The Christmas Book by Katherine Woodfine, illustrated by Lizzy Stewart – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: wartime, family, loss, determination, tradition.
Children’s book title: The Christmas Book.
Children’s author: Katherine Woodfine.
Children’s illustrator: Lizzy Stewart.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Faber.
ISBN: 9780571391516.
Recommended for children aged: 5+.
First published: October 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: reading together either as a class or family during December.
Trigger warning: death of a grandparent.
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Our review:
Tómas isn’t looking forward to Christmas, even though it has always been a happy time for his family in the past. Now, though, as he walks home across a lava field, he knows his house will be quiet, not full of chatter, and sad instead of echoing with laughter and, although there will hopefully be the usual seasonal fare, the presents will be missing.
He knows there’s a war on. How could he not? There are soldiers in the street and battleships visible from the harbour, but worse than that is a situation he knows will never end: his grandfather is gone, taken by the icy sea which has sustained them all for so long. In the corner of their home by the fire is an empty chair, his grandfather’s chair, the one he sat in as he told his stories, as he listened and watched before heading into the city just before Christmas to buy everyone beautiful, thoughtful gifts.
Gradually, Tómas realises what he must do and, donning his grandfather’s favourite jumper under his jacket, he finds work, a small task here, a slightly larger one there, until, just before Christmas Eve, he boards the same bus as Grandfather used to and heads for the city, alone. But there is a war on, the shops are dark, the decorations missing, and everything he’d planned falls to pieces. What would his grandfather have done? What can he do? Although his family don’t realise, he has taken on the responsibility for making Christmas a little more cheerful than they envisaged, but now? Wait, where was that shining light coming from? Could it help? There was only one way to find out.
Our verdict:
This is a beautifully written and illustrated Christmas story based on the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið, yo-la-bok-a-floth, or Christmas book flood. Set in a village where most residents earn their living from the sea, Tómas and his family have recently lost the patriarch of their family, his grandfather. This is dealt with sympathetically but is the reason for everything Tómas does as Christmas gets ever closer.
The strength of the family unit here is vital to the storyline. The loss of such a pivotal family figure means Tómas feels he has to take over the responsibility to make Christmas special for those he loves most, moving quietly towards his goal by helping nearby neighbours with various tasks. There is also the prospect of more lucrative work during the summer, meaning Tómas will be able to continue his own new tradition going forward and continue to respect his grandfather’s legacy.
Nowhere in the story does the author reveal that the story is set in Iceland, and if you have never heard of the tradition of gifting books on Christmas Eve, the location could remain unknown until the notes at the end of the book.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- There is no mention of location in this story. Were there any specific clues which made you realise where it was set?
- Tómas’s family make traditional foods for their Christmas Eve celebrations. What one thing would you choose to always have at Christmas?
- The fact that there was no rationing of paper, and therefore books, in Iceland during the Second World War meant they could always be bought and formed the beginnings of a tradition which continues to this day. Had you heard of Jólabókaflóðið before reading this story? If so, have you ever done this?
- The jobs that Tómas undertakes to raise his money were quite specific to his location. What do you think he would be able to do if he lived here to earn enough to buy his gifts?
Many thanks to Faber for the review copy.
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