by Serena Holly
with illustrations by Shahab Shamshirsaz
“We created this story because we noticed something missing. There weren’t enough Christmas tales that showed all kinds of families and traditions. We wanted to change that and invite everyone to our festive party of words and pictures!” (The Editor, Storymix Books).
Serena Holly is the pen name for the creative partnership of Priscilla Mante and Jasmine Richards and this is the launch title for new publisher, Storymix Books. And... it’s a fabulous start! Meet the Merriman family from Liverpool made up of Mikey, mum, dad, Gramps and, until very recently, Gran. This is a family who are one hundred percent committed to Christmas cheer. We meet them in early December as they begin their festive preparations, turning up the volume on Donny Hathaway, spicing their Jamaican fruit cake and decorating the tree, topping it with 'Gran-Angel', an angel made by Gramps because he couldn’t find one in the shop which looked like his true angel, his much-missed wife Claudette.
While the house fills up with all of the sounds and smells of Christmas (nutmeggy cocoa tea anyone?), this year feels very different. The recent death of beloved Gran has left its mark on everyone and prompts Gramps to announce that this year he won’t be reprising his annual role as ‘The Other Father Christmas’ in Toxteth community centre's grotto. Saddened, little Mikey gives the cake batter an extra stir and makes a silent Christmas wish. Just as he does so, the real Santa comes on to national television to announce that he is retiring and that he is looking for a replacement. The competition is on and… you’ll find no more plot spoilers here. Do expect obstacles and twists, a disgruntled sugar plum fairy, many elves, wild reindeers, a magical Christmasland, edible houses, heaving tables of Xmas food, a group of Santa Hopefuls who sometimes play dirty and a resolution which will remind everyone of the true spirit of Christmas.
A middle grade reader which offers a rich, satisfying read and gallops along at a flying-reindeer pace. Highly recommended. [Black UK protagonists; significnat Filippino secondary characters]. Age 8-12, Paperback 294pp