A Shirley Hughes Christmas
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Discover this timeless collection of festive stories. It's nearly Christmas, and it's time for everyone's favorite Shirley Hughes characters to get ready for the most magical time of the year. There are presents to be hidden, Christmas trees to be decorated, and carols to be sung. When Christmas Eve finally arrives, will Father Christmas come for Lucy and Tom, Alfie, and Dave? This very special treasury contains three best-loved festive stories: Lucy and Tom at Christmas, Alfie's Christmas, and Dogger's Christmas. Packed full of festive excitement and joy, this is the perfect gift, made to be read again and again.
Age
3-5
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do the illustrations of Christmas in the book make you feel?
Which character would you like to be friends with and why?
What is your favorite part of the holiday season and does the book remind you of it?
If you could give any gift to the characters in the book, what would it be and why?
How do the characters show kindness and care during Christmas?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a cozy reading environment with holiday decorations to make the reading experience more festive.
While discussing the book, relate personal family holiday traditions to those in the story to make connections more tangible for the child.
Ask the child to draw a scene from the book or their favorite holiday moment to encourage creative expression.
Encourage the child to think about the spirit of giving depicted in the book and discuss ways they can show kindness during the holiday season.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The joy of giving
Explanation: In 'A Shirley Hughes Christmas', the story demonstrates the happiness derived from giving gifts and sharing with others during the festive season.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to experience the pleasure of generosity by participating in gift exchanges or donating to those in need during holidays and beyond.
Example Lesson: The value of family time
Explanation: The book highlights how spending quality time with family during Christmas strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to engage in family activities, such as decorating the house together or preparing a meal, to strengthen family ties.
Example Lesson: Importance of traditions
Explanation: The narrative showcases various Christmas traditions and the warmth they bring to the celebration.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and uphold their own family traditions or even start new ones that can be passed down through generations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the book show empathy by being considerate of each other’s feelings during the Christmas festivities.
Real-World Application: Children can be taught to understand and respect the feelings of others in their day-to-day interactions, promoting a more empathetic society.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The book's vivid illustrations and scenarios encourage imaginative thinking and creative expression among children.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to express themselves through art or storytelling, inspired by the festive scenes and stories from the book.