Ornaments of Love


Children - General
32 Pages
Reviewed on 09/05/2016
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

Author Biography

Sharlin Craig, a Detroit native who now resides in southern California with her husband and daughter, is dedicated to writing inspirational children’s books that touch the spirit of her readers. A graduate of Oakland University, she’s taught music to children for several years while also writing music and lyrics. She’s combined her love for children and writing into authoring her debut children’s Christmas picture book, ‘Ornaments of Love’.

Sharlin believes that with the right surroundings and daily encouragement, children are boundless. She’s passionate about helping children feel understood and empowered through her books and hopes that her stories make them smile.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

It’s both amazing and rather sad how easily a family can get wrapped up in each of their own little worlds. Christmas is the worst. Everyone wants everything to be perfect: the tree, the decorations, the baked goodies, the parties, the presents. It is too easy to forget the simple pleasures of just doing something together, like decorating the Christmas tree.

Ayana loved the family ritual of decorating the Christmas tree. Each ornament held a treasured memory and, as the family hung these ornaments, they shared with each other the memories encased in the ornaments. This year was different, though. Ayana was now ten and her parents were very busy: Dad with work and Mom preparing things for parties and baking Christmas goodies. Ayana was asked to decorate the tree on her own. Although sad, Ayana brightens as she thinks of the memories each ornament represents.

As things get busier, the simple pleasure of sitting as a family and admiring the tree keeps being pushed aside, until one night the family dog knocks the tree over and so many of the ornaments are broken. The family finally comes together in the act of resurrecting the tree and repairing the ornaments that were repairable. As they do, they relive the memories of each ornament.

Sharlin Craig’s picture book story, Ornaments of Love, is a treasure in itself. A beautiful story about family love and sharing time together, Ornaments of Love reminds us all of the true meaning of family and the beauty of being together, of sharing together, during the festive season and always. This is a classic to be enjoyed by young and old alike, as we all need to relearn the values of family love.

Midwest Book Review

Midwest Book Review- Children's Bookwatch
"Ornaments of Love" is a special Christmas story about a girl named Ayana and her parents. Ayana loved putting up the Christmas tree with special ornaments with clinging memories and associations every year. It was something the family always did together. But this year, her mother and father were just too busy, so Ayana had to put up all the special ornaments on the tree by herself. She longed for a special family time around the tree, but the busy season continued without time for that to happen. Finally one day Ayana's Labrador Rosie brought the Christmas tree down with a crash because she wanted her favorite doggy bone ornament. Ayana had the help of both parents in gathering up all the broken ornament pieces, putting them back together, and rehanging them on the tree. Special memories attached to each ornament of love were recalled, and the perfect finish was a crackling fire in the fireplace and cups of cocoa made specially to please all around. Delicate colored pencil enhance the sweet charm of this Christmas tale of reinvented intimacy and cherished family memories.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review- Children's Bookwatch