Tim Warnes's Blog: My Life in Books, page 3

I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long

“Enchanting… the perfect bedtime story”

— Whispering Stories I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2024)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggly storytimesexpressing unconditional love to your child There’s a time and a place for picture books with dark humour and mild peril.

There’s many a time when laugh-out-loud stories are appreciated and even – sometimes – picture books about death are required.

But when it comes to settling the kids down for the night and whispering I love you, it’s gentle (preferably rhyming) picture books that parents reach for. Something like the beloved I Love You to the Moon and Back written by Amelia Hepworth (illustrated by me).

   

I Love You to the Moon and Back continues to sell well and has woven its way into many families’ affections. (As I write, it’s currently #7 ON Publishers Weekly Children’s Picture Book list, on which it’s been for the past 194 weeks). So, no wonder my publisher responded by commissioning the 2021 spin-off, I Love You Forever and a Day, and the recently published I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long.

I don’t deny that this latest offering is ‘yet another sweet I-love-you book’. But as Kirkus Reviews kindly acknowledged, All Year Long stands out as being ‘a cut above many of the rest with its adorable artwork and text that combines rhymes and rhythms with a message that will largely be understandable to even the smallest tots’.

   

And it’s the smallest tots (yes, that includes babies!) that this soft, cuddly pair is aimed at. It’s clear from their facial expressions (as Kirkus noted) that Big Bear and Little Bear love one another, a repeated message in the rhyming text. They engage in experiences and activities familiar to this age group. The combined effect is that young children see themselves (and their carers) reflected in the book, which reassures and helps give them a sense of self.

Karen (@theunyoungmum) (who likens the ‘I love you’ bear books to ‘a warm hug at bedtime’) explains how the books remind her of special moments shared with her son:

 

Both [Moon and Back and Forever and a Day] capture those moments you can relate to in your own relationships. Those perfect days. The nosey rubs that make us giggle. If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.

- @theunyoungmum

 

So what special moments can you expect from Moon and Back: All Year Long?

As the title suggests, the illustrations show the bears throughout the year, sharing everyday moments that make up our lives.

There’s plenty of cuddles (of course).

Simple interactions exploring and noticing nature - for example, this close encounter with a frog.

   

The bears walk quietly, hand in hand.

Sometimes, they run and play:

 

I love to chase and play with you on hot midsummer days,

And swim in sparkling waters underneath the sun’s bright rays.

 

And there are expressions of gratitude for family and friends.

 

But most of all I’m grateful that I have you here with me.

   

By the end of the book, we have passed through the seasons – from the melting winter snow and the new growth of spring into hot summer days, which fade into autumn until finally, the tumbling autumn leaves are replaced by the first ‘softly swirling’ snowflakes. 

   

Little Bear drifts to sleep while riding home on Big Bear’s back ‘beneath a sky of inky blue’. The story has come full circle – it is winter again, and the bears are back in their cave, snuggled up in a cosy, comforting embrace.

 

The rhyme and rhythm flow smoothly, and make this a quick read, which is important when little ones are cranky and in need of sleep but need “one more story”!

- Ms. Yingling, Amazon

 

As I wrote at the start, there’s no denying I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long is one in a long line of sweet ‘I-love-you’ books. But none of us ever tire of being told we are loved or made to feel wanted, and children will always welcome this reassurance (even if physical affection isn’t one of their love languages). So next time you get the opportunity, reach for an ‘I-love-you’ book (see below for some recommendations) and relish the moment.

Because they’ll be all grown-up before you know it.

  Tips for sharing the I Love You Bear Books

The ‘I Love You’ bear books work exceptionally well as quiet, wind-down stories. Follow the advice of Booktrust and incorporate it into a bath, book, and bed routine to settle your little one down for the night.

Because of the small amount of text, these books are perfect when your child wants one last bedtime story. But when time allows, discuss the seasons, the wildlife and, of course - the bears’ feelings for each other.

The bears aren’t assigned gender – meaning the big bear can be viewed as any parent or carer. Your child will identify with the little bear. Ask your child who the big bear reminds them of.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGI Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2024)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggly storytimesexpressing unconditional love to your child Copyright © 2023 Amelia Hepworth (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK: ALL YEAR LONG by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press)Customer image © @j.duncandolcy GOOD TO READBest picture books to say ‘I love you’

Hug by Jez Alborough

So Much by Trish Cooke & Helen Oxenbury

I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram

You’re All My Favourites by Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram

Once Upon a Northern Night by Jean E. Pendziwol & Isabelle Arsenault

BUY THE BOOKS

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Big As the World“My daughters adore this book and love it even more when Dadda reads it to them.”– Mama Filz

Moon and Back“If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.”– @theunyoungmum

Forever and a Day“hugely appealing to young children”– Red Reading Hub

All Year Long“Enchanting… the perfect bedtime story”– Whispering Stories   BUY U.K. BUY U.S.A * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCES

Here to the Moon and Back, Dolly Parton © Velvet Apple MusicI Love You to the Moon and Back All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2024)Kirkus Reviews, I Love You to the Moon and Back All Year Long Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for my free story recommendations and tips. sign up

© 2024 BY TIM WARNES

(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)

****

USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

What every kid is asking: “How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?”

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen(Walker Books, 2023)Good to Read for:sparking conversationhaving a giggleenjoying the excitement of Christmas with your child There are many mysteries of the universe for kids to ponder.

I kept lists of all the strange questions my kids asked, such as Can you marry a woodpecker? and If we saw a demonstration of all the ants in the world standing on top of each other, would they be as tall as a skryscraper? [sic]. They sparked the picture book, Chalk & Cheese and its spin-off webcomic. Here’s one about Santa…

But back to that perennial question (and it’s a biggie): How does Santa go down the chimney?

It’s a brilliant question (and title for a book) brought to life by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen – the dynamic duo of fantastic, funny picture books. With their usual panache and droll humour, they present a series of potential scenarios as they explore and unpack precisely how the big guy in the red suit might do it.

On the cover, a confounded-looking Santa is on a snowy rooftop, staring at a chimney. A Santa – as illustrator Klassen explains – “who looks like he knows as little about the answer as we do. Everyone has told him he does this, and it seems fairly straightforward, but then you get up there.”

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is a fantastic example of a picture book that feeds children’s natural curiosity. Perhaps you have a child who is slow at speaking (as I – and one of mine – was). Books like this are a gift – so jump on board and seize the openings the book provides. Let me explain by using the title page as an example. Here, one reindeer offers a mug of something to Santa.

Is it a hot chocolate?

Milk and brandy?

Black coffee?

Earl Grey tea, perhaps?

It may seem insignificant, but unexplained details like this are a great way to engage with your child and start chatting. (The reindeer is seen later drinking from the mug itself – so maybe it’s carrot juice!)

There’s so much here for kids to consider. Written in a casual, conversational style, the questions posed create a natural story time connection:

How does Santa go down the chimney?

How does he do it?

How does it work?

Does he tighten his belt?

Or shrink himself down to the size of a mouse?

Klassen’s classy illustrations depict the various scenarios (I particularly like the one showing Santa stretching and morphing like toffee and stepping into the chimney a leg at a time.)

The narrator continues:

Does he go headfirst?

Or feet first?

Kids will giggle at the alternative – Or neither? – as Santa is shown with a bit of butt crack showing!

The questions keep coming and it really gets you thinking.

Should we leave Santa carrots as a treat (rather than cookies) to help him see in the dark?

And what about all those sooty chimneys – does Santa do his laundry between houses?

(Santa’s shown down in a basement, reading a newspaper in his underwear, waiting for the machine to finish.)

And if you don’t have a chimney, what happens then?

Various crazy solutions are presented, including sliding under the door like a sheet of paper and Santa folding himself up like an envelope (complete with a Santa stamp) before a reindeer pops him through the letter box!

It’s a brilliant question that really makes you think: How does Santa go down the chimney? 

Millions of kids all around the world are wondering the same thing.  And I love that this book never definitively answers their question. In a manner that totally fits the tradition of Santa, it remains a mystery. Barnett brings his string of theories to a close by acknowledging that the big guy in the red suit is a total enigma. As he acknowledges in an interview with NPR, “I think we don’t want to know how he does it.”

Santa goes up the chimney the same way he comes down.

And I have no idea how Santa does that.

But I’m so glad he can.

The whole concept of Santa is kind of weird. But whether your kids are believers, sceptics or in on the deception, this picture book about Santa will appeal. There’s just a hint of danger in the blackness of the night skies which contract with the cosy interiors which are warm and inviting. With its gentle humour, this newcomer to the Christmas collection will soon (as the Guardian surmises) ‘find a secure spot among family Christmas traditions.’

Tips for sharing How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?

The cosy scenes illustrated in the book lend themselves to a snuggly bedtime read – especially on Christmas Eve. (If you want to go all out, get someone to jingle some bells outside, too!)

Pair this with another Santa book to explore the question further (see my recommendations below). What other plausible (and implausible) explanations can you come up with?

Use the book to start a Christmas collection that you can share with your kids each year in the run-up to Christmas. It makes a great family tradition (and revisiting the books each year is like meeting up with old friends). 

STORIES WORTH SHARINGHow Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen(Walker Books, 2023)Good to Read for:sparking conversationhaving a giggleenjoying the excitement of Christmas with your child Copyright © 2023 Mac Barnett (Text) & Jon Klassen (Illustrations)From HOW DOES SANTA GO DOWN THE CHIMNEY? by Mac Barnett & Jon KlassenReproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJ GOOD TO READ

Best picture books about Santa 

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs

I’ve Seen Santa!  by David Bedford & Tim Warnes 

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present  by John Burningham

Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton

Careful, Santa! by Julie Sykes & Tim Warnes

BUY THE BOOKPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops
“Young Santa believers will love this one.”– Rachel Hodson, Goodreads

“a real schmaltz-free treat”– The Guardian

Buy UK BUY USA

* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF RELATED ARTICLES SOURCESHow Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (Walker Books, 2023) An Interview with Jon Klassen & Mac Barnett - Art of the Picturebook, Nov 27, 2023 Inquiring minds want to know: 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? ’ NPR, Dec 23, 2023https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/10/the-best-childrens-and-ya-books-of-2023https://www.theguardian.com/books/202... Do you need help finding quality stories to share with your kids? Sign up for my free email with story recommendations and tips. Sign up here © 2023 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

What every kid is asking: How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen(Walker Books, 2023)Good to Read for:sparking conversationhaving a giggleenjoying the excitement of Christmas with your child There are many mysteries of the universe for kids to ponder.

I kept lists of all the strange questions my kids asked, such as Can you marry a woodpecker? and If we saw a demonstration of all the ants in the world standing on top of each other, would they be as tall as a skryscraper? [sic]. They sparked the picture book, Chalk & Cheese and its spin-off webcomic. Here’s one about Santa…

But back to that perennial question (and it’s a biggie): How does Santa go down the chimney?

It’s a brilliant question (and title for a book) brought to life by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen – the dynamic duo of fantastic, funny picture books. With their usual panache and droll humour, they present a series of potential scenarios as they explore and unpack precisely how the big guy in the red suit might do it.

On the cover, a confounded-looking Santa is on a snowy rooftop, staring at a chimney. A Santa – as illustrator Klassen explains – “who looks like he knows as little about the answer as we do. Everyone has told him he does this, and it seems fairly straightforward, but then you get up there.”

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is a fantastic example of a picture book that feeds children’s natural curiosity. Perhaps you have a child who is slow at speaking (as I – and one of mine – was). Books like this are a gift – so jump on board and seize the openings the book provides. Let me explain by using the title page as an example. Here, one reindeer offers a mug of something to Santa.

Is it a hot chocolate?

Milk and brandy?

Black coffee?

Earl Grey tea, perhaps?

It may seem insignificant, but unexplained details like this are a great way to engage with your child and start chatting. (The reindeer is seen later drinking from the mug itself – so maybe it’s carrot juice!)

There’s so much here for kids to consider. Written in a casual, conversational style, the questions posed create a natural story time connection:

How does Santa go down the chimney?

How does he do it?

How does it work?

Does he tighten his belt?

Or shrink himself down to the size of a mouse?

Klassen’s classy illustrations depict the various scenarios (I particularly like the one showing Santa stretching and morphing like toffee and stepping into the chimney a leg at a time.)

The narrator continues:

Does he go headfirst?

Or feet first?

Kids will giggle at the alternative – Or neither? – as Santa is shown with a bit of butt crack showing!

The questions keep coming and it really gets you thinking.

Should we leave Santa carrots as a treat (rather than cookies) to help him see in the dark?

And what about all those sooty chimneys – does Santa do his laundry between houses?

(Santa’s shown down in a basement, reading a newspaper in his underwear, waiting for the machine to finish.)

And if you don’t have a chimney, what happens then?

Various crazy solutions are presented, including sliding under the door like a sheet of paper and Santa folding himself up like an envelope (complete with a Santa stamp) before a reindeer pops him through the letter box!

It’s a brilliant question that really makes you think: How does Santa go down the chimney? 

Millions of kids all around the world are wondering the same thing.  And I love that this book never definitively answers their question. In a manner that totally fits the tradition of Santa, it remains a mystery. Barnett brings his string of theories to a close by acknowledging that the big guy in the red suit is a total enigma. As he acknowledges in an interview with NPR, “I think we don’t want to know how he does it.”

Santa goes up the chimney the same way he comes down.

And I have no idea how Santa does that.

But I’m so glad he can.

The whole concept of Santa is kind of weird. But whether your kids are believers, sceptics or in on the deception, this picture book about Santa will appeal. There’s just a hint of danger in the blackness of the night skies which contract with the cosy interiors which are warm and inviting. With its gentle humour, this newcomer to the Christmas collection will soon (as the Guardian surmises) ‘find a secure spot among family Christmas traditions.’

Tips for sharing How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?

The cosy scenes illustrated in the book lend themselves to a snuggly bedtime read – especially on Christmas Eve. (If you want to go all out, get someone to jingle some bells outside, too!)

Pair this with another Santa book to explore the question further (see my recommendations below). What other plausible (and implausible) explanations can you come up with?

Use the book to start a Christmas collection that you can share with your kids each year in the run-up to Christmas. It makes a great family tradition (and revisiting the books each year is like meeting up with old friends). 

STORIES WORTH SHARINGHow Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen(Walker Books, 2023)Good to Read for:sparking conversationhaving a giggleenjoying the excitement of Christmas with your child Copyright © 2023 Mac Barnett (Text) & Jon Klassen (Illustrations)From HOW DOES SANTA GO DOWN THE CHIMNEY? by Mac Barnett & Jon KlassenReproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJ GOOD TO READ

Best picture books about Santa 

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs

I’ve Seen Santa!  by David Bedford & Tim Warnes 

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present  by John Burningham

Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton

Careful, Santa! by Julie Sykes & Tim Warnes

BUY THE BOOKPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops
“Young Santa believers will love this one.”– Rachel Hodson, Goodreads

“a real schmaltz-free treat”– The Guardian

Buy UK BUY USA

* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF RELATED ARTICLES SOURCESHow Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (Walker Books, 2023) An Interview with Jon Klassen & Mac Barnett - Art of the Picturebook, Nov 27, 2023 Inquiring minds want to know: 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? ’ NPR, Dec 23, 2023https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/10/the-best-childrens-and-ya-books-of-2023https://www.theguardian.com/books/202... Do you need help finding quality stories to share with your kids? Sign up for my free email with story recommendations and tips. Sign up here © 2023 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

"Are the bears in 'Moon and Back' polar bears or brown bears?"

“The repetition of “I Love you…” on each page makes the text memorable for little ones and a joy to read.”

— Mama Filz This morning I received this message via Instagram: 

My family is discussing what type of bears are in your illustrations in ‘I love you to the Moon and Back’. We are debating between polar bears and brown bears.’

 

The stakes are high, too. There’s a serious bet, and the loser eats a jar of baby food!

It’s a great question – and here’s my answer. 

I Love You to the Moon and Back was designed as a companion to my picture book from a few years earlier: I Love You As Big As the World by David van Buren. It features a big bear and a little bear which were definitely inspired by polar bears. I’ve illustrated many bears throughout my career, and I wanted these to look more unique. Polar bears have quite a distinct appearance, more elongated and leggy than brown bears. I think that’s evident in these particular bears of mine, who sport long snouts and small ears, so characteristic of the polar kind.

My publisher, however, didn’t want a book featuring polar bears. So I painted some samples of very light, sandy-coloured bears instead. Again, they wanted them a bit darker.

And that’s how I styled the bears in As Big As the World and, subsequently, Moon and Back.

   

And I have good news for all you bear fans – I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Round is being published later this year. Here’s a sneak peek showing some of the work that goes into producing my illustrations (complete with the art director’s feedback: When you go to colour, could you just make sure those frogs look happy? :))

   

I’m conscious that parents and carers will repeatedly share these stories, so I’d better make them worth your while! 

   

Of course, I also look at other bears when drawing my bear characters. So they’re kind of an amalgamation of the bear family. My favourite spread in Moon and Back shows the bears coming down the mountain, with the little bear holding on to Big Bear’s back:

   

We’ll climb the highest mountain tops – hold tight and you won’t fall.

 

That particular scene was definitely inspired by pictures of polar bears, which are frequently photographed with their cubs riding high on their backs. It’s a natural moment of intimacy that your kids, at the end of a tiring day, will easily relate to!

Here’s a similar scene from the new book:

   

Back to that original question. In summary, the bears are polar and brown bears combined (with the emphasis on polar).

But for my money, if only one can be correct, then polar bears win the day.

Bon Appetit!

Tips for sharing the I Love You Bear Books

The ‘I Love You’ bear books work exceptionally well as quiet, wind-down stories. Follow the advice of Booktrust and incorporate it into a bath, book, and bed routine to settle your little one down for the night.

Take your child to the library and find some non-fiction titles about bears. Spark their curiosity and enjoy learning together as you explore the world of bears!

