December Quote of the Month: 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse"

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse"
— Clement Clarke Moore, 1837

Just in time for holiday celebrations, all of us at Cosimo are very excited to announce our Quote of the Month!

The Night Before Christmas, originally published as A Visit from St. Nicholas on December 23, 1823, in the Troy Sentinel, became America's favorite Christmas poem. After the poem was published anonymously, it was attributed to Clement Clark Moore in 1837. However, scholars have debated the identity of the author of this poem and some believe it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr., (1748-1828), a New York farmer who also wrote poetry.

The Night Before Christmas has had a great influence on the American notion of Santa Claus and on its tradition of Christmas gift-giving, which, before the poem, had been inspired by the Dutch figure of St. Nicholas. This unique edition of the famed Christmas poem, features the original engravings, from 1849, by T.C. Boyd.

This American classic is a great gift for the Christmas season as well as for collectors of traditional American literature.

Little Women in Theaters this Month!

It is one of the most beloved novels in the English language, and its protagonists among the best friends a reader can have. Louisa May Alcott's Little Women—inspired by her own childhood with three sisters in Concord, Massachusetts—is the simple, elegant tale of tomboy Jo March, who strains against the limitations of women of her time, and dependable Meg, compassionate Beth, and spoiled Amy.

Their childhood adventures and squabbles as well as their adult romances and travels continue to enthrall and delight readers a century and a half after the novel was first published, and have inspired stage plays, comic books, and countless film adaptations. 

The next adaptation of Little Women will be out next week! Releasing December 25th, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep. Watch the trailer below!

To read more books by or about Louisa May Alcott, visit our site here.  Happy reading!

December Classic of the Month: The Night Before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas

It wouldn't be December without a Visit from St. Nicholas!

The Night Before Christmas, originally published as A Visit from St. Nicholas on December 23, 1823, in the Troy Sentinel, became America's favorite Christmas poem. After the poem was published anonymously, it was attributed to Clement Clark Moore in 1837. However, scholars have debated the identity of the author of this poem and some believe it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr., (1748-1828), a New York farmer who also wrote poetry.

The Night Before Christmas has had a great influence on the American notion of Santa Claus and on its tradition of Christmas gift-giving, which, before the poem, had been inspired by the Dutch figure of St. Nicholas. This unique edition of the famed Christmas poem, features the original engravings, from 1849, by T.C. Boyd.

This American classic is a great gift for the Christmas season as well as for collectors of traditional American literature.

The Night Before Christmas, Now Available from Cosimo!

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse"
 - From The Night Before Christmas

Just in time for holiday celebrations, all of us at Cosimo are very excited to announce a new Classic we have added to our catalog.

The Night Before Christmas, originally published as A Visit from St. Nicholas on December 23, 1823, in the Troy Sentinel, became America's favorite Christmas poem. After the poem was published anonymously, it was attributed to Clement Clark Moore in 1837. However, scholars have debated the identity of the author of this poem and some believe it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr., (1748-1828), a New York farmer who also wrote poetry.

The Night Before Christmas has had a great influence on the American notion of Santa Claus and on its tradition of Christmas gift-giving, which, before the poem, had been inspired by the Dutch figure of St. Nicholas. This unique edition of the famed Christmas poem, features the original engravings, from 1849, by T.C. Boyd.

This American classic is a great gift for the Christmas season as well as for collectors of traditional American literature.

December Series of the Month: The Complete Works of Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!" - A Christmas Carol

With Christmas right around the corner, it's inevitable that Scrooge and Oliver Twist will be popping up on everyone's television. However, Charles Dickens' fascinating works are truest in their original form--books. This month, Cosimo is excited to present The Complete Works of Charles Dickens as our December Series of the Month.

Charles Dickens is iconic, legendary, and masterfully clever. In these thirty beautiful volumes, which include each and every work written by Charles Dickens, readers can immerse themselves in the mind of one of history's most celebrated literary geniuses. He is entirely responsible for the popular image of Victorian London that still lingers today, and his many celebrated characters are mentioned time and time again. But it was his stirring portraits and his fervent cries for social, moral, and legal justice for the working poor in the grim early decades of the Industrial Revolution that powerfully impacted social concerns well into the 20th century.

This essential collector's set will excite librarians, professors, students of literature, and the passionate reader. Cosimo offers this series by individual volume at leading online bookstores or as a full 30-volume set in hardcover or paperback. If you are interested in purchasing the full set, please contact us.

The paperback retail list price for this series is: $389.70 but now our price is: $311.99 (you save $77.71 or a 20 percent discount) and free shipping.

The hardcover retail list price for this series is: $899.70, but now our price is: $719.99 (you save $179.71 or a 20 percent discount) and free shipping.

December Classic of the Month: Old Christmas

In the spirit of the holiday season, Cosimo is happy to announce Old Christmas by Washington Irving as our Classic of the month for December!

"After the dance was concluded, the whole party was entertained with brawn and beef, and stout home-brewed. The Squire himself mingled among the rustics, and was received with awkward demonstrations of deference and regard." -- from Christmas Day

Warmly convivial and delightfully festival, this charming and long forgotten holiday classic, by one of American literature's most beloved writers, was inspired, in part, by Dickens' A Christmas Carol and other celebrations of oldtime Yule.

