Subtitled 'The Complete Christmas Collection' this is a delightful series of individual Christmas short stories. My personal favourite was Kate's Choice. Loved it; really charming.. ( )

When I feel sad I read a Christmas story. There's something about Chrstmas that makes me smile. A couple of evenigs ago after watching the news on TV I picked up a book that has been sitting unread on my shelf. I opened it to the table of contents and chose to read 'Gwen's Adventures in the Snow'. I was immediately charmed. What have I been missing? I was uplifted and edified by the story I'd just read. I knew that I was holding a treasure in my hands.

Louisa May Alcott's father was a philosopher who had a difficult time supporting his family. He was good friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson who admired Alcott and contributed to the support of his family when times were particularly hard.

After the publishing of Little Women, Ms. Alcott paid Emerson back for his kindnes with the money she received from her published book. Emerson's charity toward her family left her imprinted with caring and kindness, realizing without the charity shown by Emerson the family would have greatly suffered .

This collection of stories is about charity, kindness and caring. They are excellent learning tools for children, and enjoyable. charming reading for adults. In the stories charity is illustrated, and the importance of relationships is emphasized. All the stories take place during the winters of the mid 1800's. ( )