Here is a small selection for anyone seeking to read or share books that have a seasonal feel without being overtly connected to specific religion; for children’s fiction enthusiasts who, perhaps, want to explore a little further than the titles currently piled up in the high street bookshops.
These are not reads for those seeking edge-of-the-seat adventure, nor heart-on-the-sleeve sentiment. But they are, to my mind, richly imaginative, highly sensitive escapism, that will bring thoughtful connection to aspects of the winter holiday season that are generally older, and perhaps deeper, than those of Santas, elves, glow-nosed reindeer, or (dare I say it) talking pigs.
A ‘modern classic’
Far and away my top pick would be Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising. I know this title is often recommended, but rightly so. For any who haven’t read it, or those who wish to return to it, it is a near-perfect Christmas fit. Tapping into the imagery of ancient belief and custom, this remarkable fantasy spans the days from Midwinter’s Eve through Christmas. It delves far beneath the modern commercial celebration into the underlying need to survive the darkest days of the year and look for the return of the light. Both terrifying and uplifting, it is a breathtaking piece of writing. The whole sequence of novels of which this is the title work is well worth reading, but it is this particular volume that is the transcendent masterpiece.
Cozy intrigue
Another strong recommendation is Greenglass House by Kate Milford. This is a much gentler book than the previous one, but still combines intriguing mystery with ancient traditions. American in origin, its action takes place through the period of winter ‘holidays’ and involves a fascinating cast of diverse characters. It is a delightful read in itself and a great introduction to the strangely wonderful world of this remarkable author.
Two recent wintery gems
In this seasonal post I am not trying to cover the latest releases, so I am happy to pick out again two books from a couple of years ago. Neither Sophie Anderson’s The Girl Who Speaks Bear nor Katherine Rundell’s The Wolf Wilder are about Christmas as such, but they each have a pervading wintery setting that makes them very fitting reads for these holidays. They also happen to be two of the finest children’s novels of recent years, richly imaginative, compelling and enriching.
Pritchett magic lives on
One of my all time favourite fantasies for children (upwards) is Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series. It has everything: humour in spades, charm, charms, deep roots in folklore and important, but gently communicated, messages about life. In short, it has real humanity. All of the series is magnificent and, if anything, it gets better as it goes along. However Wintersmith is the one particularly appropriate to the season, and, like all the books in the sequence, can be read as a one-off. Wintery magic for sure.
Nostalgia choice
I admit my final choice is pure nostalgia. Marjorie Lloyd wrote three Fell Farm books in the 1950s which were among the reading joys of my own childhood. Clearly, Fell Farm for Christmas is the one pertinent to this list. It can really only now be read as a period piece. Yes, it is about a family of white, middle-class children having holiday ‘adventures’, and I am mightily glad that today’s young readers are offered fiction with much more diverse content and representation. But at least this one avoids the preoccupation with thwarting villains or finding treasure, so ubiquitous at the time, and is deeply (and fairly authentically) rooted in the farms and fells of The Lake District. For those who just about remember, or those who wish to discover more about it, here is the simpler, more seasonally rooted, Christmas (and childhood) of the past. Whether it was better or not is a matter of viewpoint.