Books with author Abbie Farwell Brown

At the sound of footsteps along the hall Miss Terry looked up from the letter which she was reading for the sixth time. "Of course I would not see him," she said, pursing her lips into a hard line. "Certainly not!" A bump on the library door, as from an opposing knee, did duty for a knock. "Bring the box in here, Norah," said Miss Terry, holding open the door for her servant, who was gasping under the weight of a packing-case. "Set it down on the rug by the fire-place. I am going to look it over and burn up the rubbish this evening." She glanced once more at the letter in her hand, then with a sniff tossed it upon the fire. "Yes'm," said Norah, as she set down the box with a thump. She stooped once more to pick up something which had fallen out when the cover was jarred open. It was a pink papier-mâché angel, such as are often hung from the top of Christmas trees as a crowning symbol. Norah stood holding it between thumb and finger, staring amazedly. Who would think to find such a bit of frivolity in the house of Miss Terry! Her mistress looked up from the fire, where the bit of writing was writhing painfully, and caught the expression of Norah's face. "What have you there?" she asked, frowning, as she took the object into her own hands. "The Christmas Angel!" she exclaimed under her breath. "I had quite forgotten it." Then as if it burned her fingers she thrust the little image back into the box and turned to Norah brusquely. "There, that's all. You can go now, Norah," she said. "Yes'm," answered the maid. She hesitated. "If you please'm, it's Christmas Eve." "Well, I believe so," snapped Miss Terry, who seemed to be in a particularly bad humor this evening. "What do you want?" Norah flushed; but she was hardened to her mistress's manner. "Only to ask if I may go out for a little while to see the decorations and hear the singing."

Abbie Farwell Brown has gathered a number of anecdotes and legends of the friendship between saints and animals, and woven them into a delightful collection of tales that cannot fail to engage fans of folklore and Christian storytelling alike. Tales include "Saint Bridget and the King's Wolf," "Saint Gerasimus and the Lion," "Saint Keneth of the Gulls," "Saint Launomar's Cow," "Saint Werburgh and Her Goose," "The Ballad of Saint Athracta's Stags," "Saint Kentigern and the Robin," "Saint Blaise and His Beasts," "Saint Cuthbert's Peace," "The Ballad of Saint Felix," "Saint Fronto's Camels," "The Blind Singer Saint Hervé," "Saint Comgall and the Mice," "The Wonders of Saint Berach," "Saint Prisca," "The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall," "The Ballad of Saint Giles and the Deer," "The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe," "Saint Rigobert's Dinner," and "Saint Francis of Assisi." "In point of manner they are original; the legends which form their ground-work have been expanded with much skill, and they are told in good 'story-telling' style. The illustrations are done in a very happy manner, and add great interest to the text." -The School Journal "The idea is a good one, and has been developed with imagination and skill." - The American Monthly Review of Reviews

This book is made of the stories told by the Northern folk,—the people who live in the land of the midnight sun, where summer is green and pleasant, but winter is a terrible time of cold and gloom; where rocky mountains tower like huge giants, over whose heads the thunder rolls and crashes, and under whose feet are mines of precious metals. Therefore you will find the tales full of giants and dwarfs,—spirits of the cold mountains and dark caverns. You will find the hero to be Thor, with his thunderbolt hammer, who dwells in the happy heaven of Asgard, where All-Father Odin is king, and where Balder the beautiful makes springtime with his smile. In the north countries, winter, cold, and frost are very real and terrible enemies; while spring, sunshine, and warmth are near and dear friends. So the story of the Beginning of Things is a story of cold and heat, of the wicked giants who loved the cold, and of the good Æsir, who basked in pleasant warmth.

Norse mythology is full of gods and epic heroes. In The Days Of Giants tells some of the best adventures of the Aesir. Abbie Farwell provides an introduction and basic understanding to Norse mythology that is well suited for children or a first time explorer of this fascinating mythology. The Beginning Of Things How Odin Lost His Eye Kvasir's Blood The Giant Builder The Magic Apples Skadi's Choice The Dwarf's Gifts Loki's Children The Quest Of The Hammer The Giantess Who Would Not Thor's Visit To The Giants Thor's Fishing Thor's Duel In The Giant's House Balder And The Mistletoe The Punishment Of Loki

Strength and joy of life ever marked the doings of the old Norse gods and heroes. These qualities abound in these stories of Norse mythology retold in a simple direct fashion appealing to younger children. Tells among other things how Father Odin lost his eye, how Thor went fishing, of the death of Baldur, and of the other doings of the gods and goddesses of Asgard. Vigorous black and white illustrations complement the narrative. Suitable for ages 9 and up.

She stooped once more to pick up something which had fallen out when the cover was jarred open. It was a pink papier-mâché angel, such as are often hung from the top of Christmas trees as a crowning symbol. Norah stood holding it between thumb and finger, staring amazedly. Who would think to find such a bit of frivolity in the house of Miss Terry! The Christmas Angel is a stirring reminder of what really matters at Christmas and throughout the year.

What would a child do if they found their childhood toys lying in the street? Act selfishly? Miss Terry had tossed each toy one by one to the snowy sidewalk in front of her house. But her heart is moved when she sees the Christmas Angel kicked aside. Remembering all the years it graced her family mantel, she rushes to rescue it. Back inside, the Christmas Angel comes to life, and reveals the actual destiny for each toy, and for Miss Terry, something she could have never imagined."The Christmas Angel," part of the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, includes an in-depth introduction and discussion questions by Joe Wheeler. It is a stirring reminder of what really matters at Christmas and throughout the year.==============Abbie Farwell Brown was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 21, 1871. Her family resided in New England for ten generations, and Brown spent her entire life living in the family's home. She was the oldest of two children. Her sister, Clara, was also part of the literary world; she became an author and illustrator, using the pen name of Ann Underhill.Literary life was important to Brown, and she became a member of various literary clubs and did editing work.Brown passed away on March 5, 1927 from cancer. She was 55 years old.==============TAGS/KEYWORDS: Christmas Angel, Miss, Terry, Christmas, Angel, little, Mary, eyes, doll, Angelina, street, Tom, Miranda, Norah, child, girl, believe, fire, window, children, Eve, drew, draw, poor, spirit, ark, make, mother, candles, Flanton, package, happy, snow, Terry, to-night, toys, pretty, Beautiful, singing, Dog, heartfelt, hung, Ornaments, Sam, Fiddlestick, Joe, block, Cooper, Johnnie, library, rose, tears, told, silk, wicked, angel, Aunt, Bob, bonnet, Sammy, ashamed, baby, Santa Claus, Play Box, Jack-in-the-Box, Flanton Dog, Noah's Ark, Jack, Christmas Candle, Abbie Farwell Brown,