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Customer Reviews for Revell Christmas Pony, The - eBook

Revell Christmas Pony, The - eBook

Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all.
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Customer Reviews for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
Review 1 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Good example of giving

Date:December 26, 2012
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Dottie
Location:Sheboygan, WI
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I am still reading this book but find it shows if we pray for something God will answer. Perhaps not the way we want, but he will answer. Excellent Christmas story.
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Review 2 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Very good

Date:December 5, 2012
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Doris Wright
Location:Morganfield, KY
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I've read almost all of Melody Carlson's Christmas books. This by far is the best. A sweet story.
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Review 3 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

A charming, delightful Christmas tale

Date:November 27, 2012
Customer Avatar
Christianfictionaddiction
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
I absolutely love stories written from the perspective of a child, and 8-yr-old Lucy Turnbull is as precious as they come! "The Christmas Pony" is chock-full of charm, and viewing life through Lucy's eyes reveals a heart-warming story of faith and hope and love. Within pages of beginning the story, I was swept up into her innocence and naivety as she encounters 2 strangers who arrive into town, strangers who she soon convinces to move into her mother's boardinghouse. As she discovers more and more about the newcomers, she also discovers more about herself and her family, and she realizes that though she wishes more than anything for a pony, what she most wishes for is her mother to smile again.
Melody Carlson absolutely lives up to her award-winning reputation with her latest Christmas offering, with wonderful characterization and a story that pleases in every way. Though the story may seem somewhat predictable, predictable is just what's needed when you are getting ready for Christmas and for the warm feelings that you hope will arrive along with your favorite songs and snowy weather. I put down the book feeling like I was ready for the Christmas season to arrive!
I highly recommend this story for anyone looking for a cozy book to keep them company this season. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Review 4 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Child-Like Faith...Something to Learn From...

Date:November 26, 2012
Customer Avatar
Faith and Family Reviews
Location:Chicago, IL
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
As the title suggests, The Christmas Pony is indeed about a little girl’s hopes, dreams and even prayers of getting a pony for Christmas.
Set in 1937, the middle of the Great Depression, when people were struggling just to put food on their tables, Lucy knew better than to wish for a pony but she had more faith than the grown-ups in her life and she continued to pray for that very thing.
Lucy’s mother ran a boarding house which kept the family afloat during such a stretching time financially. So when a pair of strangers were looking for a place to stay while their car is being repaired Lucy excitedly invites them to stay at her family’s boarding house….after all she had prayed for more boarders. I loved Lucy’s faith, definitely something to learn from.
This book surprised me about half way through and took on a new prayer for Lucy. The shift in the story was a good one.
I appreciated the values taught in this book and the family’s work ethic. I think as we make plans for our farm, this story made me think of how God has provided for us this far and reminded me that if it’s His will, He’ll continue to provide for all our needs.
My daughter also read the book and enjoyed it. She thought it was really sweet. She thought Lucy was a big help to her mother. She didn’t like Veronica (I didn’t either she was a vain creature who only thought of herself) nor Lucy’s belligerent friend, Helen, who wasn’t much of a friend at all.
Overall it gets two thumbs up from us.
“Available Sept 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.
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Review 5 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5

sweet story but lacks excitement

Date:November 24, 2012
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Linda
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
When I saw this title, the first thought that came to mind was, ‘Juvenile’. And when I started reading I understood - the story is written from the perspective of a little girl, Lucy. It’s not a very exciting story, more a light, quick read – a snapshot of yesteryear when things were a lot slower than nowadays. I actually found it a bit too sweet, all the characters were too nice and the storyline too predictable. At times, Lucy seemed more like an adult than a child. So, I was quite happy to welcome Mrs. Dorchester, (or Dingdong Fussbudget, as Lucy liked to call her) to the boarding house – her ornery temperament helped spice things up a touch. Or perhaps better said, added a bit of sour to an otherwise too sweet environment. The author did however do an admirable job of taking me back to the 1930’s, when Ford rumble seats and struggles to make ends meet, taking in boarders and selling handmade items at the local mercantile were the norm. Even though this is a sweet Yuletide tale, it’s not something that would prompt me to run to a bookstore or library for another title by this author.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Review 6 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Lovely Story

