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Seasons
Wonderful Gifts of Winter
Freshly fallen snowflakes, sledding, snow angels, and of course Christmas all take their rightful place in The Wonderful Gifts of Winter , the second book of a new seasonal four-book series by Dandi Daley Mackall.
Playful rhymes leap off illustrated pages by Katherine Blackmore and give thanks to God for the gifts created in winter, especially the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The infectious rhyming prose paired with scriptural passages, give gratitude and glory to God as early learners discover the Wonderful Gifts of Winter . Look out for the next book in the series, Special Gifts of Spring.
Playful rhymes leap off illustrated pages by Katherine Blackmore and give thanks to God for the gifts created in winter, especially the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The infectious rhyming prose paired with scriptural passages, give gratitude and glory to God as early learners discover the Wonderful Gifts of Winter . Look out for the next book in the series, Special Gifts of Spring.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2014
About the author
Dandi Daley Mackall
299 books310 followersA professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 500 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 24, 2025
“The Wonderful Gifts of Winter” written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Katherine Blackmore (Copyright 2014, B&H Publishing Group) presents the many blessings of the season using rhyming text, Bible verses, and beautiful illustrations to celebrate the birth of Christ while giving thanks to God for winter. This review was originally published as part of my "Picture Book Favorites for Christmas" blog post at www.cindyovercast.com.
December 20, 2022
I didn’t realize this was a religious book when I checked it out. Not ideal for my family, but I adapted it when reading.
September 22, 2014
The Wonderful Gifts of Winter is such a sweet one. It has beautiful illustrations, the text is rhymed so it's perfect for kids 4-8. This is actually the target audience of the book. This is the second book in the series, Seasons Series, and its release date is October 1st, 2014.
The book deals with what is specific to winter: snow and playing in it, snowballs fights, sleighing, skating, snow angel making, decorating for Christmas and celebrating Christmas, the opportunities kids too have to help those around them, snuggling inside in the warmth of the fire, celebrating New Year's Day. It basically focuses on important elements of winter - blessings from above, as they are referred to- and presents them to kids as something to be grateful for. It's something I really like - showing normal winter activities as blessings from above. Love it! The Bible verses carefully picked and illustrative for the activities focused on are such a nice touch. I loved that too!
What I was kind of expecting, though, (and happened) was that after New Year's Day winter is pretty much done with and we are left waiting for Spring. This is how the book ends, with the promise of spring time. I was hoping there was more that this. Waiting for Spring from early January, right after New Year's Day, seems like a really long time, even for an adult.
As far as the illustrations go, they are so cute. Katherine Blackmore did such a great job! I was immeditely drawn to them. They resemble children's books illustrations I grew up with. The children's faces repeat on each page, plus or minus some new ones. Maybe it's something obvious and what should have done, but I found this cute and so smart, to not make new faces for every activity. The illustrations look as if they are painted, and there is so close attention to details. It's easily "read" even if the kids can't read the text themselves.
Also, there is a Parent Connection at the end of the book, which is a great opportunity given to parents to talk more with their children about what they've just read. A fragment from Genesis, some discussion questions, and a craft activity can be found in this Parent Connection part of the book. I found it so clever that young readers and not left with just that, a story, but they are led further. And from what I know about working with kids, the discussion will spread well over the questions suggested here.
A sweet read, indeed. This would make a lovely stocking gift, I am sure.
If the words "cute" "pretty" "lovely" "sweet" appear in this review is because there are no better words to describe it.
The book deals with what is specific to winter: snow and playing in it, snowballs fights, sleighing, skating, snow angel making, decorating for Christmas and celebrating Christmas, the opportunities kids too have to help those around them, snuggling inside in the warmth of the fire, celebrating New Year's Day. It basically focuses on important elements of winter - blessings from above, as they are referred to- and presents them to kids as something to be grateful for. It's something I really like - showing normal winter activities as blessings from above. Love it! The Bible verses carefully picked and illustrative for the activities focused on are such a nice touch. I loved that too!
What I was kind of expecting, though, (and happened) was that after New Year's Day winter is pretty much done with and we are left waiting for Spring. This is how the book ends, with the promise of spring time. I was hoping there was more that this. Waiting for Spring from early January, right after New Year's Day, seems like a really long time, even for an adult.
As far as the illustrations go, they are so cute. Katherine Blackmore did such a great job! I was immeditely drawn to them. They resemble children's books illustrations I grew up with. The children's faces repeat on each page, plus or minus some new ones. Maybe it's something obvious and what should have done, but I found this cute and so smart, to not make new faces for every activity. The illustrations look as if they are painted, and there is so close attention to details. It's easily "read" even if the kids can't read the text themselves.
Also, there is a Parent Connection at the end of the book, which is a great opportunity given to parents to talk more with their children about what they've just read. A fragment from Genesis, some discussion questions, and a craft activity can be found in this Parent Connection part of the book. I found it so clever that young readers and not left with just that, a story, but they are led further. And from what I know about working with kids, the discussion will spread well over the questions suggested here.
A sweet read, indeed. This would make a lovely stocking gift, I am sure.
If the words "cute" "pretty" "lovely" "sweet" appear in this review is because there are no better words to describe it.
December 15, 2016
I'm loving these books. This is the 2nd one I've read so far. Any book that teaches kids to be grateful and notice the world around them is a plus in my book. Can't wait till spring and summer to read the next ones to my son.
January 14, 2017
I read this book to our youngest tonight and I loved it! My entire life I've looked forward to winter. I love the cold, the snow and even the ice is beautiful. Most people I run into can't wait to get through winter. This book showed the wonderful parts of winter and I don't run into that much.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews