Enjoy a bookish festive season
‘Tis the season for giving, and I’ve got gifts for you. I have created some nice new festive items, and share those from previous Christmases, so join me in some literary fun for the holidays – and share this page with a friend.
This time, we will begin with a Short-&-Snappy video talk where I share my 5 Favourite Christmas scenes in novels. Next, I’ve got some new stories about literary events in December and a gorgeous new story excerpt from Anne of Green Gables when Matthew shops for a gift for Anne. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, maybe even read it to a child?
Once again, you can enjoy free access to my video talk, Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol, and you can download the children’s colouring pages and Book Addict Test Kit to keep you and the family busy during holiday time. Oh, and have you seen my Christmas Tree?
Many novels and short stories feature Christmas. There can be miserable Christmas days with terrible presents and an ill-assorted group of relatives (as Harry Potter experiences), or Christmas can even be banished from the land as happens in Narnia, or Christmas can be a joyful celebration of love, good food and reunions. I have chosen five favourite Christmases to share with you in my new Short-&-Snappy Video talk. Buy access now for just A$3.00 – or use the special deal below to get it for free.
Want it **FREE**? Use this link to purchase the Favourite Fives Bundle on sale during December for just A$9.00. You’ll receive my 5 Favourite Christmas Scenes for free in the bundle (and 3 free flipbooks too!).
A few years ago, I created my series of 7 printable Christmas colouring pages for the kids, all with a festive bookish theme and a literary Christmas quote. I’ve added a new one this year – it is from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. 2024 was the 150th anniversary of her birth and I celebrated by holding a Zoom party with talks and activities all about her.
So while I am in an Anne of Green Gables mood, I created a new colouring page featuring Christmas at Green Gables when Anne is so delighted with Matthew’s beautiful gift. Included is an excerpt of Chapter 25, Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves, so you can share this delightful Christmas story with your child or grandchild and introduce them to the delight of having Anne Shirley in their childhood.
Susannah Fullerton: Anne of Green Gables, Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves & colouring page
A Christmassy Timeline
Browse my Christmassy Timeline of stories about literary events in the festive season.
1522: Green Groweth the Holly by King Henry VIII
Did you know King Henry VIII was a poet?
1816: The Nutcracker is composed
E.T.A. Hoffmann’s Nutcracker and Mouse-king is a much darker tale than it is today.
1823: ‘Twas the night before Christmas … first appeared
For 14 years, the author of the poem would remain unknown.
1843: A Christmas Carol is published
No other story captures the spirit of Christmas as powerfully as this one.
1939: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer lands
A Christmas poem is written by 34-year-old Robert L. May – who was Jewish.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Have another look… My video talk and printable reader’s guide are both free during December.
One of the most compelling tales ever written, A Christmas Carol is a phenomenon. First published in 1843, Charles Dickens’ novella is now inextricably linked to Christmas. It is profound, archetypal, and it touches desires deep within us all for second chances and the opportunity to redeem past mistakes.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year,” says Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, possibly the most popular of all Christmas stories.
Find out how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol, what his sources of inspiration were, how it helped shape the way we celebrate Christmas, and the amazing impact of the novella about Scrooge and the three ghosts.
Read the original manuscript
Every Christmas the historic Morgan Library in New York puts on display one of its greatest treasures – the original manuscript of A Christmas Carol which Dickens had bound in red morocco leather as a gift for his publisher. Each year the precious manuscript is opened at a different page so that viewers can delight in a new scene. You can buy the Morgan’s own facsimile edition from the museum shop, or read it online.
Read the entire 68-page hand-written manuscript of A Christmas Carol presented online in high resolution held at The Morgan Library in New York.
In the spirit of giving, I have a little festive gift for the young people in your life. I’ve prepared a lovely series of 7 printable colouring pages, all with a festive bookish theme and a literary Christmas quote. Print them for your children or grandchildren to colour in at home, send them to your child’s school for a class activity, email to friends and relatives, share them on social media, spread them far and wide.
A Christmas Carol
Jane Eyre
Emma
Dumbledore
The Grinch
Narnia
Stockings
Are you literary in your choice of decorations?
Over the years I have collected literary figures and characters for my Christmas tree and I have great pleasure in decorating the tree with Robbie Burns, Jane Austen, James Joyce, Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland, amongst many others. My family thinks it is decidedly strange to have such decorations hanging amongst the baubles and lights, but I think it’s a nice way to demonstrate my love of literature.
Emma and Mr Knightley have been placed near each other, James Joyce and Jane Austen are kept far apart, Don Quixote keeps guard for any threats, and Shakespeare presides over it all.
Are you as literary in your choice of Christmas decorations?
A little something to while away the time while you enjoy your Christmas holidays.
This 15-page literary puzzle book should keep your mind ticking over. Join me in some literary fun and discover your level of Book Addiction.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
‘I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year,’ says Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, possibly the most popular of all Christmas stories. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
I look forward to sharing my love of literature with other book lovers. Why not recommend Notes From A Book Addict to a friend?