One of my favorite things about the holidays is pulling out my collection of Christmas books that I’ve gathered over the last 19 years of being a mom. I am excited to add a new, totally adorable, totally unique holiday book for kids: Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein. I was given a copy of the new book to read with my own family, as well as a copy (and Bundle Up Prize Pack) to share with a lucky reader. All thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links used within this post.
My family lives in a very diverse area, and I love that my kids have had the chance to grow up surrounded by people who look, think, and believe differently than they do. It makes life so much more colorful and interesting. Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein addresses the diversity so many of us experience…from a sweet little girl’s perspective. She loves her Jewish family and heritage but she watches longingly as her friends and neighbors all celebrate Christmas. With her child-like faith, she finally writes a letter to Santa and waits eagerly to see what happens….
I think this is a beautiful story, not just for Jewish kids, but for all kids, regardless of their faith or their heritage, because it helps remind us all that our differences are what make us unique and give us our identity – and that’s something to celebrate!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Actress Amanda Peet brings us a hilarious holiday drama in a story that every Jewish family will relate to and appreciate.
Rachel Rosenstein wonders why Santa Claus never visits her house. But this year is going to be different–even though her family is Jewish and doesn’t observe Christmas. With hilarious and heartwarming mishaps, Rachel visits Santa at the mall with her special request, writes a letter to Santa explaining her cause, and clandestinely decorates the house on Christmas Eve (right down to latkes for the reindeer). And while Rachel may wrestle with her culture, customs, and love of sparkly Christmas ornaments, she also comes away with a brighter understanding of her own identity and of the gift of friends and family.
Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein is geared towards ages 3-7, but fun for all ages (my 10 and 12 year olds both loved it). It is written by Amanda Peet and Andrea Troyer; illustrated by Christine Davenier and it’s available now!
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
Amanda Peet is an actress and playwright. Her first play, “The Commons of Pensacola,” starring Blythe Danner and Sarah Jessica Parker, opened to critical acclaim in 2014 at Manhattan Theater Club. A native of New York, Peet graduated from Columbia University with a degree in American History. She has appeared in numerous films, including “Please Give,” “Syriana,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” and “The Whole Nine Yards.” She also starred in the TV series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” and the Broadway revival of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park.” Peet stars in a new comedy series, “Togetherness” for HBO, debuting in fall 2014.
Andrea Troyer grew up in Minnesota and received an MFA from the University of California, Irvine. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two young boys.
Christine Davenier is the illustrator of many children’s books, including Julie Andrews’s “The Very Fairy Princess” series. She lives in Paris, France.
Learn more at PenguinRandomHouse.com #RachelRosenstein #XmasEnvy
Enter to Win a BUNDLE UP Prize Pack
One winner will receive:
- A copy of Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein
- A warm set of kid’s gloves, scarf, and hat.
Note: Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Penguin Random House. This giveaway will run through Tuesday, November 24 at 11:59 pm ET, after which a winner will be drawn at random and notified via email. Good luck!
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We go all out for Christmas.I am waiting for the day after Thanksgiving to start decorating the house. Thank you
My favorite is the entire family going to my parent’s home on Christmas Eve for a big meal & gift exchange!
My favorite holiday is Christmas/Hanukkah. Since we are a multi-faith family we celebrate both in different ways making sure that we honor both holiday traditions.
It’s not a winter holiday, but my fave is my youngest son’s Birthday. It is in January & we celebrate big :)
My favorite winter holiday is Christmas! I start listening to the music right after Thanksgiving and decorate on the first of December. I enjoy every sight, aroma and sound of the season as often as I can do so!
We enjoy Christmas. We celebrate Christmas Eve with extended family and friends over at my grandmother’s house where we enjoy snacks and play games. Christmas Day we invite family over for brunch, exchange presents, and sometimes watch movies together.
My favorite winter holiday is New Year’s Eve. My family usually hosts friends and family over and have great food and fun. It always feels like a new fresh beginning that night.
I love christmas has always been my absolute favorite holiday of all time
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love to give presents and see my family smile!
We celebrate Christmas. Santa comes and leaves things in our stockings and on Christmas morning we wait until everyone is awake to open our presents. My kids are all grown but they come home and we still celebrate the way we always have.
I love Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. I just wish I could see some snow.
I like Halloween and my husband prefers Christmas.
My Favorite Winter Holiday Is Christmas, We Celebrate With A Christmas Dinner And Gathering.
I love Christmas, decorating the house, driving around and seeing Christmas lights and the kids faces on christmas
We celebrate by going to church on Christmas Eve. And we usually open one gift on Christmas Eve also.
I love Christmas!! It’s my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it from the lights, music, Holiday baking, Christmas shopping, wrapping and even the snow as long as it is not a bad snow storm. We go over to my parent’s house and open gufts. Then have dinner and go out driving to look at all the Christmas lights that people have up on their houses.
My favorite is definitely Christmas because its lovely to have the timeto spend with family.
I love Christmas. I love what it represents and how our family comes together. Its about being together, not the gifts. Thank you!
We celebrate Christmas by visiting family, enjoying yummy foods and giving thoughtful gifts!
i love christmas. it is the one day we get together. we do peel and eat shrimp at midnight and drink and eat a bunch!
We love Christmas! We do the traditional dinner, tree, etc and really have fun decorating!
We celebrate Chistmas, but Thanksgiving is my favorite winter holiday (if that counts- I guess it’s not technically winter. :)).
We celebrate Christmas in our family. Our tradition is to go see Santa every year and take pictures with him. We then get a tree and decorate together while listening to Christmas music. We open up presents Christmas Eve and play with toys all day Christmas :) Thanks for the chance to win! Julie smartsavvymama@gmail.com
We celebrate Christmas and have get together on CHristmas eve were the kids wear pj’s and we eat and play games.
We enjoy a family Christmas. We celebrate on Christmas Eve. Santa comes and checks on the kids in bed, and delivers the presents, then leaves and the kids get up and we all open presents.
My favorite is Christmas Eve, because we have a long standing tradition of waffles for dinner.
I actually dont celebrate any winter holidays, because not part of those religions..and as for New years, we just end up not doing anyhing naturally. ;) Wish I had a better answer but I don’t.
We celebrate Christmas.