 Arthur didn’t really like Christmas; it was too loud, too bright, too busy. And when he loses Barney, a comforting cuddly polar bear, this Christmas will be the worst one yet. Spirits are lifted with the most surprising of deliveries from Father Christmas…a REAL polar bear. Arthur names his new friend Bjorn, yet despite his best efforts to keep the bear cool and happy it is clear that Bjorn doesn’t belong here. With a promise to Father Christmas to keep, can Barney get Bjorn back to where he truly belongs…
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 Lost toys are part of childhood but how far would you go for the lost thing that meant the most to you? Whilst most children are settling into bed on Christmas Eve with hopes and dreams of the toys that Santa will leave, one boy is wide awake and is heading off to find the one that means more than anything in the world to him.
Dur Pig (DP) has been with Jack his whole life and is the one that has always been there for him. DP has been lost and found, faded and mended, loved and loved some more. Through the highs and lows of life, Jack could always depend on DP to comfort him and to listen. When the unthinkable happens on Christmas Eve and DP is lost, possibly forever, Jack’s world is torn apart. But Christmas is the time for miracles and strange things are happening in Jack’s bedroom… toys and objects are coming alive and one in particular is here to help.  How far would you go for that special someone?
Deep in the forest, lonely woodcutter Kai carves statues for people to enjoy on Christmas Eve. Watching from the window of his cottage, he waits for passers-by but no one ever comes. Then one wintry night his loneliness is comforted with the arrival of the Snow Prince. Grandma’s tale warns of danger and darkness yet Kai sees a twinkle in the prince’s eyes. A twinkle that is worth following and fighting for. Will he be able to break the curse, free the Snow Prince from his icy prison and find a happily ever after...  It has been a while since I have read a Clarice Bean book but it quickly felt like being back with an old friend. And a Christmas with Clarice is something that I definitely want to be a part of, I’ll even bring the turkey!
Everyone in Clarice Bean’s house usually looks forward to Christmas as it means a big get-together, lots of food, plenty of noise and an abundance of FUN. But this year mum and dad are exhausted and the Christmas spirit is in danger of completely evaporating from number 7 Navarino Street. Clarice though is determined to deliver a Christmas for the Tuesday family like only she can. All she needs to do is think like an elf and everything will be okay, won’t it…  This is the third adventure with the Christmasaurus and settling down with my favourite festive dinosaur is rapidly becoming one of my favourite Christmas traditions. It is at the point where Christmas doesn’t really feel like Christmas without an adventure with the Christmasaurus and this is possibly my favourite story yet.
The first of December and Christmas is fast approaching. At Christmas HQ - a snow ranch in the North Pole - Santa is busily going about his important duties and is carrying out a check of two very important lists…Naughty and Nice. And that’s when he spotted a very big problem. There are far too many names on the Naughty List and if something, or someone, cannot correct the balance then it could spell the end of Christmas and leave him jobless. With Santa having sworn the Christmas Oath and unable to interfere, it is up to the Christmasaurus to save the day. But will he be able to turn naughty children into nice ones…  Like Shakin' Stevens and Wizzard, I too wish that every day could be Christmas (mostly for the turkey dinner and all the trimmings). And Mel Taylor-Bessent has introduced me to my perfect fictional family.
Every day is Christmas for Holly Carroll and her family. Obsessed with spreading cheer, their house is one big Christmas wonderland where the festivities flow three-hundred-and-sixty-five days a year. All their Christmas wishes come true when they move into a dream house on Sleigh Ride Avenue (the third most Christmassy-named street in the world). But the neighbours are more bah humbug than merry and bright, and no one at Holly’s new school is interested in spreading cheer. Is Holly about to lose her Christmas spirit…  I’ve always believed that Santa, the elves and the reindeer would all be nestled all snug in the their beds come Boxing Day night. I could not have been more wrong.
’Twas the night after Christmas (that’s late Boxing Day) and at the North Pole Santa is celebrating a job well done. With billions of presents delivered and millions of miles travelled, the sleigh is tucked away for another year. And now the work is done, it is time to P.A.R.T.Y! The elves are ready, they just need Santa to call in the Christmas owls. Let the Boxing Day bash begin…  There’s only one place to be on Christmas Eve, and that’s aboard the Polar Express.
Whilst everyone is sound asleep on Christmas Eve, a little boy listens for sleigh bells to pierce the silence. Instead, he hears the sound of hissing steam…the Polar Express is here to pick up a passenger. Aboard the train are other young children heading to the North Pole to see Santa give the first gift of Christmas. As the chosen one, the boy can have whatever he likes. But he doesn’t want a toy or anything else hidden in the sacks of presents aboard the sleigh. He seeks something far more precious, something that only true believers in Father Christmas would understand…  You won’t find tinsel, baubles, fairy lights or wrapped presents here, you’ll find something much more special at the Christmas Eve tree.
The ugly little fir tree hadn’t grown tall and perfect like the others. So as it stood alone in the shop on Christmas Eve it was not surprised that it hadn’t been taken home. But then a little boy comes along and for him the little fir tree is just perfect. Finally feeling loved, the little fir tree is a picture of light and happiness, and, for the first time in its life, is the centre of attention. But what will happen when Christmas is over and the little fir tree is no longer needed…  There’s nothing better than a wonderful, festive, feel-good story before bedtime on Christmas Eve and I have a Christmouse cracker for you. With nostalgia for the biggies and magic for the littlies, everyone will be eagerly anticipating Father Christmas’, and maybe a special little helper’s, arrival.
It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is fast asleep…except for a lonely little mouse who resides in the grandfather clock. Mouse longs for a friend and a Christmas wish is granted with the most unexpected of arrivals. Santa and his reindeer are lost in a blizzard and desperately need navigational help. With Mouse leading the way, the presents will be delivered be in time for Christmas Day. But what will happen when Mouse has to return home? Has Santa saved the best gift for last… |