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Fairy Tales: Classic stories for the childlike–young and old!–by the man who inspired C.S. Lewis

Featuring Arthur Hughes’ original illustrations and the introduction by George MacDonald’s son, Greville MacDonald, from the 1904 edition, plus a new Preface by MacDonald’s great-great-grandson, Christopher, and a new Foreword by C.S. Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham.

For over 150 years, the childlike of all ages have delighted in these classic stories by George MacDonald (1824-1905), the grandfather of modern fantasy fiction. He was the single greatest influence on C.S. Lewis (author of the Chronicles of Narnia), who wrote “I have never concealed the fact that I regarded him as my master; indeed, I fancy I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him.” MacDonald was revered by G.K. Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien in the last century, and by Andrew Peterson, author of The Wingfeather Saga, in our own–to name just a few of many!

Fairy Tales was first published in 1904 by the author’s son, Greville MacDonald, and includes eight of his father’s greatest short stories: The Light Princess, The Giant’s Heart, The Golden Key, The Shadows, Little Daylight, Cross Purposes, The Carasoyn, and The Day Boy and the Night Girl.

This edition includes Greville’s original introduction and the title page and thirteen illustrations created by Arthur Hughes, who worked closely with George MacDonald throughout his career. To the contents of the original we have added a preface by Christopher MacDonald, the author’s great-great-grandson, and a foreword by Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ stepson.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

When reading Sign of the Times: Through Reimagined Nursery Rhymes you bring out your inner child, enjoy the text in the book and be grateful for literature in a different structure. Colin McNairn wrote an interesting book. This is the kind of book you read when in a dull mood as the verses will cheer you up. Signs of the Times: Through Reimagined Nursery Rhymes is an easy book to follow and readers will enjoy every page.

I really enjoyed the unique contemporary twist given to these classic nursery rhymes. While I believe the content of the book is geared more towards adults, I think that it will really appeal to anyone that is mature. The colorful literature covers a variety of social issues in poignant yet humorous ways. Some of my favorite topics in the book touched on politics, running homes, climate and sexual revolution.

Reading this book makes you appreciate classic literature once again, but we reexamine these stories with a modern lens that shows just how far we’ve come, or at least changed, since they were written and last fully appreciated. Author Colin McNairn covers serious issues in an amusing way that provides context to issues many see as abstract. Which is funny to me considering these nursery rhymes were abstract to me as a child, I never really sat and thought about the words and the story behind it. Author Colin McNairn has obviously put much more thought into these stories than I ever have and in so doing has given me a different kind of appreciation for the kinds of stories we tell children and what the underlying messages are in the stories we tell.

Signs of the Times: Through Reimagined Nursery Rhymes can be enjoyed in one of two ways; as light and fun reading that will certainly make you chuckle, or as a deeper examination of classic literature. In either case, it will certainly be enjoyable.

Pages: 102 | ISBN: 1954353693

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Robert Falconer – Book Trailer

Robert Falconer is one of the greatest novels by George MacDonald, the man whom C.S. Lewis called his “master.” In his preface, translator David Jack writes that Robert Falconer “revolves around a twin-search by the hero: one after the prodigal earthly father whom he barely remembers to have seen, the other in pursuit of a Heavenly Father through the densest of theological fogs engendered by the well-meaning religious instruction of his Calvinist grannie…the odyssey left me spellbound, and here I found the essence of MacDonald’s spiritual vision encapsulated in a soaring work of fiction (soaring like the notes of Robert’s cherished violin): namely that ‘Fatherhood is at the great world’s core.’” MacDonald’s frequent use of Scots in the dialogue of many of his novels has posed a problem for many readers. This breakthrough edition of Robert Falconer presents the complete original text, but places English translations side-by-side with the Scots. It also features an introduction by best-selling author Michael Phillips, the world’s foremost expert on George MacDonald, along with fifteen original illustrations by artist Leighton Isaacs.

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Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge *Children’s Edition*

Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge: The sequel to A Christmas Carol (Children's Edition - Narrated with Audio Christmas Carols) by [Norman Whaler, Voxillustrations, Esther Randell, David  Deighton (UK)]


Tiny Tim and the Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge: The sequel to A Christmas Carol (Children’s Edition) by Norman Whaler, with illustrations by Voxillustrations, is a picture book intended for children aged 4 through 10. Set in London, Tiny Tim is now grown up. He loves Becky, but her parents will not allow a marriage between the two of them. After many years pass, Tim has started to forget the lessons he learned from Ebenezer Scrooge. He forgets the hardships of his childhood–and appreciating the simple joys of life. After Mr. Scrooge passes away seven days before Christmas, Tim is visited by Scrooge’s ghost. Will Tim finally remember the true spirit of Christmas?

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a perfect story for parents to share with their children this holiday season. It has a good lesson about generosity and kindness, and a message of faith through trials and struggles. Quotes about kindness at the beginning of the book, including from scripture and literature, reinforce the message of the story. This book can be enjoyed even if a reader is not familiar with the classic Charles Dickens’ story, since there is a quick overview of A Christmas Carol in the first page of verses. The rhyming verses are fun and young children will enjoy looking at the pictures as the story is read to them. I liked the change in font to indicate strong emotion in the dialogue, and I enjoyed the happy ending. I wanted to know more about Becky and her son, Jimmy.

I loved all the vividly colored pictures with bright pinks and greens and beautiful scenery and landscapes. My two favorite pictures were the scenes of the bedroom at night and in the morning. The glow from the candle was very realistic. It actually appeared as though light was shining out of the book in this picture, and also the one where the sun was shining through the bedroom window the next day. The illustrator’s use of perspective was very good and many pictures had an impressive three dimensional look.

There are nine Christmas carols at the end of the story with lyrics and sheet music, which are a wonderful addition to this book.

Pages: 95 | ASIN: B08MKJT2YH

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High Tea with Ophelia – Book Trailer

How often have you ever wanted to meet one of your favorite literary characters in person? Dr. Sabriel Shelley, a Literature Professor who relocates, from New Orleans to St. Augustine, Florida when her husband dies unexpectedly not only meets one of her favorite characters, she meets five.Ophelia, who steps out of the Hamlet play, explains to Sabriel one afternoon at tea , that this reunion of literary characters is similar to the Jelekyl Ball in the musical, Cats, by Andrew Lloyd Webber. What happens next is a series of exciting experiences that enlightens Sabriel and the community she lives in.High Tea with Ophelia, is a blend of fantasy and literary appreciation. Eleanor Tremayne, award winning author of four novels, goes beyond the restrictions of clinical analysis, allowing her reader to meet these well known characters in a new light.Mrs. Tremayne also takes advantage of the ancient St. Augustine setting, inviting her readers to explore all this city has to offer, from the famous Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, to The Fountain of Youth, to Otttis Castle. It is an adventure like no other, and one that you will want to share with others.

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