Description
About the Story
In this story, Renfroe Madison, who was first introduced in D.J.’s Worst Enemy, is three years older. It is Christmastime, and while Renfroe’s spirits are high, he is more conscious than ever of his selfish streak. With the family’s worn-out Christmas tree angel–hung by Renfroe on their smokehouse door–acting as his conscience, Renfroe tries half-heartedly to curb his selfishness: Should he have split a 75-cent store credit more evenly instead of buying a 50-cent knife for himself and 25-cent one for his brother D.J.? Should he have given his lasso to three neighbors who got only an apple, an orange, and a candy bar for Christmas? Should he have given his yo-yo to Nutty, a good family friend? Renfroe didn’t really enjoy the yo-yo, and Nutty got nothing but clothes for Christmas. Then, a smile from a handicapped boy redeems Renfroe. He spontaneously gives the boy his brand-new Mickey Mouse watch–“the finest thing I’ve ever owned myself”–because of the happiness it will bring to its recipient. Renfroe’s struggle to come to terms with himself is paced by the activities of everyday farm life, as well as by a hilarious Christmas pageant, an experiment to increase milk production by singing carols to the Madison’s cows, and a longing for the snow that seldom falls south of Atlanta.
Publishing Info
The Christmas Present (formerly titled Renfroe’s Christmas) by Robert Burch and illustrated by Rocco Negri. From the First Printing by Scholastic Book Service in 1973. This paperback book measures about 7-1/2″ x 5-1/8″ and has 64 pages in glued binding.
Condition
See photo. In good condition for age. Biggest issue is crosswise stress to spine which includes break about center. The pages are browning from age but are very good condition and tight in the binding. No names or other markings. Stores in and ships from clean, smoke-free home.
Shipping
Generally sent the same day payment arrives. Unless you request otherwise, I will wrap the book in plastic wrap to help protect it from the elements, tightly sandwich it between pieces of cardboard, then wrap in brown paper to send via Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation tracking. See the shipping page for the cost to send a one-pound Media Mail package. Insurance is an additional cost as described. I am delighted to combine postage and insurance costs if you purchase more than one item. The second item may travel for free or just a few cents more — so it’s worth taking a look at my other items before you complete your order.
Not sure?
If you’d like more information about or photos from The Christmas Present, please feel free to contact me. If it’s the price you don’t like, make an offer.
See my other Christmas Books. The more you buy, the cheaper postage is per item!
