The Shoe Box [Hardcover]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

In this beautiful gift book, Francine Rivers tells a poignant Christmas story about a foster child, Timmy, and his very special shoe box. Includes special notes from the author about the story and her family's Christmas traditions and recipes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Author Francine Rivers once created her own "God Box" for talking with God. Whenever something was bothering Rivers she would write a prayer about it and slip it in her decorated cardboard box. It was this personal God Box that gave her the idea for writing this compelling Christmas story about a foster child named Timmy whose only valued possession is a shoebox. His foster parents, a young Christian couple, are of course curious about this 6-year-old's mysterious box. What could be inside? But knowing that his privacy is one of the few things Timmy has left, they decide not to pry. Rivers uses the backdrop of Timmy's foster family, church community, and the dedication of his birth mother to illustrate what Christian faith can do. The Christmas pageant finale is a true heart warmer for all believers.

From the Inside Flap

This tender Christmas novella tells the story of Timmy O’Neil, a foster child who arrives at his new home with a very mysterious shoe box. At first glance, it’s nothing special—just an ordinary box with a red lid and the words Running Shoes printed on the side. But Timmy carries it with him wherever he goes, and when people ask him what’s inside, he smiles and says, “Just things.” As Timmy settles into his new, loving home, he remains unwilling to share the secrets of his shoe box . . . until the beauty of the church Nativity pageant inspires him to open his heart and give the most precious gift of all. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842319018
• ISBN-13: 978-0842319010
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote "Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes--all best sellers--and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20 different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new Christmas Carol! Wonderful story!, May 12, 2000

By 

Bodie Thoene - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shoe Box (Hardcover)

We read The Shoe Box as a family in Christmas of 1999. This is a beautiful story with all the heart of a Charles Dickens story. We expect to read it again in 2000 and on and on...It's that kind of book. Francine Rivers is an author who is able to reach into the heart and touch lives. There is not one of her books I would not be happy to pass along to my friends. The reviewer who compared Francine's writing to mine might have meant well, but has missed the point. Each of us writes very differently and yet our goal is the same. The Shoe Box is beautiful and powerfully written. Francine Rivers is not only a sister, but a writer I admire tremendously! Read all her books then pass them along. They make a difference!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for reading aloud by the Christmas Tree, December 7, 2001

By 

Jeff Royce (Fairfax, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shoe Box (Hardcover)

This is a nice little book that takes 10-15 minutes to read aloud. The story itself is about a little boy named Timmy whose mother cannot take care of him, and God does take care of him. It may bring a little tear to your eye when you read it.

I don't find the book particularly well written, but it is one of the favorite books of my 4-year-old. He would love for me to read it to him every night.

This book also contains the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke plus a few shorter stories and Christmas recipes.

If you are looking for a book to get your family in the Christmas spirit, this is a good one.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Spirit moves me., November 23, 1999

By 

Shelia Danna - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shoe Box (Hardcover)

This book is a must for getting you in the Christmas Spirit. Short, but very effective. Written for kids of all ages from 2 to 102. The meaning will not be lost. We are blessed.