A little girl, a magical friend, a perfect Christmas
This is a beautiful Christmas book to share with a very young child. It is about unicorns (always popular), and magic (always important especially at Christmas) and the love of a family (essential all year).
Milly and her mum are staying with Grandpa. Milly is sad. She would like a friend to play with in the snow and more importantly she misses her Dad. Meanwhile a unicorn named Florian is travelling across the country side. He sees some lights in the distance and a fox explains the lights are for Christmas. Florian is curious. He pushes open a gate and walks into a snow covered garden. Milly sees him outside her window. She opens the front door and invites Florian inside the warm house.
At breakfast the next morning the most wonderful thing happens. Milly takes Florian to the breakfast table.
"I've got a unicorn!' Milly announced the next morning.
'Have you?' said Mum. 'That's nice,'
'Would he like some breakfast?' asked Grandpa politely offering Florian a slice of toast.
Florian liked toast. And jam. And muesli."
Stop and think about this. The adults did not ask silly questions. They did not tut tut in disbelief. They simply accepted this magical event and shared their breakfast.
After breakfast Milly, her mum, Grandpa and Florian begin to decorate the Christmas tree but Florian is confused and nibbles the decorations so Grandpa suggests a trip to the market to buy some new ones. Everything is going well until Florian spies something in the distance. He has found a huge Christmas tree with sweet hay underneath. The hay is part of a nativity display.
In this different part of the market Milly meets a little girl called Sophie. They discover she lives in the same street as Grandpa. So wish number one has come true - Milly has a new friend and tomorrow they will play in the snow. Back home Milly is in for anther surprise. Waiting on the doorstep is Dad.
I am very happy to report this book is still in print and in paperback with a new cover:
The illustrations in this book are superb. Gentle watercolours in subdued tones really add to the storyline. The facial expressions are wonderful, from Grandpa's complete lack of surprise at finding a unicorn at his breakfast table, to Milly's worry when it goes missing at the Christmas market. Even Florian the unicorn has some wonderful expressions - wonderment at the Christmas decorations, delight at the taste of the Christmas tree and confusion when he gets tangled in the paper chains. I've read the book several times now and there's been something new to smile at on each reading. Book Bag
Anna Currey is the author and illustrator of one of my most, most favourite Christmas books: Truffle's Christmas.
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