Fabulous Festive Reads Perfect for Christmas Part One – Foxes, Magpies and Stars

With Christmas fast approaching it is entirely feasible that you are huddled on the sofa with the kids (maybe in front of an open fire, or the very least a working radiator) and you are looking for book to read together. But as you reach for you battered copy of The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe or The Box Delights again*, don’t despair, there are new festive books out there that can be enjoyed, and here are some of our recommends of recently published ones…

The littlest Magpie and Star by Gill Hutchison and Carol Daniel

The littlest Magpie and Star is a touching story about (you guessed it) the Littlest Magpie and his aspirations to catch and own the shiniest of all shiny things a star. But stars are very high, and the Littlest Magpie has a lot to learn first, like how to fly and even more importantly patience as the wise Old Owl tells him to wait for the snow before looking for a star of his very own. When Magpie is grown and the snow lie thick, he goes on the hunt for his star, and along the way he make some unexpected friends and get given a gift of a gift of… YOU NEED TO READ IT TO FIND OUT!

The littlest Magpie and Star, is a charming story with beautiful wintery-coloured illustrations by Carol Daniel, and I guarantee it’ll bring a tear to your eye, but perhaps not so much as the story behind its publication. Inside the back cover is a photo of the immensely talented author Gill Hutchinson, who wrote the story for her granddaughter, and whom had been a writer for many years with the aspiration of publications. Sadly, just as publishers were really getting interested in Gill’s work she passed away. Her dreams of becoming published lived on, and a dedicated group of her friend’s crowd funded the money and both created and published this beautiful book.

So, The littlest Magpie and Star is a book with not one but two moving heart-warming stories within it. This book is truly a lovely read, and if you wish to purchase a copy please visit the web-site: The Littlest Magpie.

The White Fox by Jackie Morris

Jackie Morris is an award winning author and illustrator who specialises in energetic watercolours of wildlife. The White Fox is a stunning book featuring her exquisitely executed illustrations, along with the story of Sol, a twelve year old living with his father in Seattle, a long way from his home and family in Alaska. Sol’s life isn’t ideal, his Dad is mourning and working long hours at the docs and the kids at school ostracize him due to cultural and visual differences. But everything changes when Sol strikes up an unlikely friendship with an equally displaced White Artic Fox. As boy and fox bond, a sequence of events unfold that bring Sol and his father closer together and instigates a journey back to home and happiness.

The White Fox is visually stunning and is full of positive themes about the harmony between wildlife and humans plus the importance of family and heritage.

The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith

Ok, I think I should set this straight; when I started compiling this post I didn’t intend there to be a theme (other than wintery tales), but I suddenly realise that it has become very well, foxy, starry and magpie-y. That said, I offer no apology as these have all been selected on merit, and just happen to coincidently create a theme by their juxtaposition.

As I said, all these books have been picked by merit, and The Fox and Star is no exception, it or more accurately they, as I’m reviewing both the hardback and paperback which are subtly different but equally exquisite.

The Fox and the Star tell the tale of fox, whose only companion is star that he follows through the forest, but then one night when fox looks up, the star is nowhere to be seen. Lonely fox, searches for star to avail, until one day something changes, the leaves fall and when he looks up he sees the and his friend star along with thousands of other stars in the winter sky. 

Both books, are stunning; from the very ‘Filo Society esk’ fabric covered hardback with white cover illustrations, or the larger format picture books, with bright cover, with autumn colours which offers a vintage almost ‘Rosie walk’ feel. Inside the book share the same rich illustrations; highly stylised with repeated patterns and limited pallet, creating an atmospheric and aesthetic feast for the eyes, which will be enjoyed by children of all ages.

Thank you for stopping by and reading our first instalment of recommended winter reads, please stop by again for part two, where we will be talking; elves, dinosaurs and snow queens.

*please do not get me wrong both The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe or The Box Delights are great books to read all year around as are the rest of the amazing children’s classics, we are just offering an alternative!

Christmas Gifts (that are not books) for Kids who Love to Read!

 If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a child who likes to read, and you want something that’s not a book, as sometimes you have no idea which to buy them as they read so much, then here are a few suggestions…

Top Ten Books

This is lovely idea, which is relatively inexpensive and displays the child’s love of reading, as well as having the special personal touch. You simply order your print of their top ten favourite book prints and it is sent out in the post. It is simple and looks stunning on the wall. The only problem getting them to narrow down their favourite book down to only ten!

A Present That Keeps Giving

How about giving a child a gift that continues all year? Well there are a few options, first you can go for a magazine subscription.

 

For young children who loves stories there is the beautifully illustrated Storytime Magazine which comes monthly and is packed full of fairy tales, folk tales and stories from around the world.

For children who love a bit of excitement and action, try the David Fickling published Phoenix Comic which come out weekly with funny, and all-action comic strips which feature everything from animal antics to space or historical adventures.

If the child in question is more interested in non-fiction, then Aquila could be just the ticket. Published monthly each issue is on a theme and is bursting with facts, stories puzzles about that theme all accompanied with stunning illustrations.

For arty young adults, try Tiny Pencil magazine which explores the art of creating images in graphite.

If book is what you’re after, then try popping into your local independent bookshop, many of which do a service where they’ll send wrapped books throughout the year.

A Way to Keep Books Safe.

Many book loving children love to share their favourite reads with their friends, but are worried about the books not being returned, so how about their own Library kit or book plates?

