#and susan and lucy would take comfort in the fact that their narnia toy is on earth somewhere even if out of reach

[thedawntreaders]

you know something that's been on my mind? i think susan would crochet stuffed animals for lucy when lucy was still a child in narnia, because all the ones they had were left back in the professor's mansion. out of all of them, the baby elephant was lucy's favorite and most cherished. it's susan's proudest work.

this very same elephant would be left untouched thousands of years later in lucy's quarters after her disappearance, which the following kings and queens had never dared to enter, as they did not with the rooms of the other kings and queen. but something so noble as a toy, whose purpose is to provide comfort and happiness, could never be destined to stay hidden away forever.

the castle of cair paravel burns brightly tonight, broken into nothing but flame and rubble from the recent telmarine's attack. it is in this debris king caspian the first finds a crocheted elephant. it's a cute looking thing, despite the ash that stains it so, and he decides then that he must take it with him into the heart of narnia, where his new home will be. he has it washed, and gifts it to his firstborn son, who cherishes the elephant with all his heart.

fast forward many, many years, the son has a boy of his own, and with fond memories, gives the stuffed animal to him, so that it could bring the child joy as it did for him. soon enough, the toy becomes something of an unofficial royal heirloom.

when susan catches sight of the stuffie in caspian the tenth's quarters, she finds herself fixated on it. no, it can't be. without warning, she rushes to it and takes it into her hands. caspian doesn't mind at all. finds it amusing, in fact.

"can't ignore the elephant in the room?" he teases. she doesn't entertain an answer.

"how did you get this?" caspian senses a shift in the atmosphere, and sets his book down.

"it's always been with me since i was a child. it was passed down to me through my forefathers. doctor cornelius said its creation dates back to when the telmarine dynasty first began. why do you ask?"

she smiles to herself, caressing the elephant. her eyes gloss over with the memories of an era long past. how simple times were then, when they were nothing but children chasing each other through marble halls and sleeping through history lessons. she can recall the wooden pressure of the hooks she used to interlock the textiles with, the ache of her wrists, the hug of her sister as she asks about the toy's progress.

"your professor is wrong, i'm afraid. i was the one who made this sweet little one, once upon a time. it was for lucy."

[thebesreads]

Hello everyone

As it’s Christmas Eve Eve today, I thought I would dust off an old favourite of mine with the Christmas Top Ten. Although with it being Christmas Themed, I’ve added two making it a Christmas Top Twelve. Most of them are only short books, so you could start them tomorrow and have the list finished by Twelfth Night.

On the First Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

 How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

I’ll start off with a easy one. One that everyone has read and seen the greatest Christmas movie of all time based on this book. This was always my favourite book when I was little and we would always watch it on Christmas Eve. The noses always used to make me laugh and I always wanted to be Cindy Lou Who.

With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big surprise!

On the Second Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

The 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith

Not many people realise this was a book before it was a Disney film. Again I read this when I was young. In fact I think this may have been the first Christmas book I read on my own! I love the moment when Lucky gets stuck in the snow. I know its sad, but its just so cute! There are a number of differences between the novel and the films, but the story is essentially the same. If you think the films are good, I would definitely read the book!

Pongo and Missis had a lovely life. With their human owners, the Dearlys, to look after them, they lived in a comfortable home in London with their 15 adorable Dalmatian puppies, loved and admired by all. Especially the Dearlys’ neighbor Cruella de Vil, a fur-fancying fashion plate with designs on the Dalmatians’ spotted coats! So, when the puppies are stolen from the Dearly home, and even Scotland Yard is unable to find them, Pongo and Missis know they must take matters into their own paws!

On the Third Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman

I first found this story when Barbie bought out her movie, and every Christmas I watch it. I also read it and I remember my mom and I watching the ballet on telly, I get so excited when I do both because it makes me feel like I’m seven again. I love the magic behind the story. I love Marie  and how excited she gets over the Nutcracker. It just makes me feel so Christmassy!

It is Christmas Eve and Marie has tired of her new presents, happily playing with a nutcracker instead. When the clock strikes midnight, she is stunned to see an army of mice advancing, led by a seven-headed Mouse King. Her very own nutcracker comes alive, leading the dolls and toys against the mouse army and a violent battle ensues. Soon after, her godfather comes for a visit and tells her the story of the nutcracker. As the tale unfolds, Marie learns about the ongoing feud between the mice and their enemy Princess Pirlipat. It sounds fanciful, but could it be true? This timeless tale is full of the magic of Christmas, but is a delight to read at any time of the year. Its enduring popularity is testament to its originality and charm.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson

This one is very sad. I remember my teacher reading this and it made me cry. I was a sensitive child. But it was still a story that was very full of Christmas, even though its sad.

