Father Christmas: life of the week

Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences. This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.

This Stepping Stone edition of 'The Wizard of Oz' is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic story, tailored for first chapter book readers. The book includes art from the original 'Wizard of Oz' and follows the journey of Dorothy as she is carried by a cyclone from a Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz, where she meets the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a portal fantasy novel that follows the story of four English siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who are evacuated to the countryside during World War II. While exploring the large, old house of Professor Kirke, Lucy discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to the land of Narnia. In Narnia, they encounter various magical creatures and the evil White Witch, who has cast a spell to keep Narnia in perpetual winter. The siblings soon learn that they are part of an ancient prophecy to save Narnia, aided by the lion Aslan. The story is an allegory of Christianity, with Aslan's sacrifice and resurrection mirroring the story of Jesus Christ. The novel also incorporates elements from Germanic, classical Greek and Roman, and Celtic mythology.

The poem, first published anonymously in 1823, tells the story of a family's Christmas Eve encounter with St. Nicholas. It describes the preparations for St. Nicholas's arrival, the noise on the lawn, and the delivery of presents through the chimney. The poem has had a profound impact on American Christmas traditions and the popular image of Santa Claus. Despite its widespread attribution to Clement Clarke Moore, there is ongoing debate about whether Moore or Henry Livingston Jr. was the actual author.

The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young girl who is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in Yorkshire after the death of her parents. At Misselthwaite Manor, Mary discovers a secret garden that has been locked away for ten years following the death of her uncle's wife. With the help of a friendly robin, Martha Sowerby, and her brother Dickon, Mary sets out to restore the garden. This journey transforms Mary from a spoiled and ill-tempered girl into a kinder and more independent person. The garden also has a rejuvenating effect on her sickly cousin Colin, and ultimately brings healing and reconciliation to the entire family.

This groundbreaking collection brings together the most influential portraits of Santa Claus from American children's literature, revealing his development from a simple gift-giver to a recognised cultural figure with reindeer, workshop, and helpers. It includes stories, poems, images, letters from children, and explorations of Mrs. Claus, offering essential insights into the history of Santa and seasonal celebrations.

Karl Krinken, His Christmas Stocking is a charming children's story first published in 1854 by Susan Warner and her sister Anna Bartlett Warner. It follows the life of young Carl (Karl) Krinken, exploring themes of Christmas, family, and moral lessons through a festive narrative. The book, also known simply as The Christmas Stocking, has been reprinted in various editions and remains a classic holiday tale.

‘Letters from Father Christmas’ is a collection of imaginative and whimsical letters written and illustrated by J.R. R. Tolkien to his children between 1920 and 1943. Each year, Tolkien would write letters from Father Christmas, complete with drawings and stories of life at the North Pole. The letters detailed Father Christmas's adventures, often involving his clumsy helper Ilbereth the Elf and the North Polar Bear. These letters created a magical and enchanting tradition within the Tolkien family, showcasing Tolkien's creativity and love for storytelling. The book captures the spirit of Christmas through the eyes of a child, filled with fantastical elements and heartfelt messages.