Book Christmas 4

SML
Dec 4, 2015
2 min read

In the Land of the Big Red Apple by Roger Lea MacBride

“And it’s signed, ‘Santa Claus.’” [Almanzo said]

At those last words, Swiney’s eyes flew wide open, big as dinner plates. His mouth moved like a fish gasping for air; no words came out. Rose felt a jolt of excitement along all her nerves.

“The thing this note was stuck to is over there, under that sheet,” Papa said pointing. “Why don’t you have a little look-see?”

Swiney knocked his chair down pouncing on the sheet. He tore it off. There sat the sled, gleaming and shiny smooth and smelling of new wood and wax. Swiney sank to his knees and just stared at it… His face beamed with joy, and a single tear coursed down his cheek.

“God bless dear old Santy’s heart,” he croaked. “God bless his old heart.”

Rose, the daughter of Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder from The Little House books, receives what she’s wanted for years: her own sled! Their friend Abe, a very poor man who’s been raising his little brother Swiney, comes for Christmas dinner. Swiney tells Rose that he doesn’t believe in Santa because he’s never received a Christmas present. Rose reluctantly gives Swiney her sled, and Almanzo writes a note to him signed by Santa. The excitement and astonished look on Swiney’s face is enough to make Rose feel wonderful about giving away her gift. Rose recalls how blessed she and her family have been and finally understands what it means to believe in Santa Claus: giving with a generous, kind heart is the true spirit of Christmas.

Retrieved from: Friday Favorite: Christmas Scenes in Children's Literature