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Editorial
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Christmas Titles
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- A simple Christmas Eve story translated from the German.
- In this take on Christmas, presents are prepared by angels in their heavenly bakery and toy factory. Father Christmas, who is portrayed as an old man, is helped by angel Pip.
- The story begins enjoyably with the setting up of a Christmas tree and treats for the birds and woodland creatures which I liked. Pip then discovers she has forgotten her basket of toys for children and has to go back to Heaven for them. Meanwhile here on earth two children are watching for Father Christmas to arrive. They hear him talking to their mother in the next room, saying naughty children will only get a piece of coal which worries them. At last a little bell rings. It is time to go in and celebrate Christmas Eve. All is well. They must have been good as they have the presents they wished for.
- The illustrations are colourful, rather old fashioned, which suits the story, and on cream paper. I was a little disappointed with the penultimate picture, one of a joyous Christmas tree but half blotted out by a block of text. I wanted to see the whole tree.
- It is a slight story, not going into much detail but one which fills the gap between books which are almost completely pictures and some of the longer and deeper Christmas stories around these days. It would not take long to read at bedtime and there are talking points.
- Reviewed by Margaret Nash
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- author and illustrator :
- Else Wenz-Vietor
- publisher : Floris Books
- edition : Hardback
- price : £8.99
- ISBN : 9780863157165
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- Rufus the rabbit is a terrible fidget and he can't keep quiet. Faith, aged 4, identified with Rufus and enjoyed the story.
- Rufus does manage to keep quiet and still one day when he's playing hide and seek with his brothers and sisters, so quiet and still that he falls asleep - and he gets an exciting reward. His hiding place, though he didn't realise it, is Santa's sleigh and he is soon riding through the sky helping Santa deliver his presents.
- His adventures delighted my fellow reviewer who loved the dramatic, richly coloured pictures too. She found the cover attractive.
- I found the rabbit on the cover unappealing - he looks more appealing inside - and thought 'Oh no, not another Christmas book!' But it is a delightful Christmas story, that makes a good read-aloud, and it could well motivate a few fidgets to sit still and listen.
- Reviewed by Julia Jarman
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- author : Angela McAllister
- illustrator : Daniel Howarth
- publisher : Gullane
- edition : Paperback
- price : £5.99
- ISBN : 9781862337602
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- As a grandma I was drawn to this book by the cover depicting a lively old lady and a Christmas tree. I thought ‘A Christmas story with a difference!' and I was right. For young readers it is a mind-expanding story, exploding stereotypes, and it is FUN. Miss Wire is an independently minded resident of an old people's home, where the other residents spend most of the day sleeping. They think Christmas is for children, but Miss Wire sets out to prove them wrong. With the help of a bird who takes a message to Santa, and three mice, she arranges a delivery of presents. They are the toys deemed too dangerous for children but not for the old people who find them in stockings on Christmas morning and are transformed. They all have a ‘rollocking, jollicking rough tough time.’ The rich language and fluid, expressive, full colour illustrations help make this book special.
- My fellow reviewers aged 4 to 8, identified with Miss Wire, who is depicted realistically as a brisk, energetic old lady, but also as a fun-loving child. Like a rebellious child she refuses to go to bed on Christmas Eve before she has arranged for the delivery of presents next morning.
- The writer, Susan Cooper, once said that ‘adults are all children too, wearing many coats of time.’ This story illustrates that perfectly.
- Reviewed by Julia Jarman
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- author : Ian Whybrow
- illustrator : Emma Chichester Clark
- publisher : Kingfisher
- edition : Paperback
- price : ££4.99
- ISBN : 9780753415061
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- I do like picture books for the slightly older reader (or listener) and this Christmas Story from Jonathan Emmett is a great alternative to the usual Christmassy tales that appear on the shelves at this time of year.
- Bradley Bartleby is a bad boy. He’s been bad since the day he was born – and in the first couple of pages we learn just how bad he is. He bit the midwife’s bottom, he stole the doctor’s stethoscope and he “emptied his nappy into his grandmother’s handbag.” The older Bradley got, the worse he became. A team of secretaries type up Bradley’s Christmas list, but as everyone knows, naughty children don’t get what they want from Father Christmas, and all Bradley gets is a pair of socks.
- Bradley’s parents spoil him and buy him everything he asks for, but Bradley still isn’t happy and he decides to get him own back on Father Christmas and get all of his present for himself.
- Bradley turns their huge house into a giant Santa Trap with trapdoors, wild tigers in the garden, dynamite in the chimney and much more, however, things don’t go according to plan – but you’ll have to read the book to find out just what happens.
