In the heart of summer, many of us are reeling from skyrocketing temperatures and thinking wistfully of the crisp days of winter. Cool down as we celebrate Christmas in July and browse the following collectible Christmas favorites.
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The Haunted Man And The Ghost's Bargain: A Fancy For Christmas-time by Charles Dickens Dickens' final and fifth Christmas Book was begun in Broadstairs late in the autumn of 1846. Dickens was still deeply engrossed with Dombey and Son at the time. The public responded eagerly when the book appeared, the sale running to 20,000. |
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The Fairies' Christmas by Charles Van Sandwyk Issued by Heavenly Monkey as their Christmas 2001 book, this title tells the story of a Christmas a boy spent with his grandfather and their encounter with a gathering of fairies. "When I was a boy, it was a long, long time ago. I lived with my grandfather who was a very old man, but in our hearts we were exactly the same age. Life was more simple" |
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Eloise At Christmastime by Kay Thompson Eloise, the six-year-old girl who lives in the penthouse at the top of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, is turning the place upside down during Christmastime. Basis for the movie starring Julie Andrews as Nanny and Sofia Vassilieva as Eloise |
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A Letter From Santa Claus by Mark Twain The story was originally written by Mark Twain for his five year old daughter, Susie, in 1877. First published in Clara Clemens' 1931 book "My Father, Mark Twain." This publication was created by The Ash Ranch Press as a 1990 Christmas keepsake. |
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The Christmas Nutshell Library (A Firefly In A Fir Tree, A Christmas Stocking Story, The Night Before Christmas, Angels & Berries, & Candy Canes) by Hilary Knight A wonderful collection of children's Christmas classics from the renowned illustrator of Eloise, Hilary Knight. |
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A Family Christmas by Caroline Kennedy This collection of Christmas writings and drawings is selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy. Selections range from hymns to childrens' letters to Santa Claus. This collection includes such diverse authors as Charles Dickens, Groucho Marx, E. White and John Lennon. Arranged by subject matter, the writings in this anthology remind us of the wonder of Christmas. Illustrated by Jon J Muth and Laura Hartrman Maestro. |
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Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann The tale of the Nutcracker, written by E. T. A. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences ever since. Maurice Sendak designed sets and costumes for ballet Christmas productions and has created even more magnificent pictures for this book. |
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Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt Frank McCourt's first Christmas book, set in 1910's Limerick, Ireland, is the story is of six year old Angela (of Angela's Ashes) who decides to take the naked baby Jesus from church to her bedroom, fearing he is cold. When the disappearance is discovered, the whole parish is very, very upset. |
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The First Christmas by Lew Wallace The First Christmas (in two colors) by the author of Ben Hur. A new edition of this beautiful story, with full-page illustrations from painting by Raphael, Murillo, and other masters, and marginal drawings, in tint, by William Martin Johnson |
