THE SECOND ST. NICHOLAS ANTHOLOGY

The extraordinary success of the first St. paves the way for a second. And once again, the nostalgic element in its appeal will ""win friends and influence"" readers Old favorites, regretfully omitted from volume one, make their appearance here. I particularly rejoiced to find The Peterkins Christmas Tree -- generous inclusion of Davy and the Goblin and Two Biddicut Boys -- some enchanting (and forgotten) Frank Stockton stories -- more Palmer Cox Brownies -- (what delightful shudders that recalled)- a few that seem a bit sophisticated for those days. There is the same judicious balance of adventure, sports, historical romance, family stories, verse, humor, fantasy, animal stories, nature, a few non-fiction pieces -- and just a sampling from the St. Nicholas League. The pictures are from the old St. Nicholas too. A honey of a book, which will be bought for Christmas giving- and kept for the home book shelf. Even the binding,- green cloth, with holiday red and gold stamping, red top -- and heavy cellophane wraparound -- is an invitation.