When Laney and Ben stumble through the door of Kringle’s Emporium, they step into a world of hidden wonders. But the emporium is more than a shop of curiosities. It is Kris Kringle’s travelling hiding place, and the magic of Christmas is in danger.
Along with Ben’s mischievous sister Millie, the pair decipher the shop’s enchanted objects to face a global mission. All the while, they must avoid the shadowy organisation threatening to steal Kringle’s powers and the school bullies determined to ruin their unlikely friendship.
As snow falls across the town of Six Pines and the clock ticks towards Christmas Day, Laney and Ben discover that courage - and magic - sparkle in the most unexpected places.
After running away from the school bully, Laney and Ben stumble across Kringle’s Emporium, where it has many wonderful and interesting things. But they soon find out that the emporium is more than just a shop; it’s a magical place where Kris Kringle is hiding from an evil corporation that wants to steal his magic. And that’s where he needs help from Ben and Laney. Find the stars for his sleigh, and Christmas will be saved. How hard can it be? Follow the two unlikely friends as they race against time to bring magic and courage back to their lives and save Christmas before it’s too late.
Picture this: “Believe” by Josh Groban plays softly in the background as orange flames crackle in the fireplace where red and green stockings are hung. I’m curled in a large, warm armchair with a soft, weighted blanket wrapped around my shoulders as I close the book and rest it on my lap. I inhale the sweet, sweet smell of nostalgia and gingerbread cookies fresh out of the oven, thinking about the story I just read. Tears brim in my eyes because the sad truth is I’ve grown up. It was bound to happen. Still, my heart aches for the good, old days of Christmases spent under a thick blanket of snow, sparkling colored lights on the house and tree, and the buzz of excitement coursing through my veins with the knowledge that Christmas and its beautiful, wonderful magic were almost here. Nothing will compare to that warm and content feeling I’d get during the holidays, and this book and the ghosts of Christmas past reminded me how much I missed those lovely times.🎄✨❤
This was really a sweet story, showcasing the simple yet powerful act of believing. And it doesn’t have to be just for Christmas and Santa. Simply believing in yourself or those you love can move mountains and change the course of so many lives. All done with a kind act of knowing that one can do and be great things. If you are looking for a charming Christmas story with adventure, kindness, and even a little humor, then this book is for you. ❤
I received a free copy of, Kringle's Emporium, by Jemma Hatt, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Laney, Ben, and his sister Millie are at Kringle's Emporium. This was such a cute holiday story, I especially loved the ending.
Kringle's Emporium is a fun, fast-paced middle-grade Christmas adventure and the perfect lighthearted tale for anyone, both young and the young at heart!
This story follows Laney and Ben after they accidentally stumble across a shop called "Kringle's Emporium" while trying to get away from some local bullies. At first, it appears that the shop is a collection of varied and very old items, until a small magical train driven by a polar bear, carries them off to a hidden backroom where Kris Kringle and his elf, Frosty, await them. Laney and Ben are then off on the Christmas adventure of a lifetime to collect 4 magical stars to power Santa's sleigh and save Christmas.
This book was such a fun adventure for the holiday season and although, I clearly wasn't the target audience for this book, I'm a lover of all things Christmas and a lover of a good middle-grade read. This story was of course lighthearted, but I loved that it tackled the very real issue of "bullying" and thought that the author did a great job of addressing it.
And, I'm a sucker for a beautiful book cover and it's definitely the reason that this book caught my attention and made this Christmas tale a must-read for me!
This book is available to read NOW and would be the perfect Christmas read that's full of heart to add to your Christmas TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kringle's Emporium is a story I can read again and again at Christmas or other times of the year.
And although I' m outside the target audience, it appealed to my sense of adventure while delivering a heartwarming message of friendship, kindness, believing in yourself, and working together for a common goal. Plus it provides parents/guardians with a chance to discuss the vexing issue of bullying with their children/guardians.
Now, when it comes to anything holiday themed, I'm down so when Laney and Ben stumbled through the door of Kringle’s Emporium seeking refuge from Connor and the gang of bullies, I was tickled. Hidden wonders? Meeting Kris Kringle? A magic train and a mission to save Christmas from questionable characters from an undercover organisation? I was stoked and happily continued reading. When they were joined by Ben's younger sister Millie in their quest, I was happy that they didn't leave her behind as some older children might have done.
