A Reader's Digest Christmas

Comments on “A Reader's Digest Christmas”

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1. Lori on October 5, 2003 07:54 PM

   Looking for information or anyone who remembers the early 1960's Reader's Digest biography/story "The Triumph of
   Janet Babson" about a young girl with leukemia.
   Replies to "catzlori@localnet.com". Thank you.

2. Lori on November 11, 2003 05:46 PM

   Looking for information or any who remembers the early 1960's story "The Triumph of Janet Babson" about a young girl with leukemia. Thank you.

3. Tori on February 4, 2004 12:58 PM

   Hi Lori,

   Her name was JANIS Babson. The book's title was "A Little Girl's Gift" by Lawrence Elliott, published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston in 1963. It's Library of Congress number was 63-14491. An abridged version of Janis' story was printed in the June 1963 edition of Readers' Digest beginning on page 275; there were zebras on the cover of that issue.

   I tried Amazon.com, bn.com and alibris.com for you, but none of them are showing a used copy of the book. No doubt it's been out of print for a long while, but you might find a copy through your library. It was a very inspiring story - I was touched by it, too.

   Another thought... Janis' parents would probably be in their 70's, and her siblings in their 40's and early 50's. Maybe a website has been established in her memory, or an e-mail address to be found.

   Best wishes in your search!

4. Ron Oviatt on March 8, 2004 04:24 AM

   Lori:

   I have a copy of: A Little Girl's Gift
   By Lawrence Elliott
   1963, Holt, Rhinehart & Winston, New York

   email me if you still require a copy of this very moving narrative.

   R.Oviatt

5. Kevin Ragosta on March 12, 2004 12:13 PM

   The Janis Babson story profoundly influenced my life. I just received the June 1963 issue of reader's digest last night after searching for it for years... This is the issue with the "janis...story" (That is why I'm at this site today....) I would like to contact the family and share with them how their daughter/ sister influenced my life... Any suggestions on how to reach them would be appreciated.
   Kevin R

6. V ~~~~rs on May 12, 2004 08:49 PM

   I am looking for a Reader's Digest true story by Jack Olson based on his bestseller, Night of the Grizzlies. I believe it was first excerpted or condensed for Reader's Digest around 1966 or a few years earlier.

7. Marj on August 1, 2004 09:20 AM

   Re Janis Babson
   I am a 53 yr. old woman who in Grade 6 read the story about Janis Babson. I was deeply affected by the story - to this day. I either bought the book or received it as a gift. It is called "Janis of City View" - a hard cover book in yellow. I read it over and over again and cried and cried and vowed I would one day donate my eyes to the eye bank. Every year, on my dirvers' license I mark off "eyes" (to be donated after my death). Interestingly, a friend of mine called Janice mentioned this story to me and I told her that I had the book "somewhere". A few weeks ago, after digging in my rafter in the garage, I uncovered a large box of books and there it was! I leafed through it quickly and read a few passages and discovered that Janis was born and baptized in Windsor, Nova Scotia - where my long time friend Peg lives! And - that the church was St. John's R.C. Church - which I wondered if it was the church that I attended 3 years ago while visiting! Well, at this moment, I am in Nova Scotia visiting and YES! it is the same church she was baptized in 54 years earlier. I found this very touching and what we've come to call as a "Godsidence" - nothing is a coincidence - it's meant to be by God.

   Thank you - Marj.

   P.S. I do remember reading the Reader's Digest version a year or two later and recall a few "fallacies" in the "condensed version".

8. Arleen Patrick on August 23, 2004 02:42 PM

   Hi, I am looking for a book entitled "A little girl's gift" It is about a young girl, Janis Babson, who donates her eye's to the eye bank upon her death at the tender age of ten. The story appeared as a condensed version in the June 1963 Reader's Digest. I understand the story has also been published as "Janis of City View"If any one could help me out with my search I would be most appreciative, Sincerely Arleen

9. Michele on September 5, 2004 05:52 AM

   I too read the condensed version in Reader's Digest; actually it was first read aloud to the class by my grade 5 teacher, in Ottawa Ontario. It was titled then, "The Triumph of Janis Babson" . The Babson family had moved to Ottawa and she lived on Cotes des Neiges Road in the East end of the city, now called Vanier. Our school (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) was near the Cotes des Neiges Rd. and so Janis was quite the young heroine. She sturggled with leukemia, quite a vicious disease back in the late 50's/early 60's, as they did not have the medical advances we have today. I have looked for a copy of this since then, and never have been successful. Thanks to the wonders of the Information Highway, I'm seeing that others have joined my quest. Thanks for letting me stroll down a sweet memory lane!
   -- Michele

