Luna Loves Christmas

Luna loves Christmas. Sometimes she spends it at her dad’s, sometimes at her mum’s, but this year, things are going to be different. This year, they are volunteering to make sure that everyone has a happy Christmas. On Christmas Eve, she helps mum to make deliveries before spending the night with her dad. On Christmas Day, she and Dad arrive at the Town Hall to share dinner with the rest of the family - and anyone who wants to come.

This is a fabulously festive story for so many reasons! As readers have discovered in the previous ‘Luna Loves…’ books, Luna is at the heart of a very loving family. Her parents might not be together, but they work hard to ensure their little girl is happy and secure. She is used to having two Christmases- one with each parent; however, having carefully explained the structure of events so that Luna knows exactly what to expect, this Christmas is going to be focused on sharing with others. As Luna and her mother make the deliveries, Luna gains something from each visit as others share things with them- not expensive gifts, but time and fun- a snowball fight, carol singing, a shared Christmas story (which features as a book within the book!).

Once at her father’s, the two make Christmas biscuits and enjoy the bedtime rituals of Christmas Eve. Christmas Day dawns with presents- ‘some for now, some for later’- but little attention is paid to this. Getting ready for the Christmas dinner with everyone else it is the cookies they baked and the home-made presents which are important. The illustrations convey so much warmth and joy between this little family and between members of the community as they come together. The story really shows Luna having a wonderful Christmas, full of fun and family traditions, but also one of sharing, kindness and inclusion. It is a complete joy and a brilliant addition to this delightful series.

Luna Loves Christmas

Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers

Andersen Press ISBN: 978-1839131660

Ghost Orchid

Ava and her parents are off on an adventure to locate the mysterious, rare ghost orchid. Whilst her parents focus completely on the task in hand, Ava wonders at the marvels they see on the way. When they finally reach the location of the ghost orchid, Ava’s parents are despondent as they fear they are too late; however, they are lucky to have Ava, ‘an explorer who notices things that aren’t in the plan’ to open their eyes and change their ways.

This gentle, beautifully illustrated story is an absolute delight. Text and pictures combine to offer the ‘whole’ story in that way which little children love so much. They can see all the things which Ava sees and share her joy in and curiosity about each discovery Ava makes, thriving in the in-the-moment-joy of being a child. Each illustration is rich in detail with so much to notice and discuss.

I was delighted to find that ghost orchids are real. The title page shows a drawing (fig.1) with the plant’s binomial classification, Dendrophylax lindenii, perfect for leading children into discussions about plants, explorers, classification systems… Although aimed at younger children, there is much that could be developed here with older children as well. The opening end papers show a map of the world with notes attached setting up the story with a dotted travel line marked with x’s to show the places visited along the way, making a perfect starting point for further investigation either at school, with home-schooled children or to start an exciting holiday project to interest and excite children about the world whilst away from school. My son and I used to love doing this sort of thing!

One of my all-time favourite picture books is Layn Marlow’s ‘Hurry Up and Slow Down’ which I frequently share with parents when talking about the joys of reading with children. ‘Ghost Orchid’ has the same feeling- take time to listen to little ones and to see things through their eyes- live the moment. When her parents say, ‘We’ll all explore the Ava way’, the family are shown gazing together at the wonders of nature. Ava is back up on her father’s shoulders, central to the family group rather than tagging along behind her tunnel-visioned parents, each face split by a huge grin, caught up in the joy of being together and really looking around them.

With its gorgeous illustrations, this heart-warming book is sure to become a firm favourite, encouraging discussion and expeditions for families as well as inspiring discovery and creation.

Ghost Orchid Fiona Lumbers

Andersen Press ISBN: 978-1839131370