Friday, December 6, 2013

Christmas from Heaven / Biblical Names of Christ Ornament Set

Title: CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN
Author: Tom Brokaw
Illustrator: Robert T. Barrett
Contributor: David Werner
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
October 2013
ISBN:  978-1609077006
Genre: History / Children / Christmas

Many years ago when World War II was coming to an end, American soldiers started delivering food and supplies to the poor Germans in the bombed out houses. One of the pilots for these operations started talking to the children and hearing their stories. His name was Hal Halvorsen. Hal had two pieces of gum, and he tore them in half. Hal was impressed when the four children he handed the gum halves to tore them into strips and passed them out.

Hal started thinking about his gum and candy rations and started passing all his rations out. Then his friends got involved, and soon he was being commemorated for contributing to the piece effort. Children started waiting for “The Candy Bomber” to fly over the designated areas.

This is a true story of a man who was kind enough to share two sticks of gum and it morphed into something way bigger than he imagined.

CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN is a beautifully done children’s book, in hardback with a dustcover, and not only that but it includes a DVD with the book read by Tom Brokaw and accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. There are some really sweet moments in the DVD when Hal Halvorsen himself showed up, and members of the church dropped candy parachutes from above into the church.

I would highly recommend CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN for a Christmas story for your family. It isn’t “Christian” without any religious content, so it would be a suitable gift for any home, no matter their beliefs.


I think this book would be great for public libraries, public schools, and even homeschool families. Great book. $21.99 book and DVD. 

About the Book
Christmas from Heaven is the story of the humble beginnings of what became a beacon of hope to a war-torn land, the story of Gail Halvorsen, a young pilot in the US Army Air Corps who was assigned as a cargo pilot to the Berlin Airlift, in which US forces flew much-needed supplies into a Soviet-blockaded Berlin.

As he performed his duties, Lt. Halvorsen began to notice the German children gathered by the fences of Tempelhof Air Base. Knowing that they had very little, he one day offered them some chewing gum. From that small act, an idea sprang: He would "bomb" Berlin with candy. Fashioning small parachutes, he and his crew sent them floating down as they approached the Berlin airport, wiggling the wings of their C-54 as a signal to the children that their anticipated cargo would soon arrive.

Lt. Halvorsen became known by hundreds, if not thousands, of children in Berlin as "Uncle Wiggly Wings" or "The Candy Bomber." Word soon spread, and donations of candy and other supplies poured in from sympathetic Americans. Lt. Halvorsen's small idea became a great symbol of hope not only to German children in a bombed-out city but to all those who yearned for freedom.

Famed broadcast journalist and author Tom Brokaw brings this remarkable true story to life in a stunning live performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, captured on the accompanying DVD. Also included in the book is a template and directions for creating your own “Candy Bomber” parachutes.

Product Details
·         Size: 11" x 9"
·         Pages: 32
·         Year Published: 2013

About the Authors
Tom Brokaw is one of the giants of television journalism. Anchor and managing editor of NBCNightly News from 1982 to 2004, he also holds the honor of being the only person to host each ofNBC News’s major news programs: The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and Meet the Press. He has won several awards, including a Peabody Award and seven Emmys. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and The Greatest Generation Speaks, among other books. He and his wife, Meredith, have three daughters and five grandchildren

Robert T. Barrett is a professor of illustration at Brigham Young University, received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees in painting and completed postgraduate work in Germany. An accomplished painter, muralist, and illustrator, his work has been featured in many national magazines and in art exhibits across the country and in Germany. He and his wife, Vicki, have ten children and one grandchild and reside in Provo, Utah.


* Biblical Names of Christ Ornament Set

Product Description
Create a Christ-focused holiday tradition as you review the sacred names of the Savior. Display these antique pewter-finish ornaments on the tree, as gift tags, or adorning a wreath on the front door. A scripture reference accompanies each ornament, perfect for a "Twelve Days of Christmas" countdown. 12-piece set.

List Price $19.95


This product is available for sale from Deseret Book retail stores or online at:

http://deseretbook.com/Biblical-Names-Christ-Ornament-Set-Zions-Mercantile/i/5104895


Godly. Strong. They are nice. Classic.  Awesome. Cool.  Original.  Very country.

These are words my family used to describe these ornaments.  I just love them.  They would be great gifts for any Christian. Also perfect for pastors or missionaries.  Recommended. 

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