Share the Joy!
Share the Joy! by Valerie Ellis and illustrated by Sergio De Giorgi. Published by Paraclete Press.
SHARE THE JOY! A Christmas lift-the-flap book is from debut author Valerie Ellis. She is a speaker, certified teacher, nonprofit consultant, and mom of two boys, ages 9 and 12. She also writes articles for Our Everyday Parables. You can find out more about Valerie at her website valerieellis.com.
Valerie’s book is a perfect book to add to your Christmas collection. It’s a quick read-aloud, interactive, with colorful illustrations. My family enjoyed this book especially my 5 year old because the lift-the-flaps are huge! He’s not great with his motor functions at times so the bigger the better. Also, don’t worry about flaps being easily ripped. This board book is hefty. It will definitely last you many Christmas seasons.
Share the Joy goes through many “Christmas moments” that most all children have a reference to and if they don’t, the parent would be able to create the moment for them. The illustrations show children decorating, baking, singing carols, and going to church.
“The gifts we buy are fun to see...And I give something made by me.”
That’s my favorite line and part from Valerie’s book because it shows a daughter wrapping presents with her mother and when the flap is lifted it shows homemade presents. My kids make birthday cards and Christmas cards so anything showing homemade is great to me!
The flaps are a perfect way to format Share the Joy! It doesn’t necessarily show hidden objects. This isn’t necessarily a seek-and-find book. What is underneath the flap actually continues the story. It’s almost like there is an extra page with each spread. No space on the page is wasted.
The story is also not wasted. This isn’t just another generic Christmas book. This book reminds us and our children that all the sharing, wrapping, get-togethers are only so special and possible because of Jesus. There is meaning and joy because Jesus came and “changed the world with His great love.”
I appreciate Share the Joy! because it’s a rhyming book, making it very easy to read; it’s fun, the kids will love pointing out all the fun things on each spread along with lifting all the flaps; and because Jesus is at the center of it all.
Click the book cover to purchase Share the Joy! and request it from your local library.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.
