Samantha and the Christmas Spirit

About the Book

The story takes place in the late 1960s, one week before Christmas.  Samanthas father being laid off from his job, finds Samantha face to face with Timmy O, a confused teen aged chimney sweep who is doubling as a Christmas Spirit for the holidays, trying to bring cheer to troubled households.  They become friends.  Timmy O cant understand how Samantha can see him, when no one else can.  His goal is to do a good job being a Christmas Spirit, so someone will love him, then he can quit his filthy job, and work for Santa Claus in his toy factory.

Samantha acting strange, and talking about Timmy O makes her mother crazy, and her father confused to the point of them investigating the situation.

Samantha wants a dollhouse for Christmas, and plays on Timmy Os heartstrings, trying to talk him into getting her fathers job back.

On Christmas day, Timmy O accomplishes his goal, and gives everyone a big surprise after the true Christmas Spirit pays a visit

About the Author

Richard K. De Paola Sr.  Born in Chicago, Illinois, July 12th 1934, played semi pro baseball for a year with the Chicago Roamers in the late 40’s. Giving up baseball, joined a talent group under the direction of Kay Bradshaw to perform on radio, and television with various comedy acts, and vocal groups in the early 50’s Drafted into the Army in 1957, served two years with the 530th Engineer Company in Germany as a Bridge Specialist.  There he met his wife Hedi.   After his discharge, lived in the Chicago land area raising a family. After working in the retail field, joined a     School District as a Custodian Maintenance worker.   Mr.Rich, as he was known to all the staff, and students started writing stories, and plays, in which some were used, and performed in the district. After completing a writer's course with the Institute of Children's Literature, published a play for teenagers, along with stories, and articles in area newspapers. A poem was published with the National Library of Poetry in 1998. He has a family of four daughters, and one son, with seven grandchildren. and is now retired in New Port Richey, Florida.