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

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?

Give your child more than just another fictional story or a Harry Potter story. Here is a book by Christopher Conroy that will empower your child. Anzard, is the best gift that you could give your child and impress them.

WRIC Virginia.  ABC news.  Coach Kevin and Back to School.

This is a cute story. The video was uploaded to YouTube by the author. On a Web post of his he states that it is okay to share the video. It is a narrated version of the complete book. My kids thought it was pretty neat that the pages turn as the story progresses. The narrator does a decent job, but I think it could have done without the music. It takes about two to three minutes to read and perfect for nights when you are time swamped but still want to have story time.

I rated the book itself, not YouTube video.

I recieved a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review from Story Cartel.