Gnome alone at Christmas by Nick Pine

What a delightful, magical tale for Christmas lovers! Noah has had a disappointing Christmas, and normally he loves everything Christmassy, all the trappings and traditions are special for him. This year it is so disappointing that the family has not even decorated the tree yet, and it is already Christmas Eve! But the wish for something to disrupt the disappointment heralds the ‘arrival’ of the magical Christmas gnome that originally belonged to the very unwell Gran whose illness has made Christmas so difficult. The gnome manages to magically transform the last-minute Christmas preparations while Noah’s parents are at the hospital visiting Gran. Disastrously, the magic seems to always get out of control and Noah wonders if his wish for a less-disappointing Christmas has spiralled into disaster. With delightful action with Christmas decorating chaos, gingerbread armies, reindeer antics, and snowball fights – with a snowman leading the onslaught, there is fun at every turn.

This is an easy-to-read early chapter book that will delight young readers. The mayhem at Christmas has a gentle homage to Home Alone the much-loved Christmas movie (but without the bad guys). The magical gnome is a little bit naughty, or perhaps inept, and the resulting chaos is just impish fun with Christmas decorations on top! This would be a great book to read pre-Christmas but could be enjoyed throughout the year because it is just delightful. It is totally impossible, but fantastically enjoyable. Readers aged 5-7 will love it, but  if it is read aloud by an older loved one all would enjoy its light-hearted silliness.

Themes: Christmas, Magic.

Carolyn Hull