The wares of the poor little match girl illuminate her cold world, bringing some beauty to her brief, tragic life.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

All I Want For Christmas Is You by Lisa Mondello

I absolutely loved this book. For content I would suggest that its more of an adult book so I would say older than 16. Its the story of a single mom trying to have a good Christmas with her daughter. The little girl is so cute, she just makes your heart melt.

Santa Claus is going to have a rough season… Lauren Alexander is raising her daughter alone. Abandoned by her family for her decision to keep her daughter Kristen, she has done a pretty good job for the last six years. Or she thought she had. That’s why she is crushed when little Kristen gives up her wish for a toy or goodie and instead asks Santa for a present for her mother. She wants Santa to bring a Daddy. Delivering Daddies isn’t Santa’s bag.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

Father Christmas and Father Christmas Goes on Holiday by Raymond Briggs

These two I’m going to class as one book because they continue on from each other and I would always read both of them at Christmas and watch the video that my Grandad bought me.

Father Christmas has awoken from a dream of summer sun to discover it is December 24th, Christmas Eve – the start of his longest night’s work of the year! Much merriment ensues as Father Christmas travels the world, with a few issues along the way, to bring joy to children everywhere. – Father Christmas

No-one needs a holiday more than Father Christmas, but where can such a well-known and easily recognized person go? Father Christmas sets off in search of his ideal holiday spot! France, Scotland and Las Vegas are his chosen destinations, but as Father Christmas discovers – there’s nowhere like home. – Father Christmas Goes on Holiday.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Always a favourite, and a classic. Who can resist a magical land in the back of your wardrobe where there are talking animals, evil witches, Lion Kings (literally), a war, and siblings? This is literally a book for everyone, I don’t know anyone who couldn’t enjoy this story. It even has a cameo from the big man himself!

When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy took their first steps into the world behind the magic wardrobe, little do they realise what adventures are about to unfold. And as the story of Narnia begins to unfold, so to does a classic tale that has enchanted readers of all ages for over half a century.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Another classic! Its been retold many times by a lot of film makers, including the Muppets and Disney. I think this story is the epitome of the meaning of Christmas, charity and good will to all men.

Charles Dickens’ masterfully crafted Christmas fable tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a man with wealth to match the coldness of his heart. On a mystical Christmas Eve, a visitation with spirits forces Scrooge to make a choice: change, or perish.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

A Visit from St Nick by Clement C. Moore

“Twas the Night Before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse’. ooooh just those words make me excited for Christmas. Everyone knows the rhyme, maybe not all of it, but we know some.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone By J.K. Rowling

I know what you’re all thinking, ‘how can this be a Christmas book’. but I just love the Christmas Scene in Harry Potter. The first proper Christmas Harry had had in his 11 years. It just makes me think of all of my family Christmases at home.

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy – until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

Christmas at the Beach Café and Christmas Gifts at the Beach Café by Lucy Diamond

Again these are two stories that I’ve combined into one post, they follow on from each other and are part sequels to The Beach Cafe, however they can be read on their own, as they do have a quick recap of the major parts of the story. They made me feel really Christmassy as Evie shares the excitement of the season with the readers.

After a hectic summer running her beach café in Cornwall, Evie Flynn is looking forward to her first Christmas with new boyfriend Ed – she’s determined that it’s going to be the most perfectly romantic one ever. Cosy nights in front of the fire, spicy mulled wine, mince pies . . . what’s not to love? – Christmas at the Beach Cafe.

With her Cornish Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie Flynn should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas, with nothing more pressing to think about than when to have her next mince pie.  But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she’ll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he’s going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further. – Christmas Gifts at the Beach Cafe.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my True Love Sent to Me…

A Winter’s Tale by Carrie Elks

This was the first Christmas book I read this year, and I really liked how festive it was! Most of the Christmas novels like this, have another story that happens to be at Christmas, where as this had the holiday at its core. Without Christmas, the story wouldn’t have happened.

Struggling film student Kitty Shakespeare is determined to make the most of her new job as nanny to major producer Everett Klein’s son, Jonas. It might not be exactly the career she’d hoped for when she moved from London to LA, but thanks to her habit of freezing up in interviews, this is her last chance to impress a key player in Hollywood – if she can get this right, then surely he’ll take a moment to look at her work. However, what Kitty hasn’t allowed for is Everett’s sexy-as-hell brother, Adam – but love at first sight this is not.

  And that was my top twelve Christmas books, and so I’ll leave you with this thought:

“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”

Happy Reading!

The Twelve Books of Christmas Hello everyone As it's Christmas Eve Eve today, I thought I would dust off an old favourite of mine with the Christmas Top Ten.