The bears aren’t assigned any gender – meaning the big bear can be viewed as any parent or carer. Ask your child who the big bear reminds them of.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGThe I Love You Bear Books (Little Tiger Press)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your child BUY THE BOOKS

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

Big As the World“My daughters adore this book and love it even more when Dadda reads it to them.”– Mama Filz

Moon and Back“If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.”– @theunyoungmum

Forever and a Day“hugely appealing to young children who will delight in snuggling up close to their own mum or dad (or perhaps grandparent)”– Red Reading Hub  BUY U.K. BUY U.S.A. * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF

RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCES

Mamafilz.com: As Big As the World ReviewI Love You As Big As the World by David van Buren, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2008)I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2015)I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2022)I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Round by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2023)Red Reading Hub: Forever and a Day review Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. SIGN UP HERE! Copyright © 2008 David van Buren (Text) © 2015, 2022, 2023 Amelia Hepworth (Text) © 2010, 2015, 2022, 2023 Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From I LOVE YOU AS BIG AS THE WORLD by David van Buren & Tim WarnesI LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK by Amelia Hepworth & Tim WarnesI LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK: ALL YEAR ROUND by Amelia Hepworth & Tim WarnesLittle Tiger Press  © 2023 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

Take your kids on a Big Book Adventure!

“[The Big Book Adventure] will excite youngsters (and perhaps those of us who are just young at heart) to go out and find these – and more – adventures. I can’t think of anything better a picture book could do.”

— TwoBookWormsBlog The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Silver Dolphin, 2018)Good to Read for:introducing kids to old favouritesinspiring readingencouraging creative play

When I was away in Spain , my French publisher, Mijade, informed me that their edition of The Big Book Adventure was selected for the 35th prize of Les Incorruptibles (which covers the entire French-speaking territory throughout the world) and came second place in the INSPE Youth Literary Prize of Brittany 2022-2023.

It was good to know that my business was ticking along without me!

I had SO MUCH FUN illustrating The Big Book Adventure (Silver Dolphin 2018)! I explored all sorts of techniques and styles, so it was like being on a paid enrichment programme – and I think that joy comes across in my work.

It centres around two friends – Foxy and Piggie – sharing the stories they’ve read (borrowed from their local library, the Maple Leaf Book Club!) and the subsequent imaginary adventures they’ve experienced:

 

“The first one first had tea at Alice in Wonderland, then he met a mermaid, joined Little Red Riding Hood in the forest, and finally discovered a treasure on an island!... A nice nod to the great classics!”

– @cheznous_noucora

   

Flicking through The Big Book Adventure, I see many reminders of my late Dad. I chose to illustrate the Three Bears spread in the style (and colour palette) of William Backhouse, whose illustrations adorned our Uncle Remus books. 

I worked directly into a classic Tenniel illustration from my childhood copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. (I whispered sweet nothings to my publisher to persuade them to incorporate Peter Pan, another childhood favourite.)

   

The Big Book Adventure has been warmly received in part because it celebrates the joy of sharing a good story with someone you love. Perhaps in this day and age, with so many distractions, we need to remind ourselves of this simple pleasure – and put it into practice. As Mrs Mommy Booknerd on GoodReads points out, this picture book provides ‘an incredibly creative and insightful way to connect with kids’.

 

“Cheery illustrations invite children into some of the old children’s favorite[s]... Parents, teachers and caregivers can discuss and share the stories of some of the well-known characters found throughout these pages.”

- Kristi Bernard, GoodReads

 

Sharing picture books – any story – is a beautiful way to create connections and form memories.

This last year has taught me how fleeting time is.

I’m so glad Dad seized the opportunity when he could, and for the hours we spent exploring imaginary places. I hope you get the chance to do the same, too.

  Tips for sharing The Big Book Adventure

Foxy and Piggie’s choice of books unlocks their vivid imaginations. Chat with your kid about what they see and learn which scenes spark their curiosity. Then look out for books and games that tie in with their choices.

One of the stories presented in the book is the imaginary Galactic Race, which takes the form of a comic. Don’t be sniffy about using comics as a fantastic way to read with your child.

Readers only get to see a tantalising snapshot of each story the characters have read. So pause and ask your child what they think might happen next. It should fire up their imagination and help them develop speaking skills as they learn to articulate their ideas.

Copyright © 2018 Emily Ford (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From THE BIG BOOK ADVENTURE by Emily Ford & Tim Warnes (Silver Dolphin 2018)

Winner: 2019 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award (Children's Picture Books)

Winner: 2018 Foreword INDIE Gold Award (Picture Books, Early Reader)

2nd place: 2022-2023 INSPE Youth Literary Prize of Brittany

Selected: 35th prize of Les Incorruptibles

GOOD TO READ

Best picture books for reimagined fairy tales 

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book by Lauren Child

Sir Lilypad by Anna Kemp and Sarah Ogilvie

The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray & Mike Lowery

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford & Tim Warnes 

BUY MY RECOMMENDATIONSPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF BUY U.K. BUY U.S.A. RELATED ARTICLES SOURCESThe Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford, ill. by Tim Warnes (Silver Dolphin 2018)Uncle Remus Stories retold by Jane Shaw from the original of Joel Chandler Harris, ill. by William Backhouse (Collins)The Big Book Adventure on GoodReadsOpening cover shot courtesy @cheznous_noucora Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. Sign Up Here! © 2023 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

Take your kids on a Big Book Adventure

“[The Big Book Adventure] will excite youngsters (and perhaps those of us who are just young at heart) to go out and find these – and more – adventures. I can’t think of anything better a picture book could do.”

— TwoBookWormsBlog The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Silver Dolphin, 2018)Good to Read for:introducing kids to old favouritesinspiring readingencouraging creative play

When I was away in Spain , my French publisher, Mijade, informed me that their edition of The Big Book Adventure was selected for the 35th prize of Les Incorruptibles (which covers the entire French-speaking territory throughout the world) and came second place in the INSPE Youth Literary Prize of Brittany 2022-2023.

It was good to know that my business was ticking along without me!

I had SO MUCH FUN illustrating The Big Book Adventure (Silver Dolphin 2018)! I explored all sorts of techniques and styles, so it was like being on a paid enrichment programme – and I think that joy comes across in my work.

