Cole Family Christmas

Perfect for : Family reading / Children In a nutshell: This is a beautifully written and illustrated book full of fun family memories. Written by the youngest Cole child, Hazel, and her grand-daughter-in-law Jenniffer, the authors write a wonderful story that retells a favorite family Christmas that took place just before the Depression. I had so much fun taking a walk down memory-lane with this book. While I did not grow up in a coal town, I did enjoy making my list for Santa from the Sears Wish Book each year when I was younger! I also remember sitting with my parents and reading from family books each night, which is something the Cole family does. Finally, the book leaves the reader with a powerful message of love, family, and Christmas wishes. Extended Review: With nine children in the house, something was bound to happen sooner or later, and the story starts with one of Mother Cole's favorite carnival glass bowls accidentally being broken. That night after dinner, the children get to look through the special Wish Book and choose something they want to write to Santa for. Christmas Eve arrives and the family gets ready for the town holiday party. The party ends early as the miners need to try to get one more load onto the train and out of the town before the snow storm shuts the rails down. All through the night, Mother Cole stays up to make sure her husband returns safely, and the children pray for his safe return. With the worst snow storm in 100 years, the family fears that Santa won't be able to make it to their house, but the children each receive a precious gift that they will always cherish. Characters: The members of the Cole family make up a heart-warming group. The main character of the story is Ruble, whom the authors disclose as the families main story-teller. This wonderful family will work its way into your heart and help you remember what the holidays are really about! Story-line: I can see why Hazel chose to retell this family story with the help of her grand-daughter-in-law - it is a wonderful story, and I hope to have many family memories like this one. Readability: A very fun and easy read, great for children and adults alike. Overall: A wonderful family-friendly holiday story. This wonderful family will work its way into your heart and help you remember what the holidays are really about! I hope you will join me in adding this book to your holiday collection.

One of my favorite books I read over Christmas was a children's book called "Cole Family Christmas" by Jennifer Liu Bryan with Hazel Cole Kendle. This is a true story of Hazel's family at Christmas time in 1920. As a coal miner's family of nine children they don't have much money, but they realize they are rich in many other ways. The children are excited about getting a chance to look through the 'wish book' for Christmas ( a Sears, Roebuck and Company catalogue). Each child may choose a gift that they really want. "Think carefully about how good you've been this year when you make your wish," Mama said. "There are plenty of magical things in this book that Santa could bring to some lucky Cole children - if they just look." And with that, Mama searched the book's pages and opened the volume wide, pointing. From one of Mama's treasured possession getting broken to Papa getting caught in a blizzard coming home from the mine Christmas Eve, everyone realizes how special this Christmas will be. When Christmas morning arrives, the true meaning of giving and receiving shines through all their hearts. This warm and tender book about family should be read to every child 'any' time of the year! The story reminds you of how family memories are to be cherished and passed down to the next generation to enjoy. Kids will love the goat, Hilda, who gets to live in the house when it's cold outside. I loved the illustrations that brought the Cole family to life for me as I read the book. The Cole Family Christmas story will help you realize that the best gift you can give someone is something from the heart.

Looking at the cover of this book made me smile. It promises a treat inside, and it delivers! A true story, that tells about a poor/rich family experiencing the real meaning of Christmas. Further enhanced with beautifully detailed illustrations by Jenniffer Julich, the story holds the reader's attention page after page. Why, there are even "six vintage Christmas-themed fabrics featured on the borders" that reflect Mama Cole's quilts! You'll find good use of vocabulary, table manners, and sharing skills. The Cole family is a special one because of their love and their traditions of Christmas. Each member is valued, and in nine chapters a story is told that can become a part of your family tradition. I loved the gifts for Mama Cole. A terrific chapter book!

Washington Examiner September 16, 2008 Diane Petryk Bloom Children's Book Examiner One Christmas in the 1920s, nine siblings in a Kentucky miner's family were allowed to ask Santa for presents from the Sears catalogue wish book. The girls and boys were expecting their best Christmas ever. They got their wish. But none of it came from the Sears catalogue. An unexpected snowstorm that stopped the mail led to gifts given and received that no one expected. The story of that memorable holiday was part of the oral history kept by the family for four generations. Now, it's a touching book for other families to enjoy. Next Chapter Press released 60,000 copies of the 74-page Cole Family Christmas today, marking the literary debut of author Hazel Cole Kendle, 88, and her grandaughter-in-law, Jennifer Liu Bryan. Kendle was the youngest of the Cole children. "It was my sister Ruble, our family's storyteller, who passed down to me the story of a magical Christmas when things didn't go quite as planned," Kendle said. "Yet that Christmas became one of my family's most beloved and memorable holidays." Kendle, in turn, told the story to her children, who then told it to their own children. "I think this tale has been meaningful to each new generation," she said. Bryan said she hopes Cole Family Christmas inspires other families preserve their histories. "Having the opportunity to spend time listening to Hazel's stories has been such a rewarding experience," she said. "I hope other families can share their cherished tales in this way, too." Actually, more than 20 Cole family members collaborated on Cole Family Christmas, from background research to design. The $17.95 book is earmarked for ages 9 to 12, but its nine short chapters are designed for family read-alouds with all ages. Said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas: "...the book reminds us of some of the greatest treasures of Christmas - creating family memories that last generations."