Like sugarplums and gingerbread, no season of stories would be complete without Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, and Marmee are together again, sharing stories near the fireplace. This family is inseparable, just like best friends Frog and Toad.

Arnold Lobel's little pals are riding their bicycle on the northeast mantel and celebrating the holidays together.

On the next mantle, Harry Potter and his owl, Hedwig, keep a close eye on Frog and Toad. We hope Harry doesn’t turn Frog into a prince! Even Muggles will enjoy the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Franklin Dixon's Hardy Boys and Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew sleuth for a clue in the opposite corner. Maybe they will find the secret of the old clock somewhere in the White House.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspires the centerpiece of the dessert table in the East Room. White House pastry chefs used fifty pounds of chocolate, ten pounds of bubblegum, and ten pounds of lollipops to build Willy Wonka's factory and bubblegum machine. The sugar replicas of Willie Wonka, Violet Beauregarde, and two Oompa-Loompas are Whipple-Scrumptious!

The traditional crèche has been displayed in the East Room for more than thirty years. Made in Italy in the 18th century, the figures representing the Christmas story are made of carved wood and terra cotta.

We hope you have enjoyed seeing your favorite storybook characters and perhaps meeting some new ones in our Season of Stories. May your holiday season be full of family, friendship, and favorite stories!