Christian parents have long struggled with the question, "Should we celebrate Christmas the way the world celebrates the holiday season—filled with Santa Claus, flying reindeer and toy-making elves?" Some believe that children might confuse the make-believe story of Santa with the real story of Jesus Christ's birth. Others feel that Christmas wouldn't be the same without including the jolly, white-bearded Santa in the festivities.

In her latest children's book, What Is Christmas?, award-winning author Michelle Medlock Adams addresses this longstanding debate. Through her rhyming board book text, Adams teaches that it's OK to give brightly-wrapped packages, send colorful Christmas cards, bake yummy Christmas cookies and sit on Santa's lap, as long as you know the real reason we celebrate Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ, God's precious Son.

"I wrote this book so that parents would be able to teach their children at a very early age the real meaning of Christmas," shares Adams, 37. "It's a fun book to read with your little ones, yet it packs a powerful message."

What Is Christmas?, which was published by Ideals Children's Books (a division of Guideposts), is Adams' 32nd published book and the second book in this What Is... board book series. What is Easter? was released in January 2006, and What Is Christmas? will be available this September. Target stores featured What Is Easter? on an end cap during this past Easter season, and What Is Christmas? will receive the same promotion this Christmas holiday season.

What Is Christmas? can also be purchased at Barnes and Noble stores, LifeWay stores, Family Christian Bookstores, Berean bookstores and through BarnesAndNoble.com and Amazon.com online, to name a few.

Geared for babies through preschool-aged children, What Is Christmas? features happy, inviting illustrations by Amy Wummer. It is a little hardback book, perfect for tiny hands and teething babies. Plus, the fun, rhyming text makes What Is Christmas? a fun read-aloud children's book.

What Is Christmas? is the second Christmas book that Adams has written. Her picture book, Memories of the Manger, which is the retelling of the Christmas story through the eyes of an old dove who supposedly lived in the manger at the time of Jesus' birth, debuted in August 2005. It will also be available again this holiday season.

"I love writing for children," shared Adams, who attended Asbury in 1987-1988 and graduated with a journalism degree from Indiana University in 1991. "I am very thankful to God for allowing me to live my dream of writing inspirational books for children."

Adams' other children's books include: Conversations On the Ark; The Sparrow's Easter Song; Little Colt's Palm Sunday; Sister For Sale; Why I Love You, God; Why I Praise You, God; Why I Trust You, God; Why I Thank You, God; No Boys Allowed!; United We Stand: Real Kid Heroes; Ha! Ha! Halloween Poems; My Funny Valentine... Poems; Tim McGraw: A Blue Banner Biography; Brandi Chastain: No Hands Allowed; Jamie Lynn Spears: A Robbie Readers Biography; Kenny Chesney: A Blue Banner Biography; and The Life and Times of Cleopatra: Biography from Ancient Civilizations Series.

In addition, Adams writes inspirational books for women. Her latest book for women is titled, Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood (Legacy Publishers International), which she co-authored with Gena Maselli. Adams also speaks at women's retreats, writers' conferences, churches, elementary schools and colleges.

To contact the publisher for a review copy of What Is Christmas? or Memories of the Manger, call (615) 781-1420 or write to: Ideals Publications, 535 Metroplex Drive, Suite 250, Nashville, TN 37211. To contact Adams, E-mail her at iufan@michellemedlockadams.com online.