The Shoe Box: A Christmas Story Audio CD – Unabridged, September 1, 2011

"The Shoe Box" by Francine Rivers is a delightful, sensitive and heartwarming illustrated children's book with a wonderful Christian emphasis. The book measures 8 1/2 inches by 10 3/4 inches and has 27 pages of beautiful illustrations and just the right amount of text. The artist, Linda Dockey Graves does a superb job of conveying the emotions on the faces of the characters in the book. There is a special presentation page at the beginning of the book. This presentation page is great to fill in for a loved one when given as a gift. It seems somewhat distracting if you wanted to present this book to a library. The last page of the book presents a personal testimony from the author describing what gave her the idea for the book.Timmy O'Neal comes to live with Mary and David as a foster child after his father is in prison and his mother has to work all day leaving Timmy alone in the house. Timmy arrives at his new foster home and is warmly received by his new foster parents - Mary and David. Upon arrival Timmy has very little possessions but his one most important possession is an old shoebox with a red lid and the words "Running Shoes" printed on the side. Timmy takes his shoebox with him where ever he goes- to school, Sunday School, bedroom, school bus -- everywhere. Everyone is curious about the contents of the shoebox, When asked what was in the box, Timmy just said "things". All during his stay, Timmy never smiled or seemed very happy. That is, until one Christmas Eve, when something wonderful happened. You will want to read this marvelous book to experience a wonderful miracle in Timmy's life.If you object to the Christian faith, you may not appreciate the last few pages of the book. You could however, appreciate the rest of the book and who knows, you may see and experience something you never dreamed possible by reading the last several pages. While this is a children's book, most adults will also be touched by this story. There is also an adult version of this book.

I bought this book for my 6 yr old for Christmas 2011 because I love Francine River's stuff. Little did I know that this book was just as much for me as for her! I read it to my 3 girls (6, 9,& 10) on Christmas Day. It was SO meaningful to me. I had my dad read it to our entire family on Christmas Day. He did not understand what he was getting himself into :) He literally could not hold it together while he was reading it. He was sobbing. Several of the adults were in tears, the meaning of it is life changing. I love that it teaches kids to put their burdens and troubles and junk and ALL of their cares in the shoebox and give it to Jesus Who will carry it for them. I wish I would've heard that concept when I was their age. They didn't understand all the crying, but they will when they grow up and have their own share of trials in this life. I have since bought this book for several people who are going through their own trials and carrying huge burdens. It is an amazing reminder that Jesus wants to carry our burdens for us and of His deep love for us! Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great story about a little boy who's world had bee rocked and he needed something to hold on to. The box allowed him to fill it with thing that meant a lot to him! but was better to give it to Jesus because he would know about. Each thing and it's value.We all need to fine treasure to give to Jesus. Those things are just keeping us down.

When you recognize that God's love in this story is the reflection of God's love for you, there are times in this book you will sit and weep. How beautiful!!

What a sweet story of how no matter what struggles we are forced to go through in our lives we have a loving God who sends his angels to surround us.

I have been reading Francine Rivers books for over a year now. I was always eager to start the next book and at the same time sad to see the current one end. Her writing is so moving. The Shoe Box broke my bubble. It was such a let down after the others. It was so much of a disappointment I have yet to order another of her books. The story moved to fast with very little explaination of the characters. It seem to let you hang at the end. It never really explained why he chose the shoe box to hold his secrets. What led him to this. It is almost as if she rushed in her writing to meet a dead line. So much of the story seemed to be missing. The ending was good but the middle was missing.

Great little book...made a wonderful Christmas gift. Francine Rivers writes with feeling and from the heart. Would recommend to family and friends.

Francine Rivers has written beautiful Christmas novella. Personal & charming with lessons for our kids and our family! Please share this book with someone you love!

I was a little disappointed, especially after reading most of Francine Rivers other books. I guess I was expecting more, but for a child it would be quite a nice little story. It was a bit strange to have the receips and other items which were written in italics in the middle of the story. If the book is really for children then these items I think would be a little beyond them, and if the book is for adults, then for me it was a little disaponting.

A very disappointing book, in fact I wouldn't call it a book but more of a pamphlet . For some one like Francine Rivers who has in the past produced some very amazing books I'm gobsmacked!!

Not the standard I expected from Rivers.

A beautiful story with some great recipes intertwined. A must have for every Christmas.

As usual, I love this, as I love al of Francine's books. Wonderful! I have (almost, I think) all of her books.