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One Christmas Wish
NOMINATED FOR THE CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2019
NOMINATED FOR THE CILIP GREENAWAY MEDAL 2019 It's Christmas Eve and Theo - left at home with a babysitter - sees an odd-looking star out of his window and decides to make a wish. He wishes that he had some friends to keep him company. Moments later the Christmas decorations begin to disentangle themselves from the tree behind him, ready to wreak a little havoc . Written with generous helpings of warmth and humour, this is a timeless Christmas story about treasuring the people and values that really matter at this time of year. With breathtaking illustrations by Emily Sutton capturing the magic of the season in stunning detail, this modern classic from master storyteller and bestselling children's author Katherine Rundell makes the perfect Christmas gift.
NOMINATED FOR THE CILIP GREENAWAY MEDAL 2019 It's Christmas Eve and Theo - left at home with a babysitter - sees an odd-looking star out of his window and decides to make a wish. He wishes that he had some friends to keep him company. Moments later the Christmas decorations begin to disentangle themselves from the tree behind him, ready to wreak a little havoc . Written with generous helpings of warmth and humour, this is a timeless Christmas story about treasuring the people and values that really matter at this time of year. With breathtaking illustrations by Emily Sutton capturing the magic of the season in stunning detail, this modern classic from master storyteller and bestselling children's author Katherine Rundell makes the perfect Christmas gift.
64 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2019
7 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Rundell
52 books1,883 followersKatherine Rundell was born in 1987 and grew up in Africa and Europe. In 2008 she was elected a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Her first book, The Girl Savage, was born of her love of Zimbabwe and her own childhood there; her second, Rooftoppers, was inspired by summers working in Paris and by night-time trespassing on the rooftops of All Souls. She is currently working on her doctorate alongside an adult novel.
Source: Katherine Rundell
Source: Katherine Rundell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
December 2, 2020
5 stars for the illustrations, they are absolutely beautiful. The story was really odd.
A little boy is alone on Christmas eve, his parents both at work, there's no heating on but I've no idea why as they seem well off. Finding a box of old Christmas decorations he decorates his Christmas tree and then a magic wish makes the figures come alive.
This had the feel of a very magical Christmas story, particularly from the illustrations, the story wasn't intended to be a 'funny' book but suddenly the boy talked about farting and stopping the magical little horse from eating dog poo, which seemed a particularly pointless addition. Having read other books by this author (and not enjoyed those either) it is odd to notice that she seems obsessed with constantly referring to bodily functions. It certainly didn't suit a magical Christmas story to have puerile toilet humour in it. There were so many other parts that seemed odd or there for no reason. The plot was weak.
If I owned this book I would want to cover up the text in some way and try to make my own story to these lovely illustrations. Such a pity as this has all the ingredients for a wonderful story. I am completely put off trying anything else by this author.
A little boy is alone on Christmas eve, his parents both at work, there's no heating on but I've no idea why as they seem well off. Finding a box of old Christmas decorations he decorates his Christmas tree and then a magic wish makes the figures come alive.
This had the feel of a very magical Christmas story, particularly from the illustrations, the story wasn't intended to be a 'funny' book but suddenly the boy talked about farting and stopping the magical little horse from eating dog poo, which seemed a particularly pointless addition. Having read other books by this author (and not enjoyed those either) it is odd to notice that she seems obsessed with constantly referring to bodily functions. It certainly didn't suit a magical Christmas story to have puerile toilet humour in it. There were so many other parts that seemed odd or there for no reason. The plot was weak.
If I owned this book I would want to cover up the text in some way and try to make my own story to these lovely illustrations. Such a pity as this has all the ingredients for a wonderful story. I am completely put off trying anything else by this author.
December 8, 2018
Left alone on Christmas Eve night by his parents, both of whom must work, young Theodore attempts to decorate the family tree himself, digging out an old box full of broken ornaments. After putting up an angel with molting wings, a rocking horse with woodworm-eaten rockers, a tin soldier with a rusted drum, and a partially bald robin, he makes a wish on a shooting star, asking for some company. Suddenly he finds that the four decorations he has just put on the tree have come to life, and stand ready to accompany him on a magical Christmas adventure. From finding singing lessons for the robin to making new wings for the angel, from seeking out the tin soldier's true love to attempting to keep the hungry horse fed, everything they do seems designed to deprive Theo of these new companions, and leave him alone again. But behind it all is a greater purpose, and the magic unleashed brings him the best thing of all...
