One night, little Bill is positive there are mean things in his dark closet and that they are just dying to get him. Only when Alice the great performs a magical tucking-in trick do the mean things go away for good.
Although his brother's friends make fun of it, Little Bill is very proud of the toy boat he has built and very upset when it is wrecked the first time he puts it in the water.
Although Little Bill is sad when a friend of the family dies, he remembers the friend's lesson of saying "Merry Christmas" to get people to stop fighting.
When Little Bill finds a huge diamond, he and his friends explore their fantasies about what to do with his new-found wealth--a bedroom with a built-in basketball court and maid service, for example! Full color.
Little Bill's parents expect him to dress up and act like a gentleman during their party, even though he would rather be playing soccer with his friends.