A (slightly early) Christmas Special...

Emma Brown
Feb 14, 2023
2 min read

During my hunt for THE BOOK, I half remembered quite a few other books which might have been 'it', or certainly weren't but brought back fond memories. So the next book I want to share with you is this cheerful, bright and rather varied Christmas book. I only recalled one story from it. My quest for this one said:

"I'm looking for a very specific children's illustrated book. It'd be 1970s/1980s. The story is about a scraggly Fir Tree which a little (scruffy and useless, I'm sure she's been told off or is in disgrace) Christmas Angel decorates, using stars from her dress and strands of her hair. It might have been part of a story collection or possibly was a stand-alone

It's quite twee but I remember it being quite beautiful and sweet too."

When I found this book, I was delighted to confirm that it is, indeed, sugary sweet and utterly delightful to look through.

Originally published in Germany in 1983, which probably explains some of the recipe choices, My Big Christmas Book by Hayden McAllister also got a release in the UK that same year. It is chunky, red, colourful and has a huge variety of things to read, make and do which are, as the title might suggest, Christmas themed.

I particularly like (and remembered) the illustrations for 'The Little Angel with Silver Hair'. St Peter has cast out a naughty, lazy little Angel, and she can't return to Heaven until she makes someone on Earth happy. She comes across Santa, he has her help him, and she ends up decorating a Christmas tree. When she gets back to Heaven, the other Angels help put new stars on her dress.

If you're reading this blog and wanted to get a copy of My Big Christmas Book for yourself or loved ones, it's worth knowing that this story is very in keeping with the rest of the book. The stories nearly all relate to Angels at some point, and it's very Christian faith based. As a Pagan and a Witch, it surprised me that I'd nearly forgotten entirely about that!

All of the illustrations are beautifully done, and Gisela Gottschlich has certainly sprinkled some of her fairy tale magic throughout. In one, we end up with a Donkey (specifically with a red bridle) carrying a sack of toys, being led by Santa who is dressed in black. Visually it's not a million miles off from a Yulbok / Julbock (Yule Goat) and there's a non-beardy Tomte (Gnome) peaking out from the toy sack. An interesting choice to open the book with!