Festive Reads – Pook’s Picks from our Christmas Classics Collection
Christmas is a time for getting together with those you love and telling stories. Our collection of Christmas Classics are tales that bring magic and joy into Christmas, for both young and old, for years to come. These top 5 Christmas Reads are sure to get you into the festive spirit.
A Christmas Carol – Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
‘A Christmas Carol’ is a truly wonderful novella, written by Charles Dickens. It was first published in 1843 and met with instant success and critical acclaim. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a perfect volume for curious children. It tells the story a bitter old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation into a gentler, kindlier man after visitations by the ghost of his former business partner and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.
Dickens’ Carol was one of the greatest influences in rejuvenating the old Christmas traditions of England. It brings to the reader images of light, joy, warmth and life…
View more of the book here.
The Nutcracker of Nuremberg – Illustrated by Else Hasselriis
Based on the classic Christmas story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker of Nuremberg is the magical adventure of Marie Stahlbaum’s favourite toy, the Nutcracker, who battles the evil Mouse King in battle and takes the reader on a wonderful adventure, into a magical land of dolls. Dumas’s version was adapted by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky into the famous ballet The Nutcracker. Contents include Part I: The Story of the Nutcracker of Nuremberg, Part II: The Story of the Nut Krakatuk and the Princess Pirlipate, and Part III: The Story of Marie and the King of the Toys.
This wonderful story is accompanied by the beautiful silhouettes cut by Else Hasselriis. A perfect festive read for young and old alike.
View more of the book here.
The Snow Queen – The Golden Age of Illustration Series
This volume of the Golden Age of Illustration Series contains Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’. This classic fairy tale has been continuously in print in different editions since its first publication in 1844, with many different artists illustrating the story over the years. This edition features a beautiful collection of the best of that art, taken from the likes of Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, Harry Clarke, Honor Appleton, Jennie Harbour, among others.
This series of books celebrates the Golden Age of Illustration. From the beautiful wintry imagery from Honor C. Appleton to the magical work from Harry Clarke, the illustrations add to the twists and turns of this beloved tale
View more of the book here.
The Night Before Christmas – Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…’
This wonderful yuletide poem, originally known under the title ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ is a Christmas classic. The poem is traditionally accredited to Clement Clarke Moore (1779 – 1863) and has been labelled ‘the best-known verses ever written by an American’. It is largely responsible for conceptions of ‘Santa Claus’ and his association with his reindeer and sleigh. Arthur Rackham‘s illustrations capture the legend of Santa and the magic of Christmas perfectly with his beautiful watercolours and line drawings.
This wonderful poem has been hugely popular from the mid-nineteenth century until today and is still being read by adults and children during Christmas time.
View more of the book here.
The Little Match Girl – The Golden Age of Illustration Series
This volume of the Golden Age of Illustration Series contains Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl, first published in May of 1824. This classic fairy tale has been continuously in print in different editions since its first publication, with many different artists illustrating the story over the years. This edition of The Little Match Girl features a beautiful collection of the best of that art, taken from the likes of Arthur Rackham, Harry Clarke, Honor Appleton, Maxwell Armfield, among others.
A sad and moral little christmas tale to remind us of what we have and what others might not. The gorgeous illustrations enhance the sentiment of the narrative perfectly.
View more of the book here.
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