It is finally out and will be in stores in late October.

Last October I was invited to a holiday gathering of a local PEO Chapter in Shelburne,VT. At that time Susan Kapsalis, now the chapter president, read this wonderful story. As she was reading, I was envisioning illustrations done by Bert Dodson, who we had done another children’s Christmas book with in 2009, Favor Johnson: A Christmas Story.

After the presentations I asked Susan where she had found this story, for if it was a book that existed I wanted to get it for all my grandchildren. She told me that it was a story circulating on the internet and that the author was unknown. After some research I did locate the story on various websites, all the time getting more excited. I then did a copyright search at the Library of Congress and could not find one, it was meant to be and I could publish this book. I would title it Helping Santa: My First Christmas Adventure with Grandma.

Before I got into publishing, and had more time on my hands, I was able to volunteer at a daytimes women’s shelter in Boston, MA, The Womens Lunch Place. I really had been missing that good feeling one gets when one reaches out, giving and caring about those less fortunate. The basic message of this book was just that, a little boy buys a coat for a classmate who needs one in order to be able to play outside at recess. I wanted to find a charitable organization with that premise. More research, I do love the internet, brought me to Sherri Lewis Wood and her foundation One Warm Coat . I initially left a phone message hoping it would be picked up. Not too worry, she got back to me 5 minutes later, the first of many conversations. A new friendship was made and partnership formed to get the message out so that no one should go without a warm coat this winter. A portion of the royalties generated by the sale of this book will be going to One Warm Coat. Sherri’s conviction for what she is doing and her immediate understanding of how this book can be used as a vehicle to further her cause was exciting.

It made me very happy when Bert Dodson agreed to do the illustrations, I think partly because he enjoyed my enthusiasm for the project, for he has a demanding schedule. His watercolors bring the story and all its endearing characters to life. Bert works with live models and actual locations to achieve the level of realism his illustrations portray. He used an existing store, Hill’s 5 & 10, in Bradford, VT where his studio is so I thought as a small show of gratitude we would change the stores name from that which was in the original story. Other than that the text pretty much remains as I first heard it, a powerful little story with a big message.

I can’t wait until November when I can bring out this beautiful book and read to my 8 little granddaughters!

One Warm Coat started out in 1992 as a Thanksgiving Weekend coat drive in San Francisco.

Since then, more than 1 Million coats have been donated in thousands of local communities across North America. Each coat drive has the same intent — to collect coats that will be GIVEN to those in need.

Many people play a part in One Warm Coat – those who clean their closet to donate coats; those who organize a coat drive in their community; and the volunteers and staff at social service agencies who distribute the coats.

• One Warm Coat is a simple, easy way to help those in need within local communities.
• One Warm Coat provides tools and resources to help volunteers in the collection of clean, reusable coats for donation to individuals.
• One Warm Coat strives to develop and nurture volunteerism in all of us.

Our dream is that One Warm Coat becomes a part of the American lifestyle. When a coat is no longer needed, people will think of One Warm Coat. They will make their donation knowing that children, women and men in need will receive a gift of a warm coat.

 

List Price: 17.95
Sale Price: 15.25
Savings of 15%

DESCRIPTION

Grandmas are wise beyond their years and often give us memories to cherish for the rest of our lives. Helping Santa: My First Christmas Adventure With Grandma is the story of one of those enchanting moments.

Told there is no Santa by his older sister, the narrator recalls rushing off to consult with his Grandma who, he was sure, “would be straight with him.”  After roundly and immediately declaring the idea that Santa might not exist to be wholly and absolutely “ridiculous”, she challenges him to become one of Santa’s helpers, and suggests he buy and deliver a gift to someone who really needs it. Thus he learns, as the adventure unfolds, the true meaning of Christmas and what Santa Claus is really all about.

Their adventure, in which a gift is found, a needy recipient located and the good deed accomplished by our hero and his Grandma, is brought to life by Bert Dodson‘s wonderful watercolors capturing all the charm and warmth that the story holds

This popular and for many now a traditional Christmas story exists on the internet and has no author that can be traced to date.

