Reviews & Giveaways

Stories for Life – the perfect Christmas gift

A photograph of the front covers of three books from Penguin Random House Children's Books including Max and Bird by Ed Vere, The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas and The Little Elephant who wants to fall asleep - Stories for Life - the perfect Christmas gift_Mrs H's favourite things

As a child I loved to be given books at Christmas. And I often found a story wrapped up under the Christmas tree.

A story book is the perfect Christmas present for children. Books aren’t played with and then forgotten about. Your child will not grow out of a book.

A book is for life, not just for Christmas.

 

And so I was hugely excited when a package arrived through our door the other day. Penguin Random House Children’s Books had sent me three books and challenged me to give them as Christmas presents.

Stories for Life – the perfect Christmas gift

Max and Bird by Ed Vere

A photograph of the front cover of the Penguin Random House Children's Book Max and Bird by Ed Vere - Stories for Life - the perfect Christmas gift_Mrs H's favourite things

The first book was Max and Bird by Ed Vere. Max and Bird is the third book in the Max series.

It tells the story of Max, a kitten, who is meant to chase birds. And Bird, a bird, who gets chased by kittens.

Max wants to be friends with Bird but he also wants to chase and eat Bird. Bird wants to be friends with Max but he doesn’t want to be eaten. He just wants to learn to fly.

I loved this book. It is filled with colourful and quirky illustrations. There is a funny storyline and the characters of  Max and Bird are endearing. I also love the theme of friendship that runs through the story. Little Miss, at three and a half, is the perfect age for this book.

Little Miss H’s pre-school runs a Book Advent. Each day one of the children gets to pick a book which is read at story time. Then at the end of the day they can take the book home. So I decided to wrap up Max and Bird and give it as our contribution to the Book Advent. And it makes me happy knowing that one of Little Miss H’s friends will get to keep this fab story.

The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas by Tom Fletcher and Douglas Poynter

A photograph of an illustration from Penguin Random House Children's Book The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas - Stories for Life - the perfect Christmas gift_Mrs H's favourite things
The second book is The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas by Tom Fletcher and Douglas Poynter.

I have heard many rave reviews of this story. And it sounds brilliant. I don’t think I know any child who wouldn’t love a book that features a dinosaur and poop. It would definitely be a hit with Little Miss H.

But Little Miss H has a huge collection of books. And poor Little Mister H has very few. Also any toys or books that he does own disappear into his sister’s room on a daily basis. So this lovely mini hardback version of the story is going in Little Mister H’s stocking.

The Little Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep by Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin (illustrations by Sydney Hanson)

A photograph of an illustration from the Penguin Random House Children's Book The Little Elephant who wants to fall asleep - Stories for Life - the perfect Christmas gift_Mrs H's favourite things
The last book is by the author of The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep. These stories use parent approved methods to help your child relax and drift off to sleep. The book begins with instructions on how it should be read. It highlights where you will need to read phrases in a soothing voice, insert your child’s name or yawn. And I laughed when I read the disclosure about not reading the book in hearing distance of anyone driving.

I am going to give The Little Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep to my Goddaughter. She isn’t the best sleeper and hopefully this story will help her to sleep peacefully. I also hope that she’ll love the lovely illustrations and the sweet story of Ellen the Elephant.

A photograph of the front covers of three books from Penguin Random House Children's Books including Max and Bird by Ed Vere, The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas and The Little Elephant who wants to fall asleep - Stories for Life - the perfect Christmas gift_Mrs H's favourite things

Books make a perfect Christmas gift for children. And one Christmas as a child I was given the book that would become my favourite childhood story.

I still own that copy of Anne of Green Gables (and the other books in the Anne of Green Gables series). They are dog eared, tea stained and there are some pages falling out. But they are well loved and treasured possessions.

A photograph of the front covers of the Anne of Green Gable novel - Stories of Life - the perfect Christmas gift_Mrs H's favourite things
I still read them on a grey and miserable day. My heart warms when I think of the beautifully written stories of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. Reading those tales is like getting a big hug from my best friend.

I can’t wait to share these stories with Little Miss H. I imagine us reading them together while snuggled up under a patchwork quilt, drinking raspberry cordial and eating jam tarts. Anne Shirley would be proud.

A photograph of a lady in a bright green jumper, wearing red lipstick sitting down and reading a much loved and dog eared copy of Anne of Green Gables - Stories for Life - the perfect Christmas gift - Mrs H's favourite things
Do you have a favourite childhood story that you love to read your children? Are you giving any books as presents this Christmas?

Hugs

Lucy

xxxx

Disclosure: I have written this post in partnership with Penguin Random House Children’s Books and Britmums. As always all photos, words and opinions are my own and 100% honest.

1 Comment

  • Reply
    Karen (@karenjwhitlock)
    December 23, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    Books really are wonderful presents. I love the sound of “Max and the bird” and I love that you gave it to the preschool so that lots of children can enjoy it too. Such a nice idea. Hope your gorgeous children have a lovely Christmas x

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