5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Story for Adults and Children, November 18, 2007
This review is from: An Orphan's Promise : A Christmas Story (Hardcover)
Dan Davis has done what few can do anymore: he has brought wonder and surprise to the tale of Santa. His original take on the centuries-old legend is a joy to read.
While the book is broken down into easily-digestible chapters for younger readers, it does not talk down to children. It is a compelling story for readers of all ages. My teenager picked it up one afternoon and read it through twice. The illustrations are delicate and enduring; they compliment, rather than overpower, the story.
While "An Orphan's Promise" is a great stand-alone book, I highly recommend its prequel, "The Blacksmith's Gift." I eagerly await the continuation of the story of Mr. and Mrs. Kloss.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book, October 18, 2006
This review is from: An Orphan's Promise : A Christmas Story (Hardcover)
I just received three copies of this book today for my youngest grandchildren. Before I gave it to them I read it myself and loved it. It's such a great story, well written and puts a different perspective on giving, loving and magic. I highly suggest buying Mr. Davis' first book "The Blacksmith's Gift" as well as "An Orphan's Promise". Illustrations are beautiful in both books. Orphan's Promise is about a little girl who goes to help Mr. Kloss be a carpenter but is told she can't because she isn't a boy. This book shows that 'yes, you can'. Well done and recommend both of Mr.Davis' books. Can't wait for the last one to be published in a year or so.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How Papa Christmas Found His Wee One in Norway Long Ago, April 16, 2007
This review is from: An Orphan's Promise : A Christmas Story (Hardcover)
With the second installment of Second Star Creations' "Christmas Story" series, author Dan T. Davis and artist Christina E. Siravo unfold an intricately weaved carpet for the reader to walk upon. Using a myriad of techniques including inventive layouts, brilliant illustrations, rivetting prose, intriguing myth, and good old fashioned storytelling, the team has created a perfectly orchestrated children's book that should be a given under every Christmas tree. Even the changing moods and seasons of the tale are conveyed not only by the beautiful prose and artwork, but also with the coinciding colors and fades of each turned page. Further illuminating Davis's vision of the origins of Santa Kloss, the story also gives us a good background for his special reindeer and even for the Rudolf story.
In "An Orphan's Promise," a young orphan named Ruby is the main character, and Mr. Kloss takes a supporting role. Both of them are rich, evolving characters changed mightily by the stories end, but it is Ruby who undergoes the most profound change. She is also the person who the major themes, insights, and plots of the tale center around.
Davis does a remarkable job of holding the reader's attention and leading his audience through emotions in order to impart understanding of the message. Interspersed folklore of the Alvar (Norse forest elves) and Nissen (Scandinavian barn fairies) give depth and realism to the Santa legends, and by the end it's easy to believe even if you're an adult now who forgot all about ol' Santa Kloss long ago.
Perfect touches at the end of the book, like the Nissen adding Rudolf to the toy sleigh, the post-script poem for Ruby, and the traditional Norwegian folksong complete with musical notation, are even more reason why you'll find yourself enjoying this story again and again each Christmas.
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