"CHARLES DICKENS wrote this delightful little book in 1849 for his most private and personal readership - his own children. With no eye on publicity or pandering to any faction of his vast following, we can see here his own thoughts on the Christian Religion distilled, not only for the benefit of young readers but almost, one feels, to repeat to himself his belief in the Good News of God, and tell again the Gospel story in a pleasantly simple yet direct and accurate way. http://www.jesus.org.uk/vault/library/dickens_life.pdf