Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old

Written by Henry Van Dyke, Pearl S. Buck, Beatrice Joy Chute and 5 more

Narrated by Heather Corrigan, Adam Verner, Kathleen McNenney and 3 more

Twenty tales for the holiday season selected for their spiritual value and literary quality.

For readers who are tired of Christmas commercialism, or who feel that Santa Claus and reindeer don’t tell the whole story, these classic gems provide a winning alternative. Selected for their insightfulness, spiritual value, and literary quality (nothing moralistic here) they project the spirit of the season in a fresh, compelling manner that will resonate with readers of all ages – from children too young to read to themselves, to parents and grandparents who enjoy reading stories aloud.

Home for Christmas includes time-tested favorites by some of the world’s most beloved children’s authors – Pearl Buck, Selma Lagerlöf, Henry van Dyke, Madeleine L’Engle, Elizabeth Goudge, Rebecca Caudill, and Ruth Sawyer – as well as little-known European stories appearing in English for the first time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781636081007

Henry Van Dyke

Henry Van Dyke (1928–2011) was born in Allegan, Michigan, and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, where his parents were professors at Alabama State College. He served in the Army in occupied Germany, playing flute in the 427th Marching Band. There he abandoned his early ambition to become a concert pianist and began to write. In 1958, after attending the University of Michigan on the G.I. Bill and living in Ann Arbor, he moved to New York, where he spent the rest of his life. Henry taught creative writing part-time at Kent State University from 1969 until his retirement in 1993, and was the author of four novels, including Blood of Strawberries, a sequel to Ladies of the Rachmaninoff Eyes.

Reviews for Home for Christmas

[gpaisley_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great collection of Christmas short stories. These are all uplifting and comforting reads from a variety of authors written over the last 100 years or so. Great reading by a fire with a warm beverage.

[jmgallen-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Home for Christmas” is a delightful collection of 20 tales, each by a different author, having some connection to Christmas. They extend from 8 to thirty pages. A few may seem familiar, the development of some predictable, but a few surprises add spice to the anthology. Drawn from a variety of cultures, each presents the spirit of Christmas in its own unique way.I started reading this during the last week in Advent and planned to stop on Christmas or the day after and move on to the book for my next book club meeting. When my deadline came, I did not want to set it aside. I could read for another day, savor it for two, oh heck, the book club can wait until I have drawn every sip of enjoyment from this one.“Home for Christmas” is a joy during the holiday season, or anytime you need your spirits lifted or a little of the magic of Christmas.I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this collection of short stories which portray the true spirit of Christmas. Each story includes a black and white illustration. Some stories are classics, such as Rebecca Caudill's "A Certain Small Shepherd" and Henry Van Dyke's "The Other Wise Man." Others are by well-known authors such as Katherine Paterson, Elizabeth Goudge, and Madeleine L'Engle. I normally do not keep fiction books after reading them, but I will keep this collection because I anticipate re-reading it in Christmases to come. It's that good! I received this through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program with the expectation of an honest review.

[lilyroseshadowlyn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent collection of Christmas stories, and I look forward to reading it again when the holiday season rolls around. With such a wide range of authors, with varying backgrounds, the book includes a nice variety of voices and tones. Each story is unique, tied together by the spirit of Christmas. I love how the book is accessible for such a wide range of readers, and I could definitely see reading the stories together as a family (just not all in one sitting). You'll want to grab a cup of hot cocoa before curling up with this one.

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Home for Christmas is a collection of twenty Christmas stories that bring me back to my childhood--not because I read the stories when I was young, but because they carry the energy and nostalgia of my younger years.Christmas is, by far, my favorite holiday. It is a special season that shares the love, sacrifice, and mercy of our God with the world, and inspires us all to think of others. This compilation oozes with the spirit of the season and shares Christmas stories of various countries, cultures, and communities, as well as the Christian aspect.If you're looking for a staple book to read each year during the holiday season that will entertain and inspire you, Home for Christmas is a wonderful choice. Especially the hardback design with a nostalgic glossy illustration on the cover.Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review was not influenced.

[billsearth · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Many of these stories are altered versions of those form biblical times. Since most of us recognize the original stories, these altered versions seem less real and so have less impact than original stories.The book cover picture seems to not be from any of the stories, but that picture is what I bought the storybook for. I did not find the father-son theme in rural western culture of the north in any of the included stories. Still some of the stories did resonate with me. I just don't remember any man carrying a wreath in any of the stories. Perhaps I missed it, or the picture was in some previous edition and accidently left in after that story was edited out.