Mel Taylor-Bessent

9 year old Holly Carroll and her family are rather unusual. They are obsessed with Christmas and their world is full of fake snow, 10 foot candy canes and everything you could possibly imagine that is Christmas related. They also have their own Christmas Carroll vocabulary – see my comment below about ‘Hollyisms’. The only problem is that other people don’t always share their enthusiasm, something which is made clear to them when they finally move to their dream address of Sleigh Ride Avenue.

The Carrolls believe that every moment should be filled with cheer but when Holly has to attend school for the first time, it’s rather a rude awakening for her and far from spreading Christmas cheer to all as she had hoped, she is laughed at. It’s a summer heatwave and her classmates and teachers are not feeling those Christmas vibes just yet!

I’m many decades past the target age for this book and I don’t have children but when I was offered it for review it just appealed to me, even though I don’t normally review children’s books. In my opinion, this is a perfect story for middle grade readers, (the reading age is said to be for 8-12 years) as it focuses on inclusion and kindness and wanting to be liked and to fit in. There is a lovely part of the story which is just so heartwarming and uplifting where people have the opportunity to come together to improve the circumstances of others less fortunate.

The author has written a Christmas filled tale of warmth, humour and emotion and its a story that adults and children can share together – its not just the ‘human’ characters who will steal your heart. Not being used to school, having been homeschooled, Holly didn’t know how to make friends and blend in, but her tentative friendship with shy and lonely classmate Archer, was touching and at times bought a lump to the throat. I also fell in love with Reginald, the attention seeking donkey! I should also mention that there are many fabulous illustrations throughout the book by Selom Sunu together with a ‘dictionary’ at the back of ‘Hollyisms’ – her version of what she means and what they actually mean.

Definitely recommended for that Christmas cheer! 🎄… (mehr)