What I also liked about this story was that while it was based in the town of Six Pines, the children got to experience other cities and cultures, albeit briefly, as the emporium traveled. They met Andre who drove the magical taxi and played the reggae version of Jingle Bells In New York and Ari and Motee in India.
Andrew Smith's illustrations serve to enhance the story that is sure to take young readers on an adventure, have them asking questions while being filled with the magic of the season.
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the chance to read this story.
Kringle’s Emporium is a perfect read during the Christmas season filled with adventure and the magical possibilities of what Kris Kringle can create.
I like how there are lessons too within the book that are valuable for children, one maybe a little more obvious although often hard to do is to stand up for those who are being bullied. From being the target of that kind of horror in school, I know how hard it is to be honest and to be feel alone so I always like seeing a reminder in amongst the storytelling to try and help those who can’t and Laney, who finally stands up for Ben and realises that he’s a great person to have as a friend does it in such a great and honest manner. Jemma Hatt presents this so realistically that I found myself rooting for her. Young readers will relate to the characters as Laney and Ben become friends and discover the magic of Kringle’s Emporium, a store just for children.
This good deed and the many that the two have done have indeed been noticed by the man many children look to around December in the hopes of being on the nice list; Santa Claus even if perhaps he doesn’t necessarily like the lists according to this particular tale. At Kringle’s Emporium, good deeds are converted into vouchers, which may be exchanged for unique magical items, such as a snow globe that creates a snowstorm when shaken or gloves that significantly increase the size of snowballs. How I wished I was still a child to wish I could find a store like this but adults can’t enter even if they do still believe in magic.
But this wouldn’t be an adventure without someone causing trouble, and there’s a team worthy of a permanent place on the naughty list determined to get their hands on the curiosities that Kris Kringle possesses. They have some, and it’s caused so much trouble that Christmas could be in trouble - I won’t tell you what because spoilers are no good at all. They’re after not only Ben and Laney but soon enough their siblings too and the children are in danger as is the Emporium. If you have children who still believe in the magic of Christmas and Santa himself, this may well be a new book to add to bedtime reading. I imagine many will hope they discover it and see if they too can trade their good deeds for magical curiosities.
I received a digital arc from the publisher via Netgalley though all thoughts are my own.
When Laney and Ben stumble through the door of Kringle’s Emporium seeking refuge from Connor and the gang of bullies, they have no idea what is in store for them and how it will change a number of different lives in so many good ways.
This was a sweet story about the power of believing, magic, friendship and helping to save Santa's sleigh as well as Christmas in general.
I like the concept of there being a magical shop run by Santa and that you can get items in the shop by doing good deeds and earning coupons towards the items. While there was some bullying in the story, I'm glad that people stood up to the bully and I laughed at what happened to the bully towards the end of the story.
Okay, full disclosure I picked this up thinking it was one of the romance books in the Cinnamon Roll and Strawberry short cake house books doing the framing and the idea of a swoons The Santa Clause-esque romance. And boy was I so wrong and SO happy this is the book I got instead! The story is definitely that 2-5th grade story level and I loved the sincerity that children can bring and the tones of doing the good thing because it is the right thing todo and the idea that you don’t regret doing good more than you regret doing bad things. Santa and Frosty are fun characters and there. Is a surprising amount of travel and questing for the length of the book. This will be a staple Christmas book I will be gifting to my friends with kids this holiday season!
This book was given for review purposes but does not in any way affect the review content.
Book Review: Kringle’s Emporium: A Magical Christmas Adventure by Jemma Hatt
Rating: 4 Stars
I picked up Kringle’s Emporium: A Magical Christmas Adventure by Jemma Hatt and was instantly charmed. The cover alone — warm, whimsical, and utterly inviting — felt like a promise of cozy magic, and the book delivers most of what it suggests.
In the story I followed Laney and Ben as they tumble through the door of an extraordinary shop and into a world where ordinary objects hide uncommon enchantments. The emporium is revealed to be more than a collection of oddities; it’s Kris Kringle’s travelling sanctuary, and its very existence is threatened. Alongside Ben’s impish sister Millie, Laney and Ben unravel the secrets of the shop’s bewitched trinkets and embark on a mission that grows unexpectedly large — with stakes that stretch beyond their town. They must stay one step ahead of a shadowy organisation intent on stealing Kringle’s gifts, while also navigating the ever-present school bullies who try to undermine their friendship. With Six Pines dusted in snow and Christmas Day drawing nearer, the trio discover that bravery and wonder often appear where you least expect them.