Splendid suppers and rural churches, cheerful dances and hearty spirits imbue this short novel with the magic of the season. This festive work, first published in 1896, deserves to be a holiday tradition alongside Dickens in the celebrations of the winter solstice.

About the Author
American author Washington Irving (1783-1859) wrote extensively in the areas of history and historical biography but is best known for his short fiction, including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle."

Old Christmas is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at your favorite bookstores. From everyone here at Cosimo, we wish you a very merry and festive holiday season!

December Book of the Month: The Christmas Mice

"Isn't that strange? It took some babies to teach grown-ups to be nice to each other. Do you suppose that has anything to do with Christmas?" - The Christmas Mice

Our festive Book of the Month for the last month of 2015 is The Christmas Mice by John White and illustrated by Dorothy L. Hall.

The Christmas Mice, a tale for children, is a heartwarming story of love and acceptance. It tells of two mice, Roger and Emily, who are outcasts from their community because they are different. One is green, the other is red-the colors of Christmas.

Encouraged by the birth of his children and the beauty of a Christmas tree, Roger teaches the rest of the meadowmice an important lesson about love and brotherhood. As the two main characters gain acceptance and understanding from the other mice, the importance of peace and oneness of all life is sensitively communicated.

The Christmas Mice is a touching tale with a powerful message that will delight young readers of all ages. The book is available in paperback at Amazon, and in paperback at Barnes & Noble. It is also available for your Kindle.


About the Author
John White is an internationally-known author in the fields of consciousness research and higher human development. His writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, Omni, Esquire and Woman's Day, and his books have been translated into ten languages. He holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a master of arts degree in teaching from Yale University. He has served on the governing and consulting boards of various academic and research organizations. He has also lectured at various colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has made numerous radio and television appearances.

About the Illustrator
Dorothy L. Hall is an illustrator, art teacher, and cartoonist. She worked as a visual journalist for 20 years and taught Newspaper Design and Magazine Editing and Production at Southern Conn. State University. During the 70’s she was a muralist for the Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut, and has had seven one-woman shows of her paintings.

Classic of the Month: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

"The sweet generousness of his work caused a few selfish folk to sneer, but even these were forced to admit their respect for a man so gentle-natured that he loved to devote his life to pleasing the helpless little ones of his race."

Our Classic of the Month is The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a wonderful 'history' of Santa Claus from L. Frank Baum, the author who brought us the beloved tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus provides an unusual and fanciful origin story for Santa, suggesting that Neclaus was abandoned as a baby and adopted by the fairy queen Necile (Neclaus meaning "Necile's Little One"). Baum's Santa is a mortal living among fairies and other fantastical creatures.

 As an adult he returns to the human world to discover it is full of dark things like poverty and war; as a result of what he has witnessed, Neclaus makes it his mission to gladden the hearts of the world's children. He settles in the Laughing Valley of Hohaho and brings toys to all children (both good and bad) because

"He knew that the best of children were sometimes naughty, and that the naughty ones were often good. It is the way with children, the world over, and he would not have changed their natures had he possessed the power to do so."

This wonderfully unique version of the Claus story weaves traditional tales of Santa Claus with epic battles against evil creatures. Readers learn the origins of Santa's first toy, how he found his reindeer, and why the first stockings were hung by the fireplace. Interwoven with these charming stories are lessons to learn about kindness, humanity, and charity.

Originally published in 1902, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus continues to charm and inspire children every year. It has been reproduced for television and film, and was even turned into a graphic novel by well-known artist Mike Ploog.

This wonderful book is available in affordable paperback at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

2012 Holiday Gift Selection: This Season, Offer the Gift of Classics

This holiday season, Cosimo has put together a collection of Christmas and Classics titles sure to delight book lovers of all ages. In addition to the launch of a new Christmas book, we've added favorite titles that make wonderful gifts for friends and loved ones.

Included in our selection is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Gulliver's Travels, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Little Women, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, and The Works of Eugene Field. Read more about this fabulous selection of classics in our press release, and be sure to visit the website for more information.

Our holiday book selection is headlined by a new title and our December book of the month, The Christmas Mice, by John White and illustrated by Dorothy Hall. A tale for children, The Christmas Mice is a heartwarming story of love and acceptance. It tells of two mice, Roger and Emily, who are outcasts from their community because they are different. One is green, the other is red--the colors of Christmas. Encouraged by the birth of his children and the beauty of a Christmas tree, Roger teaches the rest of the meadowmice an important lesson about love and brotherhood. As the two main characters gain acceptance and understanding from the other mice, the importance of peace and oneness of all life is sensitively communicated. The Christmas Mice is a touching tales with a powerful message that will delight young readers of all ages. Read more about this title in the press release.

John White is an internationally-known author in the fields of consciousness research and higher human development. He has published fifteen books, including Everything You Want to Know about TM, Including How to Do It, and his writing has appeared in publications in the United States and abroad. Dorothy Hall has been an accomplished artist all her life; she is also an illustrator art teacher, and cartoonist. You can find her online at dorothyhallarts.com.