Reviews for Christmas Turtles
Return to Christmas Turtles information
page.
Return to Main Reviews Page
Return to Main Menu
page.
Return to Main Reviews Page
Return to Main Menu
Midwest Book Reviews - November 2006
Christmas Turtles
Sara Ann Denson & Tara McMillen
Purple Sky Publishing
PO Box 12013, Parkville, MO 64152
0976901765, $16.95 www.purpleskypublishing.com
Children's book illustrator Tara McMillen seamlessly collaborates with children's
book author Sara Ann Denson in "Christmas Turtles", a gentle picturebook story
showcasing the love a grandmother has for her grandchildren through a shared
celebratory experience. Four very curious children discover the magic and love
that are part and parcel of the family Christmas experience on their Grandmother's
farm that ranges from gathering pecans from the ground to helping their
grandmother in the kitchen prepare them as a Christmas treat, and then finally
enjoying the warm chocolate and pecan candy treat as their 'Christmas Turtles' for
the whole family. "Christmas Turtles" is a wonderful addition to the growing library
of Christmas themed picturebooks that can be read and enjoyed all year long!
Picket News - Jennifer Leese / Managing Editor - October 2006
"Christmas Turtles" by Sara Ann Denson is an inspirational story about a
grandmother and her four grandchildren. Denson has done a beautiful job
weaving her memories and true events into a picture book for children.
This charming Christmas story follows the children as they discover the magic and
love that surrounds a special holiday tradition--baking Christmas Turtles.
Denson's tale embraces family, love, and the act of passing on family traditions.
Tara McMillen's charming full color drawings adorn every page. Each family, big
or small, loud or quiet, has their own traditions that are followed more or less
unchanged for a long period of time. Keeping these family traditions alive is
important and should be shared by all family members. Denson's book "Christmas
Turtles" was a pleasure to read and is sure to be a favorite among elementary
grade children, their parents, and their teachers. Included with each book is a
delicious candy recipe and wooden spoon. This reviewer and her three children
highly recommend Denson's wonderful book.
Christmas Turtles by Sara Ann Denson
Publisher: Purple Sky Publishing
ISBN: 0-9769017-6-5
Release: 2006
Price: $16.95
Reviewed by: Jennifer LB Leese
Wee Ones Magazine -Jennifer Reed, Editor - November 2006 Issue
Traditions are what make holidays extra special. Christmas Turtles is a
heartwarming story about a grandmother's yummy tradition at Christmas.
She makes gooey Christmas Turtles each year and shows her grandchildren how
to make them too. Even though she has diabetes and can't eat them, it doesn't
stop her from bringing her family together and sharing a special moment.
Soft colored penciled illustrations gives this book a warm feeling. This book would
be a great way to start your own Christmas tradition too!
Tickle Bugs - October 2006
When I heard the title, CHRISTMAS TURTLES, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Soon
it became clear that this book was about those savory pecan treats covered with
caramel and chocolate. What makes this book special is that uncovers the love
that underlies so much of what is done for children. This is a very simple book and
its lesson is clear – the greatest joy of all is the one from the heart. Adding the
recipe at the end was brilliant, because it takes a special story about others and
allows the readers to adopt it themselves. The colorful patterns of the artwork are
quite merry. This is a worthwhile book for your children, particularly around
Christmastime.
Link-Up Parents - November 2006
Is a beautiful story of a grandmother's love for her family. Inspired by true events,
author Sara Ann Denson, tells the tale with such detail you feel like you were there.
Each fall the grandmother picks the pecans that fall from the trees. When her
grandchildren visit, they shell the nuts, place them in a tin box which stays in the
freezer until Christmastime.
When the children are not around, Grandmother creates wonderful treats with the
pecans along with chocolate and caramel called Christmas Turtles. One Christmas
she decides to let the children in on her secret.
The book comes with a wooden spoon (approximately 12 inches) and at the end of
the story a recipe for Christmas turtles.
TCM Reviews - October 2006
Christmas Turtles is a heart warming story about a sweet family tradition. Every
year, Grandma bakes chocolate turtles (the candy not the animals) for her
grandchildren. Grandma takes a good deal of care and energy to make them from
scratch, from harvesting pecan trees that she has planted for each grandchild to
the delicious finished candies. Christmas Turtles comes complete with a holiday
recipe for Christmas Turtles so that you too can start your own holiday tradition.
