Tag: Christmas

Book cover for review: image shows a grand old manor house with a red front door and long windows. The windows directly above the door are lit up, while one on the bottom right is boarded up. The manor is surrounded by snow, and a line of shadowy tress stands behind it. Above the manor rises a full moon in a starry sky. This is all flanked by two leafless trees, one on each side, close to the viewer. In the branch of the left tree lies a white squirrel. Across the snow in front of the house is the title "The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor", and underneath the subtitle "A Christmas Mystery".
Book Reviews

The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor: A Christmas Mystery | Review

Kim

Written by Eva Frantz, illustrated by Elin Sandström (pub. Pushkin Press, 2023)

‘It’s her!’

The white thing disappeared too quickly for Flora to see what it was, but for a few horrible moments she thought she had seen a pale face peering in at her and whispering.

But the room was on the first floor, so surely no one could be peeking in up there?

Flora lingered in the doorway, dead still.

Did she dare go over to the window and look?

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Blog

Book Gifts Advent Calendar 2024

Lynda

Welcome to our advent calendar for 2024! We read some wonderful books throughout the year that we think would make great gifts for young readers, so we’ve hidden them behind our advent doors. From fiction to nonfiction, poetry to picture books, as well as a few bookish treats, there’s something for everyone!

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Blog

Festive Book Advent Calendar 2023

Kim

At Libraries 4 Schools we love books with wintery and Christmassy themes, so we thought we would give you our suggestions of stories to enjoy as the days get longer and darker. Come back every day in the run up to Christmas to see what tales we’re curling up with in our festive children’s book advent calendar!

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Christmas carol picture book
Book Reviews

A Christmas Carol | Picture Book Review

Kim

Retold by Kristina Stephenson and illustrated by Hoang Giang (published by Puffin Books)

“I bring you a warning,” replied Marley. “Tonight, you will be visited by three spirits. Listen to what they tell you, Ebenezer, for each of them means to help you.”

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How Winston delivered Christmas review
Book Reviews

How Winston Delivered Christmas | Review

Lynda

An Advent Story in Twenty-Four-And-A-Half Chapters

Written and illustrated by Alex T Smith (Macmillan Children’s Books)

One of the books I brought back from my pre-Christmas visit to the West Country (and its lovely indie bookshops) was ‘How Winston Delivered Christmas’. And I’m so pleased I did!

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I Killed Father Christmas review
Book Reviews

Out Now: I Killed Father Christmas

Lynda

By author Anthony McGowan, with illustrations by Chris Riddell (‘Little Gems’ from Barrington Stoke)

It’s Christmas Eve when Dad, looking at Jo-Jo’s extensive Christmas list, tells him that due to the economy Father Christmas doesn’t have much money for presents this year.

Hiding under his pillow to avoid the argument that this sparks between his parents, Jo-Jo overhears Mum accuse Dad of “killing Christmas”. What does she mean? Then Jo-Jo realises Dad must have killed Father Christmas…and it’s all Jo-Jo’s fault.

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