Recently widowed, Mama would only be able to provide a meager Christmas for her five small children. Even though Mama could only get work occasionally, the family was rich in love and affection.

The older girls did housework while Mama was away, and Lili looked after Ben and the baby. On Christmas Eve, the family spent an anxious evening that turned into one of the most extraordinary and memorable Christmases of their lives.

This true story is set at the turn of the 20th century in New York City. Highly recommended as a Christmas read-aloud.

Old Cyrus Grape doesn't like children. And he insists that the skating pond is his. Mr. Whiskers knows this isn't true, but since he can't prove it, there'll be no skating...not even on Christmas Day! Unless cleaning Mr. Whiskers' house uncovers some important information.

Maggie's favorite cranberry cookie recipe is included on the back!

Why did Miss Twiggley live in a tree? Why did she send her dog, Puss, out to do the shopping? Why did she always run away and hide when people came to visit? And it was rumored that Miss Twiggley had even more peculiar habits...

Old Miss Twiggley, was friendly with bears. They shed on the sofa, she said, but who cares?

And was it true, as the mayor's wife had heard, that she actually slept in her hat? Simply disgraceful! they said. But when a hurricane hits the town and the water rises, everyone is grateful to Miss Twiggley and her tree. Even better, Miss Twiggley herself learns a very important lesson, with a warm and happy ending.

A beautiful read-aloud, showing people coming together during a crisis. This edition features a letter to the reader written by Dorothea Fox in 1995, explaining how she came to write this touching story.

Cranky Mr. Grape not only refuses to donate money to the cause but he insists that it's a mistake to trust Mr. Whiskers with the money because he is sloppy and careless. However, Maggie's grandmother speaks up for Mr. Whiskers, and he gets the job of treasurer.

On their way to the town party on Halloween night, Maggie and Mr. Whiskers are confronted by two men in pirate costumes trying to steal the old moneybox. Maggie and Mr. Whiskers hide in the spooky old house where Mr. Whiskers's aunt used to live, but the pirates are still waiting for them outside. What are they going to do?

This 1982 classic returns along with another mouthwatering Devlin recipe, this time for Cranberry Dessert

With the wise guidance of King Crispin, the animals of Mistmantle have enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity since the violent Raven War.

The tranquility is disrupted when a series of tidal waves threatens to destroy the island. The inhabitants must quickly move to higher ground to avoid the devastation. But Mossberry, an influential squirrel with delusions of grandeur, sees the impending disaster as an opportunity to rise to power...and his reckless decisions will put many citizens in harm's way.

In a race against time, Urchin of the Riding Stars, his page, Corr, and the Circle of King Crispin's court must stop Mossberry and usher the animals of Mistmantle to safety. And when the rage tide sweeps a beloved islander beyond the mists, there is only one thing to be done.

Beautiful cover by Christine Enright, beautiful black and white drawings by Janna Mattia.

As he watches his homeland of Hungary being taken over and run by invaders from Nazi Germany, young Prince Michael of Chestry strives to retain his identity and integrity during one of the most dangerous seasons in human history.

Michael carries an acorn all the way from his castle home in Chestry Valley to the warm soil of the Hudson Valley farm in the USA where he makes a new home after WWII.

It is difficult to decide which are the most unforgettable; the scenes in Hungary, Michael's proud, valiant father and his beloved Nana, or the friendly young GI and his family who take Michael to their hearts and make him their own. Perhaps the most compelling character of all is Midnight, the dancing black stallion, full of fire and beauty, and trained to perform before princes. Kate Seredy's drawings make this a book to treasure.

A masterpiece of childhood literature.

-Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The prose is perfect: vivid and often poetic. -National Review

...a modern fairy tale of Hungary. -Kirkus Reviews

Kate Seredy's fine illustrations help to link Hungary and America in this story of young Prince Michael whose changing fortunes brought him at last to the warmth of an American home.

-Horn Book

Occasionally something precious is lost for a while only to be rediscovered and become appreciated all over again. Perhaps never is this more true than with the story Chestry Oak. Originally published in 1948, it is a beautifully told story of a boy who begins with a happy childhood, overcomes peril, and finishes strong. Chestry Oak is a book with all-too-rare and wonderful values that has been cherished by readers for generations. Long out of print, today's readers can once again enjoy the delightful story of Chestry Oak, thanks to Purple House Press.

After his last adventure, Urchin of the Riding Stars has taken his place as a trusted member of the Circle in King Crispin's court. Life on the island is back to normal, with little Princess Catkin growing up and testing everyone's patience in the process.

But daily life is disrupted when Lord Arcneck and other inhabitants of Swan Isle come to Mistmantle asking for help. Their home has been taken over by bloodthirsty ravens that are attacking them and ravaging everything in sight.

The brave animals of Mistmantle rush to the aid of their friends, but in doing so, incur the wrath of the invaders. The vengeful ravens are powerful and won't stop until they hunt down and destroy every creature on the island. Only by using all of their courage and cunning will Urchin and his friends stand a chance of preserving life as they know it on their beloved island.

Why did Miss Twiggley live in a tree? Why did she send her dog, Puss, out to do the shopping? Why did she always run away and hide when people came to visit? And it was rumored that Miss Twiggley had even more peculiar habits...

Old Miss Twiggley, was friendly with bears. They shed on the sofa, she said, but who cares?

