The countdown to Christmas with How Winston Delivered Christmas

As a child I remember Advent being a truly special time. I remember funny Advent Calendar-themed family TV shows with one short episode airing every day. I remember studding oranges with 24 cloves, and I remember books that were read in school with one chapter per day.

Now I want to recreate this waiting period in the run up to Christmas for my own children, bringing some of the traditions we had in Scandinavia to our London life. This year, the children have their all important advent calendars, but we’ve also enjoyed introducing an Advent book.

I was thrilled when I spotted a new title from Alex T Smith, the author behind the funny Claude series, which follows the style I remember from growing up. The beautiful hardcover book, called How Winston Delivered Christmas (Macmillan, £14.99), has a chapter for each day and follows the story of Winston, a mouse, who is trying to help ensure Father Christmas receives a special letter in time for Christmas Day.

I think How Winston Delivered Christmas makes for an ideal book to read aloud from in the run up to Christmas. There are 24 and a half chapters in addition to a festive activity for each day, and reading the book has has made for a wonderful way to share the love of reading with the children at an otherwise busy time of year.

Big Girl and I are equally interested in finding out how Winston gets on and whether this letter really will get there in time.

A special way to celebrate the countdown to Christmas!

I’ve spotted this book for sale in Nomad Books on Fulham Road in Parsons Green

Tags: Advent, Christmas 2018, Claude, Macmillan