Contact:
Stephanie Mayabb
(512) 478-2028 ext. 203
smayabb@phenixpublicity.com
Karen Kingsbury reminds kids of the real meaning of Christmas
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (October 7, 2008) – In a 2006 study by the BBC, fewer than half of the children surveyed said Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. And if you ask a child in the U.S. what Christmas means, you’re likely to hear a commercialized version: Rudolph, the Grinch and Santa Claus. With all the distractions of the glamorized season, it’s no surprise that so many families have lost touch with the true meaning of Christmas.
This fall, USA Today and New York Times-featured bestselling novelist, Karen Kingsbury, peels away glitz of the consumer-driven holiday and equips families with a tool to help them capture Christmas’ true meaning and make it shine brighter than just a time for presents.
Her new picture book, We Believe in Christmas 
(Zonderkidz, October 2008, 978-0-310-71212-1, $16.99), reveals the real meaning of Christmas. The mother of six, Kingsbury helps other parents teach children about the symbols of all their most beloved Christmas traditions such as why we place the star on the Christmas tree, the meaning of “Silent Night” and other biblical truths behind traditional celebrations.
Daniel Brown’s original illustrations help kids reflect on the meaning of Christmas throughout the season. Out-of-town guests remind them of travelers in Jesus’ day. “Silent night” invokes thoughts about the night Jesus was born. The Christmas tree reminds them of the cross where Jesus died and the placing of the star on the tree reminds them of the star that shone on that special night.
Over the years, Kingsbury’s beloved Christmas stories have become family reading traditions, alongside timeless favorites like Frosty the Snowman and The Polar Express. Her 2006 Red Gloves Books inspired nationwide community service phenomenon, the Red Gloves Project. Groups of families and friends, co-workers, churches, and Scout troops donned red gloves to symbolize Christ’s love as they gave back to the lonely and hurting a Christmastime.
In an interview, Kingsbury can discuss topics such as:
- Making holiday shopping fun and meaningful for your kids
- How to encourage charitable giving in your children during the holidays
- Tips for celebrating the true meaning of Christmas
- Simple ways to teach kids the meaning of popular Christmas traditions
To schedule an interview or to receive a review copy, please contact Stephanie Mayabb at (512) 478-2028 ext. 203 or smayabb@phenixpublicity.com.
Karen Kingsbury is America’s favorite inspirational novelist with over 10 million books in print. Her signature “Life-Changing Fiction” has produced multiple bestsellers, including Between Sundays, Even Now, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning and Ever After, which was named the 2007 Christian Book of the Year. An award-winning author and newly published songwriter, Kingsbury has had several movies optioned for production and her Christmas novel, Gideon’s Gift, is under production as a major motion picture release slated for 2007. Kingsbury lives in Washington with her husband, Don, and their six children, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. Learn more at www.karenkingsbury.com.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).
Zonderkidz™, a division of
Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning
Bibles,
books,
board books,
graphic novels,
audio,
video, and
digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the
NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the
NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at
www.zonderkidz.com.
