A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Chris Mould – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Scrooge, festive, spirits, miserly, redemption.
Children’s book title: A Christmas Carol.
Children’s author: Charles Dickens.
Children’s illustrator: Chris Mould.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Faber.
ISBN: 9780571397976.
Recommended for children aged: 9+.
First published: Hardback, October 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: an introduction to a slightly abridged version of a Christmas classic which shows how one man can change his ways if he is willing and how that could alter life for all in their circle. It could also be used to show how, even now a change of attitude can be a positive thing.
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Our review:
Ebenezer Scrooge is not well liked, but this fact bothers him little, if at all. His one goal in life is to make as much money as he can and no one will stand in the way of him achieving this. His business, as a moneylender, makes him large profits, but his one employee, Bob Cratchit, sees none of it. His salary is as meagre as the fire in the grate of his small, cold workspace, while his nephew, Fred, is cheerful, generous and happily married, none of which Scrooge understands at all!
Arriving home on Christmas Eve, Scrooge is shocked to see the image of his long-deceased partner, Jacob Marley, imprinted on his door knocker, and he hasn’t been inside for long before Jacob joins him! Weighted down by the chains he earned in life, he gives Scrooge the chance to escape such a doom-laden purgatory, informing him that three spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future will visit him over the coming nights.
Christmas Past, a waif-like being, arrives as promised, and Ebenezer finds himself at his old school, abandoned and alone, then at his first employer’s joyful Christmas party, before standing helplessly as the love of his life ends their relationship. The Ghost of Christmas Present is huge and jolly. He takes Scrooge around London, visiting his nephew and then Bob Cratchit’s home, where he sees the youngest and weakest of the children, Tiny Tim, enjoying a happy family celebration.
Beginning to understand all he has done wrong in his life and determined to change, he finally finds himself in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. He listens as acquaintances of his discuss the recent death of a lonely and miserly old man before finding himself with the Cratchit family once more, but they are weighed down by grief with an empty chair at their Christmas table. After discovering that the much-maligned, recently deceased man was in fact himself, he begs the spirit for more time and a chance of redemption, but has he left it too late?
Our verdict:
The story deserves to be read aloud in class while sharing the vivid imagery, which should stir the imagination and lead students towards a better understanding of life in mid-1840s London. There are many editions of this most well-known of Christmas stories, and by the time they leave junior school, most students should recognise it easily. This version is made all the more relatable by the beautiful illustrations, which light up or add to the gloom of every page they grace, as and when the storyline demands it.
There is also scope here to introduce younger readers to the writings of one of our best-known and well-loved novelists.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- A Christmas Carol, published in late 1843, was an instant bestseller. How do you think Charles Dickens would feel to know that 183 years later it is still as popular as ever?
- In what ways will Scrooge’s own life change? There are hints in the final section of the book as to his future plans.
- If someone calls you a Scrooge or says “bah humbug”, what do they mean?
- If the weather gets too cold or snowy, schools sometimes close. Do you think Scrooge would ever have done that? Why do you think that is?
- The Ghost of Christmas Present quotes Scrooge’s own words back at him as they travel around London. How would that have made him feel?
- Were you surprised by the fact that the Cratchit family’s goose was taken to the local bakery to be cooked?
- In a cross-curricular activity with art, design a poster for a new production of A Christmas Carol. What part would you want to play?
- The illustrations in this book are lavish. Did they help you to understand what was happening?
Many thanks to Faber for the review copy.
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