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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
...these tales will warm your heart no matter how cold it is outside, September 24, 2006
Louisa May Alcott is known for her longer works such as LITTLE WOMEN and GOOD WIVES. While those tales stay bright in my heart and mind, it was her collection of holiday stories and poems found within the pages of A LOUISA MAY ALCOTT CHRISTMAS that have left the deepest impression on me. A LOUISA MAY ALCOTT CHRISTMAS contains 16 short stories, and 4 poems, each one about a different family spreading the joy of the holidays.
AN OLD FASHIONED THANKSGIVING - It is November, 1881, and Thanksgiving has fallen upon the Bassett family household. Grandma is sick, so, as opposed to trekking out in the snow to spend the holidays with her, the girls prepare to make a wonderful Thanksgiving feast in their cozy, warm home; where they realize that home-spent Thanksgiving's can be just as rewarding as those where travel is involved. 4/5 stars.
THE SILVER PARTY - Tony's mother realizes that his tiny cold is turning into a full-blown sickness, so demands that he stay home in bed on Thanksgiving until the splendid meal is laid out, while the rest of the family traipse through the snow and make merry. However, while lounging on the couch, Tony hears the silver speaking to one another. Forks, spoons, ladles, plates, and more, joining in idle gossip about him and his family, as he looks on in bewilderment. 4/5 stars.
OH, THE BEAUTIFUL OLD STORY - A beautiful poem that discusses the story of Christ's birth in the manger, as the animals look on, and behold the birth of a legend. 5/5 stars.
SOPHIE'S SECRET - Sixteen-year-old Sophie, a Swiss girl with money to burn in her pocket, feels excited to be in America, spending time with her new friends. But these so-called friends tend to tease her about everything - from the way she speaks, to why she hoards her money. So when she meets a hardworking, poor girl named Tilly, who dreams of someday attending school and learning, Sophie decides to make Tilly her holiday project, showering her with gifts that will make her dreams come true - much to the chagrin of her oft-times gossiping new friends. 5/5 stars.
ROSA'S TALE - It is said that on Christmas Eve, for one hour after midnight, animals are given the gift of speech, to proclaim everything that's inside their minds and hearts. It is during this time that young Belinda rushes out to surprise her equine friend, Rosa, with a wonderful holiday feast, only to hear Rosa tell the sordid tale of her life, and her fears regarding her future. 5/5 stars.
THE LITTLE RED PURSE - Lu received many things for her tenth birthday, but the one thing that excited her the most was the little red purse that matched her mother's, and the ten cents it held. Being a generous child, Lu quickly gives the ten cents to less-fortunate people around her. However, when she meets a poor child, begging for food for her ailing family, Lu decides to do even more, and collects as much money, presents, and food as she possibly can to present to her new friend, and her family, on Christmas morning. 5/5 stars.
TESSA'S SURPRISES - Ever since twelve-year-old Tessa's mother died, things have become complicated for the little girl. Her Italian plaster-worker father brings in enough money only to pay the rent, and for small bits of food, and Tessa feels that she won't be able to present her younger siblings with a special Christmas. When she enlists the help of her friend, Tommo, however, singing along with his harp-playing, she begins earning some spare pennies, and even meets a rich family who has something special planned for the hardworking Tessa that will make this Christmas more splendid than all the rest. 5/5 stars.
A SONG FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE - A lovely poem that describes the tastes, sounds, and feel of Christmas - along with a line or two regarding Christ's birth. 5/5 stars.
A CHRISTMAS TURKEY, AND HOW IT CAME - Kitty's family has slowly been ripping at the seams ever since her father began bringing home only half of his paycheck, spending the rest on alcohol. And now, with Christmas upon them, Kitty feels that it is her duty to provide a wonderful Christmas feast, accompanied with a few small gifts, for her younger brothers. However, as the three of them set out to begin their days of work, in an attempt to earn money for the dreamt of feast, they realize that they certainly won't have enough money for a turkey, and feel as if the holiday will be ruined. That is, until their father surprises them with the Christmas of their dreams. 5/5 stars.
WHAT THE BELLS SAW AND SAID - The bells in the town do not chime only when they are pulled, or at set times. But chime in an attempt to warn the townspeople of the loss of one of their own, who found herself poor and starving. To try to alert people that they must do something, anything, to help those less fortunate than themselves. To give a little joy to others for the Christmas season. But it all falls on deaf ears...4/5 stars.
A HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS - Miss Hale may be around those who are sick, or injured from the war day in and day out. But the love and joy that these men experience, and give to one another on a daily basis is more than anyone could ask for. However, when Christmas dinner arrives being less than expected, the men feel as if their holiday is ruined. Until, one by one, they receive various items from home that give them reason to appreciate all that they have been given for the holidays this year. 4/5 stars.
