A mum who took her seven-year-old son to a grotto says she was left reeling when Santa promised he would get a toy costing £400. Linda Belnik, 35, and Joshua, seven, say the shopping centre Santa gleefully talked about getting him a Star Wars Death Star Lego set. They claim Santa said: “See this white phone? I will call the elves now and get them to make it for you.” While the youngster was full of ho-ho-ho, Linda came over all woe, woe, woe. And as a row unfolded, shopping centre bosses hit back, saying “no, no, no – our Santa would never do that”! Linda said: “I was stood there cringing. I couldn’t believe he’d promised such an expensive toy. Santas usually tell kids they’ll see what they can do, not promise anything. “It doesn’t matter if he wants a teddy bear, or a pony, he can’t promise something to a kid. As a parent, I had made the decision he would not be getting the set as it costs so much. It’s put me in a really awkward position.” Linda did not cause a scene as she had Joshua and five-year-old twins Jasmine and Jasper with her and did not want to ruin their image of Christmas .
“I couldn’t ask to see Santa’s manager in front of my children,” she added. Joshua is now confused, with mum saying he’s not getting the prezzie – while believing Santa said he is. Linda added: “Santa has no idea what anyone’s financial situation is. It is wrong he’s promising toys. It sets kids up for disappointment if parents can’t afford it. “I had already told Joshua he is not getting the present, so that’s why it’s even more upsetting as he now truly believes he is. He’s walking around saying Santa said he will get the toy.” Linda complained to Westfield shopping centre in White City, West London, after getting home. As a gesture of goodwill, Westfield offered a free ice-skating package for the family. But Linda, a building company director from Camberley, Surrey, said: “It doesn’t help explain to my son why he’s not got his present on Christmas Day.” Westfield said: “All grotto staff are trained and follow script guidelines which, under no circumstances, include the promise of specific gifts. “
The Santa has over 20 years’ experience and has not promised specific gifts to the child. “Westfield is committed to providing the best experience for children and families.” Linda last night stood by her and her son’s version, saying: “That’s what he said, end of.” ★ 08/29/2016The final volume of congressman and civil rights crusader Lewis’s memoir, produced with cowriter Aydin, gives a perfect balance of clarity and passion, drawing readers into the emotions of civil rights struggles, while carefully providing context and information, as well as empathy, even for the worst of the movement’s foes. Beginning with the church bombing at Birmingham, Ala.; moving through the blood-soaked years from 1963 to 1965; and ending with the signing of the Voting Rights Act, Lewis’s on-the-ground viewpoint puts many human faces on the historic battles. The narrative reveals the real work of revolution, focusing not just on the well-known events but the behind-the-scenes decision making, compromises, personal battles, sacrifices, and overall political landscape.
It’s a dense and informative work propelled by Powell’s fluid layouts and vivid depictions of violence and emotion, as well as a personal passion that helps make this memoir timely and relevant, drawing a straight line between decades to compare the modern iterations of a struggle that still continues. SHELF-AWARENESS -- TheMarchseries--Congressman John Lewis, Capitol Hill staffer Andrew Aydin and illustrator Nate Powell's Eisner Award-winning project documenting the CivilRights Movement of the 1960s in comic book format--concludes with a message that has proven to be just as relevant in 2016 as it was 50 years ago.The third volume continues where the second left off. Less than a month after Student Nonviolent CoordinatingCommittee (SNCC) leader John Lewis led the March on Washington for Jobs andFreedom, four teenage girls are killed in a bombing at the 16th Street BaptistChurch's Youth Day celebration in Birmingham, Ala. Members of Dr. King'sSouthern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the SNCC are outraged and threaten to march on the Alabama capital to demand the resignation of GovernorGeorge Wallace.
