Caroline Kennedy Gives Voice to the Spirit of the Season

Dec. 23, 2007 — -- Caroline Kennedy has put together a new book, "A Family Christmas," an anthology of poetry and prose that celebrates the spirit of the season.

Caroline Kennedy: One of the aspects of Christmas that I really wanted to illustrate was the historical and also Christmas during wartime. And so I have in the book a number of selections going back to the Revolutionary War. And one of them turned out to be from the Kennedy Library, which was written during the Cold War.

And I think it really captures kind of the sense of fear that people had, but it also was just a great thing for me personally to find. And it's written by my father to a little girl in Michigan who had written to him.

So his reply goes like this, "Dear Michelle, I was glad to get your letter about trying to stop the Russians from bombing the North Pole and risking the life of Santa Claus. I share your concern about the atmospheric testing of the Soviet Union, not only for the North Pole, but for countries throughout the world; not only for Santa Claus, but for people throughout the world. However, you must not worry about Santa Claus. I talked with him yesterday, and he is fine. He will be making his rounds this Christmas. Sincerely, John Kennedy"