E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker, narrated by Derek Jacobi; with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's ballet, arranged for brass septet and performed by Septura (= seven members of the brass sections of Britain's leading orchestras):

One of my Christmas gifts for my mom this year: it got here just in time and since she opened the package not realizing it was addressed to me, we already listened to it this morning.  Christmas couldn't have gotten off to a more charming start!

Excerpts from all parts of the recording (both narration and music) here: https://naxos.lnk.to/8574157ID

In this touching video created by The Chicago Lighthouse, photographer and author Larry Broutman shares his inspiration for creating the children’s book, Chicago Treasure, and what the process taught him about what inclusion truly means. Diverse children take the lead roles in classic fairytales and nursery rhymes when photographs of the kids are digitally imposed with colorful fairytale illustration backgrounds by Rich Green. Local children and their parents explain why seeing their faces in the pages of this book is so meaningful. Interspersed throughout are scenes from the Chicago Treasure Book Launch where 250 Chicagoans came to The Chicago Lighthouse to celebrate the release of this enchanting book.

Book themes for Festivus: Read anything comedic; a parody, satire, etc. Books with hilariously dysfunctional families (must be funny dysfunctional, not tragic dysfunctional). Anything that makes you laugh (or hope it does).

On Christmas, can there possibly a better choice?

Homemade Love by J. California Cooper

Danielle (@OneSmallPaw) discussing Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin in her 3rd video of the Series