It is 1940, the time of the Phoney War. Britain stands alone with German invaders waiting across the Channel and an anxious population preparing for the bloody battle ahead. In an isolated girls' boarding school, sixteen-year-old Judy Randall watches the coming of war with a mixture of fascination and fear. She is a misfit in an institution that prizes conformity; a Catholic with Jewish heritage at a time when anti-Semitism is still commonplace. Most inconveniently of all, she is autistic, and her behavior is misunderstood as merely eccentric and insolent.

Bored and frustrated by her inability to help the war effort, Judy becomes obsessed with the idea that her hated headmistress is a Nazi, and she goes to increasingly reckless lengths to prove her theory. In the meantime, the adults of the school busy themselves with planning how best to protect the children in their care if occupying forces overrun the country. For teacher John Peterson, who has seen armed conflict before, his own agonizing history forces him to consider what sacrifices he might have to make if the horrors of the war overtake them all.

A Most Dangerous Innocence offers a glimpse into the early days of the Second World War, seen from a sleepy corner of Britain. It is also a meditation on childhood guilt, innocence, loyalty, and the courage to stand alone.

In his books and articles, Thomas Howard has never been one to shy away from controversy. While attending the Evangelical Church of his parents and teaching English at an Evangelical college, Howard wrote his provocative best seller Evangelical is Not Enough. Soon after entering the Anglican Communion, Howard began asking the kinds of questions that would eventually lead him into the Roman Catholic Church.

Throughout his pilgrimage of faith, Howard wrote numerous thought-provoking yet respectful articles on a wide range of topics for both Protestant and Catholic publications, gaining him a wide and loyal following. Known for his wit and charm, Howard also was a sought after speaker for conferences and college graduations. Due to a request made by one of his faithful, this collection of Howard's best material has now been published.

Liturgical reform and sacred architecture, women's ordination and hierarchical authority, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien — these and many other topics of interest to Protestants and Catholics alike are tackled by Howard with his characteristic thoughtfulness in these articles and speeches that span more than twenty years of his prolific career.

Tomie dePaola’s glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the celebration, has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and a woman no one knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously disappear at the end before they can be thanked. That night we witness a Christian miracle, for when Sister Angie goes to the cathedral she realizes who saved the Las Posadas procession.

Both young and old will enjoy the story behind the writing of the famous Christmas song. "Silent Night." Beautiful artwork will give everyone a festive feeling and keep the younger children fascinated while they listen. The family or church group can rejoice together as they sing the traditional hymn together. Hardcover.

Get cozy this holiday season with the enchanting tale of The Night Before Christmas. This spellbinding story book, captured in the #1 New York Times bestselling edition, breathes life into the magic of Santa Claus. The beautifully crafted hardcover features an embossed cover and an enticing four-page foldout, making it an ideal Christmas gift!

With this beloved story you can carry on a cherished family tradition, or perhaps begin your own. Gather your loved ones for a read-aloud on Christmas Eve as anticipation for Santa and his reindeer builds.

The classic edition includes:

• The elegantly designed hardcover with a stunning, embossed foil-stamped cover
• A vast four-page foldout to transport you into the narrative
• Classic, vintage-inspired illustrations by Charles Santore, a celebrated artist and New York Times #1 bestseller
• The treasured poem by Clement Clark Moore
• A tribute to Dutch references in the poem, including the Dutch name "Donder" for one of the reindeer
  
  

The Night Before Christmas — the perfect choice for family read-alouds or festive get-togethers, and an enchanting holiday or Christmas gift that children of all ages will cherish. Known for his gorgeous interpretations of classic children's stories such as Aesop's Fables, The Velveteen Rabbit, and The Classic Tale of Peter Rabbit, Charles Santore's illustrations add a touch of brilliance to this timeless tale.