This Festive Season, more than ever is about escapism and nostalgia! So, why not share the following classic tales with the children in your life (or your inner child) and bring some of that old magic back to the holidays?
'The Little White Horse'
by Elizabeth Goudge
This book was published in 1946 and won the Carnegie Medal for that year. It's set in the 1840s and remains an enchanting read. Maria Merryweather is orphaned at 13 and, accompanied by her governess Miss Heliotrope and her dog Wiggins, travels to Moonacre, the Cornish estate of her cousin Sir Benjamin Merryweather. Here she unravels magical mysteries and rescues Serena, a magical hare.
 |
| click cover image to preview or purchase |
We don't want to spoil things too much but, in case you haven't already guessed from the cover, the little white horse is, in fact, a Unicorn! Through her bravery and friendships, Maria ‘heals the land’ along with some old rifts. It was J.K Rowling’s favourite childhood book so why not discover what helped inspired her to write Harry Potter when she grew up?
'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'
by C S Lewis
This may have been published seventy years ago but it’s still an enthralling read. Four children are evacuated during wartime to the country and discover a wonderful portal to another land which they must save from its ‘eternal winter but never Christmas’. Lucy’s meeting with Mr Tumnus the faun for the very first time is a great moment of literature and of course, the fact that the animals talk in Narnia is wonderful.
 |
| click cover image to preview or purchase |
Then there’s Aslan the lion, King of Narnia, who apparently came to C.S Lewis in a dream. Lewis dedicated the book to his god-daughter Lucy, and her namesake, the youngest of the children, is the true heroine of the story. Of course, there is a significant appearance by Father Christmas, too! The classic edition with the original illustrations by Pauline Banes was the most borrowed Library book at one point – and copies get handed down through generations. It has been continually reprinted and there are several handsome editions and omnibus collections. If you enjoy thie first trip to Narnia, you know there's more to explore in the follow-up sequels!
'The Fir Tree' in 'Tales of Moomin Valley'
by Tove Jansson
A Moomin tale first published 1962, this is a story with a different take on Christmas! The Moomins usually hibernate through the Winter and miss Christmas entirely, but on this occasion the Hemulin wakes them up and insists they get stressed about the fact that ‘Christmas is coming’just like he does! Their misunderstanding about Christmas and its traditions is funny, charming and of course beautifully illustrated.
 |
| click cover image to preview or purchase |
The tale appears in this collection of classics. All the stories have a sophistication that means they can be appreciated by adult readers too. There's always a quirky sense of fun along with gentleness and warmth, even in the snowy Scandinavian landscape of Moomin Valley in winter. Truly timeless and magical.
Please note: the click-through links will take you to an amazon page where you will have an option to read previews and reviews with options to purchase the books in suitable formats. If you do choose to purchase one of the books, please check the delivery date is still in time for the date required. The Red Sparrow Press will receive a small referral fee which doesn't cost you anything extra. (Thank you for your support!)