10. Santiago on September 24, 2004 02:20 AM

    As to the story of Janis Babson and her struggle with leukaemia, I read it back there in 1963 in the Spanish edition of "Selecciones de Reader's Digest" ... I myself was 12 then. The title was "La niña que venció a la muerte" (The Girl that Vanquished Death). It affected me a lot, and I have always remembered her courage and spirituality. Because of circumstances (the death of a beloved person) her story came to my mind, and I checked to find her name with Google ... and I was landed here. I wonder if I could get a copy of the original non-abridged book. I'll try.
    --Santiago, Spain

11. Ainsley Jo Phillips on October 5, 2004 04:05 PM

    I've just put together a blog entry that might be helpful and/or inspirational--as well as linking others back to here.

    The URL contains directions for getting there.

    Hopefully, this will get something special going in memory of Janis.

    It's amazing how, over 40 years later, the kindness of a brave, little girl still lives on!

    Blessings!
    AJ :o)

12. Connie on May 22, 2005 10:50 PM

    I read "The Triumph Of Janis Babson" when I was about 10 years old, and never forgot it. I am so pleased that Others my age are still remembering her the way I did. I would love to read the book, if anyone knows how to find one. Thanks!

13. Kim on June 13, 2005 11:28 PM

    I believe that this is the book that my sister and I have been looking for. We have been trying to remember this book/author for awhile now and would be grateful for any help in locating this book. Has anyone found it elsewhere or at their local libraries?

14. Tricia Currie Hunt on February 17, 2006 12:39 PM

    I, too, am looking for information on Janis Babson. I read the Reader's Digest condensed version back in 1963 but I want to purchase a copy of the book from which the condensation was made. It is "A Little Girl's Gift," by Lawrence Elliott. I was unable to find e-mail addresses for any of the people who had posted to this site on this subject. Is there anyone out there who can help me?

15. Robin MacDonald on February 21, 2006 03:46 PM

    Is is interesting to see how many people are still affected by this little girl's story, who was in fact my husbands first cousin. I have only heard of the story recently, and the uncle of this little girl is in the process of having a small sculpture of sorts made in remembrance. I do know that books are very hard to come by, and i myself read the version out of the reader's digest which her uncle still has.

16. Maria Teresinha de Moraes on February 24, 2006 05:49 AM

    I read the story of Janis Babson in the Readers Digest and I would like to obtain inoformations about the family of Janis Babson, if He lived, When.
    Sincerely Yours,
    Teresinha
    

17. Ramanathan on March 7, 2006 09:32 PM

    I was in my final year in school when I read this wonderful girl's truly touching story in the Readers Digest and I broke down. It has to this day a great impact on my life and I would have narrated her story to more than a 100 people over the years. To read it all over again I wrote to Readers Digest in Canada in 2003 and obtained a fax copy of Janis' life story which did not fail to bring tears in my eyes. I am surprised why no film has been made of her true life story. I wish there was away I could get in touch with her siblings, parents or close relatives.

18. Robin MacDonald on March 13, 2006 12:01 PM

    For Ramanathan: The uncle of Janis Babson is in the process of trying to get this book back circulating in Nova Scotian schools for a start. If you would like to contact him or find out information on her family, he would know all there is to know.

19. Susan Light on April 24, 2006 12:53 PM

    I have enjoyed reading about others that were so affected by "the triumph of Janis Babson." I thought of it recently when I was explaining to some friends why I chose to specialize in pediatric oncology. I was 11 years old when I read the story in reader's digest and it stayed with me for all those years for I started my peds onc fellowship in 1981.
    i would be very interested in finding a copy of the story, condensed or otherwise.

20. Lynne Grady on June 8, 2006 06:17 PM

    I just googled, "The Triumph of Janis Babson." I am so comforted to read thru everyone's entries. I read "The Triumph of Janis Babson" when I was 11 years old. One of my younger brothers was diagnosed with leukemia just about that time. I remember trying to put everything together and make sense of it all. I have been a pediatric nurse for 30 years because of this story and my brother's 16 month battle.
    I will NEVER forget Janis's bravery nor my little brother's.

