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 Pr ysen's witty 'Father Christmas and the Carpenter, ' are two classic modern tales to stand beside such enchanted favourites as 'The Nutcracker' by E.T.A. 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.