A Night At The Frost Fair

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and enjoy the New Year. 2022 has certainly been a busy time for me and to end the year, I thought I would discuss what is most certainly a modern winter classic.

Title: A Night at the Frost Fair.

Author: Emma Carroll.

Illustrator: Sam Usher.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster.

Published: 2021.

Format: Hardback.

Source: Own copy.

In this story, Maya finds herself swept back in time to the Georgian period where she witnesses the Frost Fairs that took place back then. It is here that she meets Eddie, a boy of the same age as her who introduces her to all the delights that the Fair has to offer. Not only is it somewhere that people can have fun, but it also offers a place to escape to, especially for Eddie...

Originally starting out as a short story, Carroll has expanded it into a chapter book version that keeps the magic of the original whilst bringing something new to it. Usher's illustrations help to capture the spirit of the story, especially for pictures where you can see the Frost Fair in action. It is an exciting adventure story with intrigue in it, but it also makes the reader think about important topics such as the importance of freedom, especially with regard to Eddie and Maya's grandmother who is in a care home in the present day. 

In general, this is a perfect story to read during wintertime, either as a way of celebrating Christmas or to just will away the cold dark nights of the early months of the year. It appeals to old and young alike, whether you are into historical fiction or not.

Christmas Picture Books 2021

Christmas time is here again, and as always, I am delighted to recommend two books to read over the holidays. One is a sequel to a book I previously reviewed and one has recently been reissued.

Title: How Winston Came Home For Christmas.
Author/Illustrator: Alex T. Smith.
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books.
Published: 2021.
Format: Hardback.
Source: Own copy.

I adored the previous book in the Winston series, and so I was very excited when the sequel was released this year. Like Winston's first adventure, this comes in the same format of 24 and a half chapters to read each day, along with some new festive activities to keep you busy.

It's getting closer to Christmas, and Winston is already enjoying time with his new friend Oliver. However, he cannot help but have strange flashbacks to a Christmas long ago, and he cannot help but feel that somebody else is missing from his life. And so he sets off on another adventure to find this somebody, this time around Europe. All of the characters you loved from the previous book make their return, but there are some new companions there to help Winston on his journey of self-discovery, ranging from the pampered yet adventure-seeking poodle Gaspard to the shy and nervous fox Heinz.

The story is incredibly heartwarming and the activities just as fun as the first book's set. If you had read and enjoyed the first Winston book, this is definitely worth getting.

Title: Jingle Bells.
Author/Illustrator: Nick Butterworth.
Publisher: HarperCollins.
Published: 1998.
Format: Hardback.
Source: Own copy.

I have always been a fan of the Percy the Park Keeper books and I was extra lucky to see their creator Nick Butterworth discuss his work at the 2019 Wimbledon Book Festival. This is another one of his books I greatly enjoyed, and it has been re-published in paperback this year.

The book concerns two mice with a problem - they want to enjoy Christmas but are constantly being terrorised by the mean cat Angus. Luckily, they have a plan which involves...well, I won't spoil it, but there's a reason for the title. I greatly enjoyed this story when I was younger and I still enjoy it now, both for the humour and the memorable characters. Whether you are a Percy fan like me or are new to Butterworth's books, this is one Christmas story you shouldn't miss out on.

That does it for another year of reviewing wonderful Christmas books. I hope you all have a happy Christmas and find a good read for the holidays, whether it be one of the books I recommended or maybe even something different.

Raymond Briggs Winter Graphic Novels

Raymond Briggs is one of my favourite writers and illustrators of all time. A master of the graphic novel format, he has written several iconic stories, some of which have even been adapted for TV. These are two of his best, perfect for enjoying throughout the cold winter days.

Title: The Snowman.
Author/Illustrator: Raymond Briggs.
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton.
Published: 1978.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

This is no doubt Briggs' most iconic work, made particularly famous by the numerous animated TV specials and stage shows. It tells the magical yet bittersweet story of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life one night. Whilst a fantastical tale on the surface, it also delves into the idea of making the most of the time you have. What makes the book especially charming is that it is left ambiguous as to when the events occur, so you don't have to only read it at Christmas time.

The best aspect of the book though is that it is told without any words. Instead, it relies on the actions and emotions of the characters as well as the setting itself in order to communicate its message, making plenty of its scenes more powerful in the process - in particular the final panel. There is a version of the book that comes with words, but you will not find any need to read it as the pictures already tell you so much about what is happening.

