Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Alex. He lived with his mother, Sarah, in a small cottage on the outskirts of a quaint village. Alex and Sarah were very close, and they spent a lot of time together, doing chores, playing games, and sharing laughter. One sunny day, while Sarah was cleaning the attic, she stumbled upon an old dusty mirror. Curiosity piqued, she brought it down to show Alex. The mirror was intricately designed with patterns and carvings that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight.
From Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza and creative partner Dan Murphy comes the long lost tale of the Christmas Witch, Santa Claus's much misunderstood twin sister. The perfect gift for the holiday season and beyond!
In support of her best friend, his family, their religion and their celebration of Chanukah, Teresa makes a heartfelt, visible display For Isaac in her own home window- so now the light from her home shines Blue and White Menorah Light From Two Homes Tonight. The front window displays of each of their homes reflect their family s respective holiday celebrations; though readers learn from the opening of the story that Isaac and his family s house is the one home on the block glowing Blue and White, Menorah light.
The mirror was intricately designed with patterns and carvings that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. It had a mysterious aura about it that neither of them could ignore. As they gazed into the mirror, something magical happened.
The christmas witch
Two beautiful and distinctive seasonal children’s books on the review docket today! Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, I have the pleasure of getting to talk about The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, illustrated by Julia Iredale; and thanks to Raincoast Books, I have the pleasure of sharing my…
December 20, 2021 6 minutesTwo beautiful and distinctive seasonal children’s books on the review docket today! Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, I have the pleasure of getting to talk about The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, illustrated by Julia Iredale; and thanks to Raincoast Books, I have the pleasure of sharing my thoughts on the picture book Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinksy. Happy reading!
“No doubt you’ve never heard the name of Kristtörn, for the Legend of the Christmas Witch is a story that has been forgotten in time. But in her day, she was as familiar to children as Santa Claus. In fact, she is his long-lost twin sister…”. The children’s book debut of creative partners Dan Murphy (writer/producer) and Aubrey Plaza (actress/producer/writer you may immediately recognize as April from Parks and Recreation!), with illustrations by Canadian artist Julie Iredale, The Legend of the Christmas Witch tells a richly imagined tale of twins separated as young children and the very different paths their lives take. Opening with a rhyming, atmospheric prologue taking place in the Yuletide season, readers learn about ”a wondrous phantom [smelling] of the sea”, traveling from town to town, whistling a ”strange melody“. This phantom, we learn, is the Christmas Witch…a witch who leaves ”peculiar gifts” on doorsteps as she navigates the falling snow, with children pressing their noses to the windows hoping for a glance of her. But who is this Christmas Witch? And where did she come from and what has she to do with “the season of Yuletide”? As an old raven named Malachi takes over upon the Prologue’s end, he let’s captivated readers know that he will divulge everything about the incredible story of Christmas Witch and begins to unfurl an intricate, mesmerizing legend. From a time ages and ages ago, when ”magical beings freely roamed the earth”, twin babies “with red hair and green eyes” are forsaken in a forest. The twins, a girl named Kristtörn, and a boy named Kristoffer, have magical gifts and a deep connection. When the twins are separated as children, and Kristoffer is taken in by a kind couple far, far, away, Kristtörn finds her life in the forest with a witch named Lutzelfrau. Even as she grows and cultivates a fascinating life with Lutzelfrau, Kristtörn never, ever forgets her long-lost brother and vows to find him one day. With story elements that include everything from notes about winter solstice, the rise of misplaced suspicions about witches, to unbreakable sibling connections, hair-raising travels to the disparate poles, as well as a look at the Kringle family and the legend of Santa Claus, The Legend of the Christmas Witch thrums with activity and turns. Julia Iredale’s gothic-leaning, gorgeously moody and unmissable artistic style is such a perfect match for Murphy and Plaza’s sophisticated and inviting storytelling. Iredale’s gouache and digital illustrations are fantastical and evocative- the illustrations and close-ups of Kristtörn are especially stunning as are the rich outdoor scenes with various hues of greens, browns, and blues and bursts of snow. With undercurrents of old-world Hans Christian Andersen-like storytelling, The Legend of the Christmas Witch is a delicious fable to sink one’s teeth into: unusual and inventive, with elements of tragedy and surprise that capture attention from opening to the last word. (…Perhaps more stories featuring The Legend of the Christmas Witch may be in store for the future?). Readers who adore layered, moodier fairytales and children’s stories about powerful, magical witches, or those looking for a noteworthy and unexpected winter tale, The Legend of the Christmas Witch is a fantastic pick.
