Heartwarming Christmas Read – Lily & The Christmas Wish

One of my favourite traditions of Christmas is reading some feel good festive reads. I’m always on the look out for a new read and since having children, a good Christmas kids read is essential. I heard about Lily and the Christmas Wish by one of my favourite and very talented author Keris Stainton and ordered it straight away.

Lucas, who is 9 tomorrow took one look at the book, paused our reading of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and on the 1st of December we started to read a chapter a night. Both boys are loving listening to Harry Potter, so this was a big deal. They adored Lily and the Christmas Wish more than I ever imagined, hanging on every word and weren’t at all happy when I stopped at the end of the chapter. The chapters in this book are perfect for a chapter a night, short, but not too short and gave enough of the story to keep you wanting more.

Lily and the Christmas Wish is a book based on a 9 year old girl called Lily, her family and what happens in a town called Pinewood when they all make some Christmas wishes. The Christmas wishes get mixed up and it’s up to Lily, her little brother Jimmy and her amazing dog called Bug, who’s a Pug to put it all right in time for the Christmas Eve. We only finished the book last night and I just had to tell you all about it.

Synopsis:- When a town’s Christmas wishes get mixed-up, can one little girl and her dog put them right?

The little town of Pinewood can’t wait for Christmas this year. They’re going to celebrate by putting up a giant Christmas tree in the town square, and asking all the townspeople to hang a Christmas wish on its branches. Everyone is feeling very festive, including nine-year-old Lily – although she’s not sure she believes in wishes. Then a very strange storm blows in, scattering all the wishes…and Lily wakes up the next morning to a bit of a surprise. Bug, her adorable pug puppy, can talk! It’s magic – and a wish come true! But it’s not Lily’s wish…

Lily and her little brother James soon discover that something must have happened during the storm – the town’s wishes have been granted, but to all the wrong people! Lily, James and Bug must work out which wish belongs to who, and sort everything out before Christmas Eve – otherwise no one will get what they want for Christmas.

It’s an easy read, with some fun along the way, but there are lots of topics in this book that aren’t normally covered. The separation of parents and the fact one of the characters had two mums. It was all done subtly, tastefully and would help a child if they are struggling with a separation of parents. We chatted about each topic and what we’d just read in the previous chapter.

The wording in the book is perfect for early readers, my 6 year old Tyler read several pages out to us at the start of each chapter, his reading is coming on and this book really built his confidence. I took over to read a loud and loved every minute.

The town of Pinewood you are transported to sound wonderful and there is definitely something magical about the place, which as you know appeals to me. There are adorable shops and everyone knows everyone in the town. As much as I loved Lily and Jimmy, our favourite character was Bug the Pug. And I am sure he will be yours too. We are desperate to read more about him and the other characters of Pinewood. There has to be more in the series or I’ll have to write some fan fiction. I’ve even had to source a Pug teddy for Lucas. But he’s no Bug.

Keris has created a wonderful, heart warming, Christmas classic in Lily and the Christmas Wish. One we will be reading every year and will become one of our festive traditions. I would love to see this book made into a lovely feel good Christmas film, it would be perfect and I know my friend Viv over at Serendipity Reviews agrees.

You need this book in your life and would make a perfect Christmas gift for any child or a feel good Christmas book fan. And remember, Christmas books are not just for Christmas. Feeling a bit down, here’s the pick me up we need in January. This book will keep you, wanting to read more, wanting to find out if Lily, Jimmy and Bug can save the day. Throw in some fun and unusual characters and you have a great read.

I loved you, you will too. It’s warm, fuzzy, lovely and perfect. But get a tissue handy there may be tears. Just a friendly warning. Come on Keris get writing and take us back to Pinewood.

“Almost everyone Lily knew had gathered in the town hall. Her mum was sitting on her right, humming along with ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, and Lily’s seven-year-old brother Jimmy sat next to mum. “

LauraCYMFT
This sounds like a lovely book! I love reading Christmas stories in December.
- Susan Mann
  It is a great book. You’d love it as would the kids, especially Miss C x
Angela Milnes
Thanks for sharing on #kltr, this story sounds fab and i;m a sucker for Christmas stories. I’ve not read this but it looks and sounds great. Angela from Daysinbed
Laura
This sounds like such a wonderful Christmas story. This is one to remember for when my children are older 🙂 thanks for linking up to #kltr