Mary EngelbreitRezensionen

Season

I had resolved never to buy another cross stitch book, absolutely not, nope. But the adorable cross stitched faces on the topsy turvey doll (one cross and one cheerful) won me over. This is a remarkably versatile book. Engelbreit's designs are charted into large cross stitch pictures, and smaller elements are turned into sweet little gifts and mathoms like the doll, as well as a gorgeous fabric gift bag, picture frames, and many other items. The theme is friendship and accordingly, the cross stitcher is encouraged to express feelings of affection without mortgaging all her free time for the next year, or two, or five. Excellent book for the patterns, for the information on how to finish items, and for the inspiration that might have you turning parts of other patterns into keepsakes and useful gifts.

The pages are a bit cluttered for my taste, but if you're a Mary Engelbreit fan, you're sure to enjoy this glimpse into her Christmas-decorated home.

A lovely gift for your child's favorite teacher, it is an appreciation of all teachers: people, books, nature, life. The illustrations, as always, are maybe not "high" art, but are joyful and pleasing.

Very Clever. Each month of the calendar has a scene to use as a play backdrop for the dolls. Each month has outfits to go along with seasonal activities.

A gift for a gardener, well, not any gardener. It is a gardener that gardens out of love: for the family, for the butterflies, for the enjoyment of nature. It is for an older gardener, one who loves quilts and warm sunny patios and sweet, hot tea and beautifully, detailed picture books.½

Another sweet book of illustrations by Mary Engelbreit about friendship. I wonder if she's ever done illustrations for other people's books?½

It seems silly to write a review of a calendar (date book), but I like this one because it can be used on any year -- that is, the dates are not linked to the day of the week. I suppose it is not really a calendar, but a way of keeping track of special days -- like birthdays and anniversaries. I got it at a used book store, and thought it hadn't been used and so could be given as a gift, but later I found there were two entries. One on September 15 said "Daniel's birthday" and the other on May 1st says "My birthday". A Mayday birthday seems very special, and I began to wonder who Daniel was to the prior owner of the book... Anyway, the pages have a full-page whimsical Mary Engelbreit illustration on the left-hand side, and six days (with lovely borders) on the right-side. Quite lovely. I think I will use it to note down people's birthdates as I seem, more and more, to be forgetting them.

A fun rhyming story that uses the alphabet to seek the magic and love of the holidays.
#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +26

This picture book is both advice for newlyweds as well a memento of a long-lived partnership. A lovely tiny gift in place of a card for anniversaries or weddings.½

Lovely sentiments about motherhood and about mothers with her usual heart-warming illustrations.½

Another cute book of Engelbriet's illustrations, but unlike the other little books, I'm not sure who you would give this to. The rest of the little books have a theme or event for which the book would make a nice little gift (mother's day, new baby, newlyweds, etc.). This one is rather random. Nevertheless, nice pictures.

I am a big fan of Mary Engelbreit's drawings. They seem simple, but have a wonderfully enchanting way of enmeshing you into their world. This little book is a birthday card plus, as I've said before. I think a collection of all her drawings would make really lovely screensavers. Every 5 minutes flashing a new picture and encouraging words.½

Lovely reminder of the joys of motherhood and the love of mother. Engelbreit's illustrations are so simple and full of whimsy, and yet detailed enough to keep you looking at the borders and background in awe of her imagination.½

Mary Engelbreit's little books are like extended greeting cards: they are gifts of words and pictures for someone on some occasion. This one's focus is encouragement. It is more permanent than a card, it can be read over and over whenever you are feeling in need of some support without being mushy or didactic, and the pictures are beautiful. I like this one very much.

I've collected Mary Engelbreit's little books for a long time. I love her drawings -- so simple and sweet. Each one has an uplifting saying about friendship or nature or industriousness or home or love. This particular little book includes recipes. The recipes are also simple and sweet -- garden classics: soups and salads mostly. Once I thought about getting rid of them, after all, once you've gone through one (all of 5 minutes), it just sits on your shelf... but I can't and I won't. They bring me joy when I look at them, even if only once every other year.½

Poetry, carols, excerpts from longer works, a few short stories, and information about Christmas customs here and abroad, all lavishly illustrated by Mary Engelbreit.

Love Mary's art...especially her Christmas art. This book is full of all her Christmas art from over the years. What a treasure!

Near fine condition. Dust jacket very good condition; price has been snipped off one corner.

This story is about a little girl who writes a very long Christmas list. She realizes that even without getting everything she wanted, she was still happy. “It’s not just the presents that matter,” she says to her parents. This is a great Christmas picture book.

Story and illustrations by Mary Engelbreit, the famous artist, illustrator and craft master. This is one of the Ann Estelle stories. Ann created the most special Valentine mailbox, but forgets to make cards.

Wonderful book for the season

A gorgeous compilation of Mary Engelbreit Santa illustrations. A fun Christmas book for kids, adults, and those who can't get enough Santa!

The story of the birth of Jesus is told through the eyes of children in Mary Englebreit’s newest book for Christmas, A Night of Great Joy. The familiar story will engage your child as he or she sees it performed in a children’s play. I loved the beautifully detailed illustrations Englebreit is known for as the children endeavor to share the story with their audience. Be on the lookout for kids acting like kids — shepherds fighting over a lamb and kids giggling. This book is homey and cute as it tells the story that changed the world. A Night of Great Joy is a wonderful addition to your family reading this season.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 4+.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Ann Estelle is excited about her Halloween costume. She is the fairy queen. Her friend Michael is a pirate. Together they are going trick-or-treating. Even though Michael doesn’t think they need grown-ups, Ann Estelle’s father comes along. The night is really dark, and there are lots of ghosts and witches running around. Ann Estelle and Michael get lots of candy and treats until they come upon the very last house. It is scarier than the rest, and Ann Estelle’s father doesn’t go with them. All they have to do is walk up to the house and ring the doorbell. Will the two friends have the courage to complete the task? Together they find out that being brave has its rewards.

The Bottom Line: Filled with Mary Engelbreit’s signature illustrations, this charming and vibrant Halloween book is a winner. Little ones who are just a tiny bit afraid to go trick-or-treating in the dark will identify with Ann Estelle and her friend. Highly recommended reading for kids ages 4 – 8.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.

The Blessings of Friendship, created by New York Times bestselling author and artist Mary Engelbreit, is a playful and poignant treasury of poetry, Bible verses, and quotes that celebrate the joy of friendship.