145 pages
20 black and white illustrations
Read a Sample
By Amy Puetz Fox

What happens when Noel is transported to a delightful Victorian Christmas Village?

She discovers a world more wonderful and delightful than ever imagined. Noel is taken in by the kindly Goforth family of Sunshine Cottage and helps them keep Christmas surprises. These simple delights are upset when the prince mysteriously disappears. As Noel and her friends search for him, their efforts reveal a villain and an evil plot, which will require all their courage to overcome.

This story, written in vintage style, explores the themes of love, loyalty, self-sacrifice, and the true Christmas spirit.

This book contains stories that will help you celebrate all the summer holidays, although Mother’s Day is not technically in the summer it’s pretty close and I couldn’t include Father’s Day and neglect Mother’s Day.

Here are the holiday’s included that have three day countdowns:

Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May)
Memorial Day (the last Monday in May)
Father’s Day (the third Sunday in June)
Flag Day (June 14)

For Mother’s Day and Father’s Day the countdown is Friday, Saturday, and the Sunday of the holiday. Memorial Day has a countdown on Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day. Flag Day has a countdown for June 12, 13, and 14.

Then for Independence Day there is a two week countdown starting on June 21. One of the most fascinating parts of the book are short historical biographies of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence. As you read the daily stories leading to Independence Day the biographies are sidebars that can be read before or after the story. It’s so inspiring to read about the real men who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for freedom and how many of them gave their lives and their fortunes for that cause. If you are looking for a book that celebrates virtue and character this would be a great book to include in your summer reading.

Create Special Memories this Summer!
Do the summer holidays slip by before you have a chance to really celebrate them? Are the summer months so full you don’t have time to sit back and relax? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this wonderful book will brighten your family’s summer.

Imagine your family reading a heart-warming holiday story and then participating in a fun activity together during the summer months. This will be made simple for you with Summer Countdown! The book is broken up into daily sections. Each day has a story and an activity that will take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Some of the stories included are:

• “Earning the Flag” by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
• “Emily Geiger’s Ride” by Benson John Lossing
• “An Escape from a Prison Ship” by Everett Titsworth Tomlinson
• “John Paul Jones” by Albert Blaisdell
• “Letter to His Son” by Theodore Roosevelt
• “The Only Son of His Mother” by Florence Morse Kingsley
• “The Parshley Celebration” by Sarah Orne Jewett
• “The Prodigal Son” retold by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut

Most of the stories in this book were written in the 1800s and early 1900s. Some of the language may seem old fashioned, but this only adds to their charm! Many of these stories have not been reprinted since their first publication, and are just waiting to be rediscovered by a whole new generation. Summer Countdown will appeal to any age group, but children ages 6-14 will enjoy it the most. Each story can be used to teach important lessons to your children. Reading aloud as a family will open up wonderful opportunities for discussions and conversations.

The activities include:

• Games
• Crafts
• Cooking
• Quizzes
• Patriotic Songs
• Short biographies of the Signers of the Declaration

Countdown to Summer is one book in the Countdown Series. See all four!

Free Bonus Material
The Declaration of Independence
$1.50 Free
The unabridged reading of the Declaration from Listen to Some U.S. History that is a companion to Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum.
8 minutes, MP3 download

Freedom Founded
$1.50 Free
Learn about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This chapter from Uncover Exciting History by Amy Puetz Fox and read by Jim Hodges has short biographies about five of the signers.
9 minutes, MP3 download

Summer Countdown Bonus Ebook
$1.50 Free
Ebook copy of the countdown to Mother’s Day, printable pages from the book, and quotes and poems for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Create Special Memories this Thanksgiving!

Do you long to make this Thanksgiving the best holiday you have ever had? Do you long to slow down and just enjoy Thanksgiving as our ancestors did?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this wonderful book will brighten your family’s Thanksgiving. Countdown to Thanksgiving has family friendly stories and activities for every day for two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Imagine your family reading a heart-warming Thanksgiving story each day and then participating in a fun activity together. This will be made simple for you with Countdown to Thanksgiving! The book is broken up into daily sections. Each day has a story and an activity that will take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Some of the stories included are:
“Helen’s Thanksgiving” by Susan Coolidge
“Why He Carried the Turkey” by James Baldwin
“How Obadiah Brought About Thanksgiving” by Emily Hewitt Leland
“The Mother of Thanksgiving” by Amy Puetz
“A Mystery in the Kitchen” by Olive Thorne Miller
“Squanto” by Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Ball
“The Story of Massasoit” by Robert Mackenzie
“Turning the Thanksgiving Tables” by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

Most of the stories in this book were written in the 1800s and early 1900s. Some of the language may seem old fashioned, but this only adds to their charm! Many of these stories have not been reprinted since their first publication, and are just waiting to be rediscovered by a whole new generation. Countdown to Thanksgiving will appeal to any age group, but children ages 6–14 will enjoy it the most. Each story can be used to teach important lessons to your children. Reading aloud as a family will open up wonderful opportunities for discussions and conversations. The activities include: Games, Crafts, Cooking, a Quiz, Thanksgiving Songs, etc. This book will help families grow closer together.

