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This book is an absolute delight, after A Boy Named Christmas I wasn't sure if the magic could be created again but Matt Haig has smashed it out of the park! Delightful, heartwarming fairy tale suffused with the joy and spirit of Christmas, after having read it in ebook form I just had to buy myself a physical copy to treasure. Young Amelia has an awful time after her mother dies and she is sent to the strictest workhouse in London and her hope is all but extinguished for a while. Meanwhile there are problems in Elfhelm and Father Christmas has his work cut out sorting them but when he and Amelia meet for the second time the magic truly begins and builds to an extremely happy ending.
The Girl Who Saved Christmas would be perfect as a book to share with your children or pupils to be read aloud to enjoy tegether. I found it enchanting and it really put a smile on my face - it deserves to be on everyone's Christmas list this year! An oldie but definitely a goodie today; you have probably heard of (and maybe even know off by heart....no? just me then!) Rod Campbell's book for younger children Dear Zoo, well Dear Santa is the festive reworking of it. Santa is trying to choose a presend to bring but rejects many for different reasons - the finger paints are too messy, the ball is too bouncy, the tiger mask is too scary etc Eventually after discarding all the unsuitable gifts he finally brings a pet - a lovely ginger cat. There's a piece of fake fur incorporated into the picture too so you can actually stroke the kitty. Little ones already familiar with Dear Zoo will find Dear Santa a delight and if they aren't familiar with Dear Zoo......why the heck not?!
22/12/2015 0 Comments Christmas Challenge Dec 22In The Bleak Midwinter, Philip Reeve illustrated by Sarah McIntyre. A short story today, from the fantastic duo of Reeve & McIntyre. I loved the nod to Christmas Carol in the beginning sentence and greatly enjoyed the clean, sparse storytelling that is beautifully illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Can machines feel? you must draw your own conclusions from this tale about Shrike and Hester who travel together in strange lands. A Christmas cracker to be sure.
22/12/2015 1 Comment Christmas Challenge Dec 20Christmas at Thornton Hall, Lynn Marie Hulsman is a feel good festive chick lit that helped me to get through a night spent in hospital with a relative. Juliet Hill is a chef who caters for house parties etc but this year she will be spending Christmas with her boyfriend's family - or so she thinks until she discovers his unfaithfulness a few days before. She immediately accepts a last minute job cooking for a client over the festive period in his manor house in the country. There's a varied bunch of characters, all of whom have their own agendas, and the party is by no means jolly all of the time. A quick, enjoyable read with delicious food descriptions, arguments, love and comedy and a suitably happy ending.
17/12/2015 0 Comments Christmas Challenge Dec 17
No time for reading today sadly but I have listened to a story which is always a joy ;-) The Night Before Christmas read by friends of the Royal Albert Hall, including Jools Holland, Billy Bragg, members of Cirque Du Soleil and .....Father Christmas of course! The video is a real festive treat and full credits can be found on the RAH website. What a wonderful present from one of my favourite venues - I shall be there next week to enjoy carols with Aled Jones!
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AuthorMy blog is a collection of thoughts and I hope you will learn something about me from the ramblings as well as finding some useful links. I'm Bev Humphrey and I'm a Literacy, School Libraries and Technology Consultant. I am self employed so views expressed are solely my own. CategoriesAll Android Apps Authors Bett Book Giving Day Books Cats Childrens Books Christmas Christmas Challenge Conferences Dickens Dyslexia English Games Geography Graphic Novels Images Inspiration International Women's Day Ipad Ipad For Education Libraries London Mfl Picture Books Podcasts Poetry Poetry Day Primaries Reading Resources Revision Twitter Urls Video Visits Wbd Wordcloud Wordle Workshops Write Path Writers Writing YA Youtube |