This picturebook rendition of the historical roots of Father Christmas recounts the life of Saint Nicholas, a pastor in 4th-century Lycia (modern-day Turkey), whose generosity was so profound that he became known as "Father Christmas."

It was November of 1912. With Captain Herman Scheunemann at its helm, the Rouse Simmons set off from the small Northern Michigan town of Manistique with its traditional load of trees bound for Chicago. The captain would sell the trees for 50 cents or $1.00 and even gave many away to needy families. The ship had been affectionately nicknamed the "Christmas Tree Ship." Using stories she loved to hear her grandfather Axel Anderson tell, author Carol Crane weaves this heartwarming fictional tale based on the true events of the little schooner carrying up to 5,000 trees.

Carol recalls Grandpa Axel sitting in his "remembering rocker" carving a wooden ornament just as he is in the Christmas Tree Ship as he tells his grandchildren of the storm that took the shipmen's lives, their festive cargo, and the Rouse Simmons down to its final watery resting place. True to the newspaper accounts Carol artfully explains and eloquently includes how Captain Scheunemann's wife, ever dedicated to her husband's memory, carries on his tradition of sailing schooners to deliver Christmas trees to the Chicago market.

The grandchildren listen to Grandpa, spellbound, waiting for who will be chosen to hang the special schooner ornament this year.

Beyond a Great Lakes tale, this is a timeless story for all who love Christmas, its traditions and stories, and especially stories of the sea, including the vast inland sea that is Lake Michigan.

His true story became today's legend of Santa Claus. He may be known as Santa Claus today, but his real name was Nicholas. His true story became today's legend of Santa Claus. A Christian bishop, Nicholas's generosity was a faith-filled response to God's own gift--His only Son, Jesus Christ. With Saint Nicholas, parents, teachers, and grandparents can teach children of all ages that Christmas is a time to celebrate that God showers His love upon them through Christ and that gift giving is in grateful response to that love.

Illustrated by Chris Ellison

Segregated Charleston, SC, 1955: There are 62 official Little League programs in South Carolina?all but one of the leagues is composed entirely of white players. The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, an all-black team, is formed in the hopes of playing in the state's annual Little League Tournament. What should have been a time of enjoyment, however, turns sour when all of the other leagues refuse to play against them and even pull out of the program. As the only remaining Little League team in the state, Cannon Street was named state winner by default, giving the boys a legitimate spot in the Little League Baseball World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While the Cannon Street team is invited to the game as guests, they are not allowed to participate since they have not officially "played" and won their state's tournament. "Let Them Play" takes its name from the chant shouted by the spectators who attended the World Series final.

Author Margot Theis Raven recounts the inspiring tales of the Cannon Street All-Stars as they arrived in Williamsport, PA and never got the chance to play for the title thanks to the bigotry and ignorance of the South Carolina teams. Ms. Theis' transports readers back to a sadder time when white little league teams refused to play against an all-black team. Winning by forfeit, the Cannon Streeters were subsequently not allowed to participate in Williamsburg because they had not "played" their way into the tournament.

"Let Them Play" is an important civil rights story in American history with an even more important message about equality and tolerance. It's a tale of humanity against the backdrop of America's favoritepastime that's sure to please fans of the sport and mankind. This summer will mark the 50th year since the fans' shouts of "Let Them Play" fell on deaf ears and 14 boys learned a cruel lesson in backwards politics and prejudice. This book can help teach us a new lesson and assure something like this never happens again.

'God Child' is a work of fiction about a young man who is determined to destroy the God of Darkness. The story opens with a tale of creation. Four Gods: Trax, Ploy, Tarlcon and Nopi create the world, its creatures, and finally man. Each of them brings a certain gift to mankind. Tarlcon, the God of Darkness, is jealous of Nopi, the Goddess of Light. She is able to send forth Her spirit in the hopes that it will reach the one who can rescue her. The first recipient, Dari, fails at this task. Her spirit moves on, and centuries later shows up again in the form of a young man named Dewlorien. Starting with a quest to avenge his mother's death, Dewlorien embarks on an adventure that will span many years and many lands. He and his companions slowly realize that he has special powers. An oracle confirms that he is "Guldari" the chosen one. He learns that before he has any chance to defeat Tarlcon, he must find the missing pieces of a legendary artifact. So he begins a new quest to find these essential magical items. In the meantime, the woman he loves is kidnapped and he must also rescue her.