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Christmas Carrolls #1
The Christmas Carrolls
Funny, festive middle grade about the world's most Christmassy family from the founder of Authorfy, perfect for 8+ readers and fans of Matt Haig, Men Miller, Sibeal Pounder's 'Tinsel' and the Nativity! films
Wish it could be Christmas every day? Well, for nine-year-old Holly Carroll and her family, it is! Living her merriest life in a house with year-round fairy lights and Christmas trees, a carol-singing toilet and a diva monkey who thinks he's a reindeer, home-schooled Holly tries to spread cheer wherever she goes.
But when she goes to a new school with a singing Santa backpack and first day Christmas cards (during a heatwave in September!), she realizes not everyone shares her enthusiasm for spreading cheer. In fact, when the neighbors try to remove the Carrolls from the street and Holly discovers a group of children that may not get a Christmas at all, her snow globe world begins to crack. Is the world's most Christmassy girl about to lose her Christmas spirit?
'THE CHRISTMAS CARROLLS' is a heartwarming, hilarious and inclusive tale about the power of spreading cheer, the magic of friendship and what really matters at this most wonderful time of year.
Wish it could be Christmas every day? Well, for nine-year-old Holly Carroll and her family, it is! Living her merriest life in a house with year-round fairy lights and Christmas trees, a carol-singing toilet and a diva monkey who thinks he's a reindeer, home-schooled Holly tries to spread cheer wherever she goes.
But when she goes to a new school with a singing Santa backpack and first day Christmas cards (during a heatwave in September!), she realizes not everyone shares her enthusiasm for spreading cheer. In fact, when the neighbors try to remove the Carrolls from the street and Holly discovers a group of children that may not get a Christmas at all, her snow globe world begins to crack. Is the world's most Christmassy girl about to lose her Christmas spirit?
'THE CHRISTMAS CARROLLS' is a heartwarming, hilarious and inclusive tale about the power of spreading cheer, the magic of friendship and what really matters at this most wonderful time of year.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2021
24 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
Mel Taylor-Bessent
14 books17 followersFounder of the hugely successful Authorfy and Little Star Writing, Mel Taylor-Bessent has made her career connecting readers to their favourite authors and encouraging children to write for pleasure. After gaining a Creative Writing degree, Mel launched her first business at the age of 22 and ran creative writing workshops for thousands of children aged 6-12. As a result, she also arranged hundreds of author events and witnessed first-hand the positive impact these interactions had on her students.
In 2017, she decided to replicate this via online ‘Author Masterclasses’ on a website she created called Authorfy.com. Since then, Authorfy has gone on to win numerous awards, partner with the likes of World Book Day and BookTrust, and is used in classrooms all over the world. Now Mel is bringing her own writing to readers with The Christmas Carrolls, her debut fiction series.
In 2017, she decided to replicate this via online ‘Author Masterclasses’ on a website she created called Authorfy.com. Since then, Authorfy has gone on to win numerous awards, partner with the likes of World Book Day and BookTrust, and is used in classrooms all over the world. Now Mel is bringing her own writing to readers with The Christmas Carrolls, her debut fiction series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 14, 2021
Mum always says I should fill every moment with cheer.
Here's Holly Carroll, a girl born into a family who is obsessed with a certain holiday.
"Firstly, we think every day should feel like Christmas," I said with a smile. "We should be excited to go to bed each night, so that we wake up the next morning eager to see what the day will bring."
Their intentions are sincere, and well-meaning, it's just that they're RELENTLESSLY JOLLY, kind of like having this guy
around 365 days a year, and indeed, I did start to feel like this guy
just because I'm content to celebrate Christmas only once a year.
Holly, a formerly home-schooled youngster, is having trouble fitting in with her new classmates. It seems as though no one else appreciates getting candy canes and scarves in September. Thank goodness, Holly has a new friend who helps drive home the idea that Wrapping presents wouldn't help the homeless. Adding glitter and a bow wouldn't reunite someone with their family. Boxing the perfectly symmetrical gift wouldn't cure someone of an illness. And, now the Carroll family has discovered a new way to spread cheer, and it's rightup their alley down their chimney.
