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The Christmas Book

By Katherine Woodfine
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Brief Description
It was Christmas Eve in the little farmhouse. The air was full of good smells of spices and jam and hot cocoa. No one was expecting any presents, but there would be leaf bread, and cookies, and Grandmother's embroidered tablecloth, and they would all do what... Read More
Format: Hardback
$2299
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Inspired by an Icelandic book-gifting tradition, this beautiful story, illustrated with full colour artwork throughout, and decorated endpapers, is the perfect gift for sharing during the Christmas period.

Inspired by an Icelandic book-gifting tradition, this beautiful story, illustrated with full colour artwork throughout, and decorated endpapers, is the perfect gift for sharing during the Christmas period.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

It was Christmas Eve in the little farmhouse. The air was full of good smells of spices and jam and hot cocoa. No one was expecting any presents, but there would be leaf bread, and cookies, and Grandmother's embroidered tablecloth, and they would all do what they could to make the Yuletide bright.

Picking his way home across the lava field, Tomas knows that this Christmas won't be quite the same - not without his Grandfather. But as the war draws closer, Tomas devises a plan to ensure his Grandfather's stories will still be at the heart of his family's Christmas - even if it means being braver than a boy ever dreamed he could be. Donning his grandfather's jumper for courage, working hard at chores for neighbours, he takes his hard-earned pennies to shop for presents - only to find all the shops empty of stock. This is war time and rationing. There is just one shop still open - a bookshop.

Inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, where books are given as gifts on Christmas Eve.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571391516

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 08 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Lizzy Stewart

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 350g

Pages: 64

Collections

Children's Books Children's Christmas Books and Gifts Children’s, Teenage and Educational Christmas Books and Gifts Katherine Woodfine Young Adult

About the Author

Katherine Woodfine wrote Sunday Times bestseller The Clockwork Sparrow (shortlisted Waterstones Children's Book Prize), the Sinclair's Mysteries and Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series, as well as books for younger readers, Sophie Takes to the Sky and A Dancer's Dream. Based in Lancashire, Katherine also reviews for The Week Junior.

Lizzy Stewart is an author and illustrator who won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for There's a Tiger in the Garden. Based in South London, she teaches illustration at Goldsmiths.

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