I am so delighted that Lari Don has joined us for our 600th blogpost to tell us about her favourite Christmas picture book, Angel Mae and the Christmas Baby. It was great to be part of Lari’s Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster blog tour in the summer and we always love to hear about picture books that authors like to read, especially at Christmas ?
The Story: It’s about a little girl Mae, her part in the school nativity play, and her worry that her parents won’t be able to come and watch because her mum is due to have a baby.
Why is this your favourite Christmas book?
Because it’s our family favourite! I just asked both my teenage daughters and my husband what their favourite Christmas picture book was, and every single one of them, separately and immediately, named this book. When we get the Christmas box out of the attic every year, and pull out stockings and knitted santas and the pile of Christmas books, this is the book that we all get excited about. But we don’t call it Angel Mae, we all call it The Angel Gave-You, because that’s what Mae calls her part in the nativity play. (She’s the angel Gabriel.) I had to go under the eaves early this year, to drag the box out and check the real title of the book. Because in our house, it’s The Angel Gave-you, every year.
Can you describe a favourite illustration or give a favourite quote from the story and tell us why you chose it.
When Mae tells her family that she’s playing the Angel Gave-you in the play. That entered our private family language, as phrases from many of the best books do. And the moment when her dad turns up at the end just in time to watch Mae on stage, then tell her that she has a new baby sister. That’s a beautiful warm tearful moment.
Author: Shirley Hughes
Which book is on your Christmas wishlist this year?
Ah. Well. I’m doing some research for a new book (I’m always doing research for a new book!), so it’s actually a German book of Lithuanan folktales, which I hope my (very talented) mum will be able to translate for me…
Thank you so much for joining us Lari. I wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2019.
About Lari Don
Lari is a Scottish author and storyteller, who writes picture books (including The Secret of the Kelpie and The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster), adventure books (including the Spellchasers trilogy) and collections of myths and legends (including Girls Goddesses & Giants and The Dragon’s Hoard) She lives in Edinburgh with her growing-up family, and they still chat about favourite picture books, especially at Christmas.
Lari’s books
The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster by Lari Don and Natasa Ilincic
The Secret of the Kelpie by Lari Don and Philip Longson
Winter’s Tales by Lari Don
Spellchasers: The Beginner’s Guide to Curses by Lari Don
We have lots more Christmas and wintery book recommendations from authors, illustrators and book bloggers on our Story Snug Advent Pinterest boards. You’ll also find more on our Twitter hashtag – #StorySnugAdvent
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