Monday, 9 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 9: "Leah's Star" by Margaret Bateson-Hill and Karin Littlewood (Alanna Max)
Our Booky Advent Calendar Day 9 book is a rather brilliant version of the classic nativity story, brought to life through the eyes of a young girl at the time of Christ's birth.
In "Leah's Star" by Margaret Bateson-Hill and Karin Littlewood, young Leah has never seen Bethlehem so busy.
As the innkeeper's daughter she is rushed off her feet as so many guests have come to stay.
This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings a wonderful humanity to this familiar tale.
With a story as ancient and familiar as the Nativity, its easy to forget the human drama at its centre a young woman about to give birth for the first time, far away from home, her mother and the women who would usually help her; the older Joseph, concerned for his young wife.
By telling the story through the eyes of young Leah, Margaret Bateson-Hill allows the reader to see the humanity of the ancient story.
The Nativitys innkeeper is often portrayed as a callous business man, turning the vulnerable couple away.
But at the time of the census in Jerusalem, his rooms would have been packed with travellers not an ideal place for a young woman about to go into labour.
In Leahs Star, we see his humanity in offering Mary and Joseph a warm, private space in his stable.
Here is a young woman, about to go into labour who is helped by Leah and the local midwife.
These details bring the old familiar story to new life in a timely and relevant way, echoing what many parents may be going through as they move to a new country away from their homelands.
"Leah's Star" by Margaret Bateson-Hill and Karin Littlewood is out now, published by Alanna Max (kindly supplied for review).
Sunday, 8 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 8: "Father Christmas and the Donkey" by Elizabeth Clark and Ari Jokinen (Pikku Publishing)
Elizabeth Clark's timeless "Father Christmas and the Donkey" with illustrations by Ari Jokinen is the melancholy tale of a folorn donkey who seems destined to spend another Christmas all alone.
But there's Christmas magic in the air, and this year the sad donkey is befriended by Father Christmas on a cold crisp Christmas Eve and is given the unexpected Christmas Eve gift of a new home.
It's heart-meltingly gorgeous this one, and the new illustrations are destined to make this edition of the book a huge hit with a whole new generation of little ones.
"Father Christmas and the Donkey" by Elizabeth Clark and Ari Jokinen is out now, published by Pikku Publishing (kindly supplied for review).
Saturday, 7 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 7: "The Tree That's Meant to Be" by Yuval Zommer (OUP / Oxford Children's Books)
"The Tree That's Meant to Be" by Yuval Zommer is a gorgeous Christmas picture book that's destined to become a festive classic.
A little fir tree is too small and too imperfect to be chosen at Christmas time.
But being left alone in the forest brings more rewards than the tree could ever have hoped for.
This is a charming picture book with a heartfelt message about love and embracing what makes us different.
Families will love sharing the story and talking about kindness, generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas.
As ever, Yuval puts his fantastic storytelling and non-fiction knowledge of nature to good use in the tale, weaving an attractive and evocative book world that slowly builds towards the tree's moment of triumph and that amazing feeling of belonging and family.
"The Tree That's Meant to Be" by Yuval Zommer is out now, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books (kindly supplied for review).
Friday, 6 December 2019
Three more awesome booky gift ideas for your own Booky Advent Calendars from Templar Publishing
"Follow the Star" by Andy Mansfield is a fab little pop-up book that captures the essence of Christmas with some nifty paper crafting and gentle storytelling.
Clad in a christmassy cover, it's a delightful journey for a very special star as it makes its way across the sky on Christmas Eve
Andy brings his brilliant graphic design and paper engineering skills to a fab book that's perfect for younger readers as they start getting excited about the build up to the big day.
"Follow the Star" by Andy Mansfield is out now, published by Templar.
Also from Templar, the perfect box set for fans of Sam Usher's "Seasons" series.
"Spring", "Summer", "Autumn" and "Winter" feature Sam's gorgeously detailed artwork and gentle storytelling about a youngster and their grandad as they make the most of the seasons as they come and go.
The winter one will definitely make you wish for snow!