This is a cute read for middle-grade kids, and perhaps even their parents.
Here's Holly Carroll, a girl born into a family who is obsessed with a certain holiday.
"Firstly, we think every day should feel like Christmas," I said with a smile. "We should be excited to go to bed each night, so that we wake up the next morning eager to see what the day will bring."
Their intentions are sincere, and well-meaning, it's just that they're RELENTLESSLY JOLLY, kind of like having this guy
around 365 days a year, and indeed, I did start to feel like this guy
just because I'm content to celebrate Christmas only once a year.
Holly, a formerly home-schooled youngster, is having trouble fitting in with her new classmates. It seems as though no one else appreciates getting candy canes and scarves in September. Thank goodness, Holly has a new friend who helps drive home the idea that Wrapping presents wouldn't help the homeless. Adding glitter and a bow wouldn't reunite someone with their family. Boxing the perfectly symmetrical gift wouldn't cure someone of an illness. And, now the Carroll family has discovered a new way to spread cheer, and it's right
This is a cute read for middle-grade kids, and perhaps even their parents.
December 26, 2023
Cute Christmas story about a family obsessed with the holiday season and spreading joy throughout the year, which isn't reciprocated by everyone they meet. It's got a strong message behind it about Christmas being about loved ones and enjoying the moment, but it never feels forced on the reader, preferring to focus on the fun. I loved Holly and little Ivy, and the familial connections feel genuine and believable.
A fun, quick read for Christmas.
A fun, quick read for Christmas.
November 9, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
If you are looking for a fun, exciting Christmas book for your middle-grader, then look no further. The Christmas Carrolls is an absolute genius of a book and the first in a series too.
Meet nine-year-old Holly Carroll, her baby sister Ivy, and their parents, Snow and Nick. Together they are a family who is festive all year round. They love Christmas. They have fake snow, a wrapping room, Christmas food every day, and Holly even has a ho-ho-hoing backpack. They are the most Christmassy family you will ever meet.
Join Holly as she learns a few life lessons from her new classmates and they learn a lot from her. In this tender and endearing book watch how being festive can help put a smile on even the most cynical of people’s faces and take note as Holly shows you exactly what being a friend is all about.
The Christmas Carrolls was a real joy to read. It made me feel uplifted the whole way through. It was joyous to read about characters who were nearly always happy and trying to share their cheer, which in turn put a smile on my face. I now can’t wait to join the family again and see what book two has installed for us.
If you are looking for a fun, exciting Christmas book for your middle-grader, then look no further. The Christmas Carrolls is an absolute genius of a book and the first in a series too.
Meet nine-year-old Holly Carroll, her baby sister Ivy, and their parents, Snow and Nick. Together they are a family who is festive all year round. They love Christmas. They have fake snow, a wrapping room, Christmas food every day, and Holly even has a ho-ho-hoing backpack. They are the most Christmassy family you will ever meet.
Join Holly as she learns a few life lessons from her new classmates and they learn a lot from her. In this tender and endearing book watch how being festive can help put a smile on even the most cynical of people’s faces and take note as Holly shows you exactly what being a friend is all about.
The Christmas Carrolls was a real joy to read. It made me feel uplifted the whole way through. It was joyous to read about characters who were nearly always happy and trying to share their cheer, which in turn put a smile on my face. I now can’t wait to join the family again and see what book two has installed for us.
December 24, 2021
Oh my goodness! What a heartwarming, fun, perfect Christmas read that is full of so many important lessons/messages too! Loved this! Such a charming story, & it might sound like a ridiculous thing for a family to celebrate Christmas year round, but the author explains & writes the story in a way to where it all makes sense, & you even start to wonder WHY people aren’t celebrating Christmas everyday lol(the ones who celebrate it to begin with I mean). The humor is so good in here. I also love the Christmasy names the Carrolls give everything, & Holly’s own vocabulary she seems to have lol(it’s not confusing at all, but the author does have a fun “Holly’s Dictionary” in the back!).