“On a block dressed up in Red and Green/one house shone Blue and White. Isaac helped his family decorate their big window for Chanukah/Across the street, his best friend Teresa helped her family trim their Christmas tree.” A story inspired by events that took place in Billings, Montana in December of 1993, Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinksy’s Red and Green and Blue and White tells an important, poignant story of the holiday season. Best friends Isaac and Teresa cannot wait for the holidays and celebrations to begin: Isaac and his family are Jewish and celebrate Chanukah; while Teresa and her family are Christian and celebrate Christmas. The front window displays of each of their homes reflect their family’s respective holiday celebrations; though readers learn from the opening of the story that Isaac and his family’s house is the one home on the block glowing ”Blue and White, Menorah light”. One night, “shadows” make their way to Isaac’s house and a stone shatters through their front window, breaking the glass and extinguishing their menorah. When help is called and adults meet and discuss, the question arises about whether or not Isaac’s family should ”light the menorah again”. Isaac lights the menorah the next night, knowing that if they do not, ”it would be like hiding they were Jewish [and] that didn’t feel right”. In support of her best friend, his family, their religion and their celebration of Chanukah, Teresa makes a heartfelt, visible display ”For Isaac” in her own home window- so now the light from her home shines ”Blue and White/Menorah Light/From Two Homes Tonight!”. The actions made by Teresa and her respective family is then shown to extend more deeply and widely than ever thought, culminating in a celebration ”of the true spirit of the holidays [and] the true meaning of community”. A deeply beautiful, heartfelt story, author Lee Wind’s spare yet lyrical storytelling is met to perfection in award-winner Paul O. Zelinsky’s multi-layered, intensely bold and deeply coloured digital artwork. Red and Green and Blue and White is highly recommended reading and a must-add to the holiday collection of a school and/or public library. Extras: Be sure not to miss the Author’s Note at the book’s end which includes a significant, salient point about being an UPstander versus being a BYstander. A link to author Lee Wind’s website is also included for readers interested in learning more about the real-life story behind this picture book.
I received a copy of The Legend of the Christmas Witch courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review; and I received a copy of Red and Green and Blue and White courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.
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It began to glow and before they knew it, they were transported to a different world. They found themselves in a lush green forest, surrounded by towering trees, colorful flowers, and exotic creatures. In this enchanting world, everything seemed possible. Alex and Sarah embarked on thrilling adventures, encountering talking animals, friendly elves, and wise wizards. They learned spells, solved puzzles, and helped those in need. Each day was filled with wonder and excitement, deepening the bond between mother and son. Through their journey, Alex discovered his hidden talents and strengths. He realized he possessed the power of bravery, compassion, and resourcefulness. Sarah, on the other hand, saw her son's transformation with pride and joy. She marveled at his growth and praised him for his achievements. The magical mirror became a cherished possession for Alex and Sarah. It not only provided them with endless adventures but also became a reminder of the special bond they shared. Whenever they looked into the mirror, they were transported back to their extraordinary world, where their love and connection were palpable. As time went on, Alex and Sarah returned to their ordinary lives but carried the memories of their magical experiences with them. The adventures they had in the mystical world changed them forever and strengthened their relationship. The mirror remained a symbol of their incredible journey, a testament to the incredible power of love and imagination. And so, the story of Alex and Sarah's Mom-Son Magic Mirror became a tale passed down through generations, inspiring others to explore their own imagination and create extraordinary experiences with their loved ones..
Reviews for "Rewriting History with the Mom Son Magic Mirror"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I really did not enjoy "Mom Son Magic Mirror." The plot was confusing and poorly developed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied with the ending. The acting also left much to be desired, with the characters lacking depth and believability. Overall, it was a disappointing watch and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mike - 1 star - "Mom Son Magic Mirror" was an absolute disaster. The storyline was incredibly unrealistic and difficult to follow. The dialogue was cringeworthy and poorly written, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. The film also failed to deliver any meaningful message or entertainment value. I was left feeling utterly bored and regretful for wasting my time on this film.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Mom Son Magic Mirror" to be quite underwhelming. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long and unnecessary scenes that added nothing to the plot. The performances were lackluster, and I struggled to empathize with the characters due to their shallow development. The film also lacked originality, relying on tired clichés and predictable twists. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that failed to live up to its potential.
4. John - 1 star - "Mom Son Magic Mirror" was an absolute mess. The story made no sense and left many loose ends unresolved. The acting was subpar, with wooden delivery and lack of emotion. The film felt like a wasted opportunity, as it failed to deliver any meaningful commentary or entertainment. I would advise others to steer clear of this film if they value their time and money.