It none of this catches your fancy than how about the good old staple gift; a good book!

Lottie Lipton – Dan Metcalf & Rachelle Panagarry – Christmas Special - Story Stocking!

Over the past few weeks on SOTB we have been exploring and expanding the concept of Story Sacks, and so we thought it very appropriate to develop them further with a festive theme, adapting their format to become a Christmas Stocking (or sack/pillowcase whichever is your preference).

Story Sacks are versatile and share many or the features of a Christmas stocking so with minimal effort can be adjusted to create a fun packed stocking (press here to read our story sack posts). For our example we have picked Dan Metcalf and Rachelle Panagarry’s Lottie Lipton The Curse of Cairo Cat, to be the book we build the Story Stocking around, (press here for a full 3D review and interview with Dan).

In case you’ve missed our Story Sack post here’s a quick tick list of what makes up a good quality story sack.

• A good quality fiction book. (picture book or novel)
• A non-fiction book related to the story and themes in the chosen picture book.
• Toys, (ideally a soft toy for younger children).
•  A game or activity also related to the theme of the chosen fiction book.
• Optional worksheet based on the story and themes off the story sack.

Lottie Lipton is an absolute delight for being the basis of a story sack/stocking, as there are so many potential avenues to utilise for the non-fiction and activities sections. For example, Lottie lives in the British Museum, and she is a detective often solving clues and mysteries to save precious historical artefacts. See what I mean LOTS of scope for fun and educational elements for the story stocking/sack.

So in our Story Sack/ Stocking, we have paired Lottie Lipton’s The Curse of Cairo Cat, with two non-fiction books; first is the Usborne Official Detectives Handbook, which is full of lots of useful hints and tips on becoming a sleuth, then we have added the Explore the British Museum; a Family Souvenir Guide, so readers can find out more about Lottie’s home and the backdrop of many of her adventures. 

 

As for toys, games and actives, we have a lovely plush Lottie and some spyglasses for detective work, we have also included an Eyewitness Mummy Project Pack and a craft tin to make your own Egyptian scroll, so children can get creative and learn about ancient Egypt. And because Lottie loves solving puzzles we’ve added the board game, Picdocku, which can be enjoyed by the whole family after Christmas dinner, and help hone everyone’s puzzle cracking stills!

Of course this is a CHRISTMAS story sack/stocking, so sweets are required, with this mind, and carrying on the Egyptian theme we’ve included chocolate coins for the gold factor and a Toblerone for pyramids! Also one last thing DON’T FORGET THE CRACKER! 

 

Thanks for dropping by and do come back to read more of our Christmas features.

Spreading the Christmas Book Cheer - Charitable Book Gifting

Christmas is the season for good cheer and spreading that cheer far and wide. Here at Space on the Bookshelf we've been thinking of how book loving folk can spread their love of books and do a good deed this festive season, so here are a few suggestions…

It seems hardly possible that some children within our own society will wake up on the 25th of December to no stocking or gifts, but sadly this is a sad reality for many children living within the UK. So with this thought is lovely to know that The Blackwell’s Oxford Giving Tree is back again this year. The Giving Tree is an opportunity to gift a book to one of these children from less-than-ideal circumstances, and what makes it truly unique and special is that you can choose a book for a particular child. The Gift Tree is a Christmas tree in store that is adorned with parcel tags which has written on it the age, gender, and preferences of a child. You pick a tag, choose a book , buy it and Blackwell staff wrap the gift and work with a charity to distribute the gifts on Christmas Eve.

Last year, friend of SOTB Robin Stevens launched the Giving Tree, to read more about it press here. Also good news for anyone who isn’t local to Oxford, as Blackwells now to an online Giving Tree, press here to find out more.

This year has seen a lot of coverage over the plight of the Syrian Refugees and the migrant camp at Calais. There have been some truly remarkable fundraising efforts, like Patrick Ness’s campaign that raised a phenomenal sum or the Migrant’s library. Back in the summer I donated a pile of OUP Picture dictionaries to the Library, but due to the massive amounts of supports they have been inundated with books, however there is another way to support them, by a monetary donation to the library (press here to find out more) or by way of the Waterstones Buy-a-Book-for-Syria initiative.
Waterstones, have partnered up with Oxfam and publishers to see a series of books within their shops where all the profits go to the Syria appeal. To find out more, pop into your local Waterstones. Or press here.


If you want to spread your book cheer closer to home, then the booktrust supports UK based children, by providing children and organisations with books and works tirelessly to promote literacy and the love of reading. Booktrust always welcome donations, to find out more press here.

Image courtesy of The Book Bus

When you are looking for gift inspiration for the person who has got everything, how about sending them the gift of giving with The Book Bus, Gift a Book Card. Book Bus, travel Africa bringing books to communities, and you can buy a beautiful Quentin Blake illustrated Christmas Card for £10, where the money goes to buy books for The Book Bus appeal. To find out more about The Book Bus Cards press here.

Image courtesy of The Book Bus

Of course spreading the Christmas Book Cheer could start even closer to home, how about instead of /or as well as sending your children’s teachers a box of chocolates at Christmas, why not donate a book to the school Library?

Or finally if a random act of book giving is more your style, you could have a go at Bookcrossing. How about registering with the Bookcrossing website, then warp up some books and leave them in public places for people to find. To find out more read out interview with Bookcrosser Jan Markey here, or press here to go to the bookcrossing website.