The Christmas Knot
A proactive child will often tackle things that are beyond
their abilities and can end up in situations not to their liking or their
parents liking. In this story, Hardy’s
Dad appropriately appreciates that Hardy’s goal was to help. In spite of his laudable goal, circumstances
conspire to create amusing discord. A
good parent can laud the attempt and quietly despair the outcome. A proactive child is to be cherished and
guided not disparaged or punished.
Hopefully this book provides an appropriate example of proactive
children and nurturing parents.
The Christmas Knot is a delightful tale of two kids and their puppy, who find themselves wrapped up in a knotty problem. Working with their parents they are able to untangle their problem and contribute to the spirit of the season.
The Christmas Knot can be ordered at Amazon or your local bookstore.
ISBN-10: 1453701060
ISBN-13: 978-1453701065
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Christmas story, September 7, 2011 By Katie Bridges
It's Christmas time at Hardy's house. Hardy's dad has promised a fun evening of decorating with those bright LED lights he has stored in the garage. But before he can get the lights out of the boxes, he's called away to work. What will Hardy do? Will he wait until his dad arrives home or will he try to arrange the lights himself?
What follows next is a hilarious bungling of events for Hardy, his cousin Mardi, and his new puppy Tiny. Only Hardy isn't left laughing. What a mess they've made of things! But all is not lost. Dad comes to the rescue with words so wise and reassuring that they can't help but deliver a hefty dose of comfort. Plus, Dad has an idea, a grand idea for how he can turn a mess into a blessing.
In a sensitive and thought provoking manner, Bentrim explores a child's feelings of guilt that are bound to arise when things go wrong. He beautifully ties in this lesson with the Christmas message in order to demonstrate the love of an understanding father.
Katie Bridges, author of Warriors of the Edge
5.0 out of 5 stars Magic!, April 15, 2011By annie frame (uk)
Love the title of this book and how it relates to the story....Perfect. Hardy, cousin and puppy get in a right tangle, with a wonderful outcome. Any child reading this book will grow while reading it. William G. Bentrim encourages the young mind in a number of directions, all of which are positive. In a world that has so many mixed messages to an adult never mind a child this story is a breath of fresh air. Bed time story....anytime story and deserves 5 stars!
Annie Frame.
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Book by this William G. Bentrim, October 29, 2010 By L. Brandau
The Christmas Knot is a lovely story of family, values, and love. Hardy is a young boy with his puppy, Tiny. It is getting close to Christmas and time for dad to put up the outside lights. When things don't go as planned, Hardy and his cousin Mardi learn several important lessons.
Character building is always a key ingredient in William G. Bentrim's books and is very evident in The Christmas Knot. Hardy learns that things don't always go as planned. He also learns that admitting a mistake is the right thing to do, and that sometimes mistakes turn out for the best. The church's nativity scene becomes a focus in the story which completes this beautiful Christmas story.
Tiny once again stole my heart and I think it is hilarious that The Christmas Knot is a Tiny "pre-quel"!
5.0 out of 5 stars The sooner we remember kids will be kids, the sooner we can eliminante a lot of stress in our lives..., October 24, 2010 By Janie
Many feelings were stirred after reading "The Christmas Knot". I am the mother of three (now grown) sons. I also work in the school system as a special needs paraprofessional. So as you can imagine I was, and still am, surrounded by many children who had multiple "mishaps" along the way. Bill Bentrim's books give you the insight as to what we "should" do in certain situations, as opposed to what our first instincts tell us "to do". Not only is "The Christmas Knot" a beautifully moving story of understanding, it is a wonderful tool for young parents and anyone who works with children. The sweetness and innocence of of his writing jumps out at you and you find yourself smiling from ear to ear! Christi's illustrations are charming. They are simplistic, yet you can feel the emotion in everyone's faces... just lovely!
I especially love the way Bill subtly brings in and connects the story with the reverence of the Nativity scene. When our sons were young, the first sign of the Christmas season in our home was the reverent display of our family creche. So the ending of the story was particularly touching to me.
