–Christopher Reeve
(From The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, Edited by Thomas H. Johnson)
Hope as an unremitting act is a theme of what I consider to be one of the best Christmas stories for children ever written–The Story of Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden.
“At Christmastime, wishes have the power to make dreams come true, especially if you wish very hard and your wish touches another’s heart.” (From the inside book cover)
Holly is a doll who finds herself in a toy shop, unpacked for the first time two days before Christmas. She is a Christmas doll because she is dressed in red and green, and if she isn’t sold by Christmas Eve, then there is little hope for her, until next year, which is a very long time for a doll.
Ivy is a little girl who lives in an orphanage and has nowhere to go at Christmas. She is a Christmas girl because she is dressed in green and red. Ivy is shipped to an infants’ shelter for the holidays, but she tells the people on the train that she is going to her grandmother’s house at Appleton. Ivy has never been to Appleton, but she quickly learns that it is a real stop on her train journey. The little girl gets off the train at Appleton, but there is no one there to meet her.
Holly and Ivy each have a wish. A powerful wish. Holly wants a home and someone who will love her. Ivy wants a home and someone who will love her. When two pure hearts have a stout longing for the same thing, surely their hope will be rewarded on Christmas Eve.
Even if you think you know how this story ends, I happen to believe you will be in suspense until the very last page. I can always hope.
One last thing: this story is a lot of fun to read at Christmastime with a child or two, or more.