It centres around two friends – Foxy and Piggie – sharing the stories they’ve read (borrowed from their local library, the Maple Leaf Book Club!) and the subsequent imaginary adventures they’ve experienced:

 

“The first one first had tea at Alice in Wonderland, then he met a mermaid, joined Little Red Riding Hood in the forest, and finally discovered a treasure on an island!... A nice nod to the great classics!”

– @cheznous_noucora

   

Flicking through The Big Book Adventure, I see many reminders of my late Dad. I chose to illustrate the Three Bears spread in the style (and colour palette) of William Backhouse, whose illustrations adorned our Uncle Remus books. 

I worked directly into a classic Tenniel illustration from my childhood copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. (I whispered sweet nothings to my publisher to persuade them to incorporate Peter Pan, another childhood favourite.)

   

The Big Book Adventure has been warmly received in part because it celebrates the joy of sharing a good story with someone you love. Perhaps in this day and age, with so many distractions, we need to remind ourselves of this simple pleasure – and put it into practice. As Mrs Mommy Booknerd on GoodReads points out, this picture book provides ‘an incredibly creative and insightful way to connect with kids’.

 

“Cheery illustrations invite children into some of the old children’s favorite[s]... Parents, teachers and caregivers can discuss and share the stories of some of the well-known characters found throughout these pages.”

- Kristi Bernard, GoodReads

 

Sharing picture books – any story – is a beautiful way to create connections and form memories.

This last year has taught me how fleeting time is.

I’m so glad Dad seized the opportunity when he could, and for the hours we spent exploring imaginary places. I hope you get the chance to do the same, too.

  Tips for sharing The Big Book Adventure

Foxy and Piggie’s choice of books unlocks their vivid imaginations. Chat with your kid about what they see and learn which scenes spark their curiosity. Then look out for books and games that tie in with their choices.

One of the stories presented in the book is the imaginary Galactic Race, which takes the form of a comic. Don’t be sniffy about using comics as a fantastic way to read with your child.

Readers only get to see a tantalising snapshot of each story the characters have read. So pause and ask your child what they think might happen next. It should fire up their imagination and help them develop speaking skills as they learn to articulate their ideas.

Copyright © 2018 Emily Ford (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From THE BIG BOOK ADVENTURE by Emily Ford & Tim Warnes (Silver Dolphin 2018) GOOD TO READ

Best picture books for reimagined fairy tales 

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book by Lauren Child

Sir Lilypad by Anna Kemp and Sarah Ogilvie

The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray & Mike Lowery

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford & Tim Warnes 

BUY MY RECOMMENDATIONSPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF BUY U.K. BUY U.S.A. RELATED ARTICLES SOURCESThe Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford, ill. by Tim Warnes (Silver Dolphin 2018)Uncle Remus Stories retold by Jane Shaw from the original of Joel Chandler Harris, ill. by William Backhouse (Collins)Opening cover shot courtesy @cheznous_noucora Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. Sign Up Here! © 2023 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

The Power of Picture Books

“[My son and I] sat on the couch reading the same few stories over and over. Unquestionably, his favorite was ‘I Love You to the Moon and Back’.”

— Jesse Schneiderman This week, I received a fantastic message from customer Jesse Schneidermann. I Love You to the Moon and Back means so much to him (and his son) that he wants a tattoo of one of my illustrations!

The idea of someone loving my art enough to tattoo it on their skin is amazing. (It was of the two bears lying back in the grass, gazing up at the Northern Lights.) 

I probed a bit further about the book’s appeal and received this unexpected explanation from Jesse (which I’m sharing with his permission). 

It still gives me goosebumps:

 

“I suffered from some pretty intense paternal postpartum depression when my son was born. I struggled to bond with him for the first year of his life. Shortly after that, we decided I would be a stay-at-home dad for him, as daycare wouldn’t start until he was 18 months old. During those five months, my love for him and connection with him grew as we sat on the couch reading the same few stories over and over. Unquestionably, his favorite was I Love You to the Moon and Back. He loved the illustrations of the animals, and reading it with him made me feel like I was successfully being a father for the first time.”

 

Jesse’s words are both affirming and moving – and I find both the joy and the pain of his experience totally relatable.

I’ve suffered some pretty severe depression myself. It is debilitating and does its best to suffocate all joy and hope in life.

And like Jesse, I was a hands-on dad.

The experience brought me indescribable joy – and central to that was sharing stories with my boys – either directly (curled up with a book) or through play.

My own dad read us bedtime stories each day after work.

Miffy.

Brer Rabbit.

Pooh and Piglet.

Ratty and Mole.

Dad gave each a different voice, and it was a daily event that I eagerly awaited. He continued the tradition of reading stories with his grandsons, who also enjoyed snuggling into his arms to hear him read.

Sharing stories with your children will help them make sense of life and grow in empathy. And yes, it supports their literacy, too. It’s all good and essential. But storytime is more than just a box-ticking exercise. Jesse’s experience reminds us that it’s far more critical than that. 

It provides moments of connection. 

Dad and I often spoke about those bedtimes. I believe it helped us have an intimate relationship, particularly later in life when the dust of youth settled. And without a doubt, those bedtime stories shaped my career path and passion for picture books. 

Sadly, Dad died at the end of May, shortly after celebrating his 92nd birthday (and 64th wedding anniversary!). It was a reminder that life is fleeting. To quote Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web, a favourite of ours: “We’re born, we live a little while, we die.”

    The last six months have been crazy.

I moved to Spain for two and a half months to look after my sister and nephew. I also got engaged (I’m grateful I had the opportunity to share the news with Dad, who was suitably delighted (“No, not delighted – thrilled!”). Our wedding is in under four months, I’ve sold my flat, and we are house hunting in earnest. It’s a lot going on – which explains why you’ve not heard from me!

Meanwhile, I continue to develop some story ideas (more on that another week) and find picture books which I shall share in due course. 

In the meantime, you can find older reviews here (or drop me a line if there’s a particular theme or subject you’d like recommendations for). 

Tips for sharing I Love You to the Moon and Back

The story (in terms of word count) is short. Perfect for ‘one last book’ at bedtime, but with sufficient detail to spend longer discussing the illustrations when time allows.

