Stories for Christmas

I was given this book for Christmas from Santa at the age of six in 1982 and it's a sign of how much I loved it that it's still in relatively good condition with its paperback cover still intact. I must have read it every single Christmas. (and still do, I confess) It's the warmest, coziest rendition of Christmas spirit that I've ever come and I cannot understand why Alison Uttley has been allowed to have been forgotten by readers. My favourite story was Sam Pig's christmas card that he painted with paints that tasted of the berries and woodland offerings from which the colours had been made. Uttley was a most beautiful, whimsical writer and her animal stories are far more enchanting than those of Beatrix Potter - I suppose it's just a pity Uttley wasn't also an illustrator to boot. I wish a publisher would bring out new editions of her works so that today's children could know her. I'm just glad I still have my old copy so that I can treat my own children to her unique Christmas sparkle!