And was it true, as the mayor's wife had heard, that she actually slept in her hat? Simply disgraceful! they said. But when a hurricane hits the town and the water rises, everyone is grateful to Miss Twiggley and her tree. Even better, Miss Twiggley herself learns a very important lesson, with a warm and happy ending.

A beautiful read-aloud, showing people coming together during a crisis. This edition features a letter to the reader written by Dorothea Fox in 1995, explaining how she came to write this touching story.

Pickle-Chiffon Pie is a story without a villain. No fighting, no bloodshed, but still exciting and fast-moving. It is a tale that stretches the imagination: the reader must accept a juggling lion (six cans of root beer at once!) and a sixteen-footed Gazoo. Not a hard assignment for a child, but perhaps a bit more difficult for a worldly grown-up.

Take heart, you staid elders. The story has elements running throughout that should appeal to adults as well as children (how 'bout mice that paint in the fashion of Picasso, Matisse, Grant Wood and even Toulouse Lautrec?) because the author knew that if a story IS A REALLY GOOD ONE, parents everywhere would be commanded by their children to read it aloud again and again. And maybe even once more...

For those of you who have never experienced pickle-chiffon pie, here is the recipe:

2 cups imagination

3 teaspoons humor

Exciting illustrations, one per page

At least one dragon

2 tablespoons silliness

Combine: 1 beautiful princess with 1 hero, well seasoned

A pinch of moral values

Mix together in a lively plot

As the inhabitants of the island of Mistmantle prepare for the coronation of Crispin the squirrel, robes are stitched, cakes are baked, wine is brought up from the cellars, and the Heartstone-the unique gold-and-silver-flecked stone that only the priest or rightful ruler of the island can hold-is readied.

But the newly established peace in Mistmantle is soon under threat. A storm-ravaged ship from a distant land appears in the mists surrounding the island; a dramatic revelation about the revered Heartstone comes to light; and the extrasensory powers of a young islander reveal the evil close at hand.

Urchin finds himself journeying to a hostile land, where the maniacal King Silverbirch and his sorcerer, Smokewreath, await him. There, Urchin will have to face challenges greater than those he has ever known, and in so doing he will learn a secret about his past that will change his life forever.

Suffering codfish! Somebody's after me, Mr. Whiskers groans. And somebody is.

It all starts on a gray February day in Cranberryport, when Mr. Whiskers admits to Maggie and Grandmother that he has never, ever, received a valentine. Then, two days later, a big lacy valentine arrives for him, full of cupids, lovebirds, hearts and flowers.

How sweet, says Maggie.

Revolting, says Mr. Whiskers.

The next day three more fancy valentines arrive for Mr. Whiskers, and he begins to get worried-particularly when he hears that a lady in green has been asking for him all over town. Can she be the one sending him all the valentines?

Then two more valentines arrive and Mr. Whiskers is terrified! Should he hide, or leave town?

How Mr. Whiskers solves the mystery of his secret admirer and enjoys a happy Valentine's Day makes for another appealing story, from 1986, in this much-loved Cranberryport series. Not to be missed is the tasty recipe for Cranberry Upside-Down Cake!

What do I do with it? Gus cried. With Cora's help and a book about caring for ghostly babies, Gus manages just fine. However, cranky Mr. Frizzle soon demands that Gus gets rid of baby ghost. How do the two caretakers of the Historical Museum settle their differences? Well it turns out that not only is Gus a friendly ghost, but a smart one too

A beloved 1972 classic has returned

We were tired of living in a house.

So we packed a bag with

sweaters and socks and scarves

and mittens and woolen caps.

And we moved to a tree....

So begins this whimsical tale of four small children, a dog and a cat who decided they were tired of living in a house. They try a tree, a pond, a cave and the seashore, but in each place something unusual happens to make them move on to the next place-and finally home.

Each appealing moment and every small detail are captured by Doris Burn's original drawings from 1969.

It all begins with a simple question posed by a patient mother when her impatient toddler shouts, 'I'm hungry!' 'What will you say when the doorbell rings and we open the door?' asks Mom. 'Hi, Pizza Man!' replies the thoughtful child. . . . But what if it's a pizza woman?. . . a pizza kitty?. . . a pizza duck?. . . The book has a wonderfully satisfying roundness that comes full circle when the doorbell finally rings. -The Horn Book.

When Ed and Ann's turkey dinner burns, they think their Thanksgiving is ruined. But what appears to be a disaster becomes a blessing in disguise when Ed and Ann unknowingly intrude on an immigrant family's own Thanksgiving celebration at their new restaurant, The New World Café. Once Grandmother silences her despairing family and invites the unexpected customers to join them, they all share an evening of friendship, good food, and lots of dancing-reminding everyone that Thanksgiving is about opening one's heart in welcome to the strangers who become friends and the disappointments that bring unexpected joys.

In a snow covered village,

while children all sleep,

the Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher,

lands with a leap!

All the sprinkles he snitches,

it's his Christmas fun,

but without sprinkles

the baking cannot be done!

The villagers panic,

but says Little Nat,

I'll track down the

Snitcher wherever he's at!

Will Nat find the Snitcher?

Will the Snitcher relent?

Will the cookies be baked?

Will the Snitcher repent?

Will Nat lose the trail?

Will he fall through the ice?

If Nat finds the Snitcher,

will the Snitcher be nice?

These questions are answered

for all to enjoy!