Use the picture book to create a quiet wind-down space at the end of the day! Incorporating it into a daily routine helps children feel secure.

The text cleverly avoids referring to the big bear in any specific way – meaning they can represent any adult in your child’s life, helping them relate to the little one.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGI Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2022)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your child BUY THE BOOKPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting local bookshops   “I read I Love You to the Moon and Back every night to my daughter when she was in the womb. Still almost five years later, her favorite!”– Hannah Bell, GoodReads

“a special book to share, perfect for when you need to put the afternoon of naughty spots and tantrums behind you”– The Bookbag BUY UK BUY USA SOURCESI Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2015)Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, ill. by Garth Williams (Hamish Hamilton 1952)

The bittersweet appeal of the ‘I Love You’ bear books

“Leaves the small bear—and the young listener—feeling loved.”

— GoodReads I Love Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2022)

Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your child I walk my sister’s dog at night on the quiet streets of the residential area where she lives in Spain. Sometimes I use the time to catch up and chat with friends. But I also enjoy audiobooks, and since being here, I’ve listened to  Bittersweet  by Susan Cain. 

‘Bittersweetness is a tendency to states of long­ing, poignancy, and sorrow; an acute aware­ness of passing time; and a curiously piercing joy at the beauty of the world. It recognizes that light and dark, birth and death--bitter and sweet--are forever paired.’

– Susan Cain

 

I identify strongly with the bittersweet. (In Cain’s Bittersweet quiz, I come out as ‘a true connoisseur’ – ‘a bittersweet soul.’) It’s a fascinating read/listen, and I highly recommend it (as does Oprah, who selected it for her famous book club).

Moments after I sent my last newsletter, I discovered that Publisher’s Weekly had released their 2021 Children’s Bestseller list: Moon and Back ranks #4 in the Bestselling Children’s Books (Hardcover Backlist).

   

Having listened to Bittersweet, I began to wonder: Is part of the appeal of I Love You to the Moon and Back its bittersweet nature?

As Bittersweet author Cain explains, ‘The art we love best, the music we love most, express our yearning for a perfect and beautiful world.’ What could be more beautiful than carefree days spent with family and friends in the splendour of Nature, as represented so idyllically in the ‘I Love You’ bear books? Could it be they help parents and carers express that yearning – for themselves and their kids?

Another theme Cain explores is this: ‘Our oldest problem is the pain of separation, our deepest dream is the desire for reunion.’ We know childhood is short, and our children will grow up and fly the nest. Our job as parents is to allow them to become autonomous beings and prepare them for the day they will up and fly away. We must allow the relationship to change, develop and bloom. And this only happens through a kind of separation. And therein lies the bittersweet.

Conversely, children are reminded of our love for them and find comfort in the adult-child relationship portrayed by those safe, cuddly bears. As one GoodReads review of the latest in the series, I Love You Forever and a Day, put it:

 

[This picture book] leaves the small bear--and the young listener--feeling loved.

 

And here’s a review of the books from the blog, A Cat. A Book. And a Cup of Tea:

 

‘I really like that the relationship isn’t specified on the page in either book, and no genders are given (the text is from the big bear’s perspective and the little bear is addressed as ‘you’), so this would be a perfect read for mums, dads, grandparents, or anyone else with a little one in their life.’

 

Whether readers acknowledge (or are conscious of) the bittersweet or not, the message is the same:

I love you to the moon and back, my precious little one.

Tips for sharing I Love You Forever and a Day

The ‘I Love You’ bear books work exceptionally well as quiet, wind-down stories. Follow the advice of Booktrust and incorporate it into a bath, book, and bed routine to settle your little one down for the night.

Ask your child to ‘imagine a day just for you.’ What would that look like?

The bears aren’t assigned any gender – meaning the big bear can be viewed as any parent or carer. Ask your child who the big bear reminds them of.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGI Love Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2022)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your child Copyright © 2022 Amelia Hepworth (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From I LOVE YOU AS BIG AS THE WORLD by Amelia Hepworth & Tim WarnesLittle Tiger Press BUY THE BOOKSPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting local bookshops “If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.”– @theunyoungmum BUY UK BUY USA *I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD RELATED ARTICLES SOURCES

I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2022)

Bittersweet by Susan Cain (Viking, 2022)

2021 Children's Bestsellers: Graphic Novel Mainstays, Series Staples, and More (Publishers Weekly)

Blooming brilliant: Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs(Puffin Books, 1973)Good to Read for:a long, cosy bedtime storydeveloping visual literacydeveloping storytelling skillsWhen my kids were growing up, we loved sharing picture books that had a comic book vibe.

Posy Simmonds’ Fred and Baker Cat were favourites, as were Bob Graham’s books. Their sequential pictures and multiple panels allow the creators to add extra detail and visual humour without burdensome words. They draw kids further into the fantasy and help the tales withstand repeated reading. The result? An extended bedtime snuggle! They give great value. But more importantly, the stories became increasingly embedded in our family’s memories with each sharing.

Every Christmas, two such stories were pulled from our box of Christmas-themed books: The Snowman and Father Christmas, both by Raymond Briggs.

That dog-eared copy of Father Christmas is in front of me now. Like me, it’s seen better days! And it makes me smile – because it helps me recall snuggling up during Advent with Noah and Levi and remembering their excited voices. We enjoyed scouring the illustrations together for details such as the Arctic Echo’s headlines (SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW) and happy faces at bright windows, anticipating Father Christmas’s imminent arrival. (And yes, ‘blooming’ became an acceptable expletive when childhood overwhelmed them!) 

Inspired by his milkman father, Briggs ‘turned an icon into a human being: a grumpy, hard-working man of simple but necessary pleasures’. [The Guardian]

A man dedicated to his delivery round – whatever the weather. (Briggs’s father and milk float even appear at the end of the book.)

As Nicolette Jones writes, ‘Briggs’s was the first ever working-class Father Christmas.’ [Raymond Briggs: Blooming Books]

This Father Christmas – and the world he inhabits – is charmingly old-fashioned. His domestic chores and activities are convincing and absorbing and add humorous touches that spark kids’ curiosity. He makes tea in a teapot and gets changed in front of his coal-fired stove. He puts on thick woolly socks and collects eggs from his hens. There are chamber pots under beds and stovetop kettles. Small metal dustbins instead of bulky recycling wheel bins. (As one GoodReads reviewer notes, ‘it feels homey and real’.) It’s like the land that time forgot and will fascinate curious kids.

