Christmas on Exeter Street

by Diana Hendry, John Lawrence (Illustrator)

Christmas brings aunts, uncles, friends, and strangers to the house on Exeter Street, where the holiday gradually becomes a crowded but festive occasion.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, British Literature, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 1989

About the author

Diana Hendry grew up by the sea and has worked as a journalist, English teacher and tutor in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. Her poetry has won a number of awards including first prize in the 1996 Housman Society Competition. From 1997-1998 she was Writer in Residence at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary. She lives in Edinburgh.

She has published more than thirty books for children, including Harvey Angell which won a Whitbread Award in 1991 and You Can't Kiss It Better, set in Edinburgh (2003). She also writes adult short stories, a number of which have been published in anthologies and read on Radio 4. Her collections of poetry for adults, Making Blue (1995) and Borderers (2001) are published by Peterloo, and Twelve Lilts: Psalms & Responses (2003) by Mariscat Press. With Tow Pow, in a series of poetic ‘challenges’ she has published Sparks! (2005, also Mariscat Press). A third full collection, Late love : and other whodunnits, was published in 2008. She has also published a collection of poems for children, No Homework Tomorrow (Glowworm, 2003)

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a case of the more the merrier as family and friends old and new gather together to celebrate Christmas! Cramped quarters, combined with unexpected guests and full beds doesn’t discourage Mrs. Mistletoe as more arrive to join in the festivities. She finds a place for all with creative flair and a welcoming spirit, even remembering to leave a note for Santa advising him of the larger than usual number of stockings to fill. The delightful two-page full house illustration at the end shows the brimming house with stockings hung and all snug in their beds dreaming of tomorrow’s fun and merriment. A fun read that has you imagining the unusual places that the next guest might find as their bed for the evening.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family prepares for two sets of grandparents to come to stay for Christmas. Gradually more people arrive with their stockings because of one thing or another and the family has to find more and more ingenious places for people to stay for the night. This was a lovely read, lots of details of homes, children, and pets. Everyone who comes brings something along to contribute and there are so many little details to look at. A funny take on 'no room at the inn'. It was fun watching the house fill up with people and how the places to sleep become increasingly silly. We really enjoyed the double page at the end of the book that shows the house open like a dolls house so you can see all the sleeping inhabitants and count the stockings. Highly recommended, a fun addition to our Christmas book collection.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Christmas favourite in our house. Great to read in the run up to Christmas. A gentle, feel good tale, beautifully illustrated. Never tire of counting all the children sleeping in the house on Exeter Street!

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a darling little story! This just arrived today so it was such a cute book to enjoy after work. Laughable with the kind of dry humour/cheeky style as it's British..... how someone in the story had gone off to Timbuktoo ;) The ever patient Mother keeps welcoming guests on Christmas Eve. it had adorable illustrations as well.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas on Exeter Street is a warm and silly story that is sure to delight young people. I enjoyed reading it. The illustrations are lively and fun. If you've ever felt lonely at Christmastime, this book is guaranteed to make you feel part of a huge gathering of close friends and family. My favorite parts were the descriptions of the people coming to stay for the holiday—very unique and hilarious names!

If you're looking for a story to perk up your spirits during the winter months, this book might just do the trick!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I somehow missed that this title is a picture book and not a chapter book. Oops. Ha, ha!

When I opened my mail today and found a large, thin package, it took me by surprise. And then I thought of my invoice - I’m not sure I would have spent as much if I’d known it was a picture book. And you know I love picture books.

Anyway.

I really, really liked it! So sweet! So clever and fun! Captures a good piece of the Christmas spirit and makes it into an entire story. Absolutely delightful illustrations!

I’d definitely recommend getting it… if you come across it for a reasonable price.

Ages: 3 - 12

Cleanliness: mentions Santa.

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[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful example of a family always having room on Christmas. Beautiful and fun, sweet and silly, all in the right amounts!

[Catherine Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most wonderful and heartwarming Christmas book. Beautiful illustrations and a brilliant message about Christmas spirit.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sort of holiday book I loved as a child and love now, the giant rowdy family type book that appeals to people from small families like me - childhood obsessions with the All of A Kind of Family books and what not...

[lucy 🌀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best children’s book to ever exist. This story is so special to me 💜

[Kizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this every christmas since I was little by the fire on Christmas Eve night, just before heading out to midnight mass.

We also read:

Father Christmas
The tomten
Middling mouse
and The Christmas ghost

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new one for us this year having heard it recommended on The Read Aloud Revival by Sarah Mackenzie. It is so much fun! The illustrations had my two enthralled and the ludicrous nature of the story but the wonderfully relational ending. I can see why it was recommended.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations of a welcoming home.

12/14/19 Read with Julia

[Lisey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A house full on Christmas!!!🎄🎄🎄

[Amy Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Christmas book to read as a family 🎄 🎅

[Db360 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story of a home that makes room for everyone at Christmas by making space on mantles, window ledges, shelves and sinks. A repeat read request from my children.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story that really gives a feel of the Christmas spirit, with all being welcome, even though the house is full to bursting.

[Carly Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and silly.

[Andrew Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firm favourite Christmas book! Nothing more to say…

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Christmas tradition to read with Mama and the sisters 💕✨

[Cheryl]

Openlibrary/Internet archive. Not my type of thing at all. I might have given it three stars back when I was a member of the target audience.

[Brittany Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute book about Christmas time and it teaches the concept of hospitality in a funny way.

[Amber Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute, whimsical, funny story about families at Christmas time.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

it brought a quiet joy to my heart, and such cheerful fun that I found myself smiling in spite of the day.

[Alicia Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming read. A sweet and funny Christmas read with wonderful illustrations.

[Emma Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 charming and silly book about all the guests that join on Christmas Eve

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Една много странна коледна история за претъпкване с неочаквани гости 😄