Books published by publisher Christmas Press

"Among the autobiographies of great military figures, Ulysses S. Grant's is certainly one of the finest, and it is unarguably the most notable literary achievement of any American president: a lucid, compelling, and brutally honest chronicle of triumph and failure. General Grant's personal memoirs are a must read for all Civil War buffs and those even remotely interested in history. This book, includes both Volume I and II. The reader is given a (very) short review of his early childhood, life at West Point, and early Army life. The next one hundred pages are dedicated to the Mexican War followed by his resignation from the military and civilian life in Illinois. The remainder of Volume I and all of Volume II extensively deal with the war between the states. Volume I (written before Grant realized he was critically ill) is rich in detail of the various military campaigns and his ascension through the military ranks. Volume II hurls the reader into the conflict, reads rapidly, and is rife with Grant's personal observations and insights. This second volume picks up where the first left off"

Kate Douglas Wiggin started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878 (the Silver Street Free Kindergarten). With her sister during the 1880s, she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Kate Wiggin devoted her adult life to the welfare of children in an era when children were commonly thought of as cheap labor. Kate Douglas Wiggin tells the story of Rebecca Rowena Randall and her two stern aunts in the fictional village of Riverboro, Maine. Rebecca's joy for life inspires her aunts, but she faces many trials in her young life, gaining wisdom and understanding. Shirley Temple did a lot to make Rebecca famous when she won the world's heart in the movie we all remember. But the story is more than Temple, the film, or our memory of it: this is the tale of the little showgirl who, sent to the country to live with prim and proper relatives, is forbidden to do anything, well, showy. But Rebecca has other ideas, of course, and you know she'll win over the hearts and minds of everyone who'll see her show. . . . Certainly she won over Jack London. In 1904 he wrote to Wiggin herself: "May I thank you for Rebecca. . . ? I would have quested the wide world over to make her mine, only I was born too long ago and she was born but yesterday.... Why could she not have been my daughter? Why couldn't it have been I who bought the three hundred cakes of soap? Why, O, why?" And Mark Twain, too: he described Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm as "beautiful and warm and satisfying." (less)

This hilarious collection of nine short plays for kids, written by popular author Duncan Ball, ranges from a comic monologue to a play that can involve a whole class, and everything in between. It will suit use both in the classroom and on stage, as well as being lots of fun to read at home. Capturing the imagination and tickling the funny bones of young readers and actors, the plays range from spoof mystery to fantasy to school capers. The book also includes tips on staging the plays. The lively cover and internal pictures are by well-known illustrator Craig Smith. Originally published as Comedies for Kids in 1988, this fabulous collection has been fully revised and updated by the author, with a brand new play, 'The Teeth of a Vampire', added. Recommended for children aged 7-12.

First published in 1892, "The Yellow Wallpaper" is written as the secret journal of a woman who, failing to relish the joys of marriage and motherhood, is sentenced to a country rest cure. Though she longs to write, her husband and doctor forbid it, prescribing instead complete passivity. In the involuntary confinement of her bedroom, the hero creates a reality of her own beyond the hypnotic pattern of the faded yellow wallpaper--a pattern that has come to symbolize her own imprisonment. Narrated with superb psychological and dramatic precision, "The Yellow Wallpaper" stands out not only for the imaginative authenticity with which it depicts one woman’s descent into insanity, but also for the power of its testimony to the importance of freedom and self-empowerment for women.

Join orphan Tamly and his best friend Kym as they embark on a dangerous mission to save their home from the evil forces that threaten it at every turn! Packed with magic, adventure, and unexpected twists and turns, bestselling author Ian Irvine's exciting fantasy quartet for younger readers, fabulously illustrated by D.M. Cornish, is a treat for readers aged 8-12.This new omnibus edition contains all four books in the series: Book 1, Thorn Castle; Book 2, Giant's Lair; Book 3, Black Crypt; Book 3, Wizardry Crag.

From thirsty dogs to old horses to pesky seagulls and fishy tales; from family squabbles to sports day races and flooded creeks; from letting loose on a skateboard to dancing amongst the trees; these wonderful poems are full of joy, humour and keen observation and will entertain and amuse a whole new generation of young readers.This new edition of Max Fatchen's much-loved classic of children's poetry features an introduction by award-winning author Janeen Brian and lively cover and internal illustrations by Kathy Creamer.

For Katie, exploring the far reaches of the Solar System in her family spaceship is just ordinary life - but living on Earth, now THAT would be exciting! There seems no way she and her brother, Sam, will ever see Earth, until they accidentally end up on the fastest Ship in space, on its way to the Moon. But will they ever get there? Space Station security, smugglers, space pirates - not to mention their parents - all seem ready to stop them. Katie and Sam aren't going to be pushed around. Neither is their gran...A new edition of Pamela Freeman's fantastic space adventure for younger readers, with new cover and internal illustrations by Yvonne Low.