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Secrets of a Christmas Box
Enter the magical world of Christmas Tree-Dwellers as Larry, a glass snowman, wakes to find his brother missing. Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry and friends escape down the tree and stumble upon a sinister secret threatening their entire world. Can they return in time to warn the others?
Hardcover, 235 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Ecky Thump Books
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I started this book on December 1st and have been reading one chapter a night, intending to finish up on December 24th. I actually ended up having to finish the last two chapters on the 22nd. Holiday travel was going to interrupt my schedule.
This was a cute Christmas story. I don't think I will ever look at tree lights and ornaments the same again. I will say it had more violence in it than I was expecting and some scary moments. I would be okay with older children reading it. I'm no...more
This was a cute Christmas story. I don't think I will ever look at tree lights and ornaments the same again. I will say it had more violence in it than I was expecting and some scary moments. I would be okay with older children reading it. I'm no...more
This book is organized into 24 chapters. The intention being to read one chapter a night, beginning on December 1st and ending on Christmas Eve. The chapters are not very long, so it should be an easy task. I can see this becoming a tradition at our house once my daughter is old enough to understand the story.
I really enjoyed the world of the "Tree Dwellers". Steven Hornby has created a delightfully interesting world inhabited by Christmas tree ornaments. They use the pine ne...more
I really enjoyed the world of the "Tree Dwellers". Steven Hornby has created a delightfully interesting world inhabited by Christmas tree ornaments. They use the pine ne...more
Steven Hornby has written a delightful story in Secrets of a Christmas Box. Larry, a large snowman ornament, seems to have lost his brother Terrence and is looking for him everywhere. With the help of Debbie, the girl reindeer; and Splint, newest ornament on the tree ;who is a wooden figurine, they look all over the tree for Terrence but he is nowhere to be found.
Dare they leave the tree into the world of humans? It is strictly forbidden by the Tree-Lord for any ornament to go down t...more
Dare they leave the tree into the world of humans? It is strictly forbidden by the Tree-Lord for any ornament to go down t...more
This magical book takes us on a journey with the Tree Dwellers Larry, the glass snowman, Debbie his part reindeer girlfriend and Splint the soldier and new guy on the tree. Larry finds that his brother is missing when the tree dwellers awake from their long sleep in the box. Although all the tree dwellers know that sometimes an ornament doesn't make it back to the tree the next year, Larry just cannot accept his brothers is lost forever. He has to come up with a way to find him.
S...more
S...more
Christmas means a lot of things to many different people. There is an undeniable spirit in the air, the gatherings with close family and friends, and the traditions we repeat year after year. One of those traditions is the decorating of the Christmas tree. After reading this book, you will never look at decorating the Christmas tree in the same way again.
In most families each ornament has a special meaning; baby’s first Christmas, the ornaments received as wedding gifts, the orn...more
In most families each ornament has a special meaning; baby’s first Christmas, the ornaments received as wedding gifts, the orn...more
If you've ever wondered what happens on the Christmas tree when the family goes to sleep, this is the book for you! I also learned how my packages get those little rips in them just from sitting under the tree. It's a great way to start the holiday season reading one chapter a day right up until Christmas Day! At 25 short chapters, I envision families sitting around a fire next to the tree reading this festive story about Larry, Debbie, and Splint.
Larry is a snowman ornament who carri...more
Larry is a snowman ornament who carri...more
After a waking from their annual sleep, the "tree dwellers" quickly discover that something is not exactly right this Christmas season: one of them is missing. Larry, a snowman, is devastated that his brother is not where he is suppose to be. Along with the help of his friends, Larry partakes in the ultimate adventure to discover the truth behind his brother's disappearance and the true meaning behind the Christmas Box.
Secrets of a Christmas Box is one of those feel good, gat...more
Secrets of a Christmas Box is one of those feel good, gat...more
Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby is a perfect read aloud story for families. The tree-dwellers wake up each year after being placed on the Christmas tree and circle the branches looking for old friends and meeting new ones. Larry the snowman and Debbie the reindeer girl are thrilled to see each other again but devastated to find that Larry's brother is missing. Along with newcomer Splint, a wooden soldier, they break the rules of the Elder and leave the tree to find their sleeping pla...more
This was an enjoyable read and would certainly make a good read aloud for a family with young children or for an elementary school class. The premise, beloved Christmas ornaments (tree dwellers) coming to life each Christmas once the humans have gone to sleep reminded me of Ann Martin's Doll People series. A lovable snowman, Larry, his girlfriend - Debbie and a new tree dweller, Splint (a wooden toy soldier) go on a adventure to find Larry's brother Terrence, who did not make it back to the tre...more
The Short of It:
Although the point of the book was to capture the magic of Christmas, I do not feel that this was achieved. In my opinion, the story was a bit on the dark side which surprised me a bit.
The Rest of It:
As I was reading the book, the first thing that I noticed was that the dialogue seemed a bit forced. The first couple of chapters were 'He said / She said' type conversations and although the words spoken seemed natural enough, the phrasing seemed ...more
Although the point of the book was to capture the magic of Christmas, I do not feel that this was achieved. In my opinion, the story was a bit on the dark side which surprised me a bit.