   

The down-to-earth nature of Briggs’s Father Christmas makes him (and the story) so refreshing. Here’s Briggs describing how he came up with his version of the mythical man:

What do we know about him? Well, he’s got a white beard, so he must be quite old. He’s rather fat, so he probably likes his food. He’s got a red face and a red nose, so he probably likes his drink. And he’s been doing this dreadful job for donkey’s years: going out all night long, in all weathers. He’s sick to the back teeth of it: who wouldn’t be? So it follows, naturally, that he’s going to be grumpy.

– How I made Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs (The Guardian)

Grumpy, yes. But he loves his pets all the same.

   

Which brings me to his faithful reindeer. Interestingly, Briggs (along with Burningham in Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present) overlooked Clement Moore’s version of Santa with his team of eight reindeer. Their creations have only two. How sensible! When I illustrated my series of Santa picture books (by Julie Sykes), I compromised and gave him four reindeer to pull the sleigh. And like Briggs, I also depicted Father Christmas’s reindeer living outside, in a stable (unlike Burningham, who tucks the reindeer up in bed!).

  From Careful Santa! © Tim Warnes 

Briggs crams his panels with little details (a headlight on his sleigh, for example) and the occasional aside from Father Christmas (Roll on summer!). I especially love the double-spread illustration showing Father Christmas taking a break on the snowy rooftops. Father Christmas’s packed lunch consists of sandwiches, an apple and a banana. He grumbles at the weather forecast from the transistor radio while his reindeer refuel on something from a sack. What could it be?

   

Briggs draws us deeper into his Father Christmas fantasy by using a nifty device kids love: the cutaway. By removing walls and allowing us to peek inside buildings, Briggs reveals hidden secrets - sleeping families, attics full of junk, and Father Christmas scrabbling down those chimneys. It’s like opening the front of a doll’s house (Booktrust likens the effect to advent calendar doors), and it’s utterly convincing.

   

It may seem strange, but a strength of the story is its lack of words. (Briggs took it to the extreme with his later picture book, The Snowman.) Wordless picture books have an interesting effect. Their silence creates an atmosphere that lulls and soothes. Instead of rattling off the written words, you end up quietly describing things or silently moving between panels with a pointy finger. It makes for an intimate – and importantly (given the frantic time of year) tranquil – storytime. It also positions the child as the storyteller as they describe the action in their own words.

And there’s plenty of action for poor old Father Christmas! He battles inclement weather and rooftop tv aerials (no satellite dishes here!) He wriggles and squeezes down chimneys. Most of the questions your kids might have about Father Christmas (for example, Does he eat the treats we leave him? How does he fit all the presents in his sack? What if the house has no chimney?) are covered. The story even helps develop your child’s ability for compassion and empathy. Because who wouldn’t feel sorry for Father Christmas after accompanying him through 24th December? It’s non-stop! From the early morning alarm call (which rudely awakens him from sun-filled dreams) to the day’s final moments when Father Christmas climbs back into bed with a mug of cocoa.

Like Briggs’s Father Christmas at the end of the book, soon you’ll be able to tick off Christmas as done for another year. In the meantime, enjoy all the excitement and magic.

And stop for a moment to appreciate the friends and family surrounding you.

Tips for sharing Father Christmas

The story of Father Christmas is told with many wordless panels and double spreads. Allow time for your child to spot details, take in the information _ and peep inside the festive homes. You’ll find it makes for a gentle winding down at the end of the day.

Get your children thinking creatively about Father Christmas. Does he remind them of anyone they know? Where do his presents come from? You’ll find most of the answers in this book!

After reading the book, snuggle up to watch the animated version together – or pair it with the magical The Snowman.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGFather Christmas by Raymond Briggs(Puffin Books, 1973)Good to Read for:a long, cosy bedtime storydeveloping visual literacydeveloping storytelling skillsCopyright © 1973 Raymond Briggs (Text & Illustrations)From FATHER CHRISTMAS by Raymond BriggsIllustration from Careful, Santa! © 2002 Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2002)Text from Careful, Santa! © 2002 Julie Sykes (Little Tiger Press, 2002)GOOD TO READ

Best picture books featuring Santa

I’ve Seen Santa! by David Bedford & Tim Warnes

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs 

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham

Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton

Toot & Puddle: I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie 

Careful, Santa! by Julie Sykes & Tim Warnes

BUY THE BOOKPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops  “When my son was little, he and I both LOVED this book (we still like it a lot, actually).”– Vlada, Good Reads

“rich with detail and moments of quiet joy.”– Booktrust BUY UK *currently unavailable on US Bookshop.org* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THIS LINK #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESRaymond Briggs remembered: ‘He made what he did look easy. Which is, of course, what geniuses do’Raymond Briggs: Blooming Books by Nicolette Jones (Jonathan Cape, 2003) Father Christmas (booktrust.com)Father Christmas (goodreads.com)Careful, Santa! by Julie Sykes, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2002) Raymond Briggs remembered: ‘He made what he did look easy. Which is, of course, what geniuses do’ (thegardian.com, 10 August 2022)Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. sign up here! © 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present – a story of kindness and generosity

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham(Walker Books, 1993)Good to Read for:developing empathya longer bedtime storyencouraging creativityI illustrated a series of Santa books for Little Tiger Press many years ago.

Written by Julie Sykes, our jovial Santa played to type and ho-ho-ho’d at every opportunity. They were fun to work on and did well enough for a series of four picture books, an oversized lift-the-flap board book and a spin-off pop-up.

In John Burningham’s Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present, Santa/Father Christmas is similarly kind, thoughtful and determined. Both our versions of the infamous character get into a fair few scrapes – and neither has any elves to help! (My Santa, however, did have a trusty band of animal friends. I always imagined him as an Arctic Percy the Parkkeeper!)