- A great book for slightly older readers to enjoy for themselves and wonderful for parents to share with those younger.
- Reviewed by Damian Harvey
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- author : Jonathan Emmett
- illustrator : Poly Bernatene
- publisher : Macmillan
- edition : Hardback
- price : £10.99
- ISBN : 9781405091008
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- This Novelty, Christmas Board Book, nicely illustrated by Dan Crisp, contains “a magic sliding strip!”. The strip, made of clear plastic, has been printed with a picture of Santa in his sleigh as he is pulled across the sky by his team of reindeer. One end of this plastic strip is fastened to the inside of the front cover, the other to the inside of the back cover. The strip passes through a slot on each page and stands out to give a 3D effect and allow the reader to see Santa fly across each of book’s five spreads.
- One of Santa’s reindeer are missing (there’s a gap in the harness where it belongs) so off they go in search of their friend.
- The text is written in rhyme, which works well enough, and describes Santa's search as he flies over contrasting landscapes – a beach, a jungle, a city street, then finally back to the North Pole where they find the missing reindeer waiting for them behind a lift up flap.
- Reviewed by Damian Harvey
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- author and illustrator : Dan Crisp
- publisher : Campbell Books
- edition : Hardback
- price : £7.99
- ISBN : 9780230712911
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- The sumptuous Ballet theatre is a real draw for all ballet fans and lovers of novelty books.
- I must admit that I love the ballet and, like all little girls always dreamed of being a ballerina one day! Whilst that ambition became a childhood dream it is still possible for me to visit the ballet as an adult. The real ballet may be too slow and long for small children so what better way to introduce them to its joys, beauty and wonderful stories than through interactive novelty books?
- If you are stuck for an inspirational gift this Christmas for a ballet loving little girl then look no further than this beautiful title. From the sumptuous ribbon tying the box together to the cleverly simple fold out stage and draw full of characters, story book, stage parts and music CD everything has been thought of and no detail overlooked. Create your own ballet masterpieces or follow the step-by-step story guide to stage your very own Sawn Lake.
- Complete with historical notes on the composer, the ballet and even the tutu, plus instructions for making your own, this wonderful novelty book will brighten up many a home and keep children quietly occupied for hours!
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author : Viola Ann Sneddon and
- Jean Mahoney
- publisher : Walker Books
- edition : Novelty Pop-Up
- price : £14.99
- ISBN : 9781406315585
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- Snow White is a beautiful girl with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as dark as the winter branches. Her arch rival is a wicked queen whose jealousy knows no bounds. This is the classic story of Snow White retold for a modern audience and illustrated busing a sequence of six three-dimensional pop-up scenes.
- If ever there was a fairy-tale gift book to treasure this should be the one. Not only does it retell in a simple and effective series of fold out panels, the story of Snow White it beautifully illustrates it through the use of ingenious 3-D design. As each of the pages is opened a layered sequence of cut-outs creates the backdrop for each scene of the story.
- Children can enjoy telling their own story using the scenes in front of them or hearing the story an looking into the world that has quite literally opened up in front of their eyes.
- I have to level one criticism at this book however and that is that it is very challenging to read whilst sitting down on the floor on a sofa with a child, it really does require a table and some effort to decide how best to look at the scenes and read the text. This should not however detract from the exquisite detail and absolute pleasure that is derived from reading and enjoying this wonderful book.
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author : Jane Ray
- publisher : Walker Books
- edition : Novelty Pop-Up, Hardback
- price : £14.99
- ISBN : 9781406311839
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- I do not want to be accused of forgetting the boys in this category so here is a book specially for them - 'Gladiators'.
- It is not often that a novelty book for boys appears and is likely to find a popular audience but I am quite certain that this one will have a wide appeal for not only is it a book and a pop-up it is also a game and a re-enactment potential.
- As the perfect introduction to the Roman gladiatorial gems this is ideal for younger readers learning about the Romans at school. With a pop-up version of the Colesseum and a map of ancient Rome their history knowledge will have a firm foundation. They can then read the accompanying story book which will teach them all about a typical day at the games seen through the eyes of two boys – whom they should be able to easily relate to.
- With games to play a story to read, information and activities there is plenty here to fuel the imagination of many a young boy and hopefully to encourage them to read some more and actively participate in their learning without even realizing!
- I can see this book having a lot of use both at home and in the classroom, it is a brilliant evocation of a fascinating if not always pleasant slice of history.