The Rest of It:
As I was reading the book, the first thing that I noticed was that the dialogue seemed a bit forced. The first couple of chapters were 'He said / She said' type conversations and although the words spoken seemed natural enough, the phrasing seemed ...more
I really wanted to like this hearty little tale of Christmas, and the heart-stopping adventure of a small group of Christmas ornaments out to find their friend and brother (who didn't make it to the tree). However, I did feel that the writing resembled a script, more than a story. Some of the jarring issues in writing slowly worked out somewhat by the middle of the book, and I thought the story itself was a cute idea.
I actually think that this would make a fabulous children's sto...more
I actually think that this would make a fabulous children's sto...more
This is a very enjoyable story of a group of ornaments, the tree dwellers, who secretly come to life each Christmas when removed from the Christmas Box and placed on the tree. The main characters are Larry, a lovable snowman, Debbie, his beautiful reindeer girlfriend, and Splint, the new ornament, who is a wooden toy soldier. The characters are quite charming and the reader is quickly drawn into the search for Larry's brother who is missing from the tree. The search leads the main characters awa...more
When I read that Steven Hornby had initially planned "Secrets of a Christmas Box" as a screenplay, it made perfect sense. It would make a wonderful seasonal film, and as it reads it can surely become a Christmas classic. There is just the right amount of make-believe and adventure with Larry, Debbie, Tinsel and Splint. Secrets of a Christmas Box is a story of love, friendship, family, loyalty and courage. It is sure to be loved by children and grown ups alike.
Publisher...more
Publisher...more
It's sad that I didn't get this read until last weekend. A great Christmas story that I want to re-read each Christmas. for those of us who are adults and try to keep our imaginations well timed this book is a treat. Every night after the humans go to sleep the Christmas tree ornaments come alive. The book opens with teh tree dwellers greeting each other and talking about their new home or where they are on the branches. Larry the snowman goes about looking for his brother Terrance. Unabl...more
I was really looking forward to reading this book and I have to admit that I was disappointed. Hornby has a wonderful premise. The cherished Christmas tree ornaments come to life every year when they are unpacked and put on the tree. The story follows the adventure of a snowman ornament as he, along with his friends, searches for his missing brother. The book lacked the whimsy to make it truly successful and it was surprisingly dark.
*Spoiler alert* I think this book would have bee...more
*Spoiler alert* I think this book would have bee...more
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I'm going to be up front with you and tell you in no uncertain terms that their is no way for me to get across how much I loved this book. I haven't raved about a book in a while and I'm so glad I get to know. As a life long Christmas lover who has always had a rather overactive imagination to find a book that lets me revel in one of my oldest Christmas fantasies is a treat. As a kid I would sit by the Christmas tree making up stories and names to go along with the ornaments that hung upon it...more
Enter the magical festive world of the Christmas 'Tree-Dwellers', as Larry, a Christmas snowman, wakes up after the long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing. Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry, along with his girlfriend Debbie, a newcomer Splint, and Larry's companion Tinsel, break the laws of the 'Tree-Elders' and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues. Away from the safety of the tree and in an unfamiliar world, the Dwellers stumble ...more
SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX is another of those books that is difficult to market. At around 200 pages full of mostly text, it’s too advanced for a toddler or early elementary school kid which is probably the ideal audience for this story. The occasional small illustration will not satisfy the young audience’s desire for literary participation. And the infantilizing tone of the book will turn away older readers.
Perhaps the best thing one can do with this book is to have it as a holida...more
Perhaps the best thing one can do with this book is to have it as a holida...more
this vastly enjoyable tale is a perfect bed-time read for the kids. following the adventures of the characters as they went on their journey was a pleasure. the pages turned easily, and i found myself rooting for them more and more as the plot unfolded. this book manages to combine light-hearted enjoyability with an engaging tension that kept me involved until the very end. and, it passes the ultimate litmus test: i would, and will, read it to my niece.
highly recommended!
highly recommended!
I really had a hard time with this book. The writing was very choppy and the dialog between the characters odd and too cliche. The plot was mildly interesting, but the ellipses used throughout at the most random times became very distracting. I hope never to pick this one up again. Full review at One Librarian's Book Reviews. Review copy provided by publisher.
This book is a magical read for December. Amber (9) and I read this together and both enjoyed it. To use Amber’s words, “Larry and Splint rock! It’s awesome.” It was a fun read, with lots of adventure for the pint-sized heroes and Amber definitely did not see the twist coming at the end. I did, but that’s partly because I had to peek ahead, just to make sure that all three were safe.
This will definitely be one we read again next year. I can see reading it out loud to younger kids, to...more
This will definitely be one we read again next year. I can see reading it out loud to younger kids, to...more
Very cute and fun read about what happens on the Christmas Tree once the humans go to bed. It's set up to be read a chapter a night during the Christmas season, although I read it totally through. It's not appropriate for younger children as there is a little more violence in it than I expected, but still a fun read.
Watch out for those tree-dwellers!
Watch out for those tree-dwellers!
Heather
rated it
Recommends it for:
everyone who loves Christmas!
Recommended to Heather by:
Katrina
This was a fun and cute Christmas story. Ornaments on a Christmas trees come to life each year...Larry the snowman can't find his brother Terrence this year and decides to find him beyond the tree's border with the help of his two friends Debbie and Splint. It did take on a bit of a dark turn towards the end, but I think you can use this as a good learning opportunity for kids. I'm going to enjoy reading this one to my son as he gets older each year for Christmas! The book also has many drawings...more
Full review at:
http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2009/...
http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2009/...
Lindamarie
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Sheryl
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