Thus rings out the shrill voice of Gladys Herdman, proclaiming in her less-than-angelic tone the good news about Christ’s birth. Intermingled within her scripted monologues are also a handful of “Shazams!”

In the Christmas play, of course.

I was twelve when I played one of the members of the angel choir in our local town theater’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Six weeks of nightly rehearsals plus eight productions in front of live audiences ensured I memorized every last line spoken by every single member of the young cast.

And twenty-plus years later, I can still recite them.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a holiday classic, a play that has humored (and humbled) kids and adults for decades. Finally, a children’s picture book has been adapted from the acclaimed novel turned theater production. Barbara Robinson re-tells the tale in clipped form while Laura Cornell wittily illustrates the chaotic character ensemble.

Get ready to go one one wild ride! You’ll wince and cringe as the troublemaking Herdman kids do their very best to ruin the church’s annual play chronicling the Nativity. Yet your heart will soften once again as you realize that, despite the mess and mayhem, the Herdmans are truly learning something about the real story of Christmas — and the congregation, of course, has some rethinking to do, too.

Don’t miss this addition to your Christmas book line-up.

You can order The Best Christmas Pageant Ever from these online retailers or look for it wherever books are sold near you.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product from HarperCollins at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Continuing with Babar’s “The Classic Series,” Entertainment One (eOne) released this month a new title, this one for the Christmas season!

Babar and Father Christmas is a delightful DVD full of stories based on the beloved books for children.

In this delightful, fully animated holiday tale, Babar’s children, Arthur, Pom, Flora and Alexander write a letter to Father Christmas asking him to visit Celesteville at Christmas. But their letter never arrives because it is stolen by Babar’s Arch-enemy, Rataxes the Rhinoceros, who wants all of Santa’s toys for himself! When Babar sees his children so disappointed, he decides to make a journey in search of Father Christmas. Secretly followed by Rataxes, Babar’s adventure takes home viewers from Paris all the way to the North Pole, to the very toy shop of Father Christmas himself! Can Babar save Christmas for Celesteville? DVD bonuses include two extra episodes highlighting core family values, “A Child in the Snow” & “The Gift”, and an exclusive Babar coloring book! Watch and find out in BABAR: THE CLASSIC SERIES: BABAR AND FATHER CHRISTMAS, a soon-to-be treasured part of every family’s home entertainment library!

This Babar and Father Christmas DVD contains the following animated tales: Babar and Father Christmas, A Child in the Snow, and The Gift. Our children enjoy this DVD just like the others in Babar’s Classic Series. It’s clear that Jean de Brunhoff’s 1931 storybook tale still has the magical power that it did so many years ago!

You can find Babar and Father Christmas at Amazon.com and at numerous retailers online and nationwide. (SRP = $14.98)

(Be sure to follow eOne’s Twitter feed for updates about their new releases!)

Win it!

Courtesy of eOne, THREE of you will win a copy of Babar and Father Christmas!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, who would love this DVD at your house!

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winners, #7, Amber, #10, Cindi, and #33, Sandy!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product from eOne via Foundry Communications at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

With text coming straight from the King James Bible, The Story of Christmas is a holiday treasure of a book not to be missed.

The book is simply striking: Black pages and white text form the background that leads into intricate paper-cut illustrations by Pamela Dalton. The method she uses is called Scherenschnitte, a medium rooted in Pennsylvania-German folk art. The intricacy of the paper-cut drawings, enhanced with watercolor and colored pencil, is simply breathtaking. The drawings are classic in nature, taking inspiration from medieval and Renaissance Italian art.

Tiny details abound: Flittering butterflies, palm fronds, seeds on the ground, a roosting hen. All of the book revolves around its central and most important characters, though: Mary, Joseph, and the new baby Jesus.

The Story of Christmas is available from Chronicle Books and Amazon.com for $17.95. Whatever home it graces, it will certainly be the book of choice for the family reading of the Christmas story from the Scriptures — I can almost guarantee it.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned product from Chronicle Books at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Now through November 30th, enter the promotional code FRIENDS at checkout to save 30% off of your entire purchase at ChronicleBooks.com!

Have fun shopping!

The text is taken straight from the King James Version of the Bible, and delightful papercut silhouette illustrations by Jan Pienkowski grace each page. It’s not just a story to read at little ones during the holiday season — it’s a book worthy of a prime spot on any nursery dresser or sitting room’s end table.

The poetic retelling of Christ’s birth is paired with breathtaking shadow paper-cut images for which Pienkowski is so well-known. The first word on each page is in block format, reminiscent of old world style printwork. The metallic cover and rich red interior leaflets leading into the story add to the majestic feel.