21. Susan Punzelt on June 22, 2006 04:18 PM

    I, too, had received a copy of this book for Christmas in the 60's and had lost it when my parents passed away. It was unbelievably inspiring and I would love to have another copy of it. Any copies around?

22. Lee Ann Kreig on July 19, 2006 03:10 PM

    I am amazed and thrilled to see how many of you remember Janis Babson. I was about 10 when I read her story and it was a defining moment. It really shaped my life. I always check "organ donor" in her memory. My eyesight has been threatened through numerous retinal detachments, not something that an organ donation could help, but I thought of her throughout that period of my life, too. How precious is sight! And even with my lousy (ex-lousy) retinas, I still could give sight to others. I could go on and on. Janis has been a part of me for 40 years. How glad I am to find others who remember her, too! She was a very courageous and caring little girl, someone I've always wanted to be just like.

23. Rich Purpura on August 26, 2006 11:17 AM

    It's very strange that I would think of this story. I was maybe 7 or 8 when my family read it to me. I vividly remember that no one could read it for long without crying! It went from my aunt to my grandmother to my cousin, and they all broke down and had to switch off to be able to finish reading it to me!! I would love to find this posted on a Website somewhere, as almost 40 years later I still remember it's power.

24. Janae Bell on September 19, 2006 02:34 PM

    How fun, to learn about others who had read the story of Janis Babson, when they were young, and to see the affect it had on their lives.
    I read the story in Readers Digest when I was 12 years old, and that was when I decided to go into nursing. I have been a Pediatric Nurse for 20 years, and have had the opportunity to take care of some pretty amazing children. They are so strong, and brave.
    I have been looking for at least a copy of the story for some time.
    I called Readers Digest, and was sad to hear that they do not have copies of that issue. (the one with the Zebras on the cover).If anyone has the issue, could I at least get a copy of the story? Thanks so much
    

25. Ron Oviaa on September 27, 2006 08:22 PM

    
    My offer is still good.

26. Judith Salvage-Jones on November 9, 2006 04:21 AM

    I read the readers digest version about Janis 'with an 's' as she would gravely inform you' when I was nine and then found the book in the local library shortly later. I became obsessed with Janis' story and eventually my parents banned me from reading it and requested the library not to release it to me.
    Since then, 43years, I have searched high and low for the book, even the British Library, to no avail.

    I vowed at the age of nine that I would find a cure for leukaemia, and now at 52 am doing a PhD with the hope thatIi will ultimately keep my vow.

    I am so pleased to seee that a little girl with such fortitiude has becime the heroine for so many lives.

    God bless you Janis and may you have' a happy and peaceful journay, you have graduated with the highest honours'. May peace be with your family.

    Jude

27. Bob Minder on November 10, 2006 02:01 PM

    Keep looking Judith. I found in the last year a bookstore in Indiana and a publishing company in New Zealand that had used copies of "A Little Girl's Gift" by Lawrence Elliott. I myself, was able to finally obtain "Janis of City View" from someone selling it through Amazon.com. I acquired the Elliott book back in the 1970's though a library sale. Plus I still have the June 1963 Reader's Digest condensed version, "The Triumph of Janis Babson". Sometimes E-Bay will have someone selling past issues of Reader's Digest as well. One might be able to obtain the June 1963 Zebra covered issue that way.

    I was born in July, 1950, only some 40 days before Janis was born. As such, I relate events in her life based on the same periods in my own life as a child.

    This story continues to inspire all who have read it. Such a sad and tragic story, yet Janis, her life, her struggles, her courage, her faith, leave you uplifted and inspired.

    My eyes will also give sight to someone else. I might have made this gesture anyway, but I have made this future gift because of Janis and her story.

    BTW, does anyone know what happened to St Nicholas Primary School. I acquired a map of Ottawa recently, and it mentions only St Nicholas Park at the end of Cote de Neiges Road.

    Anyway, to end a long post here, I am impired by all of you who remember Janis. She wanted to be remembered and feared she would be forgotten. Turns out Janis had nothing to worry about. Even 45 years after her untimely passing.

    Bob

28. Debbie Wilper on November 14, 2006 09:34 AM

    I would like a copy of this book or the RD story that I read so many years ago but can't get any of the posted e-mails, can somebody help me by emailing me at dwilper@yahoo.com, make sure and put something in the subject part so I will open it...thanks

29. Debbie Wilper on November 20, 2006 12:06 PM

    Janae: Robert was kind enough to get me a copy of the RD June 1963, I would be glad to photocopy it and send it to you.....my email address is above, just let me know.....