Although Katherine Rundell's One Christmas Wish is formatted rather like a picture-book, I think it is more like a heavily illustrated short story, in book format. I expected, given the description and the appealing cover artwork, to find it enchanting - a magical Christmas adventure, just as billed. Unfortunately, although I did find Rundell's narrative moderately engaging, it didn't touch my emotions or fire my imagination to quite the degree that I had hoped. Something about the premise just put me off, and I found the whole story rather disjointed. I couldn't quite understand why Theo's parents seemed so uncaring at first, until the 'miracle' of the horse reminded them to come home. Were we somehow meant to assume they'd forgotten the spirit of Christmas? Do parents often leave their children at home on Christmas Eve with a babysitter, when it isn't (or doesn't seem like) an economic necessity for them to be working that night? While the story left me with mixed feelings, the artwork immediately won me over. Emily Sutton, who also illustrated the recently published The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy, contributes some lovely visuals here, and the two-page spreads alternate between text-dominated ones with a few peripheral illustrations, and image-dominated ones, in which a full or almost-full-page illustration is paired with a page of text. There are also some two-page spreads that are entirely devoted to the artwork, and contain no text. The color scheme is muted but deep, and I particularly loved the composition of the larger panels. Based on story alone, this probably would have been a two or two-and-a-half-star title for me, but the artwork definitely bumped it up a notch. Recommended primarily to Emily Sutton fans.
Although Katherine Rundell's One Christmas Wish is formatted rather like a picture-book, I think it is more like a heavily illustrated short story, in book format. I expected, given the description and the appealing cover artwork, to find it enchanting - a magical Christmas adventure, just as billed. Unfortunately, although I did find Rundell's narrative moderately engaging, it didn't touch my emotions or fire my imagination to quite the degree that I had hoped. Something about the premise just put me off, and I found the whole story rather disjointed. I couldn't quite understand why Theo's parents seemed so uncaring at first, until the 'miracle' of the horse reminded them to come home. Were we somehow meant to assume they'd forgotten the spirit of Christmas? Do parents often leave their children at home on Christmas Eve with a babysitter, when it isn't (or doesn't seem like) an economic necessity for them to be working that night? While the story left me with mixed feelings, the artwork immediately won me over. Emily Sutton, who also illustrated the recently published The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy, contributes some lovely visuals here, and the two-page spreads alternate between text-dominated ones with a few peripheral illustrations, and image-dominated ones, in which a full or almost-full-page illustration is paired with a page of text. There are also some two-page spreads that are entirely devoted to the artwork, and contain no text. The color scheme is muted but deep, and I particularly loved the composition of the larger panels. Based on story alone, this probably would have been a two or two-and-a-half-star title for me, but the artwork definitely bumped it up a notch. Recommended primarily to Emily Sutton fans.
January 31, 2019
Weak story, by a very good author, improved by good illustrations. Theodore is left by himself on Christmas Eve, without even his usual babysitter. When he wishes for company, four somewhat damaged tree ornaments come to life, and they have a bit of an adventure. A magnanimous sort, Theodore helps them more than they help him. I wanted more.
December 18, 2020
Какво е по-хубаво от нова книга на Катрин Ръндъл? Две нови книги на Катрин Ръндъл! А какво е още по-хубаво и от това, особено през декември? Ако една от книгите е коледна! Писателката, която ни спечели с юношеското приключение „Изследователят” наскоро се сдоби с още два превода на български език - „Добрите крадци”, книга на годината за 2019, която вече ви представихме, и... „Едно коледно желание” (изд. „Таралеж”). За разлика от другите две заглавия, „Едно коледно желание” не е роман, а илюстрована повест в голям формат. Към майсторското перо на Катрин Ръндъл този път трябва да добавим и вълшебните рисунки на Емили Сътън. „Едно коледно желание” ни среща с малкия Теодор, който остава сам-самичък навръх Бъдни вечер. Далеч от родителите си в един красив, но празен и хладен дом, момчето не желае нищо по-силно от малко компания, която да сгрее сърцето му за празника. И ето, че скоро Теодор намира шепа нови и много, ама много необичайни приятели. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле”: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
December 18, 2021
Loved the illustrations in this book, but for me it was ruined by crass talking of bodily functions. So not needed!
December 29, 2022
Cartea "O dorință de Crăciun" prezintă povestea unui băiețel care de Crăciun rămâne singur acasă (ar fi trebuit cineva să îl supravegheze), pentru că părinții lui lucrează.
Theo încearcă singur să împodobească bradul și descoperă că jucării noi nu are, părinții nu au reușit să cumpere altele, dar cele vechi tot servesc la ceva, așa că continuă împodobirea bradului.
Magia Crăciunului se întâmplă și jucăriile prind viață.