Lillian Brummett - November 2006
Inspired by true events and the author’s diabetic Grandmother, Christmas Turtles
is a 32-page festive hardcover book that was released in October 2006. The
winter cabin scene on the protective slipcover is identical to the art on the
hardcover. Perfectly complementing the winter scenery, the book opens to dark
green pages – reminiscent of evergreen mountain forests.
Sara Ann Denson has been a published author since the age of 18. This
accomplished and active woman has won awards for her work as a script and play
writer, and has also enjoyed life as a free-lance writer. She resides in Missouri,
USA along with her husband and their two sons.
Illustrations by Tara McMillen, a former city engineer, are reminiscent of crayon
drawings and bring pleasant feelings from the past of cuddling on the floor with a
favorite coloring book. This artist is known for the large number of murals she was
commissioned to do around Kansas City, Missouri, where the artist, her two
children and husband reside.
Christmas Turtles is a story of one family’s holiday tradition. Pecan trees are
planted on the family farm at the birth of each grandchild, of which there are four.
Lovely scenery and descriptions of fall harvests and wheat planting welcome the
reader closer to the farming life. During the harvest season, the Magic Christmas
Tin, well worn from use, is brought out from its special place. Then the four
grandchildren, Jeanna, Matthew, Talia and Sara Ann, sit with their grandma on the
porch to crack pecans. They worked until the box was filled and then carefully,
respectfully, placed the box in its special place. At Christmas, the box is magically
filled with Christmas Turtles, a yummy chocolate treat for the whole family.
One year, the grandchildren arrive earlier than usual and discover their
grandmother making Christmas Turtles from the pecans they harvested and
shelled. The process was fascinating for them and they could hardly wait to touch
the treats.
When Sara Ann discovered Grandma could not eat the treats, she realized just
how much her Grandmother loved them all. She endured painful hands, back
spasms and throbbing feet – just to see them all enjoy the family tradition of
Christmas Turtles.
Christmas Turtles is a soft, enjoyable view into a warm family tradition. The book
comes with a recipe for families to make their very own Christmas Turtles at home.
Christmas Turtles
Sara Ann Denson & Tara McMillen
Purple Sky Publishing
PO Box 12013, Parkville, MO 64152
0976901765, $16.95 www.purpleskypublishing.com
Children's book illustrator Tara McMillen seamlessly collaborates with children's
book author Sara Ann Denson in "Christmas Turtles", a gentle picturebook story
showcasing the love a grandmother has for her grandchildren through a shared
celebratory experience. Four very curious children discover the magic and love
that are part and parcel of the family Christmas experience on their Grandmother's
farm that ranges from gathering pecans from the ground to helping their
grandmother in the kitchen prepare them as a Christmas treat, and then finally
enjoying the warm chocolate and pecan candy treat as their 'Christmas Turtles' for
the whole family. "Christmas Turtles" is a wonderful addition to the growing library
of Christmas themed picturebooks that can be read and enjoyed all year long!
Picket News - Jennifer Leese / Managing Editor - October 2006
"Christmas Turtles" by Sara Ann Denson is an inspirational story about a
grandmother and her four grandchildren. Denson has done a beautiful job
weaving her memories and true events into a picture book for children.
This charming Christmas story follows the children as they discover the magic and
love that surrounds a special holiday tradition--baking Christmas Turtles.
Denson's tale embraces family, love, and the act of passing on family traditions.
Tara McMillen's charming full color drawings adorn every page. Each family, big
or small, loud or quiet, has their own traditions that are followed more or less
unchanged for a long period of time. Keeping these family traditions alive is
important and should be shared by all family members. Denson's book "Christmas
Turtles" was a pleasure to read and is sure to be a favorite among elementary
grade children, their parents, and their teachers. Included with each book is a
delicious candy recipe and wooden spoon. This reviewer and her three children
highly recommend Denson's wonderful book.