Title: The Complete Father Christmas.
Author/Illustrator: Raymond Briggs.
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton.
Published: 1978.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

Father Christmas is a real character - rather than the kindly, wise figure we see in most media, he's a comical curmudgeon who finds it hard to get into the same Christmas spirit that he spreads to other people, complete with his "blooming" catchphrase. Instead of living in a fantasy wonderland and having a whole team of elves at his disposal, he has to get on with the work by himself in a house that looks like one you'd find on your average suburban street. In a way, he takes on a life of his own in these tales and has arguably become just as iconic as the traditional portrayal.

There are two stories in this omnibus to enjoy. The first one, Father Christmas, focuses on the titular character delivering all of the presents around the world, sometimes to some famous places like Buckingham Palace, before celebrating Christmas himself. The second one, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday, consists of him struggling to find the perfect place to spend the summer and the mishaps he has along the way. These stories are incredibly funny with plenty of moments to make you laugh, and they will present a whole new side to everyone's favourite holiday spirit that we rarely see captured in other works.

Christmas Picture Book Reviews 2020

2020 has certainly been a chaotic year for many, with this Christmas season in particularly having to be done differently to usual. I have found that having a good book to read always helps during these stressful times and these Christmas books will certainly help to make your Christmas a little brighter. This time I will be reviewing one classic, one brand new book and one that features a character beloved by many.

Title: The Polar Express.
Author/Illustrator: Chris van Allsburg.
Publisher: Anderson Press.
Published: 1985.
Format: Paperback.
Source: My own copy.

I was very lucky to be able to watch Chris van Allsburg talk recently, as well as receive a signed copy of the 35th anniversary version of The Polar Express, one of his most famous books. The story tells of a young boy who boards a train one night to the North Pole, with other children joining him and a breathtaking view of the sights around. When the children arrive at Santa's place, one of them will receive the first gift of the year.

This is a magical yet poignant tale of the power of belief, and is vastly superior to the film adaptation of it. It comes complete with the beautiful photorealistic illustrations that Allsburg is renowned for, all mixed with a magical adventure. The descriptions of the sights that the children see, as well as the fact that they receive hot chocolate and get to sing Christmas carols, really made me want to ride the Polar Express itself! Definitely a classic worth checking out.

Title: The Twelve Days Of Christmas or Grandma is Overly Generous.

Author/Illustrator: Alex T. Smith.
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books.
Published: 2020.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

A very humorous take on The Twelve Days Of Christmas. Eloise's grandma is very generous...a little too generous. As the days go by, her gifts for Eloise keep on increasing and, whilst the book starts off in the same way as the original poem, it takes an entirely original turn once it gets to the seventh day. Eloise's reactions are mixed - sometimes she's delighted and sometimes she's unsure whether these gifts are what she really wants. And the twelfth provides the biggest surprise of them all...

I got a good chuckle from the humorous and often surprising situations that Eloise finds herself in, with the trademark illustrations of Alex T. Smith really adding to them. I also loved the Edwardian touch to Eloise and her grandmother's outfits as a reference to when the original was first published. Like Smith's other Christmas book I reviewed last year, How Winston Delivered Christmas, this is a perfect read for Christmas time and a particularly funny one at that too.

Title: Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa.Author: Valerie Thomas.
Illustrator: Korky Paul.
Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Published: 2016.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

I've always enjoyed the antics of Winnie the Witch and her cat Wilbur. This time, her adventures see her having to help out Santa after he got stuck in her chimney. Now he needs her help in delivering the presents to the children in time. As always with Winnie and Wilbur, things don't go so smoothly...

For those who know about this series, you will be pleased to know that this book is complete with the same slapstick and zany antics that Winnie and Wilbur are known and loved for, topped off with the irreverent and humorous illustrations of Korky Paul. But it's the added bonuses exclusive to this book that really make it stand out. From the endpages featuring drawings of the characters from children who love these stories to the pop-up features at the end of the book, this is definitely a Christmas treat worth having.

How Winston Delivered Christmas

Title: How Winston Delivered Christmas.

Author/Illustrator: Alex T. Smith.

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books.

Published: 2018.

Format: Hardback.

Source: Own copy.

For my Christmas blog post this year, I review How Winston Delivered Christmas, a book that I received just after Christmas last year but have enjoyed reading in full this year. It is an entertaining and heartwarming story that demonstrates the importance of helping others and showing acts of kindness, no matter how small.

The story follows Winston, a young mouse who has always been looking for a place to call home. One Christmas Eve, he discovers a mislaid Christmas letter addressed to Father Christmas, and he makes it his job to get the letter delivered in time before Christmas Day. Along the way, he meets up with a variety of different characters who become his new friends and help him in his quest in many different ways. 