What I liked most was how gently the book argues for the power of belief. It isn’t preachy; instead, it uses small, tender moments and clever magical touches to remind readers that kindness and courage are themselves a kind of magic. Andrew Smith’s illustrations add an extra layer of delight — they’re simple but evocative, giving the story little bursts of visual sparkle that complement the text nicely.
The pacing is generally strong, with enough mystery and adventure to keep younger readers engaged. I appreciated the balance of humor and heart: Millie’s mischief brings levity, while the threats from the mysterious organisation and school antagonists provide enough tension to make the characters’ victories feel earned. If there’s a criticism, it’s that some plot threads could have been developed a touch more deeply for older readers seeking complexity, but for its intended audience the narrative feels just right.
Overall, Kringle’s Emporium is a sweet, festive read that celebrates imagination, friendship, and the small acts that keep the Christmas spirit alive. If you’re after a charming holiday adventure with warmth, a sprinkling of laughs, and a touch of mystery, this book is a fine choice. I’m giving it four stars — a delightful, comforting story that captures the glow of the season.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Ben is the new kid at school and he is the subject of bullying. Laney tries to stand up for him and they end up running from the bullies and stumble through the door to Kringle's Emporium. It is a magical place, one of Kris Kringle’s travelling hiding place, and they are told that the magic of Christmas is in danger. Using objects in the emporium, they follow clues and decipher messages to try and save the Magic of Christmas. Along with Ben's sister Millie, they head off on adventures, trying to thwart a group who are trying to steal the magic. Laney and Ben must solve all the riddles and find all the stars before Christmas Eve, if they want to help Kris Kringle and save Christmas.
This was a fast and fun adventure with some messages within the story. There is adventure that strengthened their friendship. We meet Santa, aka Kris Kringle, Frosty and even Rudolph. This is a bit about good vs evil, the power of believing, and about friendship. The bullying storyline shared the idea of bystanders, which is an important message. With all that, it was a fun story with lots going on and of course, our young characters persevere and succeed. There are small illustrations in the book every couple of chapters or so, that add a bit of a whimsical feel. Overall this is a great MG adventure story to read at Christmas time.
I’ll admit, I picked this one up thinking it was a Christmas picture book, so I was a little surprised to find a full middle-grade novel instead! While I’m not the target audience, I can easily see middle years readers (roughly ages 10-12) really enjoying it, especially those who love Christmas adventures and a touch of holiday magic.
The story follows Laney and Ben, who stumble into Kringle’s Emporium and are swept into a global mission to save the magic of Christmas. Alongside enchanted objects and snowy settings, there’s a thoughtful bullying subplot that explores strategies for dealing with conflict and how bystanders can help. The story also reinforces the idea of doing good simply for the sake of good, without expecting reward; a nice message for young readers.
While simple, it’s a pleasant, magical caper with just the right balance of action, heart, and seasonal cheer. A solid choice for classrooms, libraries, or families looking for a Christmas story with both fun and substance.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Kringle’s Emporium by Jemma Hatt is an enchanting Christmas tale that is just perfect for ages eight years and over. Children living ordinary lives are suddenly caught up in an extraordinary situation when they are called to help Kris Kringle in his search for the three missing stars that are needed in order for his sleigh to fly. Through magical means the children travel to New York City and the Taj Mahal in India. Both settings come to life under Jemma Hatt’s descriptive pen. There are also bullies to confront. A character has a decision to make – stay safe or befriend the bullies’ victim? The whole novel is very enchanting. We see that goodness alone is not the only thing that is required. “It’s not enough to not be horrible to other people. To be a good person, you have to try to stop horrible things from happening to people.” All the characters were well drawn. The whole book is very charming as it fires up the imagination as well as teaching life lessons. This book would enhance any child’s personal library. It has a timeless appeal. I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
An excellently entertaining Christmas read, full of fun and adventure.
