Christmas: A Story, by Eleanor Roosevelt, First Edition, in Original Dust Jacket, 1940

Roosevelt, Eleanor. Christmas: A Story. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1940. First Edition. Twelvemo. In the publisher's colorful original dust jacket and printed pictorial boards. 

This is a beautiful first edition printing of Christmas: A Story by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. This charming little book is richly illustrated by Fritz Kredel and is presented in its original colorful dust jacket and printed pictorial boards. The book was published in 1940 by Alfred A. Knopf of New York. 

Starting in 1932, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote many books for children, most of which were civic-minded nonfiction titles, such as When You Grow Up to Vote (1932), This Is America(1942), Partners: The United Nations and Youth(1950), United Nations: What You Should Know About It (1955), and others. She served on the editorial board of the Junior Literary Guild's book club, selecting monthly titles and reviewing manuscripts. And in two instances, she wrote children's fiction, A Trip to Washington With Bobby and Betty (1935) and Christmas(1940).

Christmasis an earnest and heartfelt story that first appeared in the December 28, 1940 issue of Liberty Magazine.  It tells the tale of a young girl’s Christmas Eve in a war-torn land. Almost two years into the Second World War, witnessing the rising tide of Nazism and totalitarianism, Eleanor Roosevelt, as First Lady and a humanitarian, felt it was important for all Americans, even children, to be reminded of the evils threatening peaceful cohabitation. As she put it in the preface of this first edition of Christmas: "The times are so serious that even children should be made to understand that there are vital differences in people’s beliefs which lead to differences in behavior… This little story, I hope, will appeal enough to children so they will read it and as they grow older, they may understand that the love, and peace and gentleness typified by the Christ Child, leads us to a way of life for which we must all strive." 

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Stated First Edition. In the publisher's original printed pictorial hardcover boards and original illustrated dust jacket. The jacket is very clean and bright, with only a little chipping and wear at the top corner. The jacket is price-clipped, with light toning to the inner flaps. Light creasing on spine hinge of the boards. Original red, yellow, blue patterned endpaper. Very clean inside. Illustrated throughout. 42 pp. 

Book Dimensions: 5 5/8" H x 4 3/8" W x 3/8" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.