Books with title Matchless: A Christmas Story

With Matchless, Gregory Maguire has reinvented the Hans Christian Andersen classic The Little Match Girl for a new time and new audiences. Originally asked by National Public Radio to write an original story with a Christmas theme, the New York Times bestselling author of Wicked and A Lion Among Men was once again inspired by the fairy tales we all loved in childhood—and he composed a poignant and enchanting tale of transcendence. A lovely and beautifully illustrated gift, Matchless places Andersen’s pitiful waif in the august company of Maguire’s previously re-imagined Snow White (Mirror, Mirror), Cinderella (Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister), and, of course, the Wicked Witch and other denizens of Oz.

This little board book gently introduces young children to the meaning of Christmas, using only about 200 words. From the Annunciation by the angel, to the birth of Jesus, to the appearance of the angels to the shepherds, the events of the first Christmas are explained in simple words and illustrated with bright, colorful artwork. This book, here in a fresh size and updated design, is a new edition of an enduring Christmastime classic. Ages 2-5.

The Annunciation, Mary and Josephs journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, the angel appearing to the shepherds, Magi travelling from the East, and the Holy family in the stable surrounded by kings, shepherds and animals: the nativity story is told here in simple words and six magnificent scenes, created in white and gold against coloured backgrounds by the pop-up artist Robert Sabuda. Age 7+

When Jay Frankston was a child, Christmas felt like a big party he wasn’t invited to. Jay is Jewish, and Christmas was everyone else’s holiday. Jay felt left out: Santa came down his chimney only in dreams, so when Jay grew up and had a family of his own, he decided to give his children what he had longed for. He bought a Christmas tree, loaded it with lights and tinsel—and topped it with a Star of David! He played Santa for his kids for three years, wearing a rubberized mask and a Santa suit his wife made for him. Yet something was still missing: Jay offered his services to orphanages and children’s hospitals, but they turned him down. Then he was given access to some of the thousands of letters written to Santa Claus by kids, letters that languished on the post office floor every year. This one called out to him:Dear Santa, I hope you get my letter. I am eleven years old. I have two brothers and a baby sister. Our father died last year, and our mother is sick. I know there are many kids poorer than we are. I want nothing for myself, but could you send us a blanket to keep Mommy warm at night? SusyJay found eight more letters like Susy’s, and sent the kids a telegram:: GOT YOUR LETTER. WILL BE AT YOUR HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS DAY. SANTA. Then he went out and spent $150 on gifts. On Christmas he dressed in his Santa costume, and his wife, Monique, drove him to each of the nine destinations. Eventually, some toy manufacturers heard about what Jay was doing; they gave him lots of goodies, and before long he was Santa Claus to 120 youngsters every Christmas.Jay recalls a seven-year-old girl who was visiting a home where he was distributing gifts. She hung back in a corner, and when Jay asked her if she’d ever received anything for Christmas, she said sadly, “No.” When he offered her a doll, she whispered to him, “I’m Jewish.”“I’m Jewish too,” he whispered back, handing her the doll.