The Christmas Box (is an American novel written by Richard Paul Evans
and self-published in 1993.
A Christmas story purportedly written for his children,
the book was advertised locally by Evans, who was working at the time
as an advertising executive.
He placed the book in Utah stores and it became a local best-seller.
This got the attention of major publishers who bid against each other,
resulting in Evans receiving several million dollars for the publishing rights.
Released in hardcover in 1995 by Simon & Schuster,
The Christmas Box became the first book to simultaneously
reach the No.1 position on the New York Times bestseller list for
both the paperback and hardcover editions.
That same year, the book was made into a television movie of the same title
starring Richard Thomas and Maureen O'Hara.
As of 2009, that movie was being shown in the 25 Days of Christmas
programming block on ABC Family, but was not part of the block in 2010.
User Review
Nice, family-friendly film for the holidays
9 October 2006 | by Amy Adler (Toledo, Ohio)
QuoteRichard (Richard Thomas) and Keri (Annette O'Toole) have moved to a new city near ski country. They sold their house in order to get Richard's ski shop off the ground, instead living in a cramped apartment with their daughter, Jenna. Keri sees an ad for a couple needed to take care of an older lady in her home. The home turns out to be a mansion and the lady chooses Richard's family to be her caretakers. Keri is ecstatic, as they are given a complete wing of the large home for their quarters and her duties are not very taxing. But, the lady of the house is sad and lonely and harbors many secrets. Also, there is a mysterious music box in the attic that plays music on its own, at times. Richard begins to have strange dreams as well. What is going on here? This is a lovely story about love, family, and friendship. Thomas, O'Toole, and Maureen O'Hara are excellent as the key players, who learn valuable lessons in giving and receiving love. The script is humorous and heart warming, although far-fetched at times. If you would like a new tradition in film at holiday times, this movie is a great choice. It upholds the values everyone should hold dear.