I highly recommend "The Christmas Knot" to anyone with an "open lap" this holiday season. Such a wonderful book to cuddle up with your children (or in my case, my grand daughter, Annabelle). Thank you Bill, for another beautiful story...
4.0 out of 5 stars Waste not, Want Knot, October 21, 2010 By Greg Smith "Thomas & Mercer Author" (Delaware, United States)
William Bentrim's latest children's book, The Christmas Knot, takes an upbeat approach to dealing with disappointment from a child's perspective. Specifically, the way disappointments, particularly during holidays can appear as outsized difficulties. Along the way, Bentrim shows how kids can work through their problems and achieve amazing, if unexpected, results.
4.0 out of 5 stars A Warm Delight, October 20, 2010 By Sarah ButlandThis story is sweet and warming which is excellent for family story time during the Christmas season. Although it could use a bit of editing the message is there and the illustrations are simple yet effect.
I plan to read this story to my own son during the coming months.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas Knot - a delightful story, October 13, 2010 By Barbara J. Smith "Barbara"
William Bentrim has done it again! His latest children's book, "A Christmas Knot," is just delightful to read - for both child and adult. It tells a sweet story about Hardy who is helping his Dad put up Christmas lights. Dad is called away for awhile. Hardy and his cousin Mardi decide to lay out the strings of lights so they'll be ready to go up when Dad returns. Great idea. But Tiny, Hardy's pup, sees a squirrel. Well, we all know where this is going. After the wild chase, there sits Tiny entangled in a ball of Christmas lights.
Dad returns and realizes Hardy and Mardi were just trying to be helpful. So off he goes to the hardware store to get new lights. Rather patient Dad, I'd say. I'm not sure if I would have been quite as calm. But there seems to be a lesson here for parents also.
The ending of the story brings us back to the meaning of Christmas. Dad decides to offer the large ball of lights to the local Nativity scene and it lights up as the Christmas Star.
Mr. Bentrim has created a fun story for children with a wonderful lesson for both children and their parents. And he brings in the true meaning of Christmas all at the same time. Read Bentrim's "A Christmas Knot" to your children. You won't be sorry.
The Christmas Knot is a delightful tale of two kids and their puppy, who find themselves wrapped up in a knotty problem. Working with their parents they are able to untangle their problem and contribute to the spirit of the season.
The Christmas Knot can be ordered at Amazon or your local bookstore.
ISBN-10: 1453701060
ISBN-13: 978-1453701065
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Christmas story, September 7, 2011 By Katie Bridges
It's Christmas time at Hardy's house. Hardy's dad has promised a fun evening of decorating with those bright LED lights he has stored in the garage. But before he can get the lights out of the boxes, he's called away to work. What will Hardy do? Will he wait until his dad arrives home or will he try to arrange the lights himself?
What follows next is a hilarious bungling of events for Hardy, his cousin Mardi, and his new puppy Tiny. Only Hardy isn't left laughing. What a mess they've made of things! But all is not lost. Dad comes to the rescue with words so wise and reassuring that they can't help but deliver a hefty dose of comfort. Plus, Dad has an idea, a grand idea for how he can turn a mess into a blessing.
In a sensitive and thought provoking manner, Bentrim explores a child's feelings of guilt that are bound to arise when things go wrong. He beautifully ties in this lesson with the Christmas message in order to demonstrate the love of an understanding father.
Katie Bridges, author of Warriors of the Edge
5.0 out of 5 stars Magic!, April 15, 2011By annie frame (uk)
Love the title of this book and how it relates to the story....Perfect. Hardy, cousin and puppy get in a right tangle, with a wonderful outcome. Any child reading this book will grow while reading it. William G. Bentrim encourages the young mind in a number of directions, all of which are positive. In a world that has so many mixed messages to an adult never mind a child this story is a breath of fresh air. Bed time story....anytime story and deserves 5 stars!
Annie Frame.
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Book by this William G. Bentrim, October 29, 2010 By L. Brandau
The Christmas Knot is a lovely story of family, values, and love. Hardy is a young boy with his puppy, Tiny. It is getting close to Christmas and time for dad to put up the outside lights. When things don't go as planned, Hardy and his cousin Mardi learn several important lessons.
Character building is always a key ingredient in William G. Bentrim's books and is very evident in The Christmas Knot. Hardy learns that things don't always go as planned. He also learns that admitting a mistake is the right thing to do, and that sometimes mistakes turn out for the best. The church's nativity scene becomes a focus in the story which completes this beautiful Christmas story.
Tiny once again stole my heart and I think it is hilarious that The Christmas Knot is a Tiny "pre-quel"!
5.0 out of 5 stars The sooner we remember kids will be kids, the sooner we can eliminante a lot of stress in our lives..., October 24, 2010 By Janie
Many feelings were stirred after reading "The Christmas Knot". I am the mother of three (now grown) sons. I also work in the school system as a special needs paraprofessional. So as you can imagine I was, and still am, surrounded by many children who had multiple "mishaps" along the way. Bill Bentrim's books give you the insight as to what we "should" do in certain situations, as opposed to what our first instincts tell us "to do". Not only is "The Christmas Knot" a beautifully moving story of understanding, it is a wonderful tool for young parents and anyone who works with children. The sweetness and innocence of of his writing jumps out at you and you find yourself smiling from ear to ear! Christi's illustrations are charming. They are simplistic, yet you can feel the emotion in everyone's faces... just lovely!
I especially love the way Bill subtly brings in and connects the story with the reverence of the Nativity scene. When our sons were young, the first sign of the Christmas season in our home was the reverent display of our family creche. So the ending of the story was particularly touching to me.
I highly recommend "The Christmas Knot" to anyone with an "open lap" this holiday season. Such a wonderful book to cuddle up with your children (or in my case, my grand daughter, Annabelle). Thank you Bill, for another beautiful story...
4.0 out of 5 stars Waste not, Want Knot, October 21, 2010 By Greg Smith "Thomas & Mercer Author" (Delaware, United States)
William Bentrim's latest children's book, The Christmas Knot, takes an upbeat approach to dealing with disappointment from a child's perspective. Specifically, the way disappointments, particularly during holidays can appear as outsized difficulties. Along the way, Bentrim shows how kids can work through their problems and achieve amazing, if unexpected, results.
4.0 out of 5 stars A Warm Delight, October 20, 2010 By Sarah ButlandThis story is sweet and warming which is excellent for family story time during the Christmas season. Although it could use a bit of editing the message is there and the illustrations are simple yet effect.
I plan to read this story to my own son during the coming months.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas Knot - a delightful story, October 13, 2010 By Barbara J. Smith "Barbara"
William Bentrim has done it again! His latest children's book, "A Christmas Knot," is just delightful to read - for both child and adult. It tells a sweet story about Hardy who is helping his Dad put up Christmas lights. Dad is called away for awhile. Hardy and his cousin Mardi decide to lay out the strings of lights so they'll be ready to go up when Dad returns. Great idea. But Tiny, Hardy's pup, sees a squirrel. Well, we all know where this is going. After the wild chase, there sits Tiny entangled in a ball of Christmas lights.
Dad returns and realizes Hardy and Mardi were just trying to be helpful. So off he goes to the hardware store to get new lights. Rather patient Dad, I'd say. I'm not sure if I would have been quite as calm. But there seems to be a lesson here for parents also.
The ending of the story brings us back to the meaning of Christmas. Dad decides to offer the large ball of lights to the local Nativity scene and it lights up as the Christmas Star.
Mr. Bentrim has created a fun story for children with a wonderful lesson for both children and their parents. And he brings in the true meaning of Christmas all at the same time. Read Bentrim's "A Christmas Knot" to your children. You won't be sorry.