Before either group can take action, however, news comes ofPresident Kennedy's assassination. While Lyndon B. Johnson ultimately champions their cause, he does so without changing the status quo. As the SNCC and SCLCcontinue their protests, their efforts incite further violent backlash from the police and surrounding communities, and fractious struggles within the SNCCthreaten to derail the march from Selma to Montgomery.There is a lot of tension and emotion with no sugarcoating of history here; Powell's drawings evoke a close-up black-and-white documentary atmosphere, recording the movement's major victories as well as the tumult that the young Lewis faced. Nevertheless, March: BookThree ends on a hopeful note. What better way to teach younger generations than by historical example of what is achievable when people are willing to sacrifice greatly for a worthy cause?--Nancy Powell,freelance writer and technical consultantDiscover: John Lewis andMartin Luther King make "good trouble... necessary trouble" by leading the history-changing march from Selma to Montgomery.BOOKLIST (STARRED) --A stirring call to action that's particularly timely in this election year
, and one that will resonate and empower young readers in particular. March is one of the most important graphic novels ever created - an extraordinary presentation of an extraordinary life,and proof that young people can change the world. I'm stunned by the power of these comics, and grateful that Congressman Lewis's story will enlighten and inspire future generations of readers and leaders. - RainaTelgemeierTop Shelf is honored to present a milestone of comics history: the stunning conclusion to the award-winning and best-selling MARCH trilogy. A #1 New YorkTimes Bestseller National Book Award Finalist.KIRKUS (STARRED) -- A living icon of the civil rights movement brings his frank and stirring account of the movement's most tumultuous years (so far) to a climax.As chairman of the Student Non-ViolentCoordinating Committee between 1963 and 1966, Lewis was directly involved in both public demonstrations and behind-the-scenes meetings with government officials and African-American leaders.
He recalls both with unflinching honesty in this trilogy closer carrying his account from the bombing of the 16th StreetBaptist Church to his eventual break with SNCC's increasingly radical elements.Alternating stomach-turning incidents of violence (mostly police violence)-including his own vicious clubbing on the Selma to Montgomery march's"Bloody Sunday"-with passages of impassioned rhetoric from many voices, he chronicles the growing fissures within the movement. Still, despite the wrenching realization that "we were in the middle of a war," he steadfastly holds to nonviolent principles. The passage of the 1965 VotingRights Act marks the end of his account, though he closes with a final look ahead to the night of Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. Powell's high-contrast black-and-white images underscore the narrative's emotional intensity with a parade of hate-filled white faces and fearful but resolute black ones, facing off across a division that may not be as wide as it was then but is still as deep.
This memoir's unique eyewitness view of epochal events makes it essential reading for an understanding of those times-and these.(Graphic memoir. 11 & up)SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) - Gr 8Up-In the final installment in the trilogy, Congressman Lewis concludes his firsthand account of the civil rights era. Simultaneously epic and intimate,this dynamic work spotlights pivotal moments (the bombing of the 16th StreetBaptist Church in Birmingham, AL; the Freedom Summer murders; the 1964Democratic National Convention; and the Selma to Montgomery marches) through the lens of one who was there from the beginning. Lewis's willingness to speak from the heart about moments of doubt and anguish imbues the book with emotional depth. Complex material is tackled but never oversimplified-many pages are positively crammed with text-and, as in previous volumes, discussion of tensions among the various factions of the movement adds nuance and should spark conversation among readers. Through images of steely-eyed police, motion lines,and the use of stark black backgrounds for particularly painful moments, Powell underscores Lewis's statement that he and his cohorts "were in the middle of a war."
These vivid black-and-white visuals soar, conveying expressions of hope,scorn, and devastation and making storied figures such as Martin Luther KingJr., Malcolm X, and Fannie Lou Hamer feel three-dimensional and familiar.VERDICTThis essential addition to graphic novel shelves, history curricula, and memoir collections will resonate with teens and adults alike.-Mahnaz Dar, SchoolLibrary Journal ★ 11/15/2016This concluding volume of Lewis's wrenching account follows civil rights workers through two years of life-threatening activism until President Lyndon Johnson signs the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Powell's peerless ink-wash art varies evocatively from eruptions of darkness for bombings to sketchy pales for Lewis's semiconscious state when beaten by state troopers. Essential background for understanding Black Lives Matter. (LJ Xpress Reviews, 9/1/16) 12/01/2016Gr 8 Up—The final installment in the celebrated graphic novel trilogy that documents Congressman Lewis's role in the civil rights movement, this visually arresting volume covers crucial events such as the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, with Lewis's resounding voice adding a nuanced, deeply emotional perspective.
The personal and the political combine for a historical tour de force. ★ 2016-06-30A living icon of the civil rights movement brings his frank and stirring account of the movement’s most tumultuous years (so far) to a climax.As chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee between 1963 and 1966, Lewis was directly involved in both public demonstrations and behind-the-scenes meetings with government officials and African-American leaders. He recalls both with unflinching honesty in this trilogy closer carrying his account from the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church to his eventual break with SNCC’s increasingly radical elements. Alternating stomach-turning incidents of violence (mostly police violence)—including his own vicious clubbing on the Selma to Montgomery march’s “Bloody Sunday”—with passages of impassioned rhetoric from many voices, he chronicles the growing fissures within the movement. Still, despite the wrenching realization that “we were in the middle of a war,” he steadfastly holds to nonviolent principles.