This is so pure, innocent, magical with real life magic(read it!), cozy, festive, & charming. Full of Christmas fun(duh lol), family, friendship, learning, spirit, & cheer! Great themes on belonging, fitting in, learning about cultures & life issues outside the bubbles we live in of our own lives, believing in/loving/accepting who you are, etc. Holly & Archer are just the cutest. I loved their friendship, & such a unique beginning of a friendship! I loved Archer’s character, & the whole story the author created for him. The whole Carroll family is amazing, & I’d love to be adopted by them! Their house too! Wowza! I wish it was real so bad! I would LOVE it there. So vividly described, I could envision it perfectly, & smell the cocoa & more. So atmospheric.
Reggie has my heart though. Two words-Diva Donkey. Two more words-wannabe reindeer. Enough said lol. Holly’s never been to public school before, so watching her learn & try to understand all the unknown was so sweet & great to experience with her. I felt so bad for her at times though. When anyone is different, they automatically get made fun of like it’s bad. So what if you think the Christmas stuff is weird? She isn’t hurting anyone. In fact, all she wanted to do was make people happy, do good, & spread cheer. What’s so bad about that? I hated seeing her doubt herself, & her whole life basically. But that’s really how it would probably happen if this happened in real life. I loved how the story all came together in the end, & how it did. It was beautiful & gave me all the feels. There’s even a “Grinch/Scrooge” type of character in here & I loved that!
When you finish this book, it leaves you with the exact feeling the Carrolls try to make every day feel like-that almost magical feeling Christmas brings & you feel that 1 one day a year. Magic in a book. Highly recommend! Flew through this! Don’t know if I knew before, but I was so happy to see in the back of the book, that this is another Christmas read that will have a sequel! So excited! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL cover front & back by Selom Sunu & almost every page has the most beautiful illustrations as well!💜
This is so pure, innocent, magical with real life magic(read it!), cozy, festive, & charming. Full of Christmas fun(duh lol), family, friendship, learning, spirit, & cheer! Great themes on belonging, fitting in, learning about cultures & life issues outside the bubbles we live in of our own lives, believing in/loving/accepting who you are, etc. Holly & Archer are just the cutest. I loved their friendship, & such a unique beginning of a friendship! I loved Archer’s character, & the whole story the author created for him. The whole Carroll family is amazing, & I’d love to be adopted by them! Their house too! Wowza! I wish it was real so bad! I would LOVE it there. So vividly described, I could envision it perfectly, & smell the cocoa & more. So atmospheric.
Reggie has my heart though. Two words-Diva Donkey. Two more words-wannabe reindeer. Enough said lol. Holly’s never been to public school before, so watching her learn & try to understand all the unknown was so sweet & great to experience with her. I felt so bad for her at times though. When anyone is different, they automatically get made fun of like it’s bad. So what if you think the Christmas stuff is weird? She isn’t hurting anyone. In fact, all she wanted to do was make people happy, do good, & spread cheer. What’s so bad about that? I hated seeing her doubt herself, & her whole life basically. But that’s really how it would probably happen if this happened in real life. I loved how the story all came together in the end, & how it did. It was beautiful & gave me all the feels. There’s even a “Grinch/Scrooge” type of character in here & I loved that!
When you finish this book, it leaves you with the exact feeling the Carrolls try to make every day feel like-that almost magical feeling Christmas brings & you feel that 1 one day a year. Magic in a book. Highly recommend! Flew through this! Don’t know if I knew before, but I was so happy to see in the back of the book, that this is another Christmas read that will have a sequel! So excited! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL cover front & back by Selom Sunu & almost every page has the most beautiful illustrations as well!💜
December 27, 2022
I was surprised that this story isn't set around Christmas time. However it is full of Christmas themes and a big love for Christmas. It was a quick read but a bit too christmassy extreme for me.
