The tale is a somewhat faithful retelling for children, abridge to about a third of the
original length, in simple language, and with copious illustrations by Chris Russell. It even retains the metaphysical thought that the
future will be bleak for Tiny Tim if things remain unchanged.
— Michael Main
If these shadows do not change, Tiny Tim will not see another Christmas.
From Scrooge’s bedroom, 1 a.m. on Christmas ⋙ to Scrooge’s boyhood home in the country, when Scrooge was a schoolboy. Note: the Ghost of Christmas Past.
From Scrooge’s boyhood home in the country, the Christmas holidays when Scrooge was a schoolboy ⋙ to Scrooge’s country school, Christmas Eve when Scrooge was an older boy.
From Fezziwig’s warehouse, Christmas Eve when Scrooge was an older boy ⋙ to Scrooge’s bedroom, back in his own bedroom.
From Scrooge’s bedroom, 1 a.m., again, on Christmas ⋙ to outside Bob Cratchett’s house, seems like Christmas Eve dinner, a few hours earlier.
From outside Bob Cratchett’s house, shortly after midnight on Christmas Day ⋙ to a city street, shortly after Scrooge’s death.
From Scrooge’s future gravestone at an unknown time ⋙ to back in his bedroom, Christmas morning after the start of the story.
If these shadows do not change, Tiny Tim will not see another Christmas.
1 English variant