De aici, povestea are un alt parcurs. Aventuri, umor, prietenie și, cel mai important, Teo nu se mai simte singur.
Ilustrațiile cărții sunt fermecătoare, colorate și foarte potrivite poveștii, cei mici le pot analiza cu multă atenție.
Sărbători frumoase și alături de cineva să le avem, să nu ne simțim singuri, precum acest copil înainte de Crăciun.
Theo încearcă singur să împodobească bradul și descoperă că jucării noi nu are, părinții nu au reușit să cumpere altele, dar cele vechi tot servesc la ceva, așa că continuă împodobirea bradului.
Magia Crăciunului se întâmplă și jucăriile prind viață.
De aici, povestea are un alt parcurs. Aventuri, umor, prietenie și, cel mai important, Teo nu se mai simte singur.
Ilustrațiile cărții sunt fermecătoare, colorate și foarte potrivite poveștii, cei mici le pot analiza cu multă atenție.
Sărbători frumoase și alături de cineva să le avem, să nu ne simțim singuri, precum acest copil înainte de Crăciun.
December 22, 2020
Коли купуєш книжку на подарунок, але встигаєш швиденько її перечитати, бо неймовірні ілюстрації (в ретро дусі!) так і манять. Мила дитяча історія про хлопчика Теодора, який залишається сам на Різдво і загадує бажання, після якого стаються різні чудеса та пригоди. Часом саме дитячі книжки нагадують нам, як бути більш добрішими.
«Він здавався розлюченим, але Тео бачив, що насправді птах не був злий. Він був збуджений, і знервований, і голодний, а ці почуття часто схожі на злість, проте насправді вони набагато складніші.»
«Він здавався розлюченим, але Тео бачив, що насправді птах не був злий. Він був збуджений, і знервований, і голодний, а ці почуття часто схожі на злість, проте насправді вони набагато складніші.»
December 27, 2022
Okay this book is so so sweet my mum bough it for me this Christmas and i read it today and it truly is the cutest book ever
December 25, 2017
Perfect Christmas Eve bedtime story 😁
December 13, 2018
I got this book for.free in exchange for am honest review. I found that the book has beautiful drawings. And it is perfect for a cute Christmas themed bed time story for kids. Will probably buy it for my niece too 😍
December 16, 2020
Ομορφη χριστουγεννιάτικη ιστορία, μια από τις λίγες που διαβάσαμε φέτος στο πλαίσιο του #διαβάζω_δυνατά. Και το συμπληρώνει μοναδικά η εικονογράφηση της Emily Sutton. Ιδανική για μεγαλόφωνη ανάγνωση σε παιδιά από 5 ετών και άνω (ως μάξιμουμ 7). Αν το παιδί είναι συνηθισμένο σε μεγαλύτερα κείμενα, θα ζητήσει κι άλλο!
December 23, 2021
Firstly, the book itself is absolutely beautiful and the illustrations by Emily Sutton are so stunning, I thoroughly enjoyed looking through the pictures. The story is about a boy called Theo who on Christmas Eve has been left alone with a babysitter while his parents are at work late. After decorating the tree he spots a shooting star and wishes not to be lonely anymore, then to his great surprise the tin solder, robin, wooden rocking horse and christmas angel decorations come to life and the new friends go on a magical adventure.
Unfortunately, the story fell a bit flat for me, although it contains a magical element, it had a strange almost disjointed plot and an odd, unconvincing ending. I think I expected a story which was just as wonderous as the illustrations and in my opinion the two just didn't marry up, which is a real shame.
Unfortunately, the story fell a bit flat for me, although it contains a magical element, it had a strange almost disjointed plot and an odd, unconvincing ending. I think I expected a story which was just as wonderous as the illustrations and in my opinion the two just didn't marry up, which is a real shame.
January 2, 2022
A Lovely Christmas story with beautiful illustrations.
December 31, 2020
Pentru un suflet de copil...
November 17, 2018
Was für ein schönes Buch über Weihnachten, die Familie und über die kleinen Wunder in der Weihnachtszeit.
Die Eltern haben an Weihnachten keine Zeit für ihren kleinen Sohn, daher sitzt er an Weihnachten allein mit dem Kindermädchen zuhause und wünscht sich nichts mehr als nicht allein zu sein.
Die Illustrationen passen wunderschön zu dem Buch und ergänzen den Text und seine Geschichte.
#netgalley #dasweihnachtswunder
Die Eltern haben an Weihnachten keine Zeit für ihren kleinen Sohn, daher sitzt er an Weihnachten allein mit dem Kindermädchen zuhause und wünscht sich nichts mehr als nicht allein zu sein.
