Books by Martha Finley

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella and her evil stepmother and sisters. Poor Elsie unfortunately finds herself in a similar situation. Only time will tell if she manages to survive?Elsie is an eight year old girl who lives with her father, and mourns the absence of her unknown mother. Elsie's stepmother and her own children look down on her and treat her badly. Poor Elsie is having a really hard time and her father does not seem to know how to help her. Something suddenly changes and he turns to God for guidance and spiritual escape. An amazing book that above all teaches morals and standards in children, showing them how to believe in themselves and be better human beings.Martha Finley (1828-1909) was an American teacher and author. Quite prolific, she wrote many books for children, teeming with sentimental and strictly religious beliefs. Her most noted created is the 28-volume 'Elsie Dinsmore' series (1867-1905). She also wrote under the pen name Martha Farquharson.Many of her early works were short stories contributed to the children's sections of Sunday-school papers.

The holidays have arrived in Dinsmore household and Grandma Elsie has gathered together her large and extended family. There are snowball fights and sleigh races going one. Children play charades and enjoy a magic lantern show and other amusement provided by family ventriloquist, Cousin Ronald. There is also a burglar, but this is a Christmas story.