award-winning CBS television movie based on The Christmas Box starred Maureen O'Hara and Richard Thomas. Two more of Evans's books were produced by Hallmark and starred such well-known actors as James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave, Naomi Watts, Mary McDonough and Academy award winner Ellen Burstyn. He has since written 10 consecutive New York Times bestsellers and is one of the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won three awards for his children's books including the 1998 American Mothers book award and two first place Storytelling World awards. Evans's latest book, The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth, is now available.
Of his success, Evans says: "The material achievements of The Christmas Box will never convey its true success, the lives it has changed, the families brought closer together, the mothers and fathers who suddenly understand the pricelessness of their children's fleeting childhood. I share the message of this book with you in hopes that in some way, you might be, as I was, enlightened."
During the Spring of 1997, Evans founded The Christmas Box House International, an organization devoted to building shelters and providing services for abused and neglected children. Such shelters are operational in Moab, Vernal, Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah and Lucre, Peru. To date, more than 16,000 children have been housed in Christmas Box House facilities.
As an acclaimed speaker, Evans has shared the podium with such notable personalities as President George W. Bush, President George and Barbara Bush, former British Prime Minister John Majors, Ron Howard, Elizabeth Dole, Deepak Chopra, Steve Allen, and Bob Hope. Evans has been featured on the Today show and Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Time, Newsweek, People, The New York Times, Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, USA Today, TV Guide, Reader's Digest, and Family Circle. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children.
This review is from: The Light of Christmas (Hardcover)
This book tells a simple story about a boy who makes a hard decision that is both kind and generous. This story was read to a staff of adults at our annual Christmas party and all of us sat enrapt and charmed as we listened and watched each page turn. The pictures are beautiful and the story is something that all ages will enjoy. A delightful find and one that I will give as a gift each year.
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This review is from: The Light of Christmas (Hardcover)
This thin and attractive book tells the story of Alexander, a young boy who every year goes to the city of Noel to see the Christmas torch lighted. And from Noel, the light of the torch spreads out to bring the brightness and warmth of Christmas to the whole world. But this is a special year, for this year the Keeper of the Torch will choose someone new to light the torch, and Alexander doesn't want to miss it. But, when he discovers an old man lying in the snow, he knows that he must stop to help. This year Alexander, and the whole of Noel, learns a lesson in the true meaning of Christmas.
Excellently illustrated, this book brings a great Christmas lesson to young and old alike. With short text and bright pictures, it makes for some excellent bedtime reading for you and your children. My children loved it, and yours will too!
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This review is from: The Light of Christmas (Hardcover)
As Christmas books come and go with each passing season, few have caught my attention as "The Light of Christmas" has. It encompasses the main idea of Christmas, which is that by reaching out to those in need, one learns the true message of why we celebrate the "Light" of Christmastime. Mr. Evans does a fantastic job by including such things as the "Light" and Santa Claus or rather Father Christmas, without pounding in too hard the message of Christ only. He does a very commendable job at combining the two, which I think would be a hard task for any author, especially with a children's book. On top of it all, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and are timeless in nature, so this book will be enjoyed for people of all ages and for many generations. This book is a must for every home!
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