Die Illustrationen passen wunderschön zu dem Buch und ergänzen den Text und seine Geschichte.
#netgalley #dasweihnachtswunder
Read
December 24, 2017I'm so happy I sent away for the UK version of this book. The dust jacket, book case and interior illustrations are intricate and lovely. On Christmas Eve a wish is realized with unexpected results.
December 2, 2019
Katherine Rundell, knows how to write children's books, I loved her book the Explorers. The Christmas Wish is a charming look at Christmas with rythme
December 18, 2021
Историята я слушах в Storytel и не ме впечатли особено... Може би в комбинация с илюстрациите ще е с много по-уау ефект 🤷🏻♀️
December 26, 2021
Сладка коледна история, която ми донесе много празнично настроение :)
January 4, 2022
It is an odd story, but as an adult I liked it exactly because of that. The illustrations are amazing
March 12, 2022
A beautiful story with beautiful illustrations!!
The cover and internal illustrations are amazing! Striking and so beautifully done.
The story itself was also beautiful, showing that it is so easy to get caught up in the material things at Christmas, when in reality all that is important is being with those you love
The cover and internal illustrations are amazing! Striking and so beautifully done.
The story itself was also beautiful, showing that it is so easy to get caught up in the material things at Christmas, when in reality all that is important is being with those you love
December 10, 2023
Mi-ar fi plăcut în copilărie să am la îndemână cărți de Crăciun. Acum, recuperez!
January 4, 2024
Kids didn,t like it.
December 25, 2024
A little festive treat for me. Beautifully illustrations and a classic tale, this was a gorgeous Christmas Eve read. And it looks like the town in it is Durham, which was lovely as that’s where I live!
December 13, 2020
I really admire Rundell's way with words - I highly rate several of her chapter books for middle grade readers - but in this Christmas picture book, Emily Sutton's beautiful illustrations (so colourful, so expressive) are actually the stand-out feature.
The magical aspect of this book are Christmas decorations which become animated on Christmas Eve. It's a slight twist on the well-established convention of having toys come to life. As in most children's stories, the toys come to life in order to assuage the loneliness of a child.
The modern aspect of the book involves working parents and a babysitter who falls asleep while staring into her mobile phone. If you buy into the premise that Theo has been left alone on Christmas Eve, then you should have no problem enjoying his unexpected adventure. There is perhaps a slight lack of connectedness, and logic actually, in the storyline, but I think most children will just enjoy the illustrations and not bother too much about that.
I don't think it's destined to be a classic, but it's appealing enough.
The magical aspect of this book are Christmas decorations which become animated on Christmas Eve. It's a slight twist on the well-established convention of having toys come to life. As in most children's stories, the toys come to life in order to assuage the loneliness of a child.
The modern aspect of the book involves working parents and a babysitter who falls asleep while staring into her mobile phone. If you buy into the premise that Theo has been left alone on Christmas Eve, then you should have no problem enjoying his unexpected adventure. There is perhaps a slight lack of connectedness, and logic actually, in the storyline, but I think most children will just enjoy the illustrations and not bother too much about that.
I don't think it's destined to be a classic, but it's appealing enough.
December 13, 2021
This was a poignant and warm story, if not a little odd at times with the frequent mentions of bodily functions. The story is also quite weak and although it is a children’s book, I felt the plot could have been a bit more thought out. The illustrations are beautiful though so I would recommend for those alone. I was expecting an exceptionally magical story but it didn’t ignite my imagination as much as I’d hoped. I also don’t get why the parents left their young child alone on Christmas Eve with a babysitter with no heating…
April 7, 2022
Some funny quotes from this story..
.."I wish to be un-alone." He hoped shooting stars did not care about grammar
"I believe robins are skilled at catching worms. Do you enjoy worms?".."I'm afraid I'm more of aa tea and cake person myself"
The tin soldier hesitated. "Do you think I should smarten myself up first? I have a feeling you're supposed to brush your hair if you're hoping to fall in love"
Charming story. I would read this for the illustrations alone. They're enchantingly stunning.
.."I wish to be un-alone." He hoped shooting stars did not care about grammar
"I believe robins are skilled at catching worms. Do you enjoy worms?".."I'm afraid I'm more of aa tea and cake person myself"
The tin soldier hesitated. "Do you think I should smarten myself up first? I have a feeling you're supposed to brush your hair if you're hoping to fall in love"
Charming story. I would read this for the illustrations alone. They're enchantingly stunning.
Read
December 15, 2017Review to come.
But for now...
GORGEOUS cover, with gold highlights and elegant white and gold cover underneath the dust jacket...