A fab gift idea, "Seasons" by Sam Usher is out now, published by Templar.
Last but not least, a book that comes straight from Santa's workshop!
One of the best-kept secrets about Christmas is that Santa Claus is highly accident-prone and doesn't get on well with gadgets and gizmos!
That's why his elves have written this handbook - it contains all the knowledge he needs to deliver presents to children around the world in one night.
Packed with novelties to entertain and explain, discover Santa's reindeer tips, present prompts and useful tools like Santa Nav and the magical jingle bell that summons help.
Superb interactive fun for younger readers, "Santa's Christmas Handbook" is out now, published by Templar.
(All books kindly supplied for review).
Booky Advent Calendar Day 6: "Lucy Makes a Wish" by Anne Booth and Sophy Williams (OUP / Oxford Children's Books)
When Boots the puppy bounces into Lucy's life, fun and friendship are never far behind.
Boots is waiting for his forever home, and until he finds one Lucy is determined to give him the best Christmas ever, taking him out and about and giving him all the love he's missed.
But they're going to need the help of all the friends they have made when Boots slips his lead and gets lost. Will Boots find a way home?
But they're going to need the help of all the friends they have made when Boots slips his lead and gets lost. Will Boots find a way home?
Lucy needs to make a wish. . .
This warm and festive story is an ideal present for a child to read during the festive season. Animal-lovers everywhere will delight in Sophy WIlliams's gorgeous illustrations and the simple language and short chapters are perfect for developing readers or to be read aloud.
This warm and festive story is an ideal present for a child to read during the festive season. Animal-lovers everywhere will delight in Sophy WIlliams's gorgeous illustrations and the simple language and short chapters are perfect for developing readers or to be read aloud.
Fans of Anne Booth's previous titles in this series, Lucy's Secret Reindeer, Lucy's Magic Snow Globe, Lucy's Winter Rescue, Lucy's Magical Surprise, and Lucy's Search for Little Star won't be able to resist this latest Lucy story!
Superb and just the ticket for those cold winter nights curled up with your own pups in your lap!
"Lucy Makes a Wish" by Anne Booth and Sophy Williams is out now, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books (kindly supplied for review).
Thursday, 5 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 5: "Oh Christmas Tree" by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet (Macmillan Children's Books)
"Oh Christmas Tree!" by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet is perfect for busy little ones who love a jape or two in the festive build-up.
It’s Christmas time and every tree on Sidney Street is beautifully decorated – except for one!
This rebellious tree would rather sit at the table and pull crackers on Christmas day than stand in a corner wearing glittery decorations!
Bauble, Belle and the Tinsel Snake need the tree to behave, so they can fulfil their decorating destinies, but the argumentative tree just won’t stand still and be decorated.
Then Belle has a crafty idea. . .
This festively funny story is full of Sue and Paul's usual warmth and wit, with brilliant characters and a bouncy rhyming text.
"Oh Christmas Tree!" by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet is out now, published by Macmillan Children's Books (kindly supplied for review).
Wednesday, 4 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 4: "Enid Blyton's Christmas Stories" by Enid Blyton (Hodder Children's Books)
"Enid Blyton's Christmas Stories" is a fabulous selection of 25 tales perfect for the season. An ideal gift for anyone who loved the stories during their own childhood to pass on to the next generation of readers.
Here is a wonderful selection to read and share. From Santa Claus and his helpers to a family putting up their tree, the characters in these stories embrace the Christmas spirit.
Here is a wonderful selection to read and share. From Santa Claus and his helpers to a family putting up their tree, the characters in these stories embrace the Christmas spirit.
There is mystery and magic, laughter and mischief, the joy of shared times and plenty of delicious food - many of the ingredients which have been delighting Enid Blyton's readers for more than seventy years.
The stories previously appeared in magazines and anthologies from the 1940s and 1960s.
The stories previously appeared in magazines and anthologies from the 1940s and 1960s.
This collection contains the original texts and is unillustrated.
