"Why do you want to do that?" "So Mama can find her way home," she said innocently.— This is the first Christmas without Mama, and John's family is struggling to face the holiday without his loving wife. However, eight-year-old Emily is convinced her mother will come and visit her on Christmas Eve. And right now, Emily needs her mother more than ever. Bring the magic and wonder of Christmas into your heart with this heartwarming picture book that is perfect for a wintry evening read-aloud. It just may begin a new tradition in your family. Published October 2006 32 pages

    

    First published in 1921, the poem's message about the individual worth of those often overlooked strikes a familiar chord in a society struggling to come to terms with its own victims of homelessness, drug abuse, and alienation.The poem is made new with the addition of Greg Newbold's illustrations. Newbold's images -- which are rich in detail, and made even more so by his use of color and light and his painterly style -- evoke a bygone era that is old-fashioned, small-town, pleasantly nostalgic. Newbold's work in Touch of the Master's Hand has already been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and Communication Arts magazine with a 1996 Award of Merit.

    Especially in Winter. Especially at Christmas.Edith Atkinson lives hand to mouth on the streets of London with her friends James and his sister Donna Walsh, selling songs, flowers and Christmas wreaths.But survival is never guaranteed for street rats, even at Christmas. Relying on their wits, their meagre sales and the kindness of strangers, the trio manage to keep body and soul together until a terrible circumstance forces a harsh decision. Now Edie finds herself alone facing dangers that she never knew of when she had James to protect her.When desperation drives Edie to try to find James and Donna again, she is dealt a further terrible blow. Everyone Edie has ever loved is lost to her and she is truly alone. On Christmas day, Edie loses all hope and is propelled towards a dreadful fate.Will this be Edith’s last Christmas? And what of James and Donna? Are they lost to her forever, or will fate step in and reveal a miracle that Edie could never have imagined?This heart warming clean and sweet historical romance from Nell Harte brings you to the wintery London streets of the Victorian era. For fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Tania Crosse.

    The fate of her beloved family home, Marshfield Manor, is tossed to the wind as she discovers upon his death that he has flittered all the family fortune away. She must now summon up the strength to hold everything together; after all, she has a young daughter and an aged aunt to care for. The only thing that is now legally hers is the little cottage in Wakeford where she and the Lord once conducted a passionate affair whilst his first wife lay sick on her death bed. As a consequence, some of the villagers have never forgiven her and nor have most of the staff at the manor house. Cassandra's appearance in Wakeford will have a far reaching effect on certain people living in the village as she encroaches on their lives, even those who despise her.Outcast and unwelcome in Wakeford, Cassandra fights for survival and before the chiming of Christmas bells, she realises she has a very important decision to make...

    The kindly Doctor Goodard proposes a unique way of life.When misfortune strikes again, however, young Sara has little choice but to accept the help of a woman no one has a kindly word for. In the home of Miss Thrip, Sara finds only misery, her mother confined to the hospital and hope in short supply.After Sara finds a companion in the likable Henry Fisher, she soon learns that life can still have its joys, particularly when the lighting of a Christmas tree grants her the wish of her dreams. It is not only Sara who finds hope at Christmas when other surprises unfold.Embracing Hope at Christmas and all Catharine Dobbs' novellas are wholesome Victorian Romances.

     Courting a Spinster for Christmas Investigating a mystery hundreds of years in the making leads to more than Miss Lydia Millpost expects - far more. To Dance with the Dangerous Duke One past mistake seems likely to destroy Lady Isabelle’s future - until the Duke of Dangerfield gets involved. Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish She didn’t really expect her wishes to come true at the Christmas Ball.... The Marchioness’ Second Chance Having always believed that love wasn’t necessary, Olivia, Lady Hemsbridge finds her opinions changing, as circumstances give her a second chance in life. The Gift of a Christmas Scandal The Duke of Southolton and Lady Selina Brancourt have a problem in common - they are each promised to someone they don’t want to marry. When they meet, scandal seems their best option...

    This captivating book, masterfully illustrated by Lulu Delacre, is dedicated with tenderness to the young readers for whom José Martí wrote this beautiful poem.

    Tolkien received letters from the North Pole - from Father Christmas himself! They told wonderful stories of mischief and disaster, adventures, and battles: how the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place, how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas's house, and many others.Now, for the first time, these letters are brought to life with specially arranged holiday music.REVIEW:"Tolkien at his relaxed and ingenious best." The Times of LondonABOUT THE AUTHOR:J.R.R. TOLKIEN (1892-1973) is the creator of Middle-earth and author of such classic extraordinary works of fiction as 'The Hobbit', 'The Lord of the Rings', and 'The Silmarillion.' His books have been translated into more than fifty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.©1997, 2004 (P)1997 Harper Collins UK

    The works in the series are suitable for ages eight and up. The books are simple, retellings of the great literary classics which remain faithful to the original text.

    

    Driven from home to be dumped in the workhouse, Charlie has had to fight for survival and has vowed to never forgive those who hurt her.Paul Vermont is a godly man who falls in love with Charlie from the moment he first sets eyes on her. The textiles in the factory are nothing but rags compared to her beauty, but bitterness in her heart is evident in the way she treats everyone around her. Paul has strong faith and refuses to believe that Charlie cannot change.He sets out to help her deal with her past—and that means returning to where it all began.The brave Christmas journey she takes then changes everything for them both.If you enjoy heartfelt Victorian romance you will love this beautiful Christmas tale. Read it today.

    But between her students' lack of English, the rough surroundings and sheriff Elias Parker's doubts and distrust, Savannah's unprepared for both the job and the climate. However, she's determined to prove she can handle anything her new town throws her way. Elias gives it a week—or less—before the pretty schoolteacher packs her dainty dresses and hightails it back home. But no matter how many mishaps he has to rescue her from, Savannah doesn't give up. Yet the real test is to come—a brutal blizzard that could finally drive her away, taking his heart with her…

    When the new Lord and Lady Hartford and their twin daughters arrived, they reduced her status to that of a servant. Elizabeth is determined to leave Hartford Hall in the New Year and find work as a governess. But the arrival of Sir James Worthington to make an offer for Lady Eleanor Hartford only leads to her difficulties...(Christmas at Hartford Hall was first published by DC Thomson in 2009)

    Based on the author's childhood experience. 2000 Palanca 2nd Prize winner.