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A Family Christmas (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.22) - 154 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Just in time for the holidays: a collection of beloved Christmas stories and writings that every family will cherish.
One of the many joys of Christmas comes from the traditions associated with it. Bestselling author Caroline Kennedy drew on her own family's traditions to create this charming collection of favorite stories, poems, and writings that celebrate the holiday spirit.
In addition to excerpts and full texts of contemporary and classic writings, Family Christmas features a letter Caroline Kennedy herself wrote to Santa Claus as well as a letter written to President Kennedy from a little girl concerned about Santa Claus. The introduction, written and read by Caroline, relates the importance of the holiday to her family, and shares how the literature in this collection is an essential part of her own tradition.
This warm and personal collection will delight all who make it a part of their own family Christmas.
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"The variety in the collection is just what I needed to gain perspective. Truman Capote's story of his Christmas with his cousin; Russian story of loss and butterflies and Catalonia song of the birds touched my spirit in different special ways. "
— Mom (5 out of 5 stars)
A Family Christmas Listener Reviews
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" A beautiful keepsake of beloved holiday poems, prose, and short stories. I place it on my coffee table in the family room each Christmas season, and try to read a few pages as often as I can during this hectic time. "
— Liz, 2/2/2014 -
" A good read for the Holiday Season. "
— Mom, 12/29/2013 -
" A beautiful collection of Christmas stories from poets, authors and songwriters. "
— Myra, 12/20/2013 -
" This combines short stories, poems, songs, Bible verses, etc., in a nice collection of Kennedy's favorites. "
— Amy, 12/12/2013 -
" I didnt really enjoy the book.... It was more a collection of poems, song lyrics and personal memories. "
— Jane, 11/26/2013 -
" A great book to read around the holidays - stories for both kids and adults! "
— Becky, 11/22/2013 -
" I just could not manage to get interested in this. "
— Melanie, 11/17/2013 -
" I try to read stories from this book every Christmas season. Some are enjoyable, others are not but it keeps me in the holiday spirit throughout December. "
— Marlene, 11/14/2013 -
" This is such a great anthology! We read it nightly, as a family, during the Christmas season. I've got to purchase myself a copy! "
— Patricia, 10/25/2013 -
" Perhaps the version available from Audible.com is better. I did not care for the narrator of the version available from BARD. "
— Kathy, 10/12/2013 -
" Very interesting -- this book provides history, stories, poems and song lyrics all relating to X-Mas. "
— Amy, 9/17/2013 -
" This book is very special indeed. Ms. Kennedy tells of the Christmases shared with her family and she gives us stories that mean something to her (and probably to most of us!) about Christmas. I cannot recommend it highly enough! "
— Linda, 6/30/2013 -
" A collection of random poems, and xmas stories, I read certain ones that were of interest. "
— Meredith, 5/13/2013 -
" A lovely preparation for...or memory of...warm and loving family Christmases. "
— Peg, 8/26/2012 -
" A truly heartwarming compilation of Holiday classics and family stories. Written with a underlying warmth and love of family and tradition that gives one a feeling of hope and a certainty that the human spirit will never be daunted. "
— Cynthia, 6/4/2012 -
" She obviously learned from her mother in how to put together a physically attractive book (with satin ribbon marker.) As a compliation, I could see families going to this, over time, in reading favorite pieces as the holiday season evolves. "
— False, 4/27/2012 -
" This was a charming holiday read that was funny, sweet and inspiring. "
— Annie, 2/25/2012 -
" A good compilation of both familiar and new to me. Good Holiday pick me up. "
— Cynthia, 2/9/2012 -
" A wonderful Christmas book! Have a signed edition bought at Middleburg VA. "
— Judith, 11/15/2011 -
" Got this last Christmas as a gift -- read some then and am enjoying the little stories this year as well. "
— Heather, 10/17/2011 -
" The variety in the collection is just what I needed to gain perspective. Truman Capote's story of his Christmas with his cousin; Russian story of loss and butterflies and Catalonia song of the birds touched my spirit in different special ways. "
— Mom, 10/3/2011 -
" Great collection of Christmas stories, poems & carols. One to pass onto my daughter; read her her first Little House on the Prairie excerpt from this book. "
— Jennifer, 9/3/2011 -
" This book is very special indeed. Ms. Kennedy tells of the Christmases shared with her family and she gives us stories that mean something to her (and probably to most of us!) about Christmas. I cannot recommend it highly enough! "
— Linda, 5/14/2011 -
" If you loved Jackie O or the era of the Kennedy's this is a must read and a must own. For every holiday Jackie had the children write her a poem and Caroline passed the tradition on to her own children. "
— Elisabetta, 5/2/2011 -
" Great collection of Christmas stories, poems & carols. One to pass onto my daughter; read her her first Little House on the Prairie excerpt from this book. "
— Jennifer, 12/5/2010 -
" A lovely preparation for...or memory of...warm and loving family Christmases. "
— Peg, 8/8/2010 -
" A collection of random poems, and xmas stories, I read certain ones that were of interest. "
— Meredith, 11/25/2009 -
" A truly heartwarming compilation of Holiday classics and family stories. Written with a underlying warmth and love of family and tradition that gives one a feeling of hope and a certainty that the human spirit will never be daunted. "
— Cynthia, 1/22/2009 -
" This was a charming holiday read that was funny, sweet and inspiring. "
— Annie, 1/8/2009 -
" A beautiful collection of Christmas stories from poets, authors and songwriters. "
— Myra, 12/8/2008 -
" Got this last Christmas as a gift -- read some then and am enjoying the little stories this year as well. "
— Heather, 11/30/2008 -
" Some great short stories. <br/>Caroline Kennedy continues to impress. "
— Laurie, 3/14/2008 -
" This book is a collection of stories, poetry, scripture, songs and letters to and from Santa and to the author’s father, John F Kennedy. It is a unique Christmas anthology and an enjoyable read. "
— Rita, 2/8/2008 -
" A good read for the Holiday Season. "
— Mom, 1/13/2008 -
" Very interesting -- this book provides history, stories, poems and song lyrics all relating to X-Mas. "
— Amy, 11/29/2007
About Caroline Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy is the author and editor of twelve New York Times bestselling books on American history, politics and poetry. She is also an attorney and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017 and is the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School, she is active in the efforts to improve New York City public schools and serves as President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
About the Narrators
NPR is a mission-driven, multimedia news organization and radio program producer of news, talk, music, and entertainment programs with a strong base of member stations and supporters nationwide. Since 1971, NPR and its journalists and programs have won hundreds of awards, including some of the most prestigious honors in journalism.
Bleak December Inc. is a multimedia company founded by Canadian actor and filmmaker Anthony D.P. Mann.