Secrets of a Christmas Box

by Steven Hornby

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0981588301
• ISBN13: 9780981588308
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Ecky Thump Books
• Length: 235 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 5

Customer Reviews

a gem of a book

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!

I Love Christmas

Reviewed by Bobbie Wilson (age 8) for Reader View (9/09) I think "Secrets of a Christmas Box" would make a perfect bedtime-story book for the month of December, starting on December the first with twenty-four chapters and it's full of Christmas. This book is as important to the Christmas season as the story of the "Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Every chapter is an adventure that makes me want to jump right into the next. The story opens with Mr. Ferguson and the children, Aaron and Emma, returning home from Christmas shopping, to the amazement of their mother, with a huge Christmas tree. Then the tree is brought into the house, placed in the corner and trimmed with all the treasured decorations, including the special Christmas box. Larry the snowman and his friend Tinsel come to life as soon as night falls and the house becomes quiet. The adventure starts developing with all the many decorations as they come to life. The two old friends have all sorts of adventures from the top of the tree to the bottom and then around the back to the dark side. "Secrets of a Christmas Box" by Steven Hornby is a fun book and I'm going to tell my friends about it. Mr. Hornby's writing kept my attention through the book.

Christmas for Children and Adults

Traditional holiday magic has returned in the form of "The Secrets of a Christmas Box" by Steven Hornby. This delightful holiday story takes us back to our childhood, but also gives us a twist. A much fun as it is to revisit our holiday dreams, this story takes us to another level in the world of fantasy. Hornby's characters - the decorations on the Christmas Tree - must solve a mystery and in so doing, deal with some dark issues. Larry, the snowman ornament and the hero of the story and his girlfriend, Debbie, come to life as they jump right out at us from the tree on the very first night. With Splint and Tinsel, Larry's 'pet,' we go on a journey to search for Larry's brother, who is mysteriously missing. Larry, Debbie, Splint, and Tinsel disobey the orders of the Tree-Elders who do not want them leaving the tree, but the need to find his brother drives Larry forward. We travel across dark rooms and cold floors, encounter evil antagonists at every turn, discover the truth about Larry's brother, and finally end up back at the tree where the final confrontation takes place, and it is up to Larry to save everyone and bring tradition back to Christmas. The key word is tradition, and this book is destined to be on everyone's Christmas reading list for years to come. This is a story witha bittersweet ending but one not to be missed.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.-N

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 ornaments made by the children. In this story the Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments that all have special meanings, too. The children have their favorites and the placement of the ornaments is important. But when the family goes to bed for the night, and the Christmas lights on the tree are turned off, those ornaments come to life. Each ornaments checks out their location on the tree, prime real-estate is at the front of the tree, not towards the back, of course. And as they awaken from a years slumber in the Christmas box, they begin looking for old family and friends. When a Snowman ornament named Larry can't find his brother, he and a few pals set out to locate the Christmas box and bring him back to the tree. This story was completely charming and the pencil drawings that accompany the pages are fantastic; they really help to tell the tale and stir the imagination. Told in 24 chapters the author wishes the book to be read, aloud, as a family one chapter at a time starting on December 1st and ending on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition I plan on starting this year. As I finished this story this morning, I placed the book in my own Christmas box, and plan on reading Chapter 1 on December 1st. I look forward to seeing this story light up my sons face. Secrets of a Christmas Box brings all the wonder of Christmas to life. I can't wait to decorate my tree this year, I will be more careful about the placement of the ornaments and make sure each ornament gets a little bit of attention. This is a story that is meant to be shared and enjoyed by all ages, I highly recommend it. Cherise Everhard, August 2009

A Wonderful Christmas literary Feast

Secrets of a Christmas is a wonderful story with indearing characters and a heart warming message. From the first page to the exciting last it takes you on an amazing adventure. I would highly recommend this book to all ages, I think adults and kids will love it. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Micheal Kiely ( Animator ).