The L. M. Montgomery Christmas Collection

by L.M. Montgomery, Smidgen Press (compiler)

What if you could find your way back to Anne's world ... for Christmas?
If you grew up loving the Anne of Green Gables books, then this Christmas, why not travel back to Anne's time? A simpler time when neighbors looked out for one another, when families gathered often, when a house was indeed a home. Meet kindred spirits on a journey to find the true meaning of Christmas.

Specially curated for every L.M. Montgomery fan and combined with inspiring artwork, these heartwarming stories in our 8x10 premium color edition will thrill you as you enjoy both familiar characters and some you may not have met before.

Revisit Anne Shirley as she receives Matthew's surprise gift: a dress with puffed sleeves!
Eavesdrop as the Story Girl shares about the little harpist-shepherd and what happened on that first Christmas morning.
Meet the Young family, divided by a feud, and discover how miscommunication brings forgiveness.

Interspersed throughout the collection, Montgomery's beautiful poetry is woven in, reflecting on winter and the Christmas season. This unique collection of L.M. Montgomery's Christmas writings have also been compiled with over a dozen paintings and illustrations, from artists like Edward Percy Moran and Canadian artist Franklin Carmichael.

Immerse yourself in these musings on love, hope, and joy, and you may find yourself wanting to read this treasure aloud to your family ... or curl up to enjoy the book all by yourself.

You, too, can experience the Smidgen Press excellence and attention to beauty as you delight to hold this book in your hands. It turns out Anne was right:

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think.”

Genres: Christmas, Classics

104 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2023

About the author

Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author whose novels, stories, essays and poems made her one of the most widely read writers in Canadian literary history. Publishing under the name L. M. Montgomery, she achieved international recognition with the novel Anne of Green Gables, released in 1908, which quickly became a bestseller and introduced readers to the imaginative orphan Anne Shirley. The success of the book transformed Montgomery from a schoolteacher and magazine contributor into a celebrated literary figure whose work reached audiences far beyond Canada. Raised on Prince Edward Island, she drew deeply on its landscapes, rural communities, and storytelling traditions, turning the island into the setting for many of her novels. The popularity of Anne of Green Gables led to numerous sequels, including Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, establishing a beloved series that followed Anne from childhood to adulthood. Montgomery continued to write steadily throughout her life, producing twenty novels and more than a thousand short stories poems and essays. Her fiction often centered on young women, personal growth, and the emotional ties between people and place, combining gentle humor with reflections on memory, imagination, and belonging. Although she enjoyed enormous popularity, Montgomery also faced personal difficulties, including long periods of depression and the strain of caring for her husband, a Presbyterian minister who struggled with mental illness. Writing became both a profession and a refuge, allowing her to transform memories of childhood and observation of everyday life into vivid storytelling. In addition to the Anne series, she created other notable works, including the Emily novels and several stand alone stories that explored identity, creativity, and attachment to home. Her books were translated widely and attracted devoted readers around the world, helping shape the international image of Prince Edward Island as a place of pastoral beauty and warm community life. Scholars later studied her extensive journals letters and manuscripts, which revealed the complex inner life behind the cheerful tone of many of her books. By the time of her death in 1942, Montgomery had become one of the most successful and influential authors in Canadian literature. Her stories about imagination, resilience, and the search for belonging continue to inspire readers of all ages, and Anne Shirley remains one of the most recognizable characters in children's fiction. Through generations of readers, Montgomery's work has encouraged appreciation for storytelling, nature, and the emotional richness of ordinary life. Her legacy also includes a vast body of diaries and correspondence that document the challenges faced by a professional woman writer in the early twentieth century. Institutions such as the L. M. Montgomery Institute have continued to examine her influence on literature culture and tourism, particularly on Prince Edward Island, where sites associated with her fiction attract visitors from many countries. Adaptations of Anne of Green Gables for film, television, and theatre have introduced new audiences to her stories, ensuring that her characters remain part of global popular culture. Though critical opinion once dismissed her as merely a writer for children, later scholarship recognized the depth of her themes and the enduring craft of her storytelling. Today she is remembered as a central figure in Canadian literature whose imaginative vision gave voice to the beauty of rural life while celebrating the hopes of young dreamers who search for belonging.