Date:November 20, 2012
Customer Avatar
Faye
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
A delightful Christmas story for all ages.
Lucy Turnbull's most fervent wish is a pony for Christmas, but times are tough and her mother tells her not to set her hopes too high. With the Christmas weather come two strange guests to their boarding house, a aspiring actress, Veronica Grant, and a kind man with a good hearted named George.
Will Lucy's Christmas be merrier than she ever expected?
Surprisingly this is the first book I have ever read by Melody Carlson, hard to believe isn't it? But what caught my eye about this book was the how it is set in the Depression Era, and it's about a girl who wants a horse, some of my favorite things to read about!
I absolutely loved Lucy, she was bright and impressionable, yet she was smart and caught on easily, Ms. Carlson did an excellent job of representing an eight-year-old, which I find is a tricky thing to pull off. I absolutely loved the character of George he was a very sweet man, who dealt with things the best he could in a way that was pleasing to God.
Overall, a delightful story that will charm readers of all ages, from children to adult, this is truly a story for all. I loved the engaging pace, and how Lucy grew during the course of the story. A Christmas story I would definitely recommend!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
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Review 7 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

The Faith Of A Young Girl At Christmas

Date:November 16, 2012
Customer Avatar
VicsMediaRoom
Location:Irvine, CA
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Melody Carlson in her new book, “The Christmas Pony” published by Revell lets us experience Christmas with Lucy Turnbull and her family.
From the back cover: With Christmas around the corner, the Turnbull family is in need of a few small miracles.
It is 1937, and Lucy Turnbull knows better than to wish for a pony this Christmas. Her mother has assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony is the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they need at their boarding house are the paying kind. Then an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, and Lucy’s world changes forever.
There is a reason why there are so many stories about Christmas on the television about this time and that reason is everyone loves a good story where the spirit of Christmas changes a person by healing them of old hurts to free them to be themselves. That’s why everyone wishes Christmas could last all year round. Melody Carlson knows how to write and she has delivered one of the finest Christmas stories yet. “The Christmas Pony” is set in the little town of Maple Grove and focuses on young Lucy Turnbull and her three wishes: her mothers smile to come back, a new daddy and a Christmas pony all in time for Christmas. This is a wonderful story about the faith of a child and how God really hears and answers our prayers. ”The Christmas Pony” is one sweet read that you might want to read twice and then keep it handy to read again next year.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
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Review 8 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Christmas in 1937

Date:November 16, 2012
Customer Avatar
Melanie Ski
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
I am starting to enjoy the darker, cooler evenings with a good book! I have dived into Christmas books lately and it is certainly getting me in the spirit. I have read several books by Melody Carlson, she has written a few Christmas ones that I have enjoyed as well. Her latest Christmas novella is The Christmas Pony, set in 1937.
Young Lucy lives with her Mother and Grandmother and run a boarding house in their rural town. Money is very tight since Lucy's father has passed on, but Lucy still desires a pony for Christmas. The neighbor has one for sale, Smokey, and she would love to have him. She prays for a pony, for boarders to make some money, and for her Mother's smile to return.
Picture movies are all the rage, and into town lands a gal named Veronica who is sure to make it big in Hollywood if she can get there. George's car is at the repair shop so Lucy's prayer for boarders is answered.
Will God answer her other prayers?
This was an easy read, one you can just pick up in an afternoon and finish. Cute, and sweet as Lucy tells the story. I love the books of yesteryear and of Christmas before it became all of the chaos and materialism that it is today. Melody Carlson did a great job showing the true spirit of Christmas in her book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Review 9 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Nice Story

Date:November 16, 2012
Customer Avatar
Mrs. White
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
This is a charming story, set during the difficult time of the 1930's. Money was very hard to come by. The story is centered around young Lucy. She lives in a boarding house, which is run by her mother and grandmother.
The family needs boarders to fill the three upstairs rooms. Lucy prays for this, and also prays for a pony one of the neighbors is selling. Her mother cannot afford to buy such a gift, but Lucy still longs for it. There is also some sadness in the house. Lucy wants to see her Mother smile again.
The boarders that come to the house are great characters and keep things exciting in the small town. I also love the daily chores, and the description of daily life - preparing meals, and maintaining the house. It was calming and pleasant to read.
Overall this is a sweet Christmas story that would be enjoyed by young girls and their mothers.
*Disclosure - I received this book for review purposes.*
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Review 10 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