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author : Toby Forward
- illustrator : Steve Noon
- publisher : Walker Books
- edition : Pop-Up Hardback
- price : £16.99
- ISBN : 9781406309942
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- This book made me smile from the moment I took it out of the envelope, every time I looked at it and whilst I was reading it –why? – mainly , I have to admit, because of the bright orange fluffy mouth poking out through the front cover!
- Boris is a big kissy and tickly monster who gets a phone call from a very special person – Santa Claus himself. Santa needs some help to get the Christmas presents delivered to all the monsters and Boris is the perfect help. Yes he may get a little stuck in the chimney and need lots of kisses and encouragement but he makes the task fun and easy for Santa. Oh and I forgot to mention, Boris needs your help too mums, dads even grandparents – he needs a helping hand, quite literally!
- Share this book with your little ones – from baby upwards – they will all love this bright and interactive story book which narrates a story and actively encourages everyone to join in the fun. A wonderfully fine story book to share with the family this Christmas.
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author and
illustrator : Sam Lloyd
- publisher : Templar Publishing
- edition : Hardback
- price : £8.99
- ISBN : 9781840117110
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- In a departure from the more traditional Christmas story Winterson has turned her attention to the animals that always feature but are never usually given a voice. This is the Christmas story as seen and told by the donkey.
- A beautiful and quite evocative retelling of this Christmas story this version retains all the traditional detail but relays it from a slightly different perspective providing a new set of meanings for the reader. The donkey is the most humble of creatures and when he is chosen by the angel due to his self-depreciating manner the seriousness of his role is not lost on him. As the journey unfolds we are given an animals-eye view of the desert sky “rolled out like a black cloth”. We learn that on reaching Bethlehem they find a “musty, rusty, fusty pudding of a town”. Through the donkey Winterson gives a very honest account of the journey and the whole experience that is hugely refreshing.
- Children familiar with the story through school nativity plays will enjoy hearing the tale from a different perspective and delight in the gloriously shiny stars glinting from the illustrations that adorn each of the pages. The illustration is a perfect reflection of the simple story, slightly old fashioned in style and simple enough not to detract.
- An enjoyable, magical story revealing the mystery of the Nativity crafted with style, originality, humour and warmth. A book for the whole family to enjoy and treasure.
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author : Jeanette Winterson
- illustrator : Rosalind MacCurrach
- publisher : Scholastic
- edition : Hardback
- price : £12.99
- ISBN : 9781407109060
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- A young princess is celebrating her tenth birthday, but in the style of all good fairy tales her parents have forgotten to invite one of the fairies, this time it is the snow fairy, and as all good fairy tales go she curses the princess.
- Given a heart of ice the princess can no longer live at home with her family, a special ice castle is built for her and she has to live alone in a very snowy palace. Life is lonely, one prince after another tries to rescue her but as they attempt to climb the steep path their armour freezes and their attempts are thwarted. Just as the princess is about to lose all hope Albert, a snow bear arrives and soon she has a constant companion and friend.
- This charming story is a delight to read, an interesting take on the traditional fairy tale and being printed on embossed paper not only does the reader enjoy the story they can enjoy the experience of interacting with the illustration, running little fingers over the pages and getting a true sense of the wonder and awe that it inspires.
- This is a charming story, beautifully told, delicately illustrated and cleverly designed. It is perfect for Christmas reading with its cold and snowy theme but warm heart.
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author : Emily Hawkins
- illustrator : Lisa Evans
- publisher : Templar Publishing
- edition : Hardback
- price : £9.99
- ISBN : 9781840118957
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- The trees are glistening with white, the ground is crisp and the pond is as slippery as an ice rink. This means only one thing – Jack Frost is here, working his wintry magic once again. How long will his spell last though?
- The woods in winter are a quiet and dark place for all the animals are hibernating. It is a lonely place for one little boy until some starnage patterns appear on his window. Venturing outside the little boy finds Jack Frost at work and as he chases him, using his skates and a sledge to make sure that Jack can’t get away, more magic is cast and a special friendship is formed. The little boys begins to see the magic in the world at winter time and the reader can enjoy a lovely adventure, Christmas story that despite its chilly theme warms the heart.
- Starting with two double spreads in dark and somber colours the book soon turns into a spectrum of blue and white with snowflakes, frost and ice. The illustrations are in the instantly recognizable style of Kazumo, with large double paged spreads leading into strips of action flowing through the book.
- This is a simple, well constructed and intelligent story book for the very young to enjoy as a shared read and the older child to read on their own,. A delightful introduction to friendship and the joys of winter.
- Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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- author : Kazuno Kohara
- illustrator : Kazumo Kohara
- publisher : Macmillan
- edition : Hardback
- price : £10.99
- ISBN : 9780230705401
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Editorial