December 21, 2021
9 year old Holly Carroll and her family are rather unusual. They are obsessed with Christmas and their world is full of fake snow, 10 foot candy canes and everything you could possibly imagine that is Christmas related. They also have their own Christmas Carroll vocabulary – see my comment below about ‘Hollyisms’. The only problem is that other people don’t always share their enthusiasm, something which is made clear to them when they finally move to their dream address of Sleigh Ride Avenue.
The Carrolls believe that every moment should be filled with cheer but when Holly has to attend school for the first time, it’s rather a rude awakening for her and far from spreading Christmas cheer to all as she had hoped, she is laughed at. It’s a summer heatwave and her classmates and teachers are not feeling those Christmas vibes just yet!
I’m many decades past the target age for this book and I don’t have children but when I was offered it for review it just appealed to me, even though I don’t normally review children’s books. In my opinion, this is a perfect story for middle grade readers, (the reading age is said to be for 8-12 years) as it focuses on inclusion and kindness and wanting to be liked and to fit in. There is a lovely part of the story which is just so heartwarming and uplifting where people have the opportunity to come together to improve the circumstances of others less fortunate.
The author has written a Christmas filled tale of warmth, humour and emotion and its a story that adults and children can share together – its not just the ‘human’ characters who will steal your heart. Not being used to school, having been homeschooled, Holly didn’t know how to make friends and blend in, but her tentative friendship with shy and lonely classmate Archer, was touching and at times bought a lump to the throat. I also fell in love with Reginald, the attention seeking donkey! I should also mention that there are many fabulous illustrations throughout the book by Selom Sunu together with a ‘dictionary’ at the back of ‘Hollyisms’ – her version of what she means and what they actually mean.
Definitely recommended for that Christmas cheer! 🎄
The Carrolls believe that every moment should be filled with cheer but when Holly has to attend school for the first time, it’s rather a rude awakening for her and far from spreading Christmas cheer to all as she had hoped, she is laughed at. It’s a summer heatwave and her classmates and teachers are not feeling those Christmas vibes just yet!
I’m many decades past the target age for this book and I don’t have children but when I was offered it for review it just appealed to me, even though I don’t normally review children’s books. In my opinion, this is a perfect story for middle grade readers, (the reading age is said to be for 8-12 years) as it focuses on inclusion and kindness and wanting to be liked and to fit in. There is a lovely part of the story which is just so heartwarming and uplifting where people have the opportunity to come together to improve the circumstances of others less fortunate.
The author has written a Christmas filled tale of warmth, humour and emotion and its a story that adults and children can share together – its not just the ‘human’ characters who will steal your heart. Not being used to school, having been homeschooled, Holly didn’t know how to make friends and blend in, but her tentative friendship with shy and lonely classmate Archer, was touching and at times bought a lump to the throat. I also fell in love with Reginald, the attention seeking donkey! I should also mention that there are many fabulous illustrations throughout the book by Selom Sunu together with a ‘dictionary’ at the back of ‘Hollyisms’ – her version of what she means and what they actually mean.
Definitely recommended for that Christmas cheer! 🎄
December 8, 2021
A wonderfully joyous and festive tale that's perfect for the season. I read it in a day because I loved it so much!
The Carrrolls are a family who are completely invested in Christmas all year round and when a house comes up for sale on the third most christmassy Street in the world they jump at the chance to move and spread cheer in the community, but Holly has always been home schooled and is about to find out that not everybody celebrates Christmas like her family do.
Wonderfully illustrated and a great story filled with love, hope and friendship. I think this will be a book I read every Christmas 🎄
The Carrrolls are a family who are completely invested in Christmas all year round and when a house comes up for sale on the third most christmassy Street in the world they jump at the chance to move and spread cheer in the community, but Holly has always been home schooled and is about to find out that not everybody celebrates Christmas like her family do.
Wonderfully illustrated and a great story filled with love, hope and friendship. I think this will be a book I read every Christmas 🎄
December 11, 2021
What an absolute festive gem!!! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
I was absolutely hooked and fell in love with The Carrolls! I honestly could not put this book down and it was just the perfect December read for any age!!!
I loved loved loved this and cannot recommend enough!
