Thornton Burgess thrilled two generations of children with his delightful nature tales, publishing over 150 books, most of them illustrated by the great Harrison Cady, featuring an array of colorful woodland creatures in simple, well-written tales that always entertained, but that also taught a lesson about human nature. Among them were 20 books — the famous Bedtime Story Books series — that introduced his charming woodland characters to young readers. These delightful tales have been faithfully reproduced in Volumes One and Two of The National Review Treasury of Classic Bedtime Stories.

You will love these books. And so (more so!) will those youngsters to whom you give them. Inside each of these large, handsome hardcovers’ pages — brightened by some 120 of Cady’s truly special drawings (reproduced just as they appeared in the original old books!) — are 20 terrific “adventure” tales featuring Reddy Fox, Johnny Chuck, Peter Cottontail, Unc’ Billy Possum, Mistah Mocker, Jerry Muskrat, Danny Meadow Mouse, Grandfather Frog, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Sammy Jay, Buster Bear, Old Mr. Toad, Prickly Porky, Old Man Coyote, Paddy the Beaver, Poor Mrs. Quack, Bobby Coon, Jimmy Skunk, Bob White, and Ol’ Mistah Buzzard.

If you are a parent or grandparent concerned about the quality of today’s children’s books, you will find our “Bedtime Classics” a reassuring safe haven. Graced by the Burgess’s unique literary talents — his witty poems are as wonderful as his stories are captivating — both volumes are refreshingly old-fashioned: the tales are clean, wholesome, fun, innocent, and instructive. These are the type of horizon-opening stories that one looks back upon, as an adult, with fond and cherished memories. These are books that you will really want to share with a deserving child this Christmas.

And for good reason. These are exactly the kind of little dramas you can read to your wee ones or your grandchildren at night as a prelude to sweet dreams. Each of the “adventure” stories unfold and progress over some 24 chapters (because they are designed to be real “bedtime” reading!). And new and developing readers (first and second graders) will take to the book on their own like, well … like Chatterer takes to acorns!

Each volume originally cost $29.95, but now you can get both volumes for the low price of $39.95, a big $20 savings! Shipping (via US “Media Mail”) and handling are free. And if your final NRO Store order is over $75, we will ship your books free via UPS Ground. If you’re sending the books as gifts, we will gladly send them along to the lucky recipients, and will include a complimentary gift announcement card (with your personal message, if you’d like that!). Order here.