30. Bob Minder on November 20, 2006 05:45 PM

    Judith, Janae and others who are interested. I have found another copy of the June 1963 Reader's Digest on E-Bay. This is the Zebra covered issue that contains the condensed version of "A Little Girl's Gift" called "The Triumph of Janis Babson."

    Unfortunately, this issue has a fixed price of $8.00 plus shipping of $3.00. I was able to obtain a copy for Debbie for far less that that.

    If someone is interested in obtaining this RD issue, you can go directly to E-Bay. I can also purchase it for any interested party. You can email me at rkminder@msn.com if you want to arrange for me to get the issue for you.

    Let me know.

    Also, as Ron and Debbie have offered, I would be willing to photocopy the RD article or to provide a draft I can email or mail. I would also be willing to do the same for either "A Little Girl's Gift" or "Janis of City View". The two books provide a more complete story that does the RD condensed version.

    I was happy to provide the RD issue for Debbie and would be happy to help anyone else here who has come to admire Janis Babson as I have.

    Bob

31. Stacy Baggett on January 16, 2007 01:03 PM

    I have just finished reading "A Little Girl's Gift," which I happened to come across at the local library while doing research on Leukemia for a book I am writing. Janis Babson's story is truly inspiring. I am 22 years old right now, but I will never forget "Dee-Dee." In fact, I would like to dedicate my book to the memory of her. This little girl should never be forgotten.

    Stacy

32. Leslie Erickson on January 24, 2007 09:06 AM

    I'm looking for a story about a 10 year old named Gaby, or Garielle, who had stomach cancer and ultimateley died. It would have been published in the late 50s or early 60s. Thanks - Leslie

33. cms on February 1, 2007 04:23 PM

    I was just reminiscing with a co-worker about a story I had read in Readers Digest when I was about 11 years old. She was surprised at how much I remembered and how much it had affected me. To this day, I plan to donate my eyes to the eye bank in honor of Janis Babson. When I googled her name and found this site, I checked with my local library and found the book "A Little Girl's Gift" available. I look forward to reading it. Blessings to all of you who share my memories of this emotional story.

34. Bob Minder on February 1, 2007 10:28 PM

    There is a hard copy of "A Little Girl's Gift" by Lawrence Elliott that is available at Amazon.com for $25.00 plus $3.49 shipping. Seller is in New Hampshire.

    Don't know how long this will last. So if someone is interested, I would move fast. Seen 8:45 pm, 2/1/07 on Amazon. Still available at that time.

    Bob Minder

35. Eileen Pollock on February 9, 2007 10:34 AM

    I have a personally inscribed copy of A Little Girl's Gift that Lawrence Elliott recently was kind enough to send me from his own collection. Since this book has so much meaning to so many people, I am offering to photocopy it and mail it to anyone for the price of postage. I first read it in Reader's Digest when I was 10, a bit younger than Janis would have been. I read the book the next year, and have never forgotten it. For some reason, a few years ago, I searched the Web til I found Lawrence Elliott's e-mail address. He was alive and living in Luxembourg! On a visit to Ottawa, he mailed me the book. What a treasure! It really should be republished, perhaps by a Catholic publisher. Please e-mail me if you would like to read A Little Girl's Gift. I am an older lady now, but perhaps I can give this gift of my own.

36. Robert B Grubh on February 21, 2007 09:05 AM

    Dear Ms Eileen Pollock,

    I was a 2nd year student (B.Sc) at Scott Christian College, Nagercoil in southern India in 1963 when I read 'The triumph of Janis Babson' of the Reader's Digest. So short a story, yet it took many tear-breaks to complete reading it.

    I was searching for the full original version ever since. I shall be grateful if you could kindly email me a scanned version of 'A Little Girl's Gift', as I am not sure how I could send you the cost of the postage from India.

    In any case I would love to communicate with you more on this matter if I can get hold of your email ID. My email ID is rbgrubh@yahoo.com

    I would also very like to have a copy of the Reader's Digest version, 'The Triumph of Janis Babson', which I have lost. I shall be grateful if any one can help.

