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One tradition we have during the holidays is to read a Christmas book each day in December. Over the years we have added to our collection, but we still have our favorites. One of our favorites is Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
Using Picture Books During Christmas: Song of the Stars
I cherish the time I get to snuggle on the couch with my children and read. The holidays give us an extra opportunity to do just that as we pick a book to read each night. Each year we add a couple more new titles to our collection. My main goal is to make memories with my children while sharing about Christ. Occasionally though, there are a few books that lend themselves to deeper study, art projects, fun activities or other learning projects. Song of the Stars is one of those books.
Book Summary: All of creation is filled with anticipation of the coming newborn king. The woodland creatures stirred, the mighty lion roared, the great white whales sang, “It’s time!” A beautifully written and illustrated Christmas book that young children and adults will enjoy.
Nature Study
With all the different animals and plants listed in the book, it would be easy to do a little rabbit trail and learn more about one or two of them:
- sycamore tree
- barn owl
- pinewoods
- deer
- brown bear
- red fox
- white whales
- starfish
- sandpipers
- otters
- ducklings
- salmon
- field mice
- insects
- sparrow
- robins
- stallions
- lion
- star
- sheep
Art
The illustrations in the book are gorgeous! Each picture has a crackle effect. For my really young children, we made crackled paint star ornaments. Older children could create a picture similar to the book and apply crackle texture to it.
Bible
This book introduces children to several of the names of Jesus.
- The Mighty King
- The Prince of Peace
- The Bright and Morning Star
- The Good Shepherd
- Light of the World
- Immanuel (inferred “The One who made us has come to live with us”)
- Our Rescuer
We used our Names of Jesus Advent chain to learn more!
Reading
Homeschool Village shares a wonderful active reading game to go along with the book.
Teach a Child to Read
We are blessed that we our family has access to so many wonderful books! Most of my children know how to read or will be learning how in the near future. Some children though, do not have this opportunity. This Christmas, Samaritan’s Purse has an option in their Holiday Gift Catalog to give the gift of literacy.
“Literacy is essential for those who yearn to escape poverty. Yet all too often, poverty-stricken children never learn to read and write because they cannot afford to attend school. Your $15 gift can provide supplies or a month’s tuition for a child who is eager to learn and ready for God’s wisdom.”
What a great gift to give as a family! $15 can help a child have a chance to learn to read! You can find out more information by visiting Samaritan’s Purse. While you are there, scroll through all the other options too!
Giveaway
I would love to help one of you add a new Christmas book to your collection and help spread the word about the Teaching a Child to Read Campaign. So I’m giving away a hard-back version of Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones. If you are reading this post in a reader, be sure to stop by the site and enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter!
Also visit the following sites for more giveaways and literacy ideas!
So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler
See Jamie Blog
Disclosure:
As a member of iHomeschool Network’s Samaritan’s Purse Blogger Team, I write about the ministry on a volunteer basis. All posts are my own thoughts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Samaritan’s Purse. I am not on employee, agent, or contractor of Samaritan’s Purse.
Our Sponsors:
The Picture Smart Bible helps students of all ages see how the whole Bible fits together!
Apologia Science: award-winning, creation-based science textbooks whose goal is to inspire an appreciation for science and a passion for learning.