The collection contains:
The collection contains:
The Lost Presents
Santa Claus Gets a Shock
A Week Before Christmas;
The Christmas Tree Aeroplane
Good Gracious, Santa Claus!
The Tiny Christmas Tree
What Happened on Christmas Eve
The Little Reindeer Bell
The Very Full Stocking
In Santa Claus's Castle
What They Did at Miss Brown's School
Santa Claus Gets Busy
The Christmas Tree Fairy
The Little Christmas Tree
A Family Christmas -Christmas Holidays
A Family Christmas - Bringing Home the Holly;
A Family Christmas -The Curious Mistletoe
A Family Christmas - Balder the Bright and Beautiful
A Family Christmas - The Christmas Tree
A Family Christmas - A Christmassy Afternoon
A Family Christmas -Bringing in the Yule Log
A Family Christmas -Christmas Carols
A Family Christmas -A Visitor in the Night
A Family Christmas -The Story of Santa Claus
A Family Christmas -Christmas Day
"Enid Blyton's Christmas Stories" by Enid Blyton is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books (kindly supplied for review).
Tuesday, 3 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 3: "Star (Winter Animal Stories) by Holly Webb" (Little Tiger)
"Star (Winter Animal Stories)" by Holly Webb begins when Anna borrows a tiny wooden tiger from her Russian grandmother's mantelpiece.
It's a very naughty thing to do - but little does Anna realize that it is the start of a magical adventure...
Waking the next day, Anna finds herself in a snowy Russian village, where she hears the news that a tiger cub has been spotted in the nearby woods.
Anna knows this is why she must be here - the cub needs her help! But is Anna brave enough to set out in search of a tiger in the forest at night?
As ever, Holly produces a hugely engaging and gorgeously timely story perfect for snuggling up with on wintry nights.
As ever, Holly produces a hugely engaging and gorgeously timely story perfect for snuggling up with on wintry nights.
"Star (Winter Animal Stories)" by Holly Webb is out now, published by Little Tiger Press (kindly supplied for review).
Monday, 2 December 2019
Booky Advent Calendar Day 2: "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore and Roger Duvoisin (Scallywag Press)
"The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore and Roger Duvoisin has been described by many as 'the definitive version of the story' and it's difficult not to agree with that.
In a stocking-filler-sized long narrow format, the book opens with jolly St Nick about to make his rounds, alongside his faithful reindeer Dasher Prancer, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolf!
We love this edition - gorgeously reprinted in its original format by Scallywag Press - mostly because Roger's illustrations are always fab, mischievous and of course packed to the gills with detail (including a certain escapee lion making a guest appearance, much to the delight of C who absolutely loves that book to bits!)
Absolutely fantastic, and as we said, perfect for sliding into your christmas stocking!
"The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore and Roger Duvoisin is out now, published by Scallywag Press (kindly supplied for review).
Sunday, 1 December 2019
Welcome to our 2019 Booky Advent Calendar! 24 days of amazing wintry and christmassy books beginning with Day 1: "Oscar the Hungry Unicorn Eats Christmas" by Lou Carter and Nikki Dyson (Orchard Books)
Labels:
Booky Advent Calendar 2019,
Lou Carter,
Nikki Dyson,
Orchard Books,
Oscar the Hungry Unicorn Eats Christmas
"Oscar The Hungry Unicorn Eats Christmas" by Lou Carter and Nikki Dyson reunites this dream team for a new tale about the surly, grumpy and ever-hungry Unicorn as his bestie Princess Oola readies herself for the big day.
But just before Santa can wedge his big fat bum down the chimney, Oola makes a horrifying discovery. Oscar has eaten the blimmin' Christmas Tree.
What's more, Oscar doesn't stop there, he's determined to scoff just about everything Oola has laid out for Christmas. What on earth will Santa say? Will she end up on the naughty list? Oscar certainly might!
Brilliantly funny with gorgeous christmassy and colourful illustrations, get your Christmas booky celebrations under way in grand style.
"Oscar the Hungry Unicorn Eats Christmas" by Lou Carter and Nikki Dyson is out now, published by Orchard Books (kindly supplied for review).
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