This volume is from 1915; no illustrations are included in this Kindle version. Twelve simple plays for the holidays; 25-50 minutes long with simple stage sets.Plays:The Christ-candle - Toinette and the Elves - Tom's PlanTheir Christmas Party - The Christmas Brownie - A Puritan Christmas - The Christmas Monks - The Spell of ChristmasThe Babushka - A Canvas Christma - Minty-Malviny's Santa Claus - The HundredSUGGESTIONS FOR PRODUCTION These little plays were written for the classes and clubs of a small Sunday-school, where the Christmas celebration consisted of a play to introduce Santa Claus and a Christmas-tree. They are equally suitable for children at home or in day schools, and they have been so used. In most of the plays children greatly enjoy playing the adult parts and do good work in them. But several of the adult roles call for adult players, because a deeper appreciation of the feeling contained in the story is required than can be given by girls in their teens. Such parts are the Babushka, the Mother in " The Christ- Candle," and the Mother in " Toinette." Partly for the same reason, a man should be chosen for the Abbot in " The Christmas Monks," but also his presence will lend dignity, and much greater orderliness to rehearsals in a play with a large cast. The last two plays, adapted from stories by well- known writers, " Minty-Malviny's Santa Claus " and " The Hundred," were not especially intended for children,but as parlor plays for home production. These twothrow heavier work upon a single child than any of the other plays, but though they were made with special children in view, it would not be difficult to find, in any group of children, a little girl who could play " Minty " or " Tibbie " as well as those for whom the parts were first made. LIGHTING. No one factor is more important for success in producing children's plays than adequate lighting. No matter how charmingly the setting and costuming may be carried out, no matter how well the children may act their parts, if the audience cannot see them easily, the pains and trouble of the stage force, the best efforts of the children, will be lost. This is an individual problem, each case varying so much from the next that definite directions to fit all cases cannot well be given. But the importance of this one factor can hardly be overestimated. Fortunate indeed is the miniature stage with footlights and upper lights so arranged that red and white bulbs are controlled by different switches, each switch having also a dimmer. Nor are these things so expensive as to be beyond even rather moderate means, especially if included in the original equipment of the stage. It is more often from lack of experience than because of their initial cost that they are omitted.STAGE SETTINGS. Through the same lack of experience or forethought, settings are often provided which areof use in the minimum instead of the maximum numberof plays. The simplest cottage interior is more adaptable, and can be used in a greater number of in- stances than the most attractive of more pronounced " sets." It is therefore invaluable for a small stage, where perhaps but one indoor and one outdoor scene must cover all requirements. All but two of the plays in this volume have been acted upon such a little stage. REHEARSING. Children's plays should not be over- rehearsed. The smoothness and finish which it is right to demand of older players is hardly possible, or even desirable, for them. The charm of their acting lies in its sweet simplicity and freshness, a part of which is almost sure to be lost in any attempt at professional perfection. When they weary of rehearsals, and lose their enjoyment of them, not only are the director's troubles multiplied, but something vital has been lost from the charm of the final performance. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.