This was my favorite book growing up. Like the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, there are some absolutely hilarious scenes. But it also had some hardships for Nancy and Plum that I could really relate to. Coming from a family with little love and lots of anger, it really gave me hope that I might find a way to be loved, just like Nancy and Plum did. I read my personal copy until it was in tatters, and continue to read it every Christmas to remind myself how that season can now bring me such pleasure even though it only highlighted pain when I was growing up. I was sorry, however, that it doesn't read out loud very well when I tried to read it to my daughters when they were young. (Hint: if you leave out the "she saids" it flows better.)