I was absolutely hooked and fell in love with The Carrolls! I honestly could not put this book down and it was just the perfect December read for any age!!!
I loved loved loved this and cannot recommend enough!
December 30, 2021
Filled with festive cheer
December 10, 2021
I love a cosy Christmas middle grade and this is easily one of the best I've ever read! It's like a huge festive hug and makes me smile every time I think about it! Goodness I absolutely adore this book!
Have you ever wished it could be Christmas every day or feel like it at least? Well for The Caroll's thats exactly how they live their lives. Think Christmas lights galore all year round, festive food and drink, and even a very special donkey who thinks he's a reindeer. The Caroll's really are living their Merriest lives spreading the joy of Christmas wherever they go.
When nine year old Holly starts her first day of school with her Santa backpack and Christmas cards for all of the children she's sure that they will all be feeling the festive cheer too, in a heatwave, in the middle of September. Alas it is not to be and when she receives a welcome that's less than friendly she wonders if Christmas is something that should be celebrated all year round or maybe her and her family have been doing it wrong....
This book is everything I could ever want at this time of year! It's so festive and heartwarming. I loved the theme of friendship, and celebrating differences that are In this story. The Caroll's are such a beautiful, supportive family that immediately make you fall in love with their whole message of always spreading cheer and kindness. It's just a beautiful, beautiful read. I can't wait for my kids to read it. It made me laugh and made me feel genuinely happy. If you haven't picked this up yet I definitely think you should!
Have you ever wished it could be Christmas every day or feel like it at least? Well for The Caroll's thats exactly how they live their lives. Think Christmas lights galore all year round, festive food and drink, and even a very special donkey who thinks he's a reindeer. The Caroll's really are living their Merriest lives spreading the joy of Christmas wherever they go.
When nine year old Holly starts her first day of school with her Santa backpack and Christmas cards for all of the children she's sure that they will all be feeling the festive cheer too, in a heatwave, in the middle of September. Alas it is not to be and when she receives a welcome that's less than friendly she wonders if Christmas is something that should be celebrated all year round or maybe her and her family have been doing it wrong....
This book is everything I could ever want at this time of year! It's so festive and heartwarming. I loved the theme of friendship, and celebrating differences that are In this story. The Caroll's are such a beautiful, supportive family that immediately make you fall in love with their whole message of always spreading cheer and kindness. It's just a beautiful, beautiful read. I can't wait for my kids to read it. It made me laugh and made me feel genuinely happy. If you haven't picked this up yet I definitely think you should!
January 1, 2023
We liked this book because it explains how important cheer spreading is and how it helps people to feel happy and all the different way that you can spread cheer.
Holly Carrolls loves Christmas and celebrates it every day but as she starts going to school for the first time she is given strange looks. She does not understand why the rest of her school isn’t cheerful. Eventually she realises what she must do to make friends but will it mean she has to change the way she has lived her life until this time.
Archer is Hollys best friend but at first he thinks she is weird because she loves Christmas all year round and is a cheer spreading which he is not used to. He soon understands why Holly is like this and they become very good friends.
This book is about finding your place in the world and being true to yourself but it is also tear-sheddingly funny. This book was tree - mendous and it made us laugh in every chapter.
There are a fair few illustrations in this book. The illustrations gave us a merrynifiscent view into the story and what was going on.
This book made us feel like we were sliding down the banister on Christmas Day! We laughed at everything and shouted at many of the characters when we knew they were making mistakes and we knew they were.
Holly Carrolls loves Christmas and celebrates it every day but as she starts going to school for the first time she is given strange looks. She does not understand why the rest of her school isn’t cheerful. Eventually she realises what she must do to make friends but will it mean she has to change the way she has lived her life until this time.
Archer is Hollys best friend but at first he thinks she is weird because she loves Christmas all year round and is a cheer spreading which he is not used to. He soon understands why Holly is like this and they become very good friends.
This book is about finding your place in the world and being true to yourself but it is also tear-sheddingly funny. This book was tree - mendous and it made us laugh in every chapter.
