Book Review: God Bless Us Every One

This book is an illustration of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas program and has a DVD included with it that has features John Rhys-Davies.  (I could listen to him all day long! I love his voice.)  He is telling the story, but there are also people acting it out and the choir adds the music that gives it just the right emotional touch.  Incredibly well done.

I loved this book.  It's the "story behind The Christmas Carol," and talks about how Mr. Dickens could have felt when he realized that he was heading for a financial crisis, his books weren't selling, and his wife was about to deliver their fifth child.  The illustrations are beautiful and really kept my children's interest.  The story is engaging and it definitely leaves you with the spirit of Christmas.

This is a must-have for your Christmas reading this year, especially because of the DVD.  I think reading this one (and watching it!) might become a Christmas tradition at our house! If you want to grab your copy, you can click here

Here's the back copy:

In creating stories for others, we sometimes end up revealing truths to ourselves. Such was the experience of the beloved Charles Dickens, master storyteller and honorary champion of Christmas. But Dickens was not always the purveyor of yuletide wisdom we know today—he too had to discover for himself the true spirit of Christmas and how best to keep it all the year through.

It was 1843, and winter was fast approaching. Times were tough for Charles Dickens and his family. He needed to publish something that would earn enough money to meet his many obligations. Pondering his predicament, Dickens set out to write a quick Christmas story that would be sure to sell. Little did he know that his writing—and the genial ghost he would bring to life—would take him on an incredible journey of the heart.

This beautifully illustrated volume tells the story behind the writing of Dickens's most famous work and reveals how he discovered the spirit of Christmas for himself—with a little help from his own literary characters. Originally presented by acclaimed British actor Joh Rhys-Davies at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's 2013 Christmas concert, the book also includes a DVD with footage from the event.