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Margaret Holder
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Papa Panov's Special Day Hardcover – September 18, 2016

by Mig Holder (Author), Tony Morris (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 96 ratings
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Originally written by French author Reuben Saillens and later retold by Leo Tolstoy, this endearing story has now acquired the status of a folk-tale. The heart-warming story of Papa Panov's generosity reflects the true spirit of Christmas. It is Christmas Day, and Papa Panov, the lonely old shoemaker, is expecting a special visitor. Things do not turn out at all as he thought, but by the end of the day the sparkle is back behind his little spectacles. A beautiful gift edition of a much-loved classic.
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  1. Reading age
    5 years and up
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 2
  5. Dimensions
    5.12 x 0.4 x 6.5 inches
  6. Publisher
    Lion Books
  7. Publication date
    September 18, 2016
  8. ISBN-10
    0745965628
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0745965628
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mig Holder is a textiles designer with extensive experience of education, including teaching children and adults creative textile techniques and life skills. Her published titles include Papa Panov's Special Day (Lion Children's Books), Mary Jones and her Bible, The Fourth Wise Man (both with Tony Morris), and All Safe on Board and All Safe in the Stable for Candle Books, both illustrated by Steve Smallman.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lion Books; New edition (September 18, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0745965628
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0745965628
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 0.4 x 6.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 96 ratings

About the author

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Margaret Holder

Margaret Holder

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
96 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K. Childs
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful message.
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2008
Verified Purchase
In this lovely picture book for older children, Papa Panov is an elderly shoemaker, feeling lonely on Christmas Eve. He reads about the birth of Jesus, long ago, and how Mary and Joseph had been turned away at the inn. If they had come here, he thinks to himself, I would have taken them in and cared for them. After drifting off to sleep, Papa Panov has a dream in which Jesus says he will come and visit the old shoemaker the next day. Eagerly, Papa Panov watches the streets on Christmas day, looking for Jesus. Along comes the humble street sweeper, and then a homeless woman and her child, and others who are down on their luck and in need. Papa Panov, though he wants to be watching for Jesus, kindly reaches out to each one who comes his way, offering a bit of food and comfort. When the day ends and Jesus apparently has not come, Papa Panov is disappointed -- until in another dream Jesus says that he had come after all! "I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me water, I was cold and you took me in. All the time you were helping them, you were helping me!"
14 people found this helpful
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Darby Karst
5.0 out of 5 stars A story for children and adults as well
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2019
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My grandson read this story in his drama class, and I was there to watch - it was the first time I had ever heard this story. I absolutely loved it so I bought a copy for myself. I have shared it with several people and they all were as touched as I was. It is a truly heartwarming story based on one of Jesus’s teachings.
2 people found this helpful
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Sharon B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas memories
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2018
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Best Christmas book ever and it has been out of print. Thank you for reprinting as it was our favorite family book to read to our 5 children’s and now I can give it to my grandchildren.
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elger
5.0 out of 5 stars A family favorite for years!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2012
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I have been collecting books that were my kids favorites, for my now grown children to share with their kids and was thrilled to find a copy of Papa Panov's Special Day on Amazon! The copy we love is so hard to find. Reading this at Christmas has been part of our family tradition for years and years and now I can pass that on to my grandchildren too. Thank you, Amazon, for having just about everything including this great children's story.
One person found this helpful
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TerieB
5.0 out of 5 stars The true meaning of Christmas!
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2015
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This is a wonderful Christmas story and will touch the hearts of both children and adults. It depicts the real true meaning of Christmas and how we meet Jesus in every person we reach out to in kindness and unselfishness. It is not long and can be read out loud in less than 10 minutes and is perfect for that story before bed.
One person found this helpful
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Heather
5.0 out of 5 stars What a story!
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2019
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This story is beautiful and I absolutely love the illustrations!!!
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Cynthia
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Christmas Story
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2012
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This book has been a family favorite for many, many years. I am now buying copies for my grandchildren. It is the Tolstoy story of the shoemaker who wants to SEE Jesus on Christmas Day. He thinks he missed him but ultimately realizes he has not.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Apple Girl UK
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story, great for pairing with the sheep and goats parable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
The parable of the sheep and goats….as it could be lived out in real life. Love people….go on….be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let Jesus in you meet with Jesus in someone else. Bless and be blessed, or as Jesus said, love others as I have loved you. There is a newer version with more modern pictures that is coming out soon so if you cannot wait, purchase this second hand.
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Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!
Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2020
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A wonderful book for all ages!
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Kim McBirnie
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, the true spirit of Christmas
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2011
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I bought this book for my two children (11 & 7) but when it arrived I read it to myself first. What a beautiful story - it made me cry, but in a feel good positive way! And the art work in this edition is lovely, there is lots to look at on each page. Highly recommended for teaching your children that there is more to Christmas then presents on Christmas morning, but in a kind, uplifting way.
2 people found this helpful
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barbara mcconvey
5.0 out of 5 stars this book is a beautiful Christmas story with a strong message i have used ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2016
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this book is a beautiful Christmas story with a strong message i have used this story with children from 8 to 11 u can take so much from it or it can stand alone as a Christmas story
One person found this helpful
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SS
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2020
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Beautiful Story and a beautiful book. Probably best for age 8+
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