A Christmas Advent Story Book Review

10th December 2017

Hannah Tolson & Ivy Snow

Published by Bloomsbury

This special book is a novel way to countdown to the big day as we follow a little girl and her dog in their preparations for Christmas.  Discover a different festive scene with each turn of the page – from Christmas shopping and carol singing to present wrapping and tree decorating.  The familiarity children will feel with each beautifully illustrated seasonal event will spark conversation and retelling of experiences, fantastic for developing vocabulary.

Children will enjoy the thrill of opening the flaps on each page to excitedly discover what’s hiding underneath.  Each picture under the flap includes the corresponding word, a wonderful idea for helping children learn that words have meanings.  Similarly, the numbers on the flaps are a great way for developing recognition of numerals.

Deliciously detailed illustrations burst from the page.  There really is so much to see, name and discuss as the story progresses.  Even after reading the book several times, I was still spotting things I hadn’t noticed previously.  What’s so special is how the text and illustrations come together to prompt observational skills.  Questions such as ‘what is hiding amongst the wrapping paper?’ and ‘who is on the hill?’ encourage children to look, think and discuss.  A particularly charming feature is the snowman – look carefully as he changes throughout the book as the snow falls and he grows!

This wonderful book really does bring with it that warm, festive feeling and will definitely get adults and children in the Christmas spirit.  What a fun, interactive way to count down to Christmas!

This book review was written by Emma Davis. Get in touch with us today if you have a book you would like reviewed!