    Robert B Grubh
    

37. Mary Anne Prashina on March 20, 2007 11:26 PM

    I have never forgotten the story of Janis Babson. I was 8 yrs. old when I read it and have thought about her many times throughout my life. Thank you for letting us know what issue of Reader's Digest her story was in.
    Now all I need to track down is a story in RD from the same year (???) about two boys badly burned. I do not remember the name of the article nor the event they lived through.
    Mary Anne Prashina

38. Marianela Pedrero on April 12, 2007 05:39 PM

    Hola, soy chilena, tengo 3O años, pero cuando tenía como 12 llegó a mis manos la historia de Janis Babson, ya que la leí en el Readers Digest, que llegó a mis manos y la historia me impactó mucho ( influenciando mi adolescencia y juventud), motivándome a los 18 años a donar mis órganos. Sin embargo perdí el reportaje y me gustaría tenerlo. No sé cómo acceder a él. Además en esta página me he enterado , que existe un libro y no sé cómo obtenerle (tampoco sé si está en español). Me gustaría que me orientarán al respecto.
    Desde ya muchas gracias, Marianela.

39. veromia on April 21, 2007 01:21 AM

    hi! i don't know but for some reson, like you guys...i have never forgotten the story of janis babson. when my daddy was still alive, he was an avid fan of reader's digest and i often read them too. i was 8 as far (as i can remember) when i read the story and now, i am 26 and i still can remember the images- the words " small frye ". i hope someone can be so kind to email me the story. I am truly inspired by it. Here's my email add- veromia59@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot and have a blessed day!

40. S.K. Kurtz on August 1, 2007 08:50 PM

    I read the story of Janis Babson at my Grandmother's house when I was about 12. I too would like a copy of this article as I have never forgotten it. Please email to me. Thank you.

41. Moira Cowie on January 21, 2008 06:02 AM

    I was chatting with a friend today about the Reader's Digest, and how as children we always used to turn to "Laughter - the Best Medicine", "Humour in Uniform", and so on, and I said that of all the articles I ever read in the magazine the one that had stuck in my mind for so many years was "The Triumph of Janis Babson". I would love to read the unabridged version of the book, and would be so grateful to have the photocopy so kindly offered by Ms Eileen Pollock last year. If you could let me know about the postage, I shall send it in advance. (I live in Manchester, UK).

    How wonderful to think that that little girl has influenced the lives of so many people!

42. L D Price on January 25, 2008 11:31 AM

    I read The Triumph Of Janis Babson when I was 10 and have never forgotten the story. Someone mentioned that the Digest that month had zebras on the cover. I remember that. I kept that copy of the Digest for years, rereading Janis' story. That little girl touched so many lives. I would sure like to read it again.

43. Bob Minder on February 27, 2008 06:31 PM

    I have a copy of both books published about Janis Babson. Janis of City View was published in 1962 and A Little Girl's Gift in 1963. I also have the June 1963 Reader's Digest featuring The Triumph of Janis Babson.

    I would be happy to copy any or all of them and mail them to anyone interested for the cost of paper and postage. My email address is rkminder@msn.com

    Bob

44. Bob Minder on February 27, 2008 06:34 PM

    I have a copy of both books published about Janis Babson. Janis of City View was published in 1962 and A Little Girl's Gift in 1963. I also have the June 1963 Reader's Digest featuring The Triumph of Janis Babson.

    I would be happy to copy any or all of them and mail them to anyone interested for the cost of paper and postage. My email address is rkminder@msn.com

    Bob

45. Jennifer Kuntz on March 21, 2008 01:45 PM

    Hello everyone.

    Funny enough... Janis Babson was my aunt. My mother was Janis's older sister. I too, believe it or not am looking for a copy of the book, "Janis of City View," as well as a copy of the Reader's Digest, for us to have. Over the years the only copy we had in my immediate family has been passed around. And if it does still exist, we are unsure of where it is. My grandmother, yes she is still living and doing well, still has a copy, but it is old, and the only one that we are aware of. I would settle for a photocopy, but I really would like to have acutal copies.

    You can reach me at jkuntz@aim.com.

    Thank you for your kind words. I never met her, but Janis is still spoken of often. I think she touched a lot of people's lives, and wasn't really expecting too.

46. Nance on March 30, 2008 08:18 PM

    I am so surprised to see postings by so many others who were also touched by Janis' story. A while back, I searched for info about her story, but couldn't find anything. Is there a way we could ask Reader's Digest to publish the story again? I, too, would love to read the books for the entire story.