Date:November 16, 2012
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sunny island breezes
Location:a sunny island
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Sometimes at Christmas impossible things really can happen.
Sometimes strangers can come into one’s life and cause even stranger things to happen.
Sometimes a child can be the catalyst that reminds others that Christmas can light up the eyes of both those who are young and those who are not so young.
You will probably need a tissue or two before you reach the end of this book. Or you can pretend you are one of the younger ones and just snuffle a bit while you wipe your eyes and nose on your sleeve.
It really is a bit difficult to see what you are reading when those tears are in the way.
***A special thank you to Donna Hausler for providing a review copy.***
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Review 11 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

A Sweet & Lovely Christmas Tale to Warm Your Heart

Date:November 15, 2012
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Blooming with Books
Location:Bloomer, WI
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
The Christmas Pony
By Melody Carlson
Lucy Turnbull knows what she wants for Christmas, a pony. But both Mama and Grandma tell Lucy not to get her heart set on something that she can't have. But Lucy has her heart set on Smoky, a nearby pony that is for sale.
But Lucy knows that Smoky is an impossible dream, yet she prays that God will send her a pony, send them more boarders, and to give mama back her smile. Soon it appears that God is helping Lucy Christmas dream come true when they get two new boarders. Veronica and George are different from their normal boarders. Veronica is on her way to California, determined to become a movie star and George is always doing things to help Lucy and her mother with small tasks around the house.
But for reasons Lucy can't understand mama doesn't seem to like their new boarders; boarders who came in answer to Lucy's prayer. With God answering her prayer for new boarders answered, Lucy has a sliver of hope for the rest of her Christmas pray - a pony and mama's smile. But what will it take for mama to smile again? Will Lucy get the desire of her heart? Only time will time! The Christmas of 1937 is one Lucy won't soon forget.
The Christmas Pony is a sweet, timeless Christmas story that will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart!
I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher for the purpose of this review.
Available Sept 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Review 12 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

You can have a little faith in your fellow man...

Date:November 14, 2012
Customer Avatar
Vera
Location:North Carolina
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
It is always a delight to me to pick up a novella written in and around the Christmas season because so often they tell the story of goodwill amongst men, warm-fuzzy emotions, wrapped up in the loveliness that is the season. But just because there are some warm-fuzzies afloat, doesn't mean that the story will be without heartbreak or without hardships.
In The Christmas Pony we see life in 1937 just prior to Christmas. It is cold. Times are hard - especially when the dad, the head of the family has died. The brave mother is running their home as a boarding house in a small town. The farm can't be farmed because the dad is gone. Most of the animals have been sold - they have a milk cow and a few chickens who have nearly stopped laying.
Grandma helps as much as she is able and mostly by cooking up scrumptious meals. There is a little girl gifted with a charming personality, a vision of hope, and belief that perhaps - just perhaps - her Christmas wish for a pony will come true.
The story moves rather quickly because as a novella you've got to get the tale told. The characters are well-developed and their conversations and the word-pictures drawn tell a delightful story that has a happy ending. (Well, it is Christmas, isn't it? And we do want it to end well, don't we?)
A good read for a cold evening that will leave you feeling you can have a little faith in your fellow man and that a little girl's dreams can come true.
“Available Sept 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of The Christmas Pony in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review.
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Review 13 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5

What a delightful story!! This is a keeper.

