I Killed Father Christmas; Anthony McGowan, illustrated by Chris Riddell

Jo-Jo should be excited. But it is Christmas eve and his mum and dad are arguing. And from what he can make out it is all his fault. He has asked for too many presents and worse still, he has killed Father Christmas. With responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders and armed with his mum’s red coat, a sack full of no-longer-needed toys, a fresh sprinkling of snow and some Christmas spirit, Jo-Jo sets out to save Christmas…

Written and illustrated by a pairing that go as well together as turkey and cranberry sauce or Christmas pudding and brandy butter, I Killed Father Christmas is an original and warm-hearted story full of the magic of Christmas and a big dose of love from the heart.

​With long lists of wishes and the cries of ‘I want that’ and ‘can I have this’ that come at this time of year, Jo-Jo, his adventure and his realisations are a touching reminder of not asking for too much, thinking of others and remembering that Christmas is not made by gifts but by the love and kindness that we offer and receive from those that matter most.

Like a favourite selection box it is full of goodies; an exciting narrative with lots of colourful artwork to help bring the story to life, short chapters, and unwrap the end-paper flaps to discover Christmas themed jokes and a maze. All of these packaged up into a small gift that is the perfect fit for little hands.

Barrington Stoke’s Little Gems range is pitched for emerging and newly independent readers and with dyslexia-friendly font and page tint everyone can enjoy this enchanting festive fantasy.

Recommended for 5+.