Old Christmas Book

This book, published in 1886 and illustrated by Randolph Caldecott, chronicles the American writer Washington Irving's nostalgic recollections of Christmas traditions in 19th century England. The text first appeared in 1819 in Irving's Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., which also contained such classics as "Rip van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Library Journal

Irving's 1875 volume of English Christmas traditions preceded Dickens' A Christmas Carol by more than 20 years. This edition also sports 120 black-and-white drawings from the original printing. Libraries would do well to start their Christmas shopping early with this handsomely illustrated volume.