It's Christmas Eve, and Santa's team has been busy--but even the folks at the North Pole need to celebrate! While Santa is away, everyone around the workshop pitches in to bring together a holiday celebration just in time for Santa's return. This cute, fun board book features tabs so readers can flip right to their favorite character. With bright, fun illustrations and bouncy, rhyming text, Merry Christmas, Santa Claus! is the perfect way to introduce the younger readers to the holiday spirit of the season!
This is a comprehensive history of the world's midwinter gift-givers, showcasing the extreme diversity in their depictions as well as the many traits and functions these characters share. It tracks the evolution of these figures from the tribal priests who presided over winter solstice celebrations thousands of years before the birth of Christ, to Christian notables like St. Martin and St. Nicholas, to a variety of secular figures who emerged throughout Europe following the Protestant Reformation. Finally, it explains how the popularity of a poem about a "miniature sleigh" and "eight tiny reindeer" helped consolidate the diverse European gift-givers into an enduring tradition in which American children awake early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought. Although the names, appearance, attire and gift-giving practices of the world's winter solstice gift-givers differ greatly, they are all recognizable as Santa, the personification of the Christmas and Midwinter festivals. Despite efforts to eliminate him by groups as diverse as the Puritans of seventeenth century New England, the Communist Party of the twentieth century Soviet Union and the government of Nazi Germany, Santa has survived and prospered, becoming one of the best known and most beloved figures in the world.
From the manger of Jesus Christ to the 21st century, this encyclopedia explores more than 2,000 years of Christmas past and present through 966 entries packed with a wide variety of historical and pop-culture subjects. Entries detail customs and traditions from around the world as well as classic Christmas movies, TV series/specials and animated cartoons. Arranged alphabetically by entry name, the book includes the historical background of popular sacred and secular songs as well as accounts of beloved literary works with Christmas themes from such noted authors as Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Hans Christian Andersen, Pearl Buck, Henry Van Dyke and others. All things Christmas are available here in one comprehensive volume.
The 'Big Book of Christmas Tales' is a captivating anthology that traverses the vivacious literary landscape of Christmas narratives. Encompassing a wide range of literary styles, from the whimsical to the solemn, this collection presents an unparalleled amalgamation of stories that both illuminate and celebrate the myriad facets of the holiday season. Its significance is bolstered by the inclusion of seminal works from a pantheon of authors renowned for their contributions to literature, narratively weaving through the themes of hope, generosity, redemption, and the human condition. The diversity of tales, from Dickenss evocative portrayals of Victorian Christmases to Andersens timeless fairy tales, showcases the universal and enduring appeal of Christmas storytelling. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology bring together a veritable tapestry of cultural, historical, and literary backgrounds, united by the theme of Christmas. Their collective works resonate with various movements and epochs in literature, from Victorian sentimentalism to the poignant realism of Dostoevsky, reflecting the profound ways in which Christmas has been celebrated, challenged, and depicted throughout literary history. The anthology stands as a testament to the rich interplay of cultural narratives and individual creativity, offering a holistic exploration of Christmas through the lenses of some of the greatest writers in history. 'Readers seeking a comprehensive exploration of the Christmas spirit through literature need look no further than the Big Book of Christmas Tales. This anthology not only offers a unique opportunity to engage with the holiday season through a multitude of perspectives, styles, and themes but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in capturing the essence of human experiences connected to Christmas. It invites readers to delve into a literary feast, promising both enlightenment and entertainment, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the ways in which Christmas has been immortalized in literature.
It has been eight long years since eight-year-old Nicholas Claus was last seen disappearing in a flash with the world's Christmas spirit stored safely within his very being. Now a strapping teenager, Nicholas struggles to find his way among his new brethren, the Sugar Plum Fairies, until one day a special reindeer and snowman bring Nick a treasured snow globe containing The Christmas Song. This snow globe and song just may be the key to helping Nicholas discover his forgotten past and realize his ultimate destiny. Meanwhile, the evil Ice Queen has enlisted the aid of Jack Frost and recruited him to join her and her troll warriors in destroying Christmas once and for all. As her power grows, people all over the lands must heed her demand to declare their Christmas beliefs and have them removed or suffer dire consequences. With the supreme strength of the Nutcracker war machine at her disposal, it seems that nothing can stop the Ice Queen from ending Christmas forever. That is, unless Nicholas Claus and his friends, including Prince Hero, the Kringles, and especially Nicholas's big sister, Shelby, can stop the queen before it's too late. This fantasy adventure tale is the follow-up to the story begun in Santa Claus: The Spirit of Christmas. The tale is sure to delight readers of all ages as so much surrounding the greatest holiday icon ever is explained in joyous yuletide splendor.
The Big Book of Christmas Magic: 400+ Holiday Novels, Tales, Poems, Carols & Legends offers an unparalleled journey through the vast landscapes of Christmas literature, weaving together an intricate tapestry of narratives that span from enchanting fairy tales and profound poems to soul-stirring carols and timeless legends. This anthology celebrates the eclectic richness of the holiday season, showcasing a remarkable diversity of literary styles and themes. The collection draws together works that reflect the spirit of Christmas in all its forms, from the solemnity of sacred hymns to the playful mirth of festive stories. Each piece, whether it be a poignant tale by Charles Dickens or a whimsical poem by William Wordsworth, contributes to a larger narrative that captures the heart of the holiday season. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology represent a constellation of some of the most influential figures in literary history. From the introspective reflections of Emily Dickinson to the sweeping epics of Leo Tolstoy, and the fantastical adventures of J.M. Barrie, this collection bridges diverse periods and cultures, offering a glimpse into the universal human experience through the lens of Christmas. By uniting such varied voices, the anthology not only celebrates the vast spectrum of human creativity but also highlights the common threads of joy, generosity, and reflection that the holiday season inspires across different times and places. The Big Book of Christmas Magic is an essential addition to the libraries of readers who seek to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Christmas literature. It offers a unique opportunity to explore a multiplicity of perspectives, styles, and themes within a single volume. This collection invites readers to delve into its pages for both its educational value and the pure joy of discovering the myriad ways in which the magic of Christmas has been captured in words. Through this exploration, readers will engage in a meaningful dialogue with the works of some of the greatest authors in history, fostering a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling to unite and inspire.
The most complete collection of Yuletide whodunits ever assembled • The Edgar Award-winning editor collects sixty of his all-time favorite holiday crime stories—from Arthur Conan Doyle and Thomas Hardy to Sara Paretsky and Ed McBain. “Anyone who cares about the best mystery writing of the past century and beyond would be lucky to receive this thick volume during the holidays." —The Washington Post This collection touches on all aspects of the holiday season, and all types of mysteries. They are suspenseful, funny, frightening, and poignant. Included are puzzles by Mary Higgins Clark, Isaac Asimov, and Ngaio Marsh; uncanny tales in the tradition of A Christmas Carol by Peter Lovesey and Max Allan Collins; O. Henry-like stories by Stanley Ellin and Joseph Shearing, stories by pulp icons John D. MacDonald and Damon Runyon; comic gems from Donald E. Westlake and John Mortimer; and many, many more. Almost any kind of mystery you’re in the mood for--suspense, pure detection, humor, cozy, private eye, or police procedural—can be found in these pages. FEATURING: • Unscrupulous Santas • Crimes of Christmases Past and Present • Festive felonies • Deadly puddings • Misdemeanors under the mistletoe • Christmas cases for classic characters including Sherlock Holmes, Brother Cadfael, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Ellery Queen, Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse, Inspector Ghote, A.J. Raffles, and Nero Wolfe.