Christmas Turtles by Sara Ann Denson
Publisher: Purple Sky Publishing
ISBN: 0-9769017-6-5
Release: 2006
Price: $16.95
Reviewed by: Jennifer LB Leese
Wee Ones Magazine -Jennifer Reed, Editor - November 2006 Issue
Traditions are what make holidays extra special. Christmas Turtles is a
heartwarming story about a grandmother's yummy tradition at Christmas.
She makes gooey Christmas Turtles each year and shows her grandchildren how
to make them too. Even though she has diabetes and can't eat them, it doesn't
stop her from bringing her family together and sharing a special moment.
Soft colored penciled illustrations gives this book a warm feeling. This book would
be a great way to start your own Christmas tradition too!
Tickle Bugs - October 2006
When I heard the title, CHRISTMAS TURTLES, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Soon
it became clear that this book was about those savory pecan treats covered with
caramel and chocolate. What makes this book special is that uncovers the love
that underlies so much of what is done for children. This is a very simple book and
its lesson is clear – the greatest joy of all is the one from the heart. Adding the
recipe at the end was brilliant, because it takes a special story about others and
allows the readers to adopt it themselves. The colorful patterns of the artwork are
quite merry. This is a worthwhile book for your children, particularly around
Christmastime.
Link-Up Parents - November 2006
Is a beautiful story of a grandmother's love for her family. Inspired by true events,
author Sara Ann Denson, tells the tale with such detail you feel like you were there.
Each fall the grandmother picks the pecans that fall from the trees. When her
grandchildren visit, they shell the nuts, place them in a tin box which stays in the
freezer until Christmastime.
When the children are not around, Grandmother creates wonderful treats with the
pecans along with chocolate and caramel called Christmas Turtles. One Christmas
she decides to let the children in on her secret.
The book comes with a wooden spoon (approximately 12 inches) and at the end of
the story a recipe for Christmas turtles.
TCM Reviews - October 2006
Christmas Turtles is a heart warming story about a sweet family tradition. Every
year, Grandma bakes chocolate turtles (the candy not the animals) for her
grandchildren. Grandma takes a good deal of care and energy to make them from
scratch, from harvesting pecan trees that she has planted for each grandchild to
the delicious finished candies. Christmas Turtles comes complete with a holiday
recipe for Christmas Turtles so that you too can start your own holiday tradition.
Lillian Brummett - November 2006
Inspired by true events and the author’s diabetic Grandmother, Christmas Turtles
is a 32-page festive hardcover book that was released in October 2006. The
winter cabin scene on the protective slipcover is identical to the art on the
hardcover. Perfectly complementing the winter scenery, the book opens to dark
green pages – reminiscent of evergreen mountain forests.
Sara Ann Denson has been a published author since the age of 18. This
accomplished and active woman has won awards for her work as a script and play
writer, and has also enjoyed life as a free-lance writer. She resides in Missouri,
USA along with her husband and their two sons.
Illustrations by Tara McMillen, a former city engineer, are reminiscent of crayon
drawings and bring pleasant feelings from the past of cuddling on the floor with a
favorite coloring book. This artist is known for the large number of murals she was
commissioned to do around Kansas City, Missouri, where the artist, her two
children and husband reside.
Christmas Turtles is a story of one family’s holiday tradition. Pecan trees are
planted on the family farm at the birth of each grandchild, of which there are four.
Lovely scenery and descriptions of fall harvests and wheat planting welcome the
reader closer to the farming life. During the harvest season, the Magic Christmas
Tin, well worn from use, is brought out from its special place. Then the four
grandchildren, Jeanna, Matthew, Talia and Sara Ann, sit with their grandma on the
porch to crack pecans. They worked until the box was filled and then carefully,
respectfully, placed the box in its special place. At Christmas, the box is magically
filled with Christmas Turtles, a yummy chocolate treat for the whole family.
One year, the grandchildren arrive earlier than usual and discover their
grandmother making Christmas Turtles from the pecans they harvested and
shelled. The process was fascinating for them and they could hardly wait to touch
the treats.
When Sara Ann discovered Grandma could not eat the treats, she realized just
how much her Grandmother loved them all. She endured painful hands, back
spasms and throbbing feet – just to see them all enjoy the family tradition of
Christmas Turtles.
Christmas Turtles is a soft, enjoyable view into a warm family tradition. The book
comes with a recipe for families to make their very own Christmas Turtles at home.