However, not knowing who first told this tale does not lessen the message, which fully encompasses the spirit of Christmas and reassures us that we never have to stop believing in Santa Claus. In the spirit of this belief, we have chosen to contribute to a nationwide organization whose mission is that everyone who needs a warm coat can get one in his or her hometown, easily, free of charge. We will be giving a percentage of the monies earned from the sale of this book to One Warm Coat to support their work.

ENDORSEMENTS

Robin Roberts, co-anchor ABC’s Good Morning America - “A sweet story that beautifully illustrates how a simple act of generosity can have an immeasurable impact. We can all learn something from this incredibly uplifting tale.”

REVIEW

PRODUCT DETAILS

Hardcover: 32 pages, 30 illustrations
ISBN-13: 978-1-59373-093-2
Language: English

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Bert Dodson is a painter, teacher, author and illustrator. He has illustrated over 80 books for children . He is the author of Keys To Drawing ( North Light Books, 1985), Keys to Drawing with Imagination, (2006) and NUKE A Book of Cartoons, vols. I and II.( McFarland and Co., 1986 and 1988). He co-authored, with noted biologist, Mahlon Hoagland, The Way Life Works ( Times Books, 1995), and Intimate Strangers; The Story of Unseen Life on Earth (ASM Press, 1999, Needam, et all). He was animation designer for the four part PBS television series, Intimate Strangers (1998). He illustrated over 30 opera stories for children, a series commissioned by The New York Metropolitan Opera.

No shows booked at the moment.

We are delighted to now offer Favor Johnson’s Fruitcake. The Favor Johnson Fruitcake is a sweet spicy holiday treat, a great gift for your neighbors or yourself. Purchase Favor Johnson written by Willem Lange and a fruitcake for a family close to you. Favor Johnson Fruitcake is all natural. Made by Old Cavendish, absolutely packed full of real fruits and nuts, slow baked, drenched with liqueurs, then cooled to perfection. Wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

[wpsc_products product_id='48']

[wpsc_products product_id='47']

[wpsc_products product_id='26']

Bunker Hill Publishing has joined with Old Canvendish to make the Favor Johnson Fruitcake. Taking the ingrediants that Willem Lange mentions in his book, Favor Johnson. We have created the Favor Johnson Fruitcake, an all natural sweet and spicy holiday treat. The fruitcake is available for purchase on our website and in many stores in New England.

Old Cavendish Products comes to you from the heart of Vermont. We’ve been a family run business since 1986 and are committed to providing only the finest in Vermont Specialty Foods.

Using time-tested recipes and wholesome, preservative free ingredients, we are proud to offer you our Old Cavendish Fruitcake, three garden fresh Herb Vinegars and our famous Vermont Volcano Mustard.e invite you to share the tradition of Old Cavendish quality with family and friends by purchasing a Favor Johnson Fruitcake today.

We invite you to share the tradition of Old Cavendish quality with family and friends by purchasing a Favor Johnson Fruitcake today.

List Price: $16.95
Sale Price: $14.41
Savings of 15 %

DESCRIPTION

With all the elements of a classic American winter folktale, Favor Johnson: A Christmas Story has been a favorite Vermont Public Radio story for twenty-five years and is now a bright and lively picture book. Favor Johnson is a compelling curmudgeon, a loner who lives on a farm with his livestock and faithful dog. One cold night near Christmas, Favor finds his outlook on life forever changed by the kindness of a neighbor and is coaxed out of his shell. Writes Publishers Weekly: “[Willem] Lange relates this ultimately uplifting tale with all the sturdy simplicity of a wintry Vermont landscape, while [Bert] Dodson’s judicious use of color in his spare watercolors and a tight focus on the action heighten the drama.”

REVIEWS

via The Reading Tub (c) – “This is a very special story. The illustrations are beautifully done, and the color selection adds to the moods of the story as it shifts from page to page. The first time through it seemed a little disjointed, but with additional readings it smoothed itself out.”

via ForeWordReviews.com (c) 2009 – “Favor finds himself in the position of, while not exactly asking for help, at least accepting it. It changes his life—it changes everyones’ lives. Dodson’s delicate and explicit illustrations are the perfect foil to this unsentimental but completely heartwarming tale. Children of all ages will enjoy the story, and adult readers will laugh out loud at the expressive joke on fruitcake. For all ages.”