   

Burningham’s Father Christmas is not round and jolly, though – he’s lean. And unsurprisingly, after a night delivering presents around the world, he’s exhausted. The opening illustration shows him arriving home, complete with plodding reindeer. Their fatigue is captured perfectly. One reindeer complains of feeling unwell. Burningham’s kind-hearted ‘Father Christmas thought that all it needed was a good night’s sleep’ and puts them to bed. 

‘Finally Father Christmas was able to go to bed’, too.

 

[Father Christmas] was just climbing into bed when he saw something that made him gasp.

 

At the end of his bed is his sack containing one forgotten present. The present was for Harvey Slumfenburger.

Uh-oh.

 

Father Christmas was very tired. The reindeer were asleep and one of them was not very well. But Father Christmas knew he had to get the present to Harvey Slumfenburger.

 

This is a fantastic story for developing your child’s empathy muscle. Through well-crafted words and great visuals, Burningham puts kids into the shoes of all his characters. They will feel for poor old Father Christmas and his exhausted reindeer. And undoubtedly, they will empathise with Harvey Slumfenburger, whose only present each year is that brought to him by Father Christmas. 

He heads out alone on an epic journey to deliver the present, ‘[walking] through the cold winter night to the hut where Harvey Slumfenburger lived at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain, which was far, far away.’

Burningham’s Father Christmas is not superhuman. With the reindeer out of action, he must find help elsewhere. So Burningham introduces a series of kind, helpful strangers who each support Father Christmas complete a leg of his long journey. 

Father Christmas introduces himself to each in precisely the same way:

 

“Excuse me,” he said, “my name is Father Christmas. I still have one present left in my sack, which is for Harvey Slumfenburger, the little boy who lives at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain, which is far, far away. And it will soon be Christmas Day.”

   

Kids like repetition. It’s reassuring and helps ground them in the narrative. It also presents the opportunity to join in with the storytelling, which is particularly affirming for pre-readers.

The lovely aspect fall this is that not only is the kindness of strangers being highlighted, but all manner of transport is depicted.

A bi-plane.

A Jeep.

A motorbike, and skis. And finally, a skilful mountaineer who helps Santa scale the Role Poly Mountain.

   

At each stage of his journey, Father Christmas encounters setbacks. Snow grounds the plane, which ‘bumped and skidded across the ground and finally came to a halt.’ The Jeep and motorbike skid and crash, throwing Father Christmas into the snow! ‘The skis [break] with a crack’. (Even ‘the rope breaks and Father Christmas nearly [falls] off the Poly Poly Mountain.’)

Part of the appeal of Burningham’s work is that it is childlike. His ‘distinctive, sketchy, naive style – using coloured pencils, cross-hatched, and with ink washes’ [Oxford Companion to Children’s Literature] is spontaneous and free. In one section of Harvey Slumfenburger, the snow is painted black. Father Christmas is often shown as a small figure in a majestic, painterly landscape.

   

Eventually, Father Christmas makes it to the top of the Poly Poly Mountain and ‘[puts] the present in Harvey Slumfenburger’s stocking.’

   

Father Christmas’s return journey (depicted by a series of vignettes over a double-page spread) is equally absorbing. Every image offers new modes of transport (including skates, a hot air balloon, and riding the rails like a hobo). Though seemingly uneventful, invite your child to become the storyteller and embellish the tale.

   

Finally, our hero approaches home by foot. The image - a vast, barren landscape with a small house and the hunched figure of Father Christmas – needs no words to convey the magnitude of the completed mission.

But wait – what about Harvey Slumfenburger?

We saw Father Christmas climb down the chimney and deliver his present. But how does Harvey react? And what on earth has he been given?

Some things are destined to remain a mystery.

Harvey Slumfenburger is delighted to discover the present – but Burningham gives nothing away. 

 

I wonder what it was.

 

It’s a clever ending, full of promise and intrigue, which opens up a story loop that will niggle away and can be used to really engage your child. The possibilities, though limited by the shape and size of the gift, are endless. (Quentin Blake uses the same idea in his ABC: P is for Parcel – let’s guess what’s inside. As Blake explains, this device invites children ‘to speculate’.)

The knowledge that this is the only present Harvey Slumfenburger will receive heightens the importance of the answer. One thing’s for sure – Father Christmas took a lot of effort to deliver it in time for Christmas morning.

‘That it’s the help of others (not magic) that gets Santa to Harvey Slumfenburger is this book’s wonderful message,’ says Booktrust. ‘What’s inside the present doesn’t matter, either – just the generosity of the gesture. A Christmas classic, indeed.’

Tips for sharing Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present

Get creative and brainstorm with your child what Harvey’s gift might be. Harvey’s age and the size of the parcel give clues and open up possibilities.

Feeling brave? Then get out the paints and glitter and let your child make some big, bold paintings. (Safer option no.2: big expressive drawings with felt tip pens or crayons!). Then be inspired by Burningham and cut out smaller drawings of their characters to stick onto the paintings, turning them into majestic, abstract landscapes.

Father Christmas uses a terrific variety of vehicles in his unexpected journey. Use them as prompts to engage your child. Which form of transport would they like best? Can they think of any others?

STORIES WORTH SHARINGHarvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham(Walker Books, 1993)Good to Read for:developing empathya longer bedtime storyencouraging creativityCopyright © 1993 John Burningham (Text & Illustrations)From HARVEY SLUMFENBURGER’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT by John BurninghamReproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJIllustration from Careful, Santa! © 2002 Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2002)Text from Careful, Santa! © 2002 Julie Sykes (Little Tiger Press, 2002)GOOD TO READBest picture books featuring Santa

I’ve Seen Santa! by David Bedford & Tim Warnes

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs

Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham

Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton

Toot & Puddle: I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie

Careful, Santa! by Julie Sykes & Tim Warnes

BUY THE BOOKPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops  “perfect for a seasonal snuggle.”– Booktrust“a treat to read aloud”– Library Lady Buy UK *currently unavailable on US Bookshop.org* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THIS LINK #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESHarvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham (Walker Books, 1993)Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present (booktrust.org.uk) Book Advent – 1st December Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham (alibrarylady, 1 December 2017)Words and Pictures by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape 2000)Careful, Santa! by Julie Sykes, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2002)Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. Sign up here © 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE