November 2023 MBR The Christmas Shelf

The Christmas Shelf

Nikkolas: The Story of Santa Claus
John G. MacKenzie
Robert D. Reed Publishers
www.rdrpublishers.com
9781638214922, $24.95, PB, 100pp

https://www.amazon.com/Nikkolas-Story-Santa-John-MacKenzie/dp/1638214921

Synopsis: "Nikkolas: The Story of Santa Claus" is illustrated with 33 pieces of original art by author John G. MacKenzie and is a fictional biography about the life of Santa Claus from birth until death. Given up by his father because his mother died in childbirth, Nikkolas grew up with a different family every year until he was fifteen years old and lived with a carpenter and his wife. There Nikkolas learned the carpentry trade.

Nikkolas and his wife could not have children, so he made wooden toys for everyone else's children and delivered them on Christmas Eve.

Critique: A beautifully presented, impressively original, fully engaging, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' fictional biography, "Nikkolas: The Story of Santa Claus" by author/illustrator John G. MacKenzie is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, family, and community library Christmas Book collections for readers of all ages. It should be noted that "Nikkolas: The Story of Santa Claus" is also readily available from Robert D. Reed Publishers in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99) as well.

Editorial Note: As a child, John G. MacKenzie learned how to draw from a commercial artist who lived in the downstairs apartment from his who would sit John on his knee and teach him how to draw stick people. John went to the University of Waterloo for one year and studied acting, then decided that ge was more interested in writing and directing and I went to Humber College for Film and Television Production where he graduated with honors. He became a portrait artist. "Nikkolas: The Story of Santa Claus" combines Johns talents as a storyteller and an artist to in writing an original Christmas book for children.

The Holly and the Ivy
Ink & Willow
c/o WaterBrook Press
https://waterbrookmultnomah.com
9780593580455, $17.00, PB, 96pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-holly-and-the-ivy-ink-willow/1142834049

Synopsis: Get into the spirit of the Christmas season with "The Holly and the Ivy", a beautiful coloring book for adults filled with festive illustrations and holiday-inspired quotes from beloved writers, songs, and Scripture.

With candles in the windows, lights in the trees, stockings over fireplaces, and the sound of bells in the air, Christmas really is one of the most wonderful times of the year! In the midst of Christmas shopping, party planning, and event hosting, The Holly and the Ivy offers a beautiful and festive way to meditate on the wonder and joy of the season. Each beautifully illustrated page features an original design from a talented artist that illustrates a corresponding quote.

Critique: Highly recommended and an ideal Christmas gift, this large format (9.75" x 9.75) paperback edition of "The Holly and the Ivy", the to-be-colored pages feature perforated edges for easy removal and display. The pages are high quality, bleed-proof, bright white paper stock -- heavy enough to use pencils, pens, or markers, heavy enough for framing. There are quotes from the Bible, Christmas songs, and a variety of inspirational writers including Ann Voskamp, Asheritah Ciuciu, Charles Dickens, Enuma Okoro, G. K. Chesterton, George Eliot, Liz Curtis Higgs, Maya Angelou, and more. Of special note is a link to a Spotify Christmas playlist to help set the festive mood for worship, creative expression, and a spirit of joy and original illustrations by gifted artists.

Editorial Note: Ink & Willow products infuse contemplation and inspiration into the regular spiritual practice of creative-minded Christians, wherever they are in their faith journey. Each thoughtfully curated gift product is based in biblical truth and sparks a reminder of how God reveals beauty in the midst of our ordinary.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review