via Amazon.com (c) 2009 – “Being a Vermonter, I have had the pleasure of listening to Willem Lange read this story every year on our local NPR station. This story never grows old with me or my family. I am so excited to see this as a children’s book. The story of Favor and his dog, Hercules will touch the heart of everyone who reads it.”

via Amazon.com (c) 2009 – “”Favor Johnson: A Christmas Story” is a twice-told, classic American Christmas folktale about a Vermont farmer named Favor Johnson and his faithful hound, Hercules. When Hercules is found badly injured by rabbit hunters’ shots, Favor carries him home through the snow . He is met by Dr. Jennings, a neighbor who had bought land from Favor to build a retirement home on. The story of what follows is heartwarming and authentic and has the ring of undeniable truth. “Favor Johnson” has been enjoyed as a Vermont Public radio reading treat for over 25 years. Now the story has been brought to life in this excellent children’s book with beautiful spare water color illustrations. All ages will enjoy “Favor Johnson” and recover some Christmas spirit in the reading.”

via Amazon.com (c) 2009 – “This is a wonderful story to share with your family during the holidays and throughout the year. Favor Johnson is a story of people helping others, and giving to others, just for the sake of it. This book is so well done because it captures the simplicity of that message, and the illustrations are beautiful. I have three young daughters who have already asked me to read it to them over and over. I am always happy to be reading books like this to my children. Favor Johnson will remain a family favorite for years to come! Enjoy.”

PRODUCT DETAILS

Hardcover: 32 pages
ISBN-10: 1593730829
ISBN-13: 978-1593730826
Language: English
Dimensions: 8 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
Weight: 14.4 ounces

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Bert Dodson is a painter, teacher, author and illustrator. He has illustrated over 80 books for children . He is the author of Keys To Drawing ( North Light Books, 1985), Keys to Drawing with Imagination, (2006) and NUKE A Book of Cartoons, vols. I and II.( McFarland and Co., 1986 and 1988). He co-authored, with noted biologist, Mahlon Hoagland, The Way Life Works ( Times Books, 1995), and Intimate Strangers; The Story of Unseen Life on Earth (ASM Press, 1999, Needam, et all). He was animation designer for the four part PBS television series, Intimate Strangers (1998). He illustrated over 30 opera stories for children, a series commissioned by The New York Metropolitan Opera.

No shows booked at the moment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Willem Lange was born in 1935. A child of deaf parents, he grew up speaking sign language and first came to New England to prep school in 1950 as an alternative to reform school in his native New York State. During a few absences from New England, Will earned a degree in only nine years at the College of Wooster in Ohio. In between those scattered semesters, he worked as a ranch hand, Adirondack guide, preacher, construction laborer, bobsled run announcer, assembly line worker, cab driver, bookkeeper, and bartender. After graduating in 1962, he taught high school English in northern New York, filling in summers as an Outward Bound instructor.

No shows booked at the moment.

Related show

• Author: Willem Lange
• Tour: Willem Lange’s 2010 Book Signing Tour
• Date: Saturday, November 20th 2010
• Time: 11:00am
• City: Willem Lange in Bradford, VT 05033
• Venue: Booked Solid
• Address: 157 Main Street
• Venue phone: 802-222-5826
• Country: United States
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Notes: Willem Lange will do a reading from his book ‘Favor Johnson: A Christmas Story and be available to sign copies along with Bert Dodson, the illustrator.
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

• Author: Willem Lange
• Tour: Willem Lange’s 2010 Book Signing Tour
• Date: Saturday, November 20th 2010
• Time: 2:00pm
• City: Willem Lange in Fairlee, VT 05045
• Venue: Chapman’s Store
• Address: 491 Main Street
• Venue phone: 802-333-9709
• Country: United States
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Notes: Willem Lange will do a reading from his book ‘Favor Johnson: A Christmas Story and be available to sign copies along with Bert Dodson, the illustrator.
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

• Author: Willem Lange
• Tour: Willem Lange’s 2010 Book Signing Tour
• Date: Sunday, November 21st 2010
• Time: 2:00pm
• City: Willem Lange in Bellows Falls, VT 05101
• Venue: Village Square Bookseller
• Address: 32 The Square
• Country: United States
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Notes: Willem Lange will do a reading from his book ‘Favor Johnson: A Christmas Story and be available to sign copies.
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal