Why the Chimes Rang

by Raymond Macdonald Alden, Mayo Bunker (Illustrator)

Described as "the one perfect book for children" when it was first published in 1909, Why the Chimes Rang quickly became one of America's favorite Christmas books. Now, this time-honored classic, a beautiful tale that conveys the very spirit of giving, has been re-published, illustrated with full-color restorations of the original engravings, to take its place again as a cherished Christmas tradition.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Classics, Fiction, Childrens, Holiday

38 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1908

About the author

Raymond Macdonald Alden (1873–1924) was an American scholar and educator.

Born in New Hartford, N. Y., his parents were the writer, Isabella Macdonald Alden, and Reverend Gustavus Rossenberg Alden. He studied at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1894 with a Ph.D.[1] He took post-graduate studies there at Penn and at Harvard. In 1894-95 he was instructor in English at Columbian (now George Washington) University; in 1896-97 assistant in English at Harvard; and in 1898-99 senior fellow in English at the University of Pennsylvania. He was chosen to fill the position of assistant professor of English literature and rhetoric at Leland Stanford, Jr., University in 1899, then became associate professor there in 1909. He accepted the chair of English at the University of Illinois in 1911. He edited several plays of Shakespeare and other Elizabethan dramatists and in 1910 an edition of Thoreau's Walden. Alden also became known as a contributor to educational journals and short stories to magazines. In 1913 he edited an edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets and A Lover's Complaint.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas classic with a thoughtfully ambiguous ending that leads the reader to give careful consideration to just what the greatest gift to give is. Old-fashioned illustrations lend their own charm to this timeless message. (1954 Bobbs-Merrill edition)

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 Reread
Enjoyed this sweet little story.

A lovely allegory. The Christmas chimes only ring when the greatest and bets gifts were offered. This little story is a good reminder of what such a gift looks like.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a beautiful story in the tradition of many Christmas stories where giving the best that you have no matter how simple or small it may seem is the token and not the presents that are meant to impress.

The illustrations are simple but gorgeous and the story easy to follow although it didn't really get me as there is too many what-ifs. The way that the story ended was a disappointment since I felt there was more to be said - more to cover such as was the most important gift actually the silver coin? Or was it the fact that the boy gave up something he really wanted to do and experienced to help out another unfortunate soul, which would have been the best present?

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Book written in 1909, still in print, should be looked at. It has timeless qualities that we should strive for, loyalty, faith, perseverence, and putting others before yourself. I hope this book will continue to be read for another 100 years.

I read this to my grandchildren like I read it to my children, every year. My mother read it every year to my brother and me. The best book ever about the meaning of Christmas.

[Monique]

I loved The Palace Made By Music and The Knights of the Silver Shield when I was a kid.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I first read this book when I was
older.

The illustrations are nice and appropriate
and attractive.

I know this storybook was originally published
in 1909 and it was incredibly popular back
then.

The plot in this book was good and somewhat
touching.

I thought this book was OK or good not great.

Nowadays when people are exposed to so many
different plots via books and/or TV, I guess it
takes more to impress them.

But for somebody who likes Christmas books, they
probably would enjoy this one.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ADORE the illustrations! So beautifully vintage!

The story was fine. It's about two brothers, their trip to a Catholic church, and the sacrifice one of them makes and how he's rewarded by the angels.

Ages: 5 - 9

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest stories ever written, not just Christmas stories.
The story is very well told, the illustrations are just an added bonus.
My teacher read this to me >40 years ago in elementary school, and I have never forgotten it.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet old fashioned story very similar to The Silent Bells, another of my Christmas reads this year. Also similar to The Light of Christmas. A familiar theme of recognizing the true gift that is worthy of presenting to the babe in the manger, which is not what most people expect.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is indeed a sweet story, but I agree with the assessment that it ended too abruptly. It felt like half a story.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty straightforward story illustrating the difference between selfish people and giving people.

[Erika Powers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry I read this book! 1) The church is in a country where few people have ever traveled yet thousands of people attend the church every Sunday. What the hell? 2) If they're such devout Christians, how come they didn't know that all the rich gifts in the world wouldn't make the chimes ring, but one silver piece from a child was the answer. Apparently, of the thousands of regular churchgoers, no one knew what Jesus was all about - or could even apply the story of the widows mite. 3) Lastly, the ending just quit! There was no eloquent wrap-up to bring the story full circle. This book was my grama's but it's so bad I'm giving it back to my mom.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of our favorite children’s authors. We love his story, In the Great Walled Country.
This folktale is remarkable, in that it transports the whole concept of giving at Christmas up into the realms of significant sacrifice. It is wonderful to see the reaction of children because the ending of the tale is so different than what the hoped for expectation was at the beginning.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic my grandmother read

This is such a beautiful story. I only recently learned of my family connection to it. My grandma read it to her children and I'm thrilled to now have my own copy to carry on the tradition.

[Jennie Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great story!

[Sarah Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed this book tremendously. The end was a bit abrupt, but certainly allowed for further discussion with the children.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless story that teaches a wonderful Christmas lesson.

[Katie Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gifts for the Christ Child are not always what they seem to be. This is a charming short story reminding us about the real reason for celebrating Christmas.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas story, with echoes of the story of the widow’s mite.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a book I'd have read to my kids in lead up to Xmas. It's a heartwarming story about caring for others and what's truly important in life.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely enchanted Christmas tale.

[Gillyweed Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story and illustrations

[Roy Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite stories.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a big influence on me.

It emboldened me to abandon my hypocritical christian upbringing.

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite Christmas stories! This one needs to be read every year to anyone who will listen (a group which has diminished in size in direct correlation with my insistence to read it aloud!).

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty predictable, but in that comforting way that you know morality tales go. Another Christmas short story.