In Victorian England a poverty-stricken little girl called Amelia faces her mother's imminent death – alone. There is only one person who can help her and she totally believes in Father Christmas since her encounter the previous year. Hope is what makes magic work. Amelia was full of hope but would it be enough to save her from the workhouse and the evil Mr Creeper?
However all is not well in Elfhelm where the elves live and make gifts for Father Christmas to distribute. They are under threat from the Trolls – there would be no Christmas that year...
This is the perfect story for Christmas. Matt Haig's story-telling style is engaging for children and there are enough nods and winks to a wider reality to keep adults on board and smiling.
The narrative is evocative of work of Charles Dickens (who appears in the story and is given an idea for his next book) and reminds me also of Roald Dahl – two favourite authors so I couldn't be more complimentary.
Haig does not duck serious issues such as loss and grief, poverty and really unpleasant characters but emphasises the power of love and hope. "You sometimes needed to struggle through the dark to reach the light."
Harriet who is just reading "chapter books" loved the fact that The Girl Who Saved Christmas includes illustrations, fabulously executed by Chris Mould.
This is a book to share – Harriet and I read it to each other – and makes a perfect gift for the festive season.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by Canongate Books, The Girl Who Saved Christmas
