Christmas Rose

by Robyn Buttars

There's something amazing happening at Pleasant Manor - a rest home at the very edge of town. A little girl name Rosie is creating miracles in the lives of its residents using the wondrous power of love. Because of Rosie, Cleston, a wood craftsman, finds his gift rekindled; Helen, an Alzheimer's patient, instictively trusts the little girl; Jake, the war veteran, begins to feel whole again; Ina, who, though blind, helps people see the beauty all around; and, most importantly, Bessie. Rosie and Bessie become inseparable best friends. Through Bessie, Rosie learns some invaluable life lessons, including Home is a place where you're surrounded by love. Just before Christmas, when the woman who had taught her so much about living speaks of dying, Rosie learns what true love and beauty and friendship really mean.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Inspirational, Holiday, Lds, Childrens, Lds Fiction

115 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story. I like how the chapters were named for the residents. A reminder that everyone has a need to feel acknowledged and valued, and has something to share in return. Have a kleenex nearby...

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book. This is the type of book I think of when thinking of a Christmas book. I think this is a great book to read to your kids under twelve.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story of a young girl who lives at a "nursing home" ... actually in a house behind it, but her mom works in the kitchen and she spends her free time with the residents. A beautiful story of love, and sharing, and beauty ... and Christmas roses!

[Dayna Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet story.

[JoAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little story about a little girl who lives in a care center. (Her mother is the cook.) Rose is a blessing in the lives of the people who live there and they, in turn, teach her many important lessons about accepting people. Short and sweet, it's perfect for a Christmas-time read.

[Braelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic fiction. 2008. This is a cute story about a little girl named Rosie who forms a relationship with Bessie among other members of the care home where she lives with her mother who is the cook. Rosie learns about true friendship, acceptance, and love. This is a very sweet book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories related to Christmas or friendship.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sweet story of the friendship between a little girl and an elderly woman It teaches us to love unconditionally and look on the heart instead of the outside appearance. I wouldn't necessarily call it a Christmas book, however.

[Jonalee Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book

I recommend this book to all readers. It is a short read but has so much impact on the reader. Very well done. My 14 year-old granddaughter told me to read it & I am so glad I followed through. Enjoy!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story.

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming read that is good for anytime of the year, but especially at Christmastime.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable and bit sappy, but quite sweet, this was an enjoyable quick Christmas read.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short sweet story for Christmas time.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read.

[Marjorie McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars on my Christmas stories scale. This would be a cute read for possibly a compassionate fourth grader.

[Jenny McConnel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fast read for Christmas.

[Susan McCully · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about christmas

[Tolkiengirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in about 25 minutes for book club. Sweet stories of a child and her friends at a nursing home.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and heartwarming. This is a nice cozy read for when you need a pick-me-up.

[Megan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Rose is a sweet story showing friendship has no age barrier. The characters are well-written. I found uncanny similarities between the characters and individuals in my own life. The book follows the growth of friendships between a little girl named Rosie and the residents at a care center and specifically her best friend, Bessie. The book has Christian undertones but is more of a feel-good book rather than a religious book. I easily read this in one evening. This would be a sweet story for families to read together then take elderly neighbors a treat or visit the local care center. This story is not just for the holiday season, it could be enjoyed year-round.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely little story! I knew I would love it when I found out that it was set in a care centre. I had the opportunity to work in a similar facility for a while, and loved the residents we had there. I believe there is so much to be learned from interacting with the eldest part of the population, just as I believe there is much to be learned from interacting with the youngest. To combine the innocence of Rose, who basically was growing up in the facility, with the wisdom of the residents is just . . . magic!
I loved how Rose became the adopted granddaughter and friend of those she had the opportunity to be with at Pleasant Manor, and how her friendship with Bessie taught them both very important lessons.
4.5 stars

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book about a little girl named Rosie and her new found friends that come and go in her life you will see what it truly means to love someone for their inner beauty. Rosie's relationship with Bessie was so complete, what an example of love Bessie was to Rosie and the friendship she forged with Ina and Rosie really pulls at your heart. This is a touching book with such human honesty as to our behaviors and really opens your eyes to how elderly feel. We are all the same in wanting friendships and acceptance. This not just a Christmas book and it'll be a tear jerker so keep tissue close by.

[Ryceejo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, short read about a little girl who touches the lives of different people in the care center. 3 stars is generous, however. I made an effort to get involved with each new character introduced, only to have the ends not tied up with each one. Did Fred and Rosie celebrate another birthday together? What happened to Helen and her husband? I can't say it was a waste of time because you can read it so quickly, but it's either a way too dragged-out Sacrament meeting object story, or an overly abridged "novel," as the cover claims.

Costs $1.99 at Deseret Book; it's worth exactly that price and not a penny more.

Reread Update: Changed to 2 stars; still feel the same way!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really simple to read book, and I read it one night while curled up on the couch by the lit Christmas tree-which really added to the good feeling I got when I read this book. The story is of Rose, who lives in a house next to a rest home and spends most of her waking hours at the rest home getting to know and love the residents. She brings joy and love into the the lives of the residents and she becomes good friends with them. Just as you would come to expect in a story where a rest home is involved, the story made me sad, but it was a touching story that made you think about the way you can influence the lives of those around you for the good.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet and charming story about a little girl named Rosie, who with her mother, lives in a small farm home behind a Senior Assisted Living Care Facility. Rosie's mother is the cook for the residents and Rosie practically lives there when she's not in school. Her best friends are the elderly residents and they come to love her. Rosie and Bessie, one of the residents, become inseparable best friends and she learns invaluable lessons on life from Bessie. This is a little gem to be enjoyed by all ages.

[Dee Toomey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Rose was a heart-tugger. I really enjoyed reading this book, perhaps because I was a geriatric nurse and the setting of this book is a nursing home, but I think more because the author uses this setting to teach such important lessons about unconditional love. Not a well-known book, I found myself concerned that others wouldn't be able to have the chance of reading this as well. That being the case, if you can find this book, you will enjoy reading it. It is a short novel and can be read quickly, but the effects will last beyond the last word!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by my friend and former neighbor (when I lived in Lewiston, Utah). It is a sweet Christmas story about a little girl named Rose. Rose lives with her mother in a home adjacent to a care center. Rose's mother is the cook at the center and therefore Rose spends all of her spare time with the residents. Rose touches the hearts of all of her new friends and learns invaluable life lessons from her favorite friend, Bessie. Have a tissue handy!

[Heather Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tender, quick read, but I wouldn’t list it as Christmassy. I do understand the legend of the Christmas Rose, but I thought the book focused more on relationships. It was a great reminder that everyone has a need to feel loved and valued. Regardless of their age, everyone has something to share, something that will teach us and help us.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

For much of the book it feels like a group of event related only in that they're part of Rose's life. But the stories are all appealing, and there is a message in the end.

It's a pretty short book, but it's also very good. I read it in August and then again in December around Christmas. I liked it that much.

[mom2wah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a heartwarming and sad story. Great in showing how imporatnt relationships with the elderly are and how they can be nurturing and important in our lives. Set in a hospital/care center, I like the focus and how the elserly in those facilities may be ill but have the same feelings, emotions and desires for friendship and family as the rest of us!

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iloved this book. A very quick and simple read about relationships. A mother and her daughter live in the house behind a rest home, where the mother is the cook. The book follows the relationship of the daughter and the residents of the rest home. A great book to curl up with in front of the fireplace on a cold day.