Cute and funny and comes complete with some jokes for the grownups and some great "kid logic", illustrations that are reminiscent of Little Golden Books, and a story with lots of magic and adventure and the inclusion of one nativity scene but without the story being particularly religious.
But for now...
GORGEOUS cover, with gold highlights and elegant white and gold cover underneath the dust jacket...
Cute and funny and comes complete with some jokes for the grownups and some great "kid logic", illustrations that are reminiscent of Little Golden Books, and a story with lots of magic and adventure and the inclusion of one nativity scene but without the story being particularly religious.
May 28, 2024
Нудна.
November 6, 2023
Het is kerstavond en Theo is alleen thuis met zijn oppas wanneer hij een vallende ster uit zijn raam ziet. Hij doet gauw een wens: had hij maar een paar vrienden om hem gezelschap te houden. Enkele momenten later komt de kerstversiering in de boom tot leven en breekt de hel los…
Wat volgt is een bijzonder verhaal over een jongen die in een groots kerstavontuur belandt met een hongerig schommelpaard, een engel met smeltende vleugels, een roodborstje dat niet kan fluiten en een roestige tinnen soldaat.
'Als je iets wenst, moet je dat met je hele hart doen.'
De K van Kerstboom.
De E van Engel.
De R van Roodborstje.
De S van Schommelpaard.
En de T van Tinnen soldaat.
Dít boek schreeuwt KERST in het kwadraat.
De ekster in mij werd héél gelukkig bij het zien van deze cover. De sfeervolle illustratie met de gold-foiling-details. Ze zijn een ware uitnodiging om dit boek meteen open te slaan.
'Het was een heldere nacht en de sterren blonken alsof ze wisten dat er beneden iets belangrijks gebeurde.'
De magie komt je vanaf de eerste bladzijde tegemoet. De schrijfstijl van Katherine Rundell is vlot, beeldend én bevat een bepaalde luchtigheid. Het is makkelijk leesbaar en daardoor uiterst geschikt voor jong én oud. Het is zelf te lezen vanaf ongeveer 7 jaar, maar voor die tijd lees je het gezellig samen. Al mag dát natuurlijk altijd.
De schattige illustraties van Emily Sutton brengen dit verhaal echt tot leven. Er is zo veel te ontdekken dat het ook prima kan fungeren als een zoek-en-vind-boek. Het is gewoon magisch. Net als het verhaal zelf.
Het deed een beetje denken aan Toy Story, maar dan de kerstvariant.
Dit verhaal gaat over eenzaamheid en over pure duizelingwekkende liefde. Het is hartverwarmend als een kop warme chocolademelk mét een flinke toef slagroom.
Een verhaal vol avontuur, humor en fantasie.
Het is een heerlijk kerstboek om - samen - te lezen. ****
Wat volgt is een bijzonder verhaal over een jongen die in een groots kerstavontuur belandt met een hongerig schommelpaard, een engel met smeltende vleugels, een roodborstje dat niet kan fluiten en een roestige tinnen soldaat.
'Als je iets wenst, moet je dat met je hele hart doen.'
De K van Kerstboom.
De E van Engel.
De R van Roodborstje.
De S van Schommelpaard.
En de T van Tinnen soldaat.
Dít boek schreeuwt KERST in het kwadraat.
De ekster in mij werd héél gelukkig bij het zien van deze cover. De sfeervolle illustratie met de gold-foiling-details. Ze zijn een ware uitnodiging om dit boek meteen open te slaan.
'Het was een heldere nacht en de sterren blonken alsof ze wisten dat er beneden iets belangrijks gebeurde.'
De magie komt je vanaf de eerste bladzijde tegemoet. De schrijfstijl van Katherine Rundell is vlot, beeldend én bevat een bepaalde luchtigheid. Het is makkelijk leesbaar en daardoor uiterst geschikt voor jong én oud. Het is zelf te lezen vanaf ongeveer 7 jaar, maar voor die tijd lees je het gezellig samen. Al mag dát natuurlijk altijd.
De schattige illustraties van Emily Sutton brengen dit verhaal echt tot leven. Er is zo veel te ontdekken dat het ook prima kan fungeren als een zoek-en-vind-boek. Het is gewoon magisch. Net als het verhaal zelf.
Het deed een beetje denken aan Toy Story, maar dan de kerstvariant.
Dit verhaal gaat over eenzaamheid en over pure duizelingwekkende liefde. Het is hartverwarmend als een kop warme chocolademelk mét een flinke toef slagroom.
Een verhaal vol avontuur, humor en fantasie.
Het is een heerlijk kerstboek om - samen - te lezen. ****
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews