Encouraging Kid’s Christmas book receives honors from the Independent Press Awards.
Watch Read Alouds of Fluffy’s Christmas Gift.
Fluffy’s Christmas Gift receives national recognition through the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD®!
The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD recognized Fluffy’s Christmas Gift in the category of Religious Children’s Book as a distinguished favorite.
The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. Selected IPA Award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence.
In 2023, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD had entries worldwide. Authors and publishers from countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, Scotland, and South Africa, participated.
Books submitted included writers based in cities such as Atlanta to Los Angeles; London to Nova Scotia; from Cape Town to Mumbai; from Albuquerque to New York City as well as others.
“We are proud to announce the winners and distinguished favorites in our annual 2023 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD. This year included an array of quality and diverse independent books,” Olczak said. “Independent publishing is pushing on every corner of the earth with great content. We are thrilled to be highlighting key titles representing global independent publishing.” said awards sponsor Gabrielle Olczak.
For more information please visit independentpressaward.com; and to see this year’s list of IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites, please visit the website pages: 2023 WINNERS: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2023winners independentpressaward.com; and to see this year’s list of IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites, please visit the website pages:
2023 WINNERS: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2023winners
2023 DISTINGUISHED FAVORITES: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2023df
WHAT IF CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS COULD TELL THEIR STORY?
Come and experience the holiday season through the inspiring story of a Christmas tree ornament named Fluffy.
This kids Christmas book helps you see the holidays through the eyes of a tree decoration. Fluffy, a handmade ornament, wants to hang next to the star and climb higher on the tree. On his journey up the tree the snowman faces many setbacks:
- Hurtful words and criticism
- Loneliness, fear, and disappointment
- Pain from being broken apart
When Fluffy finally gets to the tree top, he learns new things about himself as he turns his gaze to the baby Jesus sleeping in the manger. In his transforming journey, the broken snowman learns about the meaning and purpose in his life challenges.
In this inspirational holiday children’s picture book, you and your youngster will learn:
- To see the opportunities in life’s obstacles.
- How setbacks can work out for a higher purpose.
- To put criticism, conflict, and bullies in perspective.
- To have courage when facing difficulties.
BOOK LIFE REVIEW BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
A snowman ornament discovers his true worth in this festive tale.
Young readers will be touched by this moving tale, and Fluffy’s tragic fall from grace will be heart-wrenching and intense. All is not lost, however, as Page lovingly gives Fluffy another chance, crafting a unique spin on his eventual comeback. Bazley’s illustrations evoke holiday nostalgia and warmth, with classic Christmas hues and festive details like yuletide treats and stockings dangling over a crackling fire. Adult readers will find the underlying message of self-worth important—”I will give him the best gift of all: myself”—and Christian fans will appreciate the religious undertones to Page’s book.
Fluffy, a handmade Christmas snowman ornament, learns the joy of discovering his purpose in this delightful holiday read by Page (Climbing the Upside Down Tree). When young Zach puts the finishing touches on his snowman ornament one Christmas, he names him Fluffy—in a nod to his cotton ball middle—and softly tells him “Fluffy, you’re special. You’re one of a kind.” Fluffy immediately takes that message to heart, despite being shunned by the other decorations, and declares his dream is to hang by the star at the very top of the tree one year.
As the years pass, and Fluffy starts to make his way closer to the top, the other ornaments up their bullying. “Cotton Balls thinks he’s better than the rest of us” they taunt, warning Fluffy that eventually he will lose his special place in Zach’s heart.
When he finally earns the coveted top spot, Fluffy’s enchanted by the Christmas wonder revealed from his new view—especially the baby in the Nativity scene—and vows “Someday, little one, I’ll bring you a special present.” Unfortunately, the other ornaments prove correct, and soon Zach is grown up and gone while Fluffy lies broken and forgotten at the bottom of the ornament box.
Great for fans of: Carol Heyer’s Humphrey’s First Christmas; Karma Wilson’s Mortimer’s Christmas Manger.