There are a fair few illustrations in this book. The illustrations gave us a merrynifiscent view into the story and what was going on.
This book made us feel like we were sliding down the banister on Christmas Day! We laughed at everything and shouted at many of the characters when we knew they were making mistakes and we knew they were.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2021
3.5 stars
Full review to follow soon!
Full review to follow soon!
December 12, 2021
An absolute gem of a middle-grade Christmas book!
Meet The Carrolls, the family who celebrate Christmas all year round, much to the confusion and annoyance of their new neighbours in the neighbourhood they move to, and the school friends of the main character, Holly Carroll. But Holly takes us on her journey of trying to make friends, fit in, spread cheer and discover the true meaning of Christmas.
This book made me smile, laugh, and feel all warm inside, I highly recommend it for all ages and will most definitely be rereading it next Christmas.
Meet The Carrolls, the family who celebrate Christmas all year round, much to the confusion and annoyance of their new neighbours in the neighbourhood they move to, and the school friends of the main character, Holly Carroll. But Holly takes us on her journey of trying to make friends, fit in, spread cheer and discover the true meaning of Christmas.
This book made me smile, laugh, and feel all warm inside, I highly recommend it for all ages and will most definitely be rereading it next Christmas.
Read
December 25, 2021“After all, did I want to be a reindeer that followed the crowd, or did I want to be a diva donkey with a taste for the limelight and a talent for spreading cheer? It was a no-brainer.” This is my favorite quote from the book and it really shows what this book is about. It’s about embracing who you are and not following everyone. I can’t wait till the second book.
December 7, 2021
The most Christmassy, tinselly and fun mg festive story I have ever read!
December 29, 2021
This was such a cute Christmas atmospheric read. I for sure ended up with some Christmas cheer from reading this story.
January 1, 2022
It was the best Christmas book I have read.
I loved how all the characters didn't disbelieve in each other.
By Summer aged 10
I loved how all the characters didn't disbelieve in each other.
By Summer aged 10
October 19, 2022
Sweet, heartwarming, seasonal jollity for children. It’s suggested for aged 9+, but younger children will enjoy the audiobook, or having it read to them too.
November 15, 2022
Just brilliant! Just the right level of whit to appeal to a teen reader but perfectly placed for a middle grade! (To be honest it’s perfect for anybody!) A really fuzzy, heart-warming Christmas story!
January 11, 2024
An endearing festive story about the joy of spreading cheer at Christmas.
Nine-year-old Holly is obssessed with Christmas, but when Holly moves to a new school, she comes face-to-face with the reality that not everyone might like Christmas as much as she does, in this charming middle grade about friendship, community and the spirit of the season.
I adored Holly and her Christmas-obsessed life. She's a bit like Buddy the Elf: extremely naive about the real world, but in an endearing way – you can't help but root for her despite the fact that you know not everyone will appreciate her relentless Christmas cheer. If you manage to suspend your disbelief for a moment – like how her parents Snow and Nick live in this equally ignorant bubble where their intense Christmas obsession isn't questioned by every other person they know – you are treated to a charming story of a girl learning to fit in without compromising who she is and what she loves. She has a quirk of mashing words together to make Christmas puns, like 'snowiches' for snow and sandwiches, which was incredibly fun, especially in the audiobook format.
I also loved Holly's new friend Archer. Her total opposite, he is cynical, aloof, and a social outcast, yet his and Holly's friendship is really sweet, and he makes an effort despite his apprehension to show interest in Christmas for her. He also makes some important points on the many ways that the holidays are difficult for some people, which I think is a great message for children.
For the most part I really enjoyed Shakira Newton's narration. She gives each character a distinctive voice that really helped differentiate the characters. The only issue I would take is that sometimes her tone would flick upwards before a full stop, making a lot of the sentences sound like questions. I did eventually get used to it but it was quite grating to begin with.
WILL I READ ON? I doubt I will go out of my way to pick up the rest of the books, but I would be happy to listen to the next two on audio, for sure.
Audiobook received from HarperCollins UK Audio in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 14th October 2021.