You can purchase The First Christmas for $9.99 from these sites listed on Random House’s site (including Amazon.com), as well as at other online and off-line booksellers.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product from Random House at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I’ve talked them up several times before…but that’s just cause I love them so much! Who am I talking about? Tiny Prints!

Tiny Prints’ holiday photo card collection is stunning this year. Take a look at some of their gorgeous offerings:

Merrily Striped (in Ruby)

Colorful Swirls Trifold (in Black)

Angelic Banner (in Dijon)

AND!!

Today ONLY, November 9th, 2011, Tiny Prints’ Facebook page is offering a promotion to let you send a FREE card to your kids from Santa! (One of two card styles to choose from.) Don’t miss this! (Offer ends tonight at 11:59pm PST)

As I’ve said before, Tiny Prints has unparalleled card designs and unbeatable customer service. For one-of-a-kind Christmas photo cards with a quick turnaround, let Tiny Prints be your guys.

Win it!

Courtesy of Tiny Prints, one of you will win 50 free Christmas/holiday photo cards!

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, which style or styles you’ll choose if you’re the lucky winner!

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close this contest at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 16th, 2011. US entries/addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #45, Farrah Shumway!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received a set of address labels at no cost from Tiny Prints per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One of my favorite musical genres is Celtic. Probably get it honestly, since am from Scottish and Irish decent on both sides of my family.

There’s just something about Celtic music at Christmastime, too. It takes a magical, beautiful time of year and effortlessly transforms it into something even more meaningful and enchanting.

Putumayo, the highly-renowned world music celebrationists, has released a brand new album in this facet for the holidays! I am a huge fan of pretty much anything Putumayo and Putumayo Kids produces, so I knew before even playing this CD that I would love it. I was right.

Celtic Christmas offers Christmas classics in Celtic sound from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the US, and England.

From Putumayo’s website:

Celtic Christmas offers Celtic interpretations of Christmas classics along with an original recording. The collection begins with the joyful singing of The Albion Christmas Band on “Here We Come A-Wassalling,” and moves into Charles T. Cozen’s instrumental version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.’” The Gothard Sisters update the classic “Little Drummer Girl” with fiddle and guitar, while DruidStones’ rendition of the French carol “Noel Nouvelet” features harp and harmonious vocals. David Huntsinger adds an original Celtic twist on the classic “Angels We Have Heard On High” while Charles T. Cozens returns with a flute-driven take on “Good King Wenceslas.” Next comes Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola’s original Gaelic recording of “Nollaig Bhan, (White Christmas).” Steve Schuch & The Night Heron reinterpret the seasonal classic “Joy To The World” with playful sounds from the mandolin, while Áine Minogue incorporates the harp and mandolin on “Jezebel Carol.” David Arkenstone’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” features flute and strings, and Dougie MacLean closes out the collection with a soulful Scottish rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Though each and every one of the eleven songs are hauntingly beautiful, my favorite is track #4, Noel Nouvelet, complete with choral voices. I could listen to that one song on repeat for hours!

Putumayo’s Celtic Christmas is an extremely unique holiday album that would make a lovely addition to anyone’s Christmas music rotation this year. It can be purchased for $14.98 directly from Putumayo’s website, via CD Universe, Amazon.com, and other retailers online and offline.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product at no cost from Putumayo per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

(Taking time off to spend with my precious family and friends. See you in a few days!)

Target has released a FREE mp3 album available for download right now! You may recognize some of these upbeat, modern tunes: Eight of them are featured in this year’s Target television ads.

“Each of the songs captures a holiday experience as told from the perspective of a contemporary artist. The collection is an eclectic mix of music that includes country, folk, hip-hop, Latin, and pop—from the soulful “Mrs. Claus Ain’t Got Nothin’ on Me” by Little Jackie to the comforting “Tiny Tree Christmas” by Guster to an unforgettable Latin song “Super Mama” by The Pinker Tones.”

Head on over to Target’s website to stream the album on an mp3 player OR download it onto your computer and add the tunes to your iTunes library.

Win it!

For those who still collect classic vinyls, Target has offered a limited edition vinyl collectible record featuring two songs from “The Christmas Gig” album to giveaway. Songs on the vinyl include:

“Tiny Tree Christmas” by Guster is an emotional story about Christmas in the city performed by a pop mainstay who has recently reentered the charts in a big way.
“Perfect Gift” by Natalie Hemby is an endearing country love song. Hailing from Nashville, Natalie Hemby is hyped to be the “next big thing” in country music. This song proves it.

If you’d like to win one of FIVE of these limited edition vinyls, just leave a comment below! I’ll close the contest next Monday, December 27th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US addresses only. Good luck!

Contest is now closed.

Congrats to the winners!:

#1, Jennifer Matt

#8, Geoff K

#9, Jennifer H

#19, Amber Porter

#20, SusanMeep

FTC info — Disclaimer: My above review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”