I loved this! It’s like your favourite feel-good family Christmas movie, but in book form. Featuring all the classic Christmas story tropes — magic, family, adventure, unlikely friendships, and Christmas itself in jeopardy — the storytelling is so excellent. It is also brilliantly funny, with the comic timing spot on, and the jokes landing at just the right moments.
The school experience is entirely believable too — a bully with a chip on his shoulder; a deeply hidden secret that might be too much to bear; standing up for your friends, and always believing there is hope when they stick together — all scattered with an essence of 80s kid-centric movies and lots of festive fun.
If you’ve read Jemma Hatt’s books before, you’ll know how perfectly she captures every element that an adventure story needs. And if you haven’t read her books . . . well, either way, you’re in for the perfect Christmas treat. With the soft colour of the page and the good sized type, this will also appeal to younger readers who might have reading difficulties.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Yes it is a kids book. Yes it's aimed at 8-12 year olds and I'm 32. But I love kids book and I love Christmas books so this was a win-win. I admit it's not the most taxing of books for older readers but still enjoyable.
It's not surprising considering the page length, but I zoomed through it, I was so swept up in the magic.
It has some beautiful illustrations done by Andrew Smith. I would have liked more, but that's because I'm greedy. It'll be interesting to see if they are colour illustrations in the finished book because in the digital copy they were black and white. They're absolutely fine in black and white, but I think they'd be more magical in full colour, like the cover.
It's such fun but it has a real message at heart. It is a lovely story about magic and belief, not just in Santa but in yourself. It's about friendship and kindness and doing good; about adventures, meeting new people. It's about overcoming hardships, standing up to bullies, and about being there for others.
I could see this destined to become a Christmas classic.
Thank You to BooksgoSocial and NetGalley for a Reader's Advanced Copy of this novel.
Ben and Laney stubble through the door or Kringle's Emporium. They step into a different world with so many hidden wonders. The Emporium is more of a shop of curiosities. I mean it is Kris Kringle. In this story Christmas is in danger. Pretty soon there is another person joining them Ben's little sister Millie. All of them try to save Christmas.
I loved how short this novel was, and how quickly I was able to read it. I liked the characters but I hated how mean everyone was to Ben. This was the cutest holiday story, this book is directed towards a younger audience but I honestly still loved it, and loved how easy the plot was to get through. The cover of this novel is also beautiful and exactly what the front of a toy store would look like. Kids that love love Christmas will enjoy this story so much and will enjoy the adventure that happens in this book. This book really shows the magic of Christmas and what Santa can do. This would be a good book for before bed especially since they are such short chapters. This would also be a good Christmas gift for the elementary school child in you life.
Santa needs help! Some 21st century tech company wants to steal his secret ways and they might succeed! Read this fun adventure story that will have you cheering the good guys and all in the feels over Rudolph! . If you have a middle grader (or you love Middle Grade) Kringle’s Emporium by Jemma Hatt is just the book you want for all the Santa vibes this Christmas! The story follows Laney and Ben who stumble upon Kringle’s Emporium while trying to outrun the school bullies who are bent on bullying Ben. Kris if so happy, because only the magic brought be children who believe will help him defeat the enemy! So while the story has lots of magic and adventure it also addresses some key themes relative to Middle Grade students. There are some wonderful lessons woven into the exciting adventure tale. . The story takes place in the days leading up to and including Christmas Eve. Grab a copy, snuggle up, and enjoy this adventure! . Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the Advanced Review Copy they gave me in exchange for my honest opinion. #KringlesEmporium #NetGalley
This is such a cute story for children to read over the Christmas period with family, I’d recommend it for children from 5years old who truly believe in Christmas and magic.
When Laney and Ben escape the school bullies and find themselves in a unique and special shop they’ve never seen before called Kringles Emporium, they discover that Christmas and all things festive are in danger of disappearing FOREVER!!!
Santa informs them that a company of bad people are trying to destroy everything Santa and his family of Elves etc have built, and to save Christmas they need to find 3 golden stars and increase the magical belief to help Santa get his sleigh to fly again as all the reindeers including Rudolf have frozen.
Will they be able to save Christmas before the baddies infiltrate the North Pole protection or will Christmas fail to exist as we all know …… ever again????
Snuggle up with a hot cocoa and join the adventure.
