Christmas from Heaven is the story of the humble beginnings of what became a beacon of hope to a war-torn land, the story of Gail Halvorsen, a young pilot in the US Army Air Corps who was assigned as a cargo pilot to the Berlin Airlift, in which US forces flew much-needed supplies into a Soviet-blockaded Berlin.
As he performed his duties, Lt. Halvorsen began to notice the German children gathered by the fences of Tempelhof Air Base. Knowing that they had very little, he one day offered them some chewing gum. From that small act, an idea sprang: He would "bomb" Berlin with candy. Fashioning small parachutes, he and his crew sent them floating down as they approached the Berlin airport, wiggling the wings of their C-54 as a signal to the children that their anticipated cargo would soon arrive.
Lt. Halvorsen became known by hundreds, if not thousands, of children in Berlin as "Uncle Wiggly Wings" or "The Candy Bomber." Word soon spread, and donations of candy and other supplies poured in from sympathetic Americans. Lt. Halvorsen's small idea became a great symbol of hope not only to German children in a bombed-out city but to all those who yearned for freedom.
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.
Robert T. Barrett is a professor of illustration at Brigham Young University, received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees in painting and completed postgraduate work in Germany. An accomplished painter, muralist, and illustrator, his work has been featured in many national magazines and in art exhibits across the country and in Germany. He and his wife, Vicki, have ten children and one grandchild and reside in Provo, Utah.
Tom Brokaw is one of the giants of television journalism. Anchor and managing editor of NBCNightly News from 1982 to 2004, he also holds the honor of being the only person to host each ofNBC News’s major news programs: The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and Meet the Press. He has won several awards, including a Peabody Award and seven Emmys. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and The Greatest Generation Speaks, among other books. He and his wife, Meredith, have three daughters and five grandchildren
My Review:
The day after Thanksgiving when I had my family and grandchildren all around, I opened this book and read them the story. My grandchildren ranging from 12-3 years of age were all seated and intently listening. My adult children were all seated around as well, it was a beautiful story, that my family enjoyed. The illustrations mixed with real photos make the story something that each of the children could appreciate and understand. My older grandchildren and children understood the magnitude of this story much more than the younger ones.
This is a story that shows gratitude, and teaches the importance of what soldiers and airmen did to give back to those without. The story is heartwarming, happy and a Christmas story to read every year. I'm so thankful that I was able to read this story to my children and grandchildren. I am so excited to add this book to our annual Christmas reading! Just a reminder of what we have to be grateful for.
Thank you Deseret Book and Shadow Mountain publishing for allowing me to review this book. I was given a free copy for my honest review. I was not paid.
Sandie
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