Christmas in Idaho is an award winning inspirational story for adult readers and their families.

You’ll find amazement, sadness and joy as you follow the protagonist in his journey to a small deserted church where he experiences an unexpected encounter.

This keepsake hardcover book is beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated.

Includes audio CD with dramatic narration and seasonal music, a wonderful listening experience.

NOTE: Audio CD plays on most DVD players.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautiful Book… A Christmas Standard

Oh the pictures, the beautiful descriptions, the tenderness. I have the Kindle Edition and do not regret it. But must now have the hardbound edition to enjoy with grandchildren and others in the family. The warm and loving depictions of Christ and Christmas are very precious and beloved. I bought the book because I love my Idaho home. I found so much more.

Review by Patty P.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Glorious!

Mere words cannot convey the feeling of love...must get better acquainted with my journey! Loved the illustrations....thanks for a quick Sunday read.

Review by Miz Bird

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A New Christmas Story for the Whole Family

“The first snows of winter are the magical ones.” With the opening sentence of Ray Downing’s Christmas In Idaho, we know the book will offer up the simple pleasures of Christmas as well as something enchanting and mysterious. This imaginative book revisits the holiday’s traditional, joyous themes – children playing in the snow, the sound of Christmas bells, the Star of Bethlehem, the warmth of home, even a little dry turkey – but it also speaks to deeper issues and religious messages.

Downing’s thoughtfulness is obvious in the book design as well. The touching illustrations (Downing is an Emmy Award winner, so that’s not a surprise) on heavy, gilded pages reminded me of how books used to feel.

Normally, I wouldn’t listen to a CD after I’d read the book, but I was in the car and thought I’d give it a try. The narrator’s calm voice and the piano background of familiar classics and Christmas music felt like a calm antidote to the season’s usual hustle and bustle.

I think it’s not easy to capture the innocence we celebrate on Christmas and also depict a more seasoned view of life. Who would have thought it could be done through the eyes of a snowman?

Review by JD

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautiful book

It was like a Christmas card from the author. Short enough to read when I had a few minutes before, during and after this busy season🎁

Review by Sally G.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Christmas in Idaho” by Ray Downing, , a future classic from our modern times.

“Christmas in Idaho” by Ray Downing is a beautifully illustrated book and unique story about a Snowman who discovers the real meaning of Christmas. As you read, the lavish artwork will draw you into the story as you travel through Idaho’s journey. Idaho dances around a Christmas Tree, enjoys a big bowl of punch, experiences dark scary woods and ends his journey in church by a manger scene. There Idaho learns about the true meaning of Christmas and immortality. “Christmas in Idaho” by Ray Downing, is definitely a classic for our modern times. A book for adults and older children.

Review by CSJ

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Snow

Love love loved this book!! Didn't take long to read but gives you a warm feeling inside!!! I definitely recommend this book.

Review by Denise R.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Christmas in Idaho

I loved this little book. I could not put it down. The words Mr. Downing used to describe everything was kind of magical. Its a lovely book for all to read on Christmas. When I read the title I thought it would be about a family in Idaho having Christmas. It kind is but goes farther. I think this is some all will enjoy.

Review by Jannett

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wonderful Christmas story

Christmas in Idaho is a gorgeous, keepsake-type book that contains a lovely story about a snowman's experience with Christmas. It comes with an audio CD where the narration is supplemented by background music and sound effects. It's a story for the whole family, though adults will certainly have to explain some things to children. And it's all quite lovely.

The story is about Idaho, a snowman made by two children on Christmas Eve. It follows Idaho as he encounters joy and sorrow, life and death, and the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The book is enjoyable all on its own, but when coupled with the narration CD, it's outstanding. I absolutely loved listening to the story, and I got chills at the point when Idaho encounters Jesus. The music is perfectly matched to the story and really adds to the listening experience. I could see the whole family gathering to read/listen to the story becoming a cherished Christmas tradition!

Review by Becky R.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Christmas Treasure!

This book reminded me of what Christmas is all about, and left me wanting to read it again. Beautifully written and illustrated, you will enjoy this instant classic.

Review by JB

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A delightfully detailed Christmas story to treasure year after year.

For those of you on the fence about purchasing this book, it was designed to be a keepsake, not just some picture book you throw on the shelf in your child’s bedroom. I’m not sure if all copies will be made so lavishly because of the production cost, but mine has a ribbon bookmark and color on every page. It has gilded edged pages thicker than any book you’ve ever laid your hands on. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen a new book with illustrations as nice as these.

Positively stunning illustrations. The snowflakes looked so real that it felt like if you touched them you’d expect to feel a bump on the page. The hardcover front actually does have the title and the bird raised where you can feel them.

Mine also came with an audiobook CD in the back. It had a movie-like feel, with a professional male narrator, Christmas music in the background and sound effects. I don’t think the story was meant specifically for small children because some of the descriptions were a tad lengthy, but my daughter, who is a preteen, really enjoyed reading it along with the audio version. She’s dyslexic and NOT into reading at all, but as soon as it was over she asked if she could have it so she could read it every Christmas.

The story is about a snowman named Idaho (because the children that made him used an Idaho potato sack for his vest) and his realization that, like Frostie, he won’t survive to see Spring. Given the theme is a snowman’s death, it is a little sad in places, but it ends really sweet after Idaho has a religious encounter in a church.

This book and audio CD were given to me by the author with the hope that I'd review it and I’m really glad he did. It’s rare these days to find someone who is willing to go as far as he did to create something so fine.

Review by Tattie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Meaning of Christmas Made Real to Idaho

An angel teardrop, a creature fashioned from snow—blessed by Jesus himself.

Seldom have I seen a book as beautiful as Christmas in Idaho by Ray Downing. The presentation, the artwork, the paper, and the cover are stunning. In addition, the book comes with a CD containing a reading of the story and the beautiful art as well. You will want to keep a copy of this story to read every Christmas—be you a child or a child at heart.

You see, Idaho got his name from a burlap sack two young children used as his vest when they fashioned him from snow. Little did they know the last handful of snow they patted upon his chest contained an angel’s tear. That tear caused Idaho to live and think and want to learn.

The pages that follow his realization he lived tell a wonderful tale. He endeavors to learn why Christmas holds such an honored place in their household. One of the things he learns tells him when spring arrives, snow melts and he will disappear. So he sets out to find out as much about this world as he can before that time comes.

You will definitely want to get his book and read Idaho’s story. I am sure you will find amazement and sadness and joy within. I cannot recommend this book more highly—I wish I could award more than five stars.

Digital artist Ray Downing, Emmy winner, through his interests in art, science, and religion created an emotionally charged and lavishly illustrated Christmas story—a journey of discovery which questions our understanding of time and explores the possibility of immortality.

Review by Debhgrty

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ After Christmas, the Snowman lingers

This Christmas season has passed, but there still are snowmen. Therein lies the magic of this enchanting book. This is not a spoiler-alert, but there is much about spring and melting snows, and hope eternal. So, it's a book that keeps on giving.

When I first heard about the book, I thought about "Christmas in Connecticut," and I thought this was just a Western version of that holiday classic. I was delightfully wrong. You'll discover for yourself the difference, the magic, and the meaning. Ray Downing is a gifted artist and imagineer: He provides something for each of us. His original illustrations are like classic art, exquisitely done and well-imagined. The presentation is on gold-leaf-edged paper, a luxury and style most books have lost.

"Christmas in Idaho" will probably never make it to your bookshelf, it belongs on a table, in the foyer, a special place in the family room that Ray Downing so well illuminates. If you can't find it, check under one of your kid's pillows.

Review by Joshua H.