There are twenty-five chapters overall, each accompanying a different day of Advent. Each chapter is short and easy to read, yet enjoyable and fun at the same time. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations that perfectly add to the mood of each different chapter.

What makes this book stand out from other Christmas stories is that after each chapter, there are activities to try out at home, such as baking Christmas food and making decorations. Some of them are tied into the theme of the chapter that they accompany. Though I wasn't able to do all of them this year, I was able to complete many and had a lot of fun in the process! One other feature that I love is a list at the end of traditions that other countries have in celebrating Christmas.

This is a story with a well-written and diverse cast of characters along with plenty of humour and warmth (and a bit of suspense as well!). You will be rooting for the lovable Winston to succeed in his quest. I highly recommend this to people of all ages, and I promise that grown-ups will not be considered too old to join in with some of the activities too!

Halloween Pop-Up Books!

After a long hiatus taken to spend time on coursework, the Impish Reader is back, and just in time for Halloween! These pop-up books will be sure to spook you out as well as entertain you in the process.

Title: Haunted House.
Author/Illustrator: Jan Pienkowski.
Publisher: Heinemann.
Published: 1979.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

Haunted House tells the story of a mouse who asks his local doctor for help due to several issues, which turn out to be linked with the spooky house that he lives in. A brilliant example of the pictures telling more than the story, we get to learn more information about the house that the mouse does not know. There are many ways in which the reader can discover the secrets via interacting with the book - opening a flap may reveal a scary monster hiding behind a door, for instance. The illustrations are suitably spooky, but drawn in a way that will appeal to a child reader.




Title: The Dwindling Party.
Author/Illustrator: Edward Gorey.
Publisher: Heinemann.
Published: 1982.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

The Dwindling Party is a story told in verse about the hapless MacFizzets, who set off to visit the mysterious Hickyacket Hall estate but slowly disappear one by one. Gorey's trademark dark humour runs through the book - we are offered a wry observation as to what happened to each member of the family, right up until the end when the survivor joins in with their own humorous comment on what just occurred. The illustrations are suitably gothic with many different spooky creatures appearing to take the MacFizzets away, and the reader can make these scenes come to life by pulling the tabs (thus controlling their fate).

I hope you all have a happy Halloween and enjoy these books as much as I do. Whether you remember them from childhood like I do, or have heard about them for the first time from this blog, you can be sure that they will provide a fascinating and chilling experience for the whole family!

Mostly Mary and All Mary

Title: Mostly Mary and All Mary
Author: Gwynedd Rae
Illustrator: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher: Egmont
Published: February 2017
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copies

I have always been a huge fan of the “Mary Plain” books and therefore I am very excited about the re-released editions with new illustrations by Clara Vulliamy. “Mostly Mary” and “All Mary” have been released so far with more books to come, and the tale of the unusual first-class bear from the bear pits of Berne is sure to be just as popular with children today.

 The first book of the series, “Mostly Mary”, focuses on Mary's time in the bear pits with her cousins and older relatives. We are introduced to Mary’s family and the people who visit her at the bear pits.  Mary always means well, but her best efforts are not always appreciated by those around her and often get her into trouble. In “All Mary” she travels with the Owl Man, first to stay with the Fancy Coat Lady and then to England where she wins a white rosette in a show. Unsurprisingly she causes chaos wherever she goes which adds to the fun. At the end of “All Mary” she is given a hero’s welcome back to Berne and is presented with a gold medal by the Mayor. These two books act as a perfect introduction to Mary and her best friend, the Owl Man. Future books focus mainly on the two of them and the adventures they have together. Everywhere she goes Mary makes new friends and leaves a lasting impression.

When Knight published their editions of “Mary Plain” back in the 1960s, there was a split between fans who embraced the new illustrations by Janina Ede and fans who preferred the old illustrations. However, the new illustrations have managed to effectively combine the best of both illustrators whilst being in Clara’s own distinctive style. Mary is still an adorable and endearing character but I think the new illustrations of her family really demonstrate their individual personalities. Additionally, there is a timeless feel to the art, making it appeal to both older and younger audiences alike. Not only is Mary a character that the modern audience will fall in love with, but her friends and family will stand out to them as well.

To see these books back in print is a dream come true, considering that they were such an important part of my childhood. These editions are beautifully produced with hard covers and gold highlights on the dust jackets. If you remove the dust jacket you find a secret message from Mary in her unique writing style. Clara Vulliamy is a brilliant choice for the new illustrations and they really are books to treasure. I cannot wait for the next books to come with Mary's further adventures. "Mary in America" and "Mary in London" will be published in October.

I would like to note that these are my own copies, but they were sent to me by Clare because we both love Mary. There was no request for a review at any time.