Mark Ryan was determined to land the lead role of the drummer boy in the school's Christmas play, "The Little Drummer Boy." After a tense audition against his best friend Tom, Mark wins the part. As the play approaches, Mark gets busy with rehearsals, leaving Tom feeling left out and embarrassed, especially when he had told his family he would be the drummer boy. On the night of the performance, Mark, feeling guilty for his friend, switches places with Tom, giving him the chance to shine. ...

In The Spirit of Christmas, a wise king, ready to step down and crown his son, sends the prince on a journey to discover the true spirit of Christmas. The prince is tasked with finding a beggar by the sea and offering three gifts: a cloak, food, and gold. Along his journey, the prince selflessly gives these gifts to those in need, realizing that Christmas isn't about material gifts but about caring and sharing from the heart. When he meets the beggar, he discovers the beggar is hi...

White Christmas tells the story of Santa's desperate struggle to save Christmas when an unexpected twist of fate causes a year without snow. With no snow, the elves are unmotivated to make toys, and Christmas preparations are at a standstill. Santa discovers that Mother Nature, bored with the usual seasons, rearranged the weather, leaving the world in endless sunshine. After a heart-to-heart with Mother Nature, Santa convinces her to return the seasons to their rightful places. Sn...

In Santa's Workshop, the North Pole is bustling with busy elves as Christmas approaches. But when Santa unveils a high-tech toy-making machine, the elves are skeptical. Santa believes it will speed up toy production and give them more time off, but the machine malfunctions, creating disastrous results. In the end, Santa realizes the elves' hard work and love for making toys is irreplaceable. The elves return to work, and Santa returns to his familiar, jolly self, bringing back the...

Mark and Tom's school was putting on the Drummer Boy for their Christmas program. Mark won the lead role over his best friend, Tom. During the performance Mark learns that Tom really wanted the part and had invited his whole family. Mark switches places with Tom and shows the true meaning of Christmas.

Mark and Tom's school was putting on the Drummer Boy for their Christmas program. Mark won the lead role over his best friend, Tom. During the performance Mark learns that Tom really wanted the part and had invited his whole family. Mark switches places with Tom and shows the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is just around the corner and there is no snow—even at the North Pole. Santa is frantic. The elves are not getting anything done because they are enjoying the warm weather. Santa decides to pay a visit to Mother Nature and find out what is going on. Mother Nature has decided to make it warm all your long everywhere in the world. Santa convinces Mother Nature to put the seasons back how they were and let it snow.

Graceful Lives summarizes the family history and descendents of William and Grace Lassey--parents of the authors. Th ey were both born and raised in western North Dakota, where their parents homesteaded in the early 20th Century. Th eir younger married years were a major challenge, as they tried to make a living on a farm in the depths of the Great Depression, while raising their children. Th ey overcame great odds to eventually prosper, while contributing mightily to their family, communi...

Stories of war and conflict form the backbone of much of the Western literary canon, portraying a certain image of heroism, stoicism, and survival in the face of violence. War and Imagination challenges the canon with essays, short stories, and a wide variety of perspectives.Paying particular attention to the twentieth century and prioritizing the writings of civilians, the works highlighted in War and Imagination offer an opportunity to challenge representations ...