Date:November 12, 2012
Customer Avatar
Kathleen
Location:Missouri
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Value: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Monday, November 12, 2012
The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson, ©2012
With Christmas around the corner, the Turnbull family is in need of a few small miracles.
It is 1937, and Lucy Turnbull knows better than to wish
for a pony this Christmas. Her mother has assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony is the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they need at their boarding house are the paying kind. Then an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, and Lucy's world changes forever.
Lucy was about halfway to town when she heard a car coming down the road behind her. It was making a lot of noise, and when she looked, smoke was billowing all around it. She stepped to the side of the road as the pale yellow car slowly sputtered and clunked past her. It looked like a pretty car. Too bad it didn't work right.
When Lucy got to town, she noticed the pale yellow car parked in front of Hempley's Garage, and a man in a brown suit was talking to Mr. Hempley. But it was the lady getting out of the car who really captured Lucy's attention. Wrapped in a royal blue coat with a big silver fur collar, she had shining hair almost the same color as the pale yellow car and cut short with bangs that curled like a fringe around her pretty face.
As Lucy got closer, she could see the lady's rosy cheeks and lips of scarlet red. She looked just like a real movie star!
"Hello, doll." The lady smiled down at Lucy.
"Hello," Lucy managed to say back to her.
"Is there a place I can buy a soda around here?" Her voice sounded as sweet as sugar and honey.
***
Lucy's adventure is beginning! This is the most excitement she has seen in ages, that is as far as she can remember, anyway. Mr. Hempley is shaking his head. Hmm. Maybe they will need to stay a few days while he orders parts! And... remember, Lucy and her mother's conversation... Christmas is about to happen and they have a boarding house. Isn't it convenient that Lucy happened to walk this way at this exact moment!
Lucy has been making Christmas presents and wishes. And... half way through, I had some wishes of my own!
Melody Carlson! What a beautiful, sweet story. I love how you have written from the viewpoint of the little girl ~*~ so reminiscent of childhood and the wonder of anticipation. Could we not set aside our cares, and become like a child again?
I have not read a Christmas story in a long time that compares to The Christmas Pony. A story of dreams and hopes that are not deterred in the eyes of a little girl for her family. You will want to read this story year after year. It will become a keeper on your bookshelf. Lucy's father has died and her mother and grandmother have turned their country home into a boarding house with delicious home cooking. Well worth the travel to get down their winding road. Interesting guests are brought in December at a time when they are needed, in answer to Lucy's prayers for God to bring them paying boarders. The house description so fits the times. Pull down string to turn the light on and off in the bedroom, the worn stair tread creaks, the scents of Christmas. Adding an electric light to lengthen the day so the chickens continue to lay eggs. Lucy's daily chores. Love that keeps them together. Lucy has the "same little goading girl" at school that we all have had at one time or another. And the much anticipated Christmas program at church. Fun for all with wonder and excitement. During times of hope and plodding on, the family works together. A beautiful story. Reminiscent of a home and people we all would love, The Christmas Pony is a story to read aloud and enjoy together.
MELODY CARLSON is the award winning author of over two hundred books, including fiction, nonfiction, and gift books including these bestselling Christmas novellas: The Joy of Christmas: An Irish Christmas, All I Have to Give, and The Christmas Dog; The Treasure of Christmas: The Christmas Bus, Gift of Christmas Present, and Angels in the Snow; and Christmas at Harrington's. She is the winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market. Melody writes books for adults, young adults, and children. I have thoroughly enjoyed her novels. The Christmas Pony will make a wonderful Christmas story gift book for everyone on your list. Melody lives with her husband in Sisters, Oregon.
Thank you to Revell Blog Tour for inviting me and sending a copy of The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson to review in my own words.
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Review 14 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

The Christmas Pony

Date:November 11, 2012
Customer Avatar
MaureenT
Location:Syracuse NY
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
A sweet Christmas story read...the year is 1937 and the we are near Flagstaff AZ. The country is still having hard times, but is starting to come out of the depression.
Lucy Turnbull lives with her Mom, and Grandmother. Her Dad passed away a few years ago, and her Mom has turned her home into a boarding house. When two travelers turn up in town with a broken down car, Lucy advises them that her Mom is a great cook, and has rooms available.
Her Mom is surprised and doesn't quite approve of this couple, but they do need the income. With the arrival of these two, an aspiring actress, and an unemployed Lawyer, things are about to change forever.
This is a delightful story and so appropriate for this time of the year. It is also a very fast read, enjoy!
I received this book from the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
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Review 15 for Christmas Pony, The - eBook
This review is fromThe Christmas Pony.
Overall Rating: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5

Christmas Dreams

Date:November 10, 2012
Customer Avatar
Pam Burke
Location:Potosi, MO
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Value: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Meets Expectations: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Christmas Pony is a sweet, quick-to-read Christmas story. The characters are fun, and their interactions make for a delightful Christmas story. Lucy's youthful perspective keeps the story fun, in spite of the struggles the adults around her experience. Her story reminds readers to never give up on hopes and dreams -- especially at Christmas time!
I recommend The Christmas Pony to help you get into the Christmas spirit!
Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
This book was provided free of charge by Revell in exchange for my honest review.
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