Yesterday's Classics has produced another fine reprint in this classic children's book, The Birds' Christmas Carol, written by Kate Douglas Wiggin and originally published in 1912. Ms. Wiggin is well known as the author of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm as well as many other books.

Carol Bird is the Bird family's Christmas baby, born on Christmas day. She is the joy of the family, delighting her parents and her three older brothers with her cheerfulness and generosity. At age 10, she faces Christmas as a weak invalid. Still always thinking of others, Carol plans a lavish Christmas dinner for the neighbor children and finds joy in bringing happiness to others. It is a heartwarming story of a joyous girl in the midst of trials.

The book is 63 pages long, and the publisher recommends it for ages 9 and up. My nine-year-old daughter enjoyed reading it, and it would also make a wonderful read-aloud. The full-color cover and illustrations are a visual delight. We collect holiday storybooks to be brought out only at Christmas, and this is a charming addition to our collection. If you like Christmas stories and stories and illustrations from a time gone by, you will love this book.

You can find the full text of this book (including illustrations) at the Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project, www.mainlesson.com. The Baldwin Project's mission is "to make available online a comprehensive collection of resources for parents and teachers of children." Printed copies of many of the books are available for purchase from Yesterday's Classics.

Product review by Jennifer Loucks, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June 2009