Maria Ciampi, a lawyer, mother and author, has made it her personal campaign to get families back together through “read-aloud” evenings. “It’s not just reading stories to each other, it’s the whole experience,” she explains. “It’s a time of sharing and for fun — even for the youngest members who are not able to read yet.” Ciampi, author of Kris Kringle, a heart-warming Christmas READ-ALOUD MOVIE that can be acted out by a group of friends or family, offers these tips for successful family reading adventures:

1– Make reading night a special event. Gather the family on the couch, build a fire in the fireplace and pop some popcorn.

2– Don’t just read — act out. Try different voices and facial expressions for each character in the story. Make sound effects (knocking, sneezing, slamming doors)

3– Take your time. Laugh, comment, and discuss. The book doesn’t have to be finished in one night.

4– Little ones can be actors who perform actions in the story as they are described such “tip toeing into the room” or “hiding under the table.”

5– Collect props or costumes or use dolls and stuffed animals for characters. Let imagination go wild.

6– For extra exploration, pause occasionally to talk about what everyone thinks will happen, or what they want to see happen. Invite dialogue and discussion.

7– As a read-aloud night becomes a family tradition, let different members choose the books. Younger ones can pick storybooks, or teens can pick youth classics. Classic Christmas stories — and books like Kris Kringle — can add to the family holiday memory bank for years to come.

Ciampi says that a weekly read-aloud is something her family never misses, and her own book, Kris Kringle, is the current unanimous family Christmas selection. “But watch out,” she warns, “Read-alouds are addictive. I’ve heard my boys turn down invites to game nights because they want to stay home and read with us!”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KRIS KRINGLE (A READ-ALOUD MOVIE FOR KIDS YOUNG & OLDTM)

BRINGS A NEW TWIST TO HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Kris Kringle (A Read-Aloud Movie For Kids Young & OldTM ) (AuthorHouse/$14.49/ISBN: 978-1-4343-9898-7 (paperback); $24.99/ISBN: 978-1-4343-9897-0 (hardcover)) is an enchanting Christmas tale about the beauty of love, forgiveness and a sense of belonging, written by New York attorney and author, Maria Ciampi. A wonderful gift for the upcoming Holiday Season, Kris Kringle is written as a screenplay to invite family and friends to celebrate the story together through their active participation in the tale.

Ciampi, herself born on Christmas Day, uses her unique vision to weave the renowned short story, The Devil and Daniel Webster, and the brilliance of Charles Dickens, into her classic Christmas tale. Ciampi’s imagination and creativity are put on display in this original work of fiction for those who seek a delightful escape for the holidays.

Synopsis

Dreamy Kris Kringle has only one wish for Christmas – to bring his tattered toy sketch to life. But he’s not about to do that at Roy G. Reedy Dolls, Inc., the latest New York City toy company he’s been fired from for being “grossly sloppy.” Kris has one last chance to make his dream come true, but the North Pole turns out to be an even tougher place than New York City. At the North Pole, Kris falls for Santa’s daughter, Evelyn, while battling a magic curse, a stodgy rulebook, and an ancient contract, which only the legacy of lawyer Daniel Webster can help undo.

About the Author

Maria Ciampi is a successful Wall Street attorney, former law professor, and author of The Question Presented, a textbook that has been used in the curriculum at Harvard Law School. Ciampi lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children, and continues to write magical and uplifting children’s fiction. For further information, visit http://www.kriskringlebook.com.

Kris Kringle is available and can be purchased at:

http://www.amazon.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com, and http://www.borders.com.

Brenda