Make this Thanksgiving memorable with Countdown to Thanksgiving.
 1 Free Bonus Ebook

Countdown to Thanksgiving Bonus Ebook by Amy Puetz

E-book
22 pages
Price $0.99 FREE
Want even more? In the bonus book you will find printable pages from Countdown to Thanksgiving, 15 coloring pages, and a calendar that you can use to countdown the days until Thanksgiving.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I would like to offer you a wonderful book that will brighten your family’s Christmas. Countdown to Christmas has family-friendly stories and activities for every day from December 1st to the 25th. Imagine your family reading a Christmas story each day and then participating in a fun activity together. This will be made simple for you with Countdown to Christmas! The book is broken up into daily sections. Each day has a story and an activity that will take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Some of the stories included are:

• “Becky’s Christmas Dream” By Louisa May Alcott
• “The Fir-Tree” By Hans Christian Andersen
• “The Star” By Florence M. Kingsley
• “The Conscience-Pudding” By E. Nesbit
• “Saint Nicholas” adapted By Amy Puetz
• “Why the Chimes Rang” By Raymond MacDonald Alden
• “Christmas Every Day” By W.D. Howells
• “Wenceslas” By Amy Puetz
• “Christmas Storms and Sunshine” By Elizabeth Gaskell
• “Christmas Far From Home” By Amy Puetz
• “Trusty’s Christmas” By Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
• “A Story of the Christ-Child” By Elizabeth Harkison
• “Getting a Christmas for the Little Ones” By Margaret Sidney
• “The Legend of Babouscka” adapted from a Russian Tale
• “The First Christmas Tree” By Eugene Field
• “The Shepherd’s Story” By Washington Gladden
• “The Christmas Story” from Matthew & Luke

Most of the stories in this book were written in the 1800s and early 1900s. Some of the language may seem old fashioned, but this only adds to their charm! Many of these stories have not been reprinted since their first publication, and are just waiting to be rediscovered by a whole new generation. Countdown to Christmas will appeal to any age group, but children ages 6-14 will enjoy it the most. Each story can be used to teach important lessons to your children. Reading aloud as a family will open up wonderful opportunities for discussions and conversations. The activities include: Games, Crafts, Cooking, Riddles, Quizzes, Singing Carols, etc. This book will help families grow closer together.

What is the difference between the ebook and printed copy of Countdown to Christmas?
The printed book has a black and white interior and the ebook has some color pictures. The stories and information are exactly the same.

(Corrections page)

You might also enjoy Christmas in Caroltown Village by Amy Puetz Fox

Do you feel that the spiritual significance of Easter has been overshadowed by commercialism? Do you see that Easter candy and the Easter Bunny have become the focus of this holiday? Are you ready to get back to the true meaning of Easter?

Get ready to experience a new side of Easter—the one celebrated by people for hundreds of years. Countdown to Easter has family friendly stories and activities for every day from the Monday before Palm Sunday to Easter. Imagine your family gathering each day, reading an Easter story, and then participating in a fun activity. This can become a reality with Countdown to Easter. The book is broken up into daily sections. Each day has a story and an activity that should take about 30 to 45 minutes to go through.

Some of the stories included are:

• “Easter Eggs” by Christoph Von Schmid
• “An Easter Snow Storm” by P. Kitty Koudacheff
• “Finding Easter” by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
• “The General’s Easter Box” by Temple Bailey
• “Harold’s Happy Easter” by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
• “A Lesson of Faith” by Mrs. Julia Cowles
• “The Loveliest Rose in the World” by Hans Christian Andersen
• “Love Triumphant” by Florence Morse Kingsley
• “Miss Rebecca’s Easter Blossoms” by Harriet A. Nash
• “The Nazarene” by Lew Wallace
• “Playmates in Egypt” by Elma Ehrlich Levinger

The delightful stories in this book were written in the 1800s and early 1900s. Many of these stories have not been reprinted for many years and are just waiting to be rediscovered by a whole new generation. Countdown to Easter will appeal to a large age group, but children from 6-14 will probably enjoy it the most. The activities include: crafts, cooking, riddles, quizzes, singing hymns, games, and more. This book will help families grow closer together.

Countdown to Easter Bonus E-book by Amy Puetz Fox
24 pages
Price $0.99 FREE
Want even more? In the bonus e-book you will find more Easter Hymns, 14 coloring pages, and a calendar that you can use to countdown the days until Easter.

An Old Fashioned Easter E-book compiled by Amy Puetz Fox
18 pages
Price $0.99 FREE
In this ebook there are two extra stories for you to enjoy.

Listen to some short radio clips from Pilgrim Radio:

• How to make matzo bread
• Egg hunt ideas
• Easter baskets
• Easter cards
• Hymns for Easter
• Easter Eggs