The Story: Olivia Helps With Christmas starts on Christmas Eve. Olivia is helping her mum with preparations for the big day, with hilarious consequences, while impatiently waiting for Father Christmas.
Why is Olivia Helps With Christmas your favourite Christmas book?
We have always loved Olivia’s enthusiastic yet accident-prone approach to life in general but her well-intended attempts to help with Christmas preparations are rather priceless. I chose it because although it might not be my favourite Christmas story, it is one that my children ask for me to read every year without fail. I think those shared moments of laughter is what makes this book really special for both them and myself.
Can you describe a favourite illustration or give a favourite quote from the story and tell us why you chose it?
Our favourite scene without a doubt is when Olivia’s mother congratulates her for setting the table for Christmas Eve so nicely and asks her where she found the delightful mini Christmas tree she has used as a centerpiece. When readers opens the fold-out page, they realise Olivia has in fact sawn off the top of the Christmas tree.
The design of the book is very clever here; using the fold-out page allows a swift and hilarious switch between the two scenes. The mum’s expression changes but as the same illustration is used for Olivia, hers remains the same, conveying how oblivious she is to what she has done.
Author/ Illustrator: Ian Falconer
About Melanie
I am based in the South West of England, I am a school librarian by profession, a mum of two, and I have a personal interest in children’s literature, which has led me to start my blog Library Mice as well as study for an MA in Children’s Literature.
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Which book is on your Christmas wishlist this year?
Girl in Dior by Annie Goetzinger, a biography of Christian Dior in graphic novel format.
Story Snug’s 2015 Advent Calendar on Pinterest
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