A CURSE DARK AS GOLD By: Elizabeth C. Bunce 4 Stars
This is a retelling of the classic fairytale Rumpelstiltskin. It takes about 100 pages to really get going, but it is worth pushing through.
The story is based in the Industrial Revolution era when surnames match professions. It is where we are introduced to Charlotte Miller and her little sister, Rosie. Their father just died and left the mill to his daughters including an overwhelming debt for the orphans. The curious thing about the mill is the fact that the entire village believes it to be cursed. Part of the curse is manifest in the inability for a Miller to raise a boy into a man.
Charlotte’s uncle, Ellison Wheeler, soon arrives with a letter from her father stating he is to take care of them. Part of his duty is to marry off the girls and to sale the mill. The Miller girls wish to keep the mill in the family as it has been for centuries. In their eyes marriage takes a backseat to keeping the mill profitable enough to remain open and provide for the families of those who work there.
Soon the curse brings more disaster and Rosie and Charlotte use magic to summon a man who calls himself Jack Spinner. Mr. Spinner promises to spin straw into thread made of gold. The only payment for such a feat is a ring that belonged to their mother.
As you can probably guess, disaster is averted and our Charlotte soon finds herself married to the banker who originally came to assess the value of the mill. Randall would willingly pay off the mortgage, but Charlotte refuses such generosity and relies on hard work to keep the mill running.
Charlotte and Randall have a fairytale romance, but the curse will not stay at bay. Soon disaster strikes the mill again and Charlotte is unable to decide who to trust. Her uncle has forged her name to obtain money against her assets and even accuses her husband of conveniently taking out insurance on the mill shortly before a fire almost destroys it.
Elizabeth Bunce weaves a magical tale that helps provide a view on why Rumpelstiltskin would want to trade his services for a miller’s child. This is a fantastic story of family and forgiveness. It will satisfy justice for all parties involved in relation to the deeply buried secrets.
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS By: L. Frank Baum
4 Stars
If you are unfamiliar with the author name, you will be delighted to know it is the author of The Wizard of Oz. Baum provides a story of Santa Claus that will answer any question you or your child will have about how Santa and his Christmas traditions came to be.
One day the immortal beings in the woods found an abandoned baby. One of the fairies convinces the Master Woodsman of the World to bend the rules so she could raise the child as mortals do. She names the child Claus or “little one”.
The child grows and soon the Woodsman takes him to see how other mortals live. Claus is disturbed by their wars and other evil ways. He vows to make his own better way and leaves his immortal family, but remains close enough to still obtain help.
Claus adventures include helping a lost child and giving him the first known toy. Claus then makes a model of the fairy who raised him, which later became known as a doll. As you read the adventures you will come to an understanding of how Claus obtained his multiple names, the meaning behind the Christmas tree, stockings, and jingle bells. We also learn why Santa must only travel at night and on one day of the year.
Many more things are brought to light about Santa Claus and his purpose in relation to Christmas. Some of the books contain drawings by various illustrators and enhance the story you and little ones have come to associate with the magic of Christmas. Happy Holidays!
