A Christmas Carol (DK Classics) [Hardcover]

Charles Dickens (Author), Andrew Wheatcroft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

A Christmas Carol is an essential part of Christmas for families everywhere. Since the book's publication in 1843, the story of miserly Scrooge's change of heart after the visit of three spirits has been encountered by children in innumerable books, plays, movies, and cartoons based on Dicken's ghost story. This edition introduces children to the powerful words of the original text in an abridgment based on the one Dickens made for his pubic readings. Andrew Wheatcroft's illustrations bring the classic scenes to life. Photography, paintings, and hundreds of facts explore Dicken's London, the wealth and the poverty, and Christmas customs and ideals then and now. Dickens's marvelous words and their fascinating context are brought together to inspire a new generation with Dickens's message -- that we can and we should change ourselves and our world for the better.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the history of English literature, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, which has been continuously in print since it was first published in the winter of 1843, stands out as the quintessential Christmas story. What makes this charming edition of Dickens's immortal tale so special is the collection of 80 vivid illustrations by Everett Shinn (1876-1953). Shinn, a well-known artist in his time, was a popular illustrator of newspapers and magazines whose work displayed a remarkable affinity for the stories of Charles Dickens, evoking the bustling street life of the mid-1800s. Printed on heavy, cream-colored paper stock, the edges of the pages have been left rough, simulating the way in which the story might have appeared in Dickens's own time. Though countless editions of this classic have been published over the years, this one stands out as particularly beautiful, nostalgic, and evocative of the spirit of Christmas. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Lisbeth Zwerger's glorious watercolors for Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, first published in 1988, once again prove that she is as adept at creating the terrifying image of Christmas Yet to Come as she is showing the miraculous transformation of Scrooge.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789420708
• ISBN-13: 978-0789420701
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (382 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,013,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best "Christmas Carol" ever, December 18, 2006

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CC-in-VA (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Carol (Hardcover)

Many versions of Dickins' classic "A Christmas Carol" are actually abridgements (done more or less smoothly) but this version is complete and unabridged. Even if you think you are familiar with the book you may find upon reading this one that you previously had read a shortened version! The completeness of this volume would be reason enough to add it to your library, but the quality of the pages, typeface, and above all the lovely illustrations scattered throughout further commend it. I have bought copies for all 3 of my grown children--because every family deserves to own a complete version of this classic story and this one is the best I have ever seen.

77 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read the book the way Dickens wrote it.........., November 22, 2006

By 

Susan K. Schoonover "Sue Yingling" (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Christmas Carol (Paperback)

I hope all readers take time to read A CHRISTMAS CAROL in the original language Dickens used in the 1840's. Dickens' language remains humorous, descriptive and insightful and not inaccessible to most modern readers especially with the use of a good glossary. This is a great read aloud for families at Christmas time and also a great introduction to Dickens and other Victorian writers. Don't settle for an abridged version. Read this masterpiece the way it was intended

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Volume, November 20, 2006

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Reviewer (California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Christmas Carol (Hardcover)

I collect "A Christmas Carol" and this is a particularly lovely volume. The illustrations are wonderful and the overall quality, printing, binding and paper, is terrific. This is definitely in my top three favorites of all the different versions I own.