Our first Festive Book of the Week for December is a book I knew we'd like from an illustrative perspective (we absolutely love everything Rebecca Cobb does) but weren't too sure about from a story perspective.

You see, I guess we're not really in the market for Richard Curtis' brand of writing. Though I'll bow to his genius back when he was writing some of the funniest comedy on TV (Blackadder) he made me laugh like a drain, but with movies like "Notting Hill" and "Love Actually" - and even TV like "The Vicar of Dibley" I never really liked the schmaltzy stuff as much.

But this book is fantastic, and it feels like a truly original christmas story that may have an air of familiarity to anyone who has been stuck at home with the kids on a "Snow Day" - when school is closed and there's no way to get from A to B.

Two folk turn up to school regardless of the weather, a boy called Danny and his least favourite teacher, the strict and stern Mr Trapper. Danny and Mr Trapper are SWORN ENEMIES so imagine being stuck in a snow-bound school all day with the person you like least in the world.

Amazingly though, Mr Trapper and Danny bond over their shared predicament - and this is where the story really starts to warm the cockles of even this old cynic's heart. Mr Trapper sees something in Danny's character that isn't unlike his own. Both seem fairly lonely, and perhaps can find common ground if only they can think of a way to jazz up the cold and miserable day.

Mr Trapper and Danny decide to ditch the lessons for the day, and embark on a wonderful set of adventures doing all the things that schoolkids (and probably quite a few schoolteachers) dream of doing when the school is empty. Misusing school supplies to good effect (though we're not sure we approve of using schoolbooks as makeshift ice skates) and building the world's biggest snow fort.

It's almost a shame when the snow is all but fleeting, and starts to disappear - meaning the next day will just be yet another boring school day. For one fantastic day though, these two characters share a bond that lasts for a long time, recalling just how much fun can be had in the snow.

Utterly and completely brilliant and well deserving of our first "Booky Advent Book of the Week" for the festive period!

Charlotte's best bit: Mr Trapper and Danny's utterly incredible (and huge) Snow Fort

Daddy's Favourite bit: A thoroughly original and heartwarming story with the most glorious and wonderful illustrations. Lovely stuff!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Puffin)

OK it's not technically a christmas book, but any book featuring snow - and a happy little guy in a red suit is ripe for dragging into our Christmas collection. Besides, we don't really need an excuse to tell you just how great a classic Ezra Jack Keats' "The Snowy Day" is.

Why do we love it? Well you have a happy little dude called Peter in it, who looks out of the window one morning to see the urban landscape transformed into a gorgeous white winter wonderland. You have utterly wonderful illustrations as Peter makes his way through the landscape doing all the things we really love to do in the snow (snowball fights, leaving footprint trails and flicking the snow-covered branch of a tree and enjoying an impromptu snow shower).

Most of all I personally love it because it's a book that's lasted through generations to still retain its place as a firm children's favourite. I know we use this phrase a lot on the blog but it really is timeless, and captures the very essence of child-like joy at those first signs of snow (which, if you believe the weather reports, might be happening sooner than you think).

A superb stocking stuffer. Join Peter in his joyful celebration of the magic of snow and all the fun you can have in it. See you on the slopes!


Charlotte's best bit: Peter making a lovely set of footprints, then making another facing the other way by walking backwards (We both do this as soon as the snow falls!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: Beautiful beautiful artwork that stands the test of time. A simple tale but so wonderfully woven together