HOW IT ALL HAPPENED - Sisters Dolly and Polly realize that Christmas will not be anything special this year, especially when they bring home their Christmas tree, and realize that it is no bigger than a twig. However, the two girls want to make a wonderful holiday for their younger siblings and don't know how. When their neighbor, Miss Kent, hears them sobbing through the wall, she enlists the help of some of the other neighbors, in an attempt to offer the two girls the Christmas that they've always dreamed of. 5/5 stars.
TILLY'S CHRISTMAS - Tilly knows that this year she will be receiving nothing for Christmas, her mother having barely enough money to clothe and feed the two of them. So, on her way home from school, as her two friends discuss the many presents they will be receiving the next morning, Tilly rescues a baby bird that has lost its way, taking it home to nurse it back to health. Her good deed does not go unnoticed, for the next morning, there is a surprise she never could have expected, awaiting both her and her mother. A surprise that will make this Christmas their best yet. 5/5 stars.
WHAT POLLY FOUND IN HER STOCKING - A delightful poem talking about young Polly, and the many wonderful treasures she finds as she empties out her stocking on Christmas morning. 5/5 stars.
A CHRISTMAS DREAM, AND HOW IT CAME TRUE - Ten-year-old Effie has everything she's ever dreamed of, from delightful treats, to wonderful toys; which makes Christmas a boring event for her. When she falls asleep, and dreams of a place where children are much less privileged than she, she enlists the help of her mother and Nanny, to create the best Christmas ever: one that will provide something new and exciting for herself, and give hope to many underprivileged girls who have yet to experience the joy that she experiences each and every day. 5/5 stars.
KATE'S CHOICE - Fifteen-year-old Kate is saddened when her father dies, leaving her a very well-off orphan, with money to spare. She is now forced to face the task of visiting each of her four Uncles, and choosing which one she feels suited to live with. However, at her final Uncle's home, she learns of a Grandmother who hasn't been seen in years, and decides to visit her, only to find that she is the guardian Kate can't live without. And now, as Kate finds herself overjoyed at her new living arrangement, she decides to create a family Christmas for her loving Grandmother, in an attempt to bring a newfound joy into her life. 5/5 stars.
MRS. PODGERS' TEAPOT - Mrs. Podgers never loved her husband, until the day he died and she discovered that he had done many kind things for the less fortunate, and decides to stay true to him until the day he dies. She has her son to keep her happy, anyway. However, when her young son dies, she finds herself alone, and quite somber. When one of her tenants, and good friends, Mr. 'Rusalem, finds a poverty-stricken young boy, Mrs. Podgers realizes that he is just the thing she needs to feel complete; and finds herself learning new things about Mr. 'Rusalem that will change her opinions of her deceased husband. 4/5 stars.
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS - Sophie Vaughan and Aunt Plumy want nothing more than for the citified Emily and her writer friend, Randal, to spend the holidays with their family. Aunt Plumy plans on providing them with a good, old-fashioned country Christmas, full of good food, and cozy stories. When the two accept the invitation, Sophie, along with Aunt Plumy, Saul, and Ruth, create the Christmas that is only imaginable in dreams, and learn a lot about the city-folks way of living. 4/5 stars.
COUSIN TRIBULATION'S STORY - When a young girls family is visited by a young boy early New Year's morning, begging for some food; the girls mother accompanies him to his home, only to find his mother sick, and his siblings starving and dressed in tatters. The young girls mother quickly rushes home and asks her children if they would be willing to part with their New Year's breakfast of porridge, and offer it to the less-fortunate. It is this one event that changes the young girls life forever, shaping her to be the person she is today. 5/5 stars.
MERRY CHRISTMAS - A poem that captures the true essence of Christmas morning, and the wonderful feelings everyone succumbs to - from the coolness of the floor under bare feet, to the rosy cheeks; and the sounds of angels wings rustling, to larks singing.
It is not often that I stumble upon a short story collection that immerses me as deeply as Louisa May Alcott's A LOUISA MAY ALCOTT CHRISTMAS. However, from the very first story, to the very last, I found myself enraptured in the delightful prose, the oft-times somber characters, and the wonderful charity found on each and every page. The stories found within this collection are truly those that should be cherished; each one recanting the story of those less-privileged being helped by the rich, in an attempt to give them the opportunity to have a Christmas like no other. The stand-out stories, are ROSA'S TALE and A CHRISTMAS DREAM, AND HOW IT CAME TRUE. However, each tale fills your heart with a warmth that is utterly unimaginable, teaching readers young and old the lesson of giving. If you are going to purchase one Christmas story collection this year, let this be it; for these tales will warm your heart no matter how cold it is outside.
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
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by Louisa May Alcott
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