December Boys

David Copperfield
$19.95
This is BBC at its best! Davie Coperfield has an excellent cast of characters and is indeed a delight to watch. One of the nice things about the film is that it is shorter then a lot of BBC's epic dramas. I have enjoyed the Jane Austin and Charles Dickens epics which I've watched over the years but this shorter film was nice for a change. Part of what made the film was the colorful characters like David's Aunt Betsy. I hope BBC does some more of these great classics.

The December Boys
$10.80
Choker (who tells the story), Fido, Spark, Misty and Maps all live at a Catholic orphanage for boys in the dusty outback of Australia in the late 1930's. They are known as the "December boys" because they all have their birthday in that month. Living inland none have ever seen the sea. Then one December they are sent on a holiday to Captain's Folly, a small seaside settlement that has seen better days. They stay with Mr. And Mrs. McAnsh, an eccentric couple who enjoy the odd bottle of wine. While exploring the beach the boys quickly make friends with some of the permanent inhabitants, especially Teresa and her husband Fearless Foley. Fearless was once a stunt rider in a traveling carnival. As the holiday unfolds adventure after adventure takes place for the boys, but can this paradise last?

This book describes the great exuberance of childhood, showing how, with a little good-will and imagination, life can be filled with joy, even if your circumstances are difficult. Of course with ill-will and narrow-vision life can be spoiled. Poverty is a related theme explored to a lesser extent. The value of friendship is greatly emphasised.

could be called a 'historical novel' as it describes a lifestyle that existed almost one-hundred ago. A one paragraph "Author's Note" provides the only special information needed to enjoy the story.

A film version of the book was released in 2008, however I should point out that the story is altered a little, I think to the detriment of the original themes. It seems it is still necessary to have a 'Hollywood endings'.

Birthstone Kid Boy December
$6.95
1 1/8" height 1/2" width

December Boys
$2.99
I had seen this movie quite a while back and really liked it, so decided to order it. It is a story about 4 boys in an orphanage in Australia. They are called 'the December Boys' because all of their birthdays are in December.
The boys get a chance for a trip to the shore and discover just how much of a family they have become together. This is a good movie about growing up, love, and acceptance.