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Reviews: Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah

With Other Songs in Other Tongues: In 1999, Piano Press first published Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah - A Multilingual Songbook and CD. The collection includes holiday songs in English, Hebrew, Latin, German, and French as well as "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night." "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "Joy to the World" in Spanish. This work has been especially popular with the school music market, music teachers serving diverse populations, and people who want to perform holiday programs in a variety of languages. The Spanish transcriptions were done by a media librarian at San Diego State University who grew up in Mexico, based on a Spanish recording. I was lucky to find a transcriptionist who new the language as a native. In a community such as San Diego (where I live and teach), the need for Christmas songs in Spanish is high. I have even had requests for the Hanukkah songs in Spanish...next edition! This songbook and CD is distributed through Baker & Taylor, and it's available online at most book and music retailers. The collection has also been a popular item at display booths at music teachers conventions and folk festivals. The project has been through many evolutions, and it is very rewarding to witness its success.

- Publishers Marketing Association Newsletter

Elizabeth C. Axford's Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah - A Multilingual Songbook and CD (Piano Press) for children is featured on her web site www.pianopress.com.

- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Bulletin

"…a collection of thirty-two traditional Christmas and Hanukkah songs for winter holidays with complete verses in English and many in Hebrew, Spanish, German, French, or Latin as well. Each song has an easy accompaniment part that could be played on a keyboard instrument or by other instruments, and the collection comes with a compact disc."

- Teaching Music (MENC) Music Educator’s National Conference

"A very attractive collection - kids should love it!"

- Dr. David Ward-Steinman, Composer, Professor SDSU

"Just a note of appreciation to tell you how much my students and I appreciated your holiday songbook...Using pertinent, well thought out and motivating curriculum materials is so important to the success of my classroom. Thank you for putting together a compilation of music that has all these elements...The compilation of Christmas and Hanukkah music cuts across religious and cultural barriers...The inclusion of two versions for every song provides choice and challenge for students at any level...I’m looking forward to using this and other publications from Ms. Axford as they become available."

- Heidi Pollyea, Teacher, Krusé Educational Center, Miami, FL

"We would like very much to express our gratitude for introducing to our family your book of holiday songs. Daniel practiced quite a few of the easier arrangements and gave numerous recitals and led sing-a-longs for our extended family. Next year he should be able to tackle some of the more complicated versions of his favorite songs. Since we have an interfaith marriage, we were especially pleased to find all of our favorite Christmas and Hanukkah songs in the same book. Thanks!"

- David & Karen Corash, Miami, FL

"My child and entire family thoroughly enjoyed the Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah music book, compiled by Liz Axford. As we are Jewish, it was particularly nice to hear Hanukkah songs as well as the Christmas songs during the holiday season. This was the first mixed sectarian music book of its kind that we had seen used by piano and keyboard students. It enabled our 8 year old to entertain our family and friends during our holiday celebrations. Making Ms. Axford’s work available on the open market would be a "mitzvah" (good deed) to all."

- Mollie Spirer, Miami, FL

"Liz Axford’s holiday songbook was great because it had songs about Christmas and Hanukkah. While we were opening presents, my family enjoyed listening to me play it. The book also has two versions of each song. The beginners can play the same song as the more advanced players. Even now I play the songs to keep myself in the holiday spirit."

- Mindy Hagen, Student, Age 9

"Liz Axford’s Christmas and Hanukkah songs were easy to play on the piano. I liked the arrangements. I liked the idea that there was a mixture of Christmas and Hanukkah selections."

- Matt Brooks, Student

"I think that this book is a fun and easy way to learn popular holiday songs."

- Oliver Chiang, Student