Reviews

[Meghan John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montgomery charms once again with Christmas scenes from some of her beloved books, a few stand alone stories, and beautiful poetry. A delightful read for Christmas Day.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Montgomery but this definitely told me that she’s a storyteller and not a poet! 😂😂 this collection has some short stories I’ve never read before, some that are Christmas extracts from longer books, some poetry, and some lovely artwork (not by Montgomery). The book is delightful. I really enjoyed several of the stories and the artwork was the perfect touch. Smidgen Press did a great job (and I bought this book, this isn’t a paid review! lol)

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Smidgen Press for the gifted e-book! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It was a true delight to dive into the world of puffed sleeves and cherry trees as well as other cozy stories and poems from L.M. Montgomery. This is the perfect book to cozy up by the Christmas tree to savor the joy of the season and celebrate the greatest gift of all. Highly recommend!

[Leilani Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful collection of writings from L.M. Montgomery! Featured are eight stories or excerpts (including a few from beloved Anne throughout the years 🥹), six beautiful poems, and thirteen stunning prints from a variety of artists.

This is the kind of collection that fills your heart and mind with good and beautiful things.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting an advanced digital copy! The opinions expressed are my own. ☺️

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love L. M. Montgomery's writing, and I love Christmas, so I am naturally drawn to her festive stories and poetry. The Christmas with Anne collection is one of my favorite Christmastime reads, so I am excited to add this new collection to my shelf too. It does have some overlap with that other volume -- both contain the "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves" from Anne of Green Gables, as well as several of the same short stories. This collection has a couple of different Anne chapters too, and six Christmas/winter poems that are paired with appropriate classic paintings. There are paintings to go with the short stories and Anne chapters as well, and I love all the thought that obviously went into the pairings.

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely delightful collection of poems, stories, and artwork, perfect for gifting and enjoying any time one needs “a little bit of Christmas, right this very minute.” 🎄 🤶🏻 🎅🏻

Honestly, it’s been awhile since I revisited Montgomery’s work, and it makes me want to reread the Anne and Emily series and branch out into some of her other work as well.

Thank you to Smidgen Press for an eARC for review. (So sorry I didn’t get this book and review finished before the holiday.)

[Maddie Hollar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this book was apparently published on my 23rd birthday. Also it was such a fun great collection.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always fun to read about Anne

[Viola Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to convince my girls to let me read this aloud to them but we ended up loving every short story. I also loved the poems.

[Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ebook (and audio) from Smidgen Press awhile ago and though I didn't get it completely "read" in a short amount of time, it was so lovely that I bought a hardcover copy.

The stories are taken from L.M. Montgomery's writings (novels, stories, and poetry). They are sweet and inspiring. The images that have been added to the book are perfect for the collection!

[Amber (Her Home and Hearts) Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What if you could find your way back to Anne's world - for Christmas?"

This was my very first read of 2025, and it was the perfect way to begin the year! It’s the book that rekindled my love of reading and pulled me back into my old bookworm habits.
Inside this beautiful volume, you’ll find a delightful collection of poems and short stories straight from the pen of Lucy Maud Montgomery. Heartwarming Christmas tales of simpler times fill the book, while more than a dozen vintage illustrations bring an extra layer of coziness. This gorgeous book feels like a warm Christmas hug! So grab your favorite blanket, pour a steaming drink, and let yourself be whisked away to a snowy, old-fashioned Canada. 📚❄️☕
5/5 🌟 for this wonderful collection!!

[Aliyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Smidgen Press for the gifted ebook.
I read most of these Christmas stories before, many are chapters from the Anne and Story Girl series and the rest are standalone short stories as well as a few poems.
The stories are easy and enjoyable reads, and the perfect way to spend a cozy winter afternoon. This collection would be enjoyable to any Anne or LM Montgomery fan.