Strange things begin to happen the minute young Kay Harker boards the train to go home for Christmas and finds himself under observation by two very shifty-looking characters. Arriving at his destination, the boy is immediately accosted by a bright-eyed old man with a mysterious message: “The wolves are running.” Soon danger is everywhere, as a gang of criminals headed by the notorious wizard Abner Brown and his witch wife Sylvia Daisy Pouncer gets to work. What does Abner Brown want? The magic box that the old man has entrusted to Kay, which allows him to travel freely not only in space but in time, too. The gang will stop at nothing to carry out their plan, even kidnapping Kay’s friend, the tough little Maria Jones, and threatening to cancel Christmas celebrations altogether. But with the help of his allies, including an intrepid mouse, a squadron of Roman soldiers, the legendary Herne the Hunter, and the inventor of the Box of Delights himself, Kay just may be able rescue his friend, foil Abner Brown’s plot, and save Christmas, too. At once a thriller, a romp, and a spellbinding fantasy, The Box of Delights is a great English children’s book and a perfect Christmas treat.

Scarred by the past. Damaged in the present. I fear my future and what it holds. Mara-Lee It's Christmas, and everything is different. My past has collided with my present, and I'm leery of what's to come. I don't know how to feel other than the nerves choking me. I've been hurt far too many times to count. Now I just want to run and hide. But being it's the holidays, it's hard to do. Especially when he comes and carries me away. I'm unable to stop him and I'm unsure if I can.

The beautiful sounds of Christmas music delight us each year anew, as we celebrate the Season with time-honored Christmas carols and songs. The eight early-elementary to elementary arrangements in this compilation will both please and motivate younger piano students, who always love to play melodies they are familiar with. Each solo features a single note melody, and is complete in itself. For a fuller, richer sound, the duet part for the teacher may be added.

"Gotelli has selected more than 550 [Christmas-oriented] full-color photographs of his compendia of antiquities and oddities that seem to jump from Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe of Queen Victoria's time. In addition, the professor reveals a rare glimpse behind the scenes for an insider's view of how such displays come to life in his home and on tour"--Dust jacket flap.

Book Two in this series contains seven favorite songs and carols arranged for the late-elementary pianist featuring comfortable hands-together arrangements that are easy to learn. The familiar melodies and musically satisfying arrangements will delight students of all ages.