This sparkling collection of fairy tales captures the true spirit of Christmas - a mixture of magic, fantasy and joy. It opens with Hans Andersen's moving story, 'The Book of Fairy Tales, ' and also features two other Andersen tales, 'The Fir Tree, ' and 'The Last Dream of the Old Oak Tree, ' specially translated for this edition. Ruth Sawyer's joyous 'Schnitzle, Schnotzle, and Schnootzle, ' and Alf Proysen's witty 'Father Christmas and the Carpenter, ' are two classic modern tales to stand beside such enchanted favourites as 'The Nutcracker' by [url] Hoffmann, and the Russian legend of 'Babushka and the Three Wise Men.' All are beautifully illustrated by Isabelle Brent, whose gold-leaf pictures glow with seasonal cheer.