Holiday Classics

Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve and transformed from an odious miser to a charitable and loving man who vows to always cherish the Christmas season.

The Cricket on the Hearth, published in 1845, is the third in Charles Dickens' series of "Christmas Books." The story centers around the hearth and home of the good-hearted carrier, John Peerybingle, and his young wife Mary—affectionately called Dot by her husband. Their baby boy is cared for by a clumsy nanny, Tilly Slowboy. The household is completed by Boxer the dog and the cricket on the hearth, who acts as a guardian angel to the family. When disaster looms following the arrival of an elderly stranger, the cricket appears in fairy form to save the day.

On Christmas Eve, miser Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that three more ghosts will visit him before the night is over—the ghost of Christmases Past, the ghost of Christmas present, and the ghost of Christmas yet to come.

Ebenezer Scrooge runs a tight shop with a tight fist and a sharp tongue. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his old partner, Jacob Marley. Marley relates that in order for Scrooge’s soul to be reclaimed, he must be haunted by three spirits. The first of the three appear, and Scrooge’s reclamation begins.

Ebenezer Scrooge, described as "a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner," is certainly no lover of the Christmas season.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a care-worn miser, who has forgotten the joy and happiness of giving. Christmas, as a time of charity, is an enemy which returns to harass him yearly. Scrooge sees the poor as a lower class of life altogether, not fit to live, until one Christmas Eve, a series of ghostly visitors confront Scrooge with his wrongs. Will the selfish old miser hear the lessons of Christmas past, present, and future? Or will he turn a deaf ear.

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Dan Gemeinhart comes a spooky audiobook tale about a young baker whose Gingerbread Man creation comes to life with a fright—yet even monsters long for a friend. Perfect for fans of Creepy Carrots!, The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School, and Tim...

In The Birds' Christmas Carol, the arrival of Carol into the Bird family brings joy and sadness throughout the years, but her presence reminds everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.

A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens's classic tale of the redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge. In this all-new full-cast dramatization, we re-live the iconic story where the mean old businessman is visited by the spirits of Christmases past, present and future. With a cast of eleven actors performing the well-known roles of everyone from Jacob Marley to Tiny Tim, this fresh production breathes new life into a much-loved seasonal favourite.

Washington Irving's Old Christmas tells of an American's travels through England during the Christmas season. Through a chance meeting with an old friend, he is able to experience Christmas in a stately manor house. Through his eyes as a houseguest, he glimpses the uniquely British customs and celebrations of Christmas as it would have been experienced during the Middle Ages, rather than in the early 19th century.

Thompson Hall, redolent of plum pudding and mince pie, green of holly, warmed by omnipotent Victorian fireplaces, awaits the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Brown from the south of France. But they may never make it to Thompson Hall. The story opens in Paris at Le Grand Hotel, where Mr. Brown is down with "a throat condition"—he is unable to travel to England. Only Mrs. Brown is quite determined they will go on. So begins a Christmas tale complicated and simple, pathetic and farcical, embarrassing—even risque, though of course it could be read aloud to an assembled Victorian family.

In this adaptation of The Christmas Masquerade, the Mayor is throwing his annual masquerade for all the children of the city when a new costumer comes to town. His costumes are truly amazing, creating whatever the kids have in mind: fairies, princes, princesses, geese-girls, and so much more. When all of the children use them to make their costumes, something magical starts to happen that affects the whole city for Christmas.

The United States has July 4th, Ireland St Patrick’s Day and France Bastille Day. Most Nations celebrate a particular day as ‘theirs’. That day is when they turn to themselves; to reflect on the past, to revel in the present and to look forward to the future. For England 23rd April is St George’s Day. St George, a hero from bygone days, who slays dragons and pursues other mythic deeds, is part of childhood. But for modern times, for modern nations, a greater purpose is needed. For England St George is best now described as a principle.

The Burgomaster’s Christmas by Jacob A. Riis is a heartwarming holiday tale filled with generosity, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas. Set in a charming European village, the story follows the Burgomaster, a wise and respected town leader, as he witnesses the transformation of his people during the holiday season. Through acts of kindness, the warmth of community, and the magic of Christmas, the town is filled with joy and goodwill, proving that love and generosity can change lives.

Experiencing a story read out loud is one of the oldest forms of entertainment there is. Fireside Reading is a way to slow down, reconnect with the timeless wisdom of great books and rediscover the simple pleasure of being read to. Join Gildart Jackson in front of a cozy fire as he reads The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman to you and your family.

This charming, funny and clever Christmas Holiday fantasy is narrated by Oscar nominated and Emmy Award Winning Special Makeup Effects Artist Edward E. French. Author Frank Richard Stockton, born April 5, 1834, was an American writer and humorist, best Remembered for his most famous fable, "The Lady, or the Tiger?" (1882), about a man sentenced to an unusual punishment for having a romance with a king's beloved daughter.

Everyone loves a wonderful Christmas story! In this classic tale of A Kidnapped Santa Claus, there is a unique forward with two lesson plans, one including a cooking activity and one including a diorama project. You will find an about the author section with information about both the contributor and a footnoted writeup about L. Frank Baum.

Der Weihnachtsklassiker – zeitlos, spannend, poetisch – meisterhaft gelesen von Ulrich Noethen. Am Weihnachtsabend gibt es im Hause Stahlbaum endlich Bescherung! Fritz freut sich über eine Armee Zinnsoldaten, während es für seine Schwester Marie nichts Schöneres gibt als den wehmütig dreinblickenden Nussknacker, mit dem sie bis tief in die Nacht hinein spielt. Doch um Mitternacht kommt plötzlich Leben in die eben noch unbeweglichen Dinge: Als eine erbitterte Schlacht zwischen dem Nussknacker und dem bösen Mausekönig entbrennt, beginnt für Marie eine märchenhafte Reise ins Reich der Fantasie.

"Der Nussknacker und der Mäusekönig" ist ein zeitloser Klassiker der Weihnachtsliteratur, der uns in eine zauberhafte Welt entführt. E. T. A. Hoffmann erzählt die Geschichte von Marie, einem kleinen Mädchen, das an Heiligabend ein ganz besonderes Geschenk erhält: einen Nussknacker. Doch in der Nacht erwacht der Nussknacker zum Leben und nimmt Marie mit auf eine abenteuerliche Reise in das Reich der Mäuse. Dort herrscht der furchterregende Mäusekönig, der den Nussknacker und seine Freunde gefangen hält. Marie muss all ihren Mut zusammennehmen, um den Nussknacker zu retten und das Böse zu besiegen.

Ebenezer Scrooge is mean and unpleasant. He dislikes people and Christmas especially but on this particular Christmas Eve he’s visited by the ghost of his business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. As Ebenezer sees the effects he’s had on people’s lives, he is transformed.