Treasury of Christmas Stories

by Phoenix International Kids

Thirty Christmas stories and poems by well-known authors, including Edgar Allan Poe, William Dean Howells, Hans Christian Andersen, Clement Moore, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Short Stories, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Clark]

Something special about rereading a book that you first read as a kid. I guess it is sort of a time machine and can take you back, feelings and memories. I enjoyed the trip. Vintage story lines that won't fly in today's sad world.

[Rebekah Morris]

2.5 stars
This is a collection of poems, songs, and stories about Christmas or that take place at Christmas time. A few are absurd, some are sweet, and others just okay. A few of the stories are taken from longer books. I wouldn’t necessarily want to read all these stories and poems again, but some are worth rereading.

The real story of Christmas is not included in these stories though some of the songs are about Christmas.

[Sarah Dunmire]

What a delightful read at Christmas 🎄☃️ Nice variety in formats and subjects.

[Clint Webb]

Treasury of Christmas Stories by Anne McGovern isn’t a complex book, but that’s kind of the point. The stories are simple, the illustrations are simple, and it clearly comes from another time.
What really makes it special is the nostalgia. It sat in my grandparents’ house for years, and finally reading it felt like stepping back into that space and that season. It’s the kind of book that feels right around Christmas, read slowly, maybe aloud.
You don’t read it for depth or surprises. You read it for comfort, memory, and that quiet, old-fashioned Christmas feeling.

[Annie]

I picked up this copy from our neighborhood park bookshelf. This "Treasury" is chock-full of Christmas poems "written" by children, carols, and very heartwarming stories of young American children enjoying their Christmases. One story, in particular, stood out -- "A Christmas Gift for the General" which was set during the American revolution.

"The Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen is also included in this collection.

[Kim Jolly]

This is an interesting book that’s full of old Christmas stories. Most of the stories in this book aren’t shared much anymore. They do share some truths about being a decent human being, if nothing else.

I received this book many years (the year I turned eight) ago—a Christmas gift from a much older first cousin and her husband. It was a thoughtful gift.

[Raquel Iacob]

Such a cute, little book of short stories/poems/song lyrics! I found it at a little library, and I think it would be fun to read every year.
My favorites:
1. The Fir Tree
2. The Jar of Rosemary
3. A Piano Christmas
4. A Visit From St. Nicholas (the famous “‘‘twas the night before Christmas” but the whole thing! Don’t think I’ve ever heard the whole thing)
5. Yuletide Customs in Many Lands

[Amanda Wheatley]

Wasn't one of those books that you couldn't put down, but I did enjoy the stories that were told and the songs that were in the book. I did enjoy the vintage feel of the book and will keep it as a collectors item! May be one of those books to pull out and read a couple passages to my kids around Christmas!

[Erin Fencil]

My late grandma gave me this book; even mentioning the story about Globaly and 'Thusely made her cry happy tears. :) It really is a cute tale, with the younger orphan certain his adoptive father must be Santa Claus himself.

I totally should've named one of my sons Heliogabalus.

[Amanda]

This book contained a variety of Christmas stories and poems. Most of them were enjoyable quick reads.

[BoondocksGlam]

A great variety of short stories and poems, both old favorites and ones new to me, thoroughly enjoyed!

[Margaret]

Old fashioned short stories and poems about Christmas that are appropriate to read to children.

[Tweller83]

7/23/23: This is a pretty good example of short stories for the holiday. I'll keep for my grandchild.

[Rosalinda Morgan]

A wonderful small book full of great short stories and poems for Christmas Season readings! Adults should read them to young children for the wonders of Christmas!!!

[Jennifer]

I've had this book since I was a small child. To 57 year old Jenn, the stories seem dated and moralistic. I'm glad I read it this year though.

[Melmo2610]

Not a great collection of stories for me. A couple were okay, a couple I didn’t care for. The lyrics to several carols was good.

[Cheryl]

Some strange stories & poems mixed in with some good ones!

[Gale]

PERFECT FOR SOMEONE'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING!

This 1960's anthology from Scholastic consists of ll short stories interspersed with poems and one non-fiction selection about international Christmas customs. The paperback format makes it portable and handy to slip into a book bag. All the stories are set in America and two are even autobiographical. My favorite is an excerpt from Little House on the Prairie, when Laura relates how the family friend, Mr. Edwards, met up with Santa in town and delivered some gifts to the Ingalls' cabin for him. Best poem: "The Golden Cobwebs," based on a Germanic legend. This is a short, easy read; it doesn't matter how often you are interrupted, for the yuletide season will glow
brightly as you read (or are read to) by the hearth.

(December 11, 2011. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Peggy]

Over 25 stories, carols and poems from authors including Edgar Allan Poe, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lincoln Steffens and W.D. Howells. A true holiday jewel.

[Kaitlin Jundt]

Great collection of short reads! I love the vintage feel of it.

[SouthWestZippy]

Neat collection of Christmas stories.

[Ann L.]

I loved this book as a kid. I found it used somewhere and enjoyed it again as an adult. Old nostalgic book for me. No ISBN. 1968. 152 pages. The going book rate was only 50 cents at that time.