Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber

"From little things come big things," Gail Halvorsen remembered his father saying. As a twenty-seven-year-old American pilot, Brother Halvorsen's job was to airdrop much-needed food and supplies to the people of West Berlin in the aftermath of World War II. But it was his simple gift of two sticks of gum that launched an extraordinary humanitarian endeavor and earned him the nickname "The Candy Bomber." Each day as hundreds of small white parachutes delivered treats to the children of West Germany, the wounds of war began to heal. "Operation Little Vittles" captured the imagination of people everywhere, bringing the spirit of Christmas to a world in need of peace and hope. Famed broadcast journalist and author Tom Brokaw brings this remarkable true story to life in a stunning live performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, captured on the accompanying DVD.  Also included in the book is a template and directions for creating
your own "Candy Bomber" parachutes.

I'm so, so happy to share this book with you today because I love this story.  Why?  Because it's a story of hope, healing and love.

This is a true story set during WWII.  Gail Halvorsen was serving in the US Air Force as a pilot.  What started out as a small act of kindness by one man spread into the hearts of people all around him until it became something great and monumental.  It touched the hearts of so many people then and it touches my heart today.

I love how this book captures not only the setting of the book but the feelings as well.  The illustrations are beautiful and I love the real pictures sprinkled throughout the book.  It really gave it that sense of realness, of knowing it actually happened.  I love true stories of people who take what life has given them (even when it's hard) and turn it into something better.  It's inspiring and fills me with hope.

This book is so beautiful.  I really can't say enough good about it.  It comes with a DVD so you can watch the original presentation of this fantastic story.  Tom Brokaw tells this story in a way only Tom Brokaw can.  Combine this with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing and you have one amazing performance.  This is perfect to share with your family during the holiday season.  I feel so lucky to have it to share with my family.  I love Deseret Book for putting out such awesome literature and for allowing me to review for them.

Robert Barrett, Illustrator

Tom Brokaw, Narrator

You can purchase this book HERE.

AND, as if that weren't enough I have one more little thing to share with you today.  It's another thing put out by Deseret Book that I just adore.  

These little ornaments are my favorite.  There are 12 stars, each with a different name or title for Jesus Christ found in the Bible.  On the back of the box are the scripture references so you can see where the names are found.  I am going to use these as part of a countdown to Christmas.  The twelve days leading up to Christmas will find us adding one ornament a day to the tree.  This will be the perfect way to bring the focus back to Christ a little and still give the kids something daily to look forward to.  These ornaments are so sweet.  They fit right into the palm of your hand and are sturdy enough for even the littlest of hands.  I love them.  You can find the link for purchase HERE.