LAST REVIEW
Nine-year-old Holly is obssessed with Christmas, but when Holly moves to a new school, she comes face-to-face with the reality that not everyone might like Christmas as much as she does, in this charming middle grade about friendship, community and the spirit of the season.
I adored Holly and her Christmas-obsessed life. She's a bit like Buddy the Elf: extremely naive about the real world, but in an endearing way – you can't help but root for her despite the fact that you know not everyone will appreciate her relentless Christmas cheer. If you manage to suspend your disbelief for a moment – like how her parents Snow and Nick live in this equally ignorant bubble where their intense Christmas obsession isn't questioned by every other person they know – you are treated to a charming story of a girl learning to fit in without compromising who she is and what she loves. She has a quirk of mashing words together to make Christmas puns, like 'snowiches' for snow and sandwiches, which was incredibly fun, especially in the audiobook format.
I also loved Holly's new friend Archer. Her total opposite, he is cynical, aloof, and a social outcast, yet his and Holly's friendship is really sweet, and he makes an effort despite his apprehension to show interest in Christmas for her. He also makes some important points on the many ways that the holidays are difficult for some people, which I think is a great message for children.
For the most part I really enjoyed Shakira Newton's narration. She gives each character a distinctive voice that really helped differentiate the characters. The only issue I would take is that sometimes her tone would flick upwards before a full stop, making a lot of the sentences sound like questions. I did eventually get used to it but it was quite grating to begin with.
WILL I READ ON? I doubt I will go out of my way to pick up the rest of the books, but I would be happy to listen to the next two on audio, for sure.
Audiobook received from HarperCollins UK Audio in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 14th October 2021.
LAST REVIEW
September 23, 2021
Authorfy creator Mel Taylor-Bessent offers her own masterclass in writing for children in the form of her debut chapter book, The Christmas Carrolls. Sprinkled with seasonal goodwill and a good dose of ho-ho-ho, this is a perfectly heart-warming and humorous read for the festive season.
Holly Carroll and her family are crazy about Christmas, but with a little help from a special new friend, Holly discovers that the festive season is not always as cheer-filled for everyone as she once thought. When the world begins to lose its sparkle, Holly finds a way to channel her inner Christmas spirit to embrace her community and make a real difference to those in need.
I thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good read with its loveable cast of characters, festive puns aplenty and themes of kindness, inclusion and sparing a thought for others in the community. I hope that Santa's elves have stocked up on this title - as The Christmas Carrolls is the book that everyone's going to be hoping to find under the tree this year.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us an early copy for review. This book is featured on our Autumn 2021 Ones to Watch selection:https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/o...
Holly Carroll and her family are crazy about Christmas, but with a little help from a special new friend, Holly discovers that the festive season is not always as cheer-filled for everyone as she once thought. When the world begins to lose its sparkle, Holly finds a way to channel her inner Christmas spirit to embrace her community and make a real difference to those in need.
I thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good read with its loveable cast of characters, festive puns aplenty and themes of kindness, inclusion and sparing a thought for others in the community. I hope that Santa's elves have stocked up on this title - as The Christmas Carrolls is the book that everyone's going to be hoping to find under the tree this year.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us an early copy for review. This book is featured on our Autumn 2021 Ones to Watch selection:https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/o...
November 26, 2024
A three star rating for this book makes me SO SAD! My expectations for this were sky high, so high that I bought books 2 and 3 as well, certain that they would become new all time favorite reads for me.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book anywhere near as much as I was expecting to. First off, it’s not a Christmas book. It’s set in September. The main character Holly and her family are fanatics about Christmas and basically celebrate it constantly, but when they move to a new area and Holly attends school for the first time (she was previously homeschooled) everyone thinks that their family is strange due to their obsession with all things Christmas.
And I have to agree that they were. Especially the parents. It did explain a bit why they were the way that they were but they were so over the top that it just came off as ridiculous and silly.