Laney doesn't think that it's a big deal when she stands up for Ben in class; it's just the right thing to do. She never could have imagined that she would become a part of the team that's tasked with saving Christmas magic, all through a magical Christmas shop.
The moment I was introduced to the Kringle Emporium, I felt like I was a child watching the Santa Clause movie for the first time; I was filled with awe and the magic of Christmas as an adult.
The overall theme of how good deeds help bring magic to the world will be great for children both at home and in the classroom. Children and adults alike will be taken by the magic of this book, easily making it a yearly read with Ben and Laney becoming their bookish friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
What a cute kids book. We really enjoyed reading this aloud to our kids and tried to do a chapter a day as there’s 25 chapters. Naturally we had to finish a little early. For my American English readers, this is definitely written in a British English in spelling and grammar. The first chapter has a few grammatical errors I was surprised hadn’t been caught, but the rest of the book seemed to be alright, but clearly could’ve been read another time or two by an editor. This excludes the British spellings of things I do not consider that an error. Anyway, it was a very cute world with multiple lessons about being a good person, Spreading kindness, and helping others with an adventure mystery twist. My 9yr old loved it. Highly recommend.
This book is, in a word, CHARMING. It’s a lovely story of friendship, kindness, and adventure.
I love Ben and Laney’s friendship and how they work together to stand up to bullies, work together, and believe in themselves and each other.
It’s a fun children’s story that could easily become a classic and family favourite, something that is read every holiday season. The cover and illustrations by Andrew Smith are lovely and I wish there were more (I mean, is it too much to wish for an animated holiday special?) and I can’t wait to share this with my nephew and niece!
* Thanks to the author for a free ebook ARC for review purposes
This is pretty formulaic and is missing a bit on the kind of lush atmosphere that I think a book like this needs to succeed, but it’s a sweet adventure story and I liked the friendship that formed between Ben and Laney.
The kids here do behave like kids (including, alas, the local bully), so that makes the premise coming into the fantasy elements a bit more compelling.
The emporium itself is unfortunately disappointing, mostly because it’s not fleshed out very well. But I liked the low stakes quest that Kris sends the kids on.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
What a fun, feel good and adventurous read that is perfect for the Christmas season. The story had me hooked from the first chapter and the action and adventure didn't let up until the end once the kids worked together to help save Christmas as well as making new friendships and travelling to various countries around the world. I would highly recommend this book for all Christmas lovers- both adults and children alike to get into the Christmas spirit and soar into the clouds on Santa's sleigh. Thankyou to Net galley and Books Go Social for an early arc of this wonderful and seasonal story.
How cute is this story! It starts off with a kid getting bullied and a young girl, her peer, not doing much about it. However, they go into this magical store to find that good deed gain them points that they can use to get magical gadgets, they also bring their friends along to help them, help Santa. Something I will need to get on my shelves for my kiddos to read since I read this through my library.
I received a free copy of “Kringle’s Emporium” by Jenna Hatt from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is one I’d read to my elementary students. I loved the message of standing up for others, and doing what you know is right even when it seems impossible. The characters were relatable and I especially liked the ending.
Laney and Ben stumble upon Kringle's Emporium when fleeing from Ben's bully Conor. What lies ahead is an enchanting adventure to restore the magic of Christmas and overcome the obstacles presented by SLYSEC. An enjoyable story to share in the lead up to Christmas I just felt as an adult reader that there was scope for the story to be developed further. 3.5 stars for me.
This was a lovely children’s book. Laney helps Ben who’s being bullied and they find a shop, but it’s a magical shop. The adventures the children get up to is brilliant. A great Pre Christmas book for all. 5 magical stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
This was a fun and cute little adventure. I loved the characters. They were great and all got their own arcs. I did like the themeing around bullying, doing the right think even when it's hard, and why you choose to help others. I loved the shop and the credit system. I loved how the nice and naughty lists were brought up and discussed. The ending was fun and felt fitting. I think this is a nice little holiday read.
Cute story, maybe more for teens, but I accidentally added it looking for some early Christmas cheer not realizing for a younger age group. A sweet take away at the end was Kris Kringle saying “No one every regrets being too kind in life, only being too unkind”
A quick read filled with so much Christmas magic. This book was so much fun! Absolutely adorable and full of hilarious moments. I loved Laney and Ben, and even Ben's mischievous sister Millie.