On Christmas morning, the children get books (two versions of Aesop's Fables for the two younger boys, The Count of Monte Cristo for Stacey, and The Three Musketeers for Cassie). Papa tells his elder children that their books were written by Alexander Dumas who was a black man. They also get stockings of licorice, oranges, and bananas, as well as clothes from Uncle Hammer. I think the children value the books because they appreciate them. Both Mama (a teacher) and their father have instilled the joy of leaning into them.