Also, I hated all of Holly’s made up words. There were so many of them and they became so annoying. The illustrations throughout were cute and my copy has beautiful sprayed edges, but the book sadly ended up being more cringy than cutesy. The main character is only 9 so I would put this at the younger end of Middle Grade.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book anywhere near as much as I was expecting to. First off, it’s not a Christmas book. It’s set in September. The main character Holly and her family are fanatics about Christmas and basically celebrate it constantly, but when they move to a new area and Holly attends school for the first time (she was previously homeschooled) everyone thinks that their family is strange due to their obsession with all things Christmas.
And I have to agree that they were. Especially the parents. It did explain a bit why they were the way that they were but they were so over the top that it just came off as ridiculous and silly.
Also, I hated all of Holly’s made up words. There were so many of them and they became so annoying. The illustrations throughout were cute and my copy has beautiful sprayed edges, but the book sadly ended up being more cringy than cutesy. The main character is only 9 so I would put this at the younger end of Middle Grade.
December 8, 2021
This is such a lovely read. It's the most festive read I've had in a while and ... its mainly set in September. Its quite the feat.
The parents in this book are genuinely not OK. Like, worryingly so. However, their little girl is gull of kindness, wants to help people be happy and when presented with new information she changes course in order to be inclusive. So, I will allow that as bonkers as parents would need to be to purposefully make their kid the one that stands out as odd....they're doing well.
I liked the storyline with Holly's best friend Archer too. Representation really matters, and it is important for children to understand that other children have different experiences than they do. The way Arthur being in care is handled in this book shows just how much children are able to understand and support each other with if given the opportunity.
Overall, this is a lovely read which I will be recommending as a Christmas present for those I know with children.
The parents in this book are genuinely not OK. Like, worryingly so. However, their little girl is gull of kindness, wants to help people be happy and when presented with new information she changes course in order to be inclusive. So, I will allow that as bonkers as parents would need to be to purposefully make their kid the one that stands out as odd....they're doing well.
I liked the storyline with Holly's best friend Archer too. Representation really matters, and it is important for children to understand that other children have different experiences than they do. The way Arthur being in care is handled in this book shows just how much children are able to understand and support each other with if given the opportunity.
Overall, this is a lovely read which I will be recommending as a Christmas present for those I know with children.
September 12, 2021
Christmastastic!!! An absolute joy to read. I have finally found a family with as much christmas cheer as me! The Christmas Carrolls, is a perfect debut Novel from Mel Taylor-Bessent, and is a must-read to give you some extra cheer.
Lots of friendships, joy, magic and a cheeky little donkey-reindeer!!!
Heartwarming, funny, and festive. The Cover is so fabulous, and the perfect addition to your Christmas collection, and although aimed at middle grade 9-12 readers, enjoyable for absolutely everyone of all ages. You are never too old for some festive magic.
*Thank you to Harper Collins for the gifted copy*
Lots of friendships, joy, magic and a cheeky little donkey-reindeer!!!
Heartwarming, funny, and festive. The Cover is so fabulous, and the perfect addition to your Christmas collection, and although aimed at middle grade 9-12 readers, enjoyable for absolutely everyone of all ages. You are never too old for some festive magic.
*Thank you to Harper Collins for the gifted copy*
December 12, 2021
Dieses Buch ist nicht nur für Weihnachten. Es geht viel mehr darum Freude zu verbreiten und den Menschen zu helfen glücklich zu sein.
Mit dem magischen Gefühl dass man bei Schneefall und an Weihnachten verspürt, versucht die Familie Carroll die Welt ein Stück weit besser zu machen.
Ein absolut wundervolles Buch, das mich zu Tränen gerührt hat.
Mit dem magischen Gefühl dass man bei Schneefall und an Weihnachten verspürt, versucht die Familie Carroll die Welt ein Stück weit besser zu machen.
Ein absolut wundervolles Buch, das mich zu Tränen gerührt hat.
December 11, 2021
A great holiday read! Perfect for every age, especially for those in search of some Christmas Magic!
December 9, 2023
A book about Christmas that takes place in September but still has all the feels of winter.
December 18, 2021
This was adorableee 🥰
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