What is Christmas in Kolkata without a home-made rum cake and a never-ending supply of macaroons from Nahoums? A walk down Park Street with hot piping mutton rolls, carol singing at your local church, and school fetes is how I remember the weeks in the run-up to Buhra Din from my teens in the early 2000s.
You can still get a bargain deal on a six-foot Christmas Tree at Bagree Market if you’re quick enough in the early weeks of December. That’s exactly what we did when we replaced our bookshop tree earlier in the month. The older one was nearly a decade old and was retired for the living room at home. Its swankier replacement was a larger “bushy” tree which was decorated with the usual ornaments, topped with a ginormous silver star.
Our Christmas books list, on the other hand, was a bit more extensive. More than 300 titles line the entrance to the bookshop all month. While all couldn’t make this feature, here are some books to help usher in ’tis merry season.
Ever wondered how they celebrate Christmas in the Kalahari desert? Meerkat Christmas is the story of young Sunny, a meerkat from the desert in Africa. The entire meerkat clan is busy preparing for the big day, but our protagonist is unhappy with the arrangements. Christmas needs the perfect weather, tree, presents, dinner and music. With just a gunny sack on his back, Sunny sets off to meet his friends, and along the way experiences Christmas in different cultures. He learns to surf at his pen-pal Kev’s place on the beach and visits Trevor the Tarsier in the Philippines, marveling at the lights display. Finally, he finds snow and the penguins. Emily Gravett who is now a recurring name in this column delivers a stunningly interactive picture book for young ones.
An army, they say, marches on its stomach. In Santa’s case, the reindeer are pertinent to his delivering gifts to children across the world. Suddenly one Christmas eve, the whole reindeer team decides to go on strike. Santa is summoned from his leisurely bathtub by Mike the Elf who says that the team refuses to work that night. Blitzen, who seems to be leading the cause, announces, “We’re tired of working. We’re sick of eating carrots. Where’s our Christmas cake?”
What follows is a humorous take on the modern Santa in Reindeer on Strike who tries to use alternatives such as drones and overnight shipping only to be shot down each time much to his dismay. Will Blitzen and the gang come back? What about the kids’ presents that Christmas night?
Sticking to the animal theme, The Most-Loved Bear is a heart-wrenching story of ‘Growly Bear’ who was bought in a shop about 50 years ago by young Mary Rose. Her mother stitched GB on the bottom of his feet because every time Mary tipped him, he growled — hence Growly Bear. What follows is a journey for Growly when he is left at the train station by Mary. Travel through time with our bear first to Ronnie, meet the two-twin brothers who use him as a ball. A few years later, Veronica spots him in a second-hand shop and gives him a warm bath, scrubbing the dirt off. Alas, her sisters are not kind: his hands get ripped off. Ending up in the toy hospital, he is brought back to life by the “doctor”, his growl as prominent as ever. An antique shop takes him in. Come the week before Christmas, GB sat glum wondering if someone would come for him? A surprise customer walks into the shop: who may it be after all this time? This time of the year is truly magical, you only have to believe in it.
My Naughty Little Sister and Father Christmas is a nod to little sisters everywhere and their long-suffering older siblings. As the season approaches, the story depicts the narrator’s sister at her most typical — not so naughty as she is determined to get what she wants. She is an unforgettable character, one who likes the plum-puddings and the shiny shops. To everyone’s dismay, she thinks Father Christmas is horrid. Isn’t that rather stubborn? Discover a tale of friendship with a dash of laughter along the way.
In the middle and senior graders section, we recommend The King and the Christmas Tree. Many are familiar with the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, which serves as one of the beacons of a typical London Christmas. Few though know the significance and story behind this tradition that dates back to 1947. From deep within the OSLOMARKA ,which translates to Oslo Forest, a tree is selected (sometimes years in advance). She must be at least 20 metres tall, and eight years old with vigorous growth. Christened the “Queen of the Forest”, this is the tree that makes its way to London with much fanfare. The occasion celebrates a story of loyalty, friendship and resistance.
The King of Norway Haakon VII escaped the clutches of the attacking German U-boats on a frosty evening in 1940 to a safe haven in the United Kingdom. This enduring tree and story is a gift of thanks from the people of Norway to Britain. A tale which will be enjoyed by all ages, this is also available in a new picture book by the inimitable Julia Donaldson.
We’re still in Norway for another story. In the face of danger, read about Thea who saves The Good Bear. On holiday from school, Thea is looking forward to spending time with family. Things get complicated when her father is distant. She also has to share him with his new family. Living deep in the woods, she discovers a bear. It’s the first time since her arrival in the country that she feels comfortable and content. It’s the beginning of a calming narrative where she has to figure a way to convince everyone that he’s a good bear. How does she save him in the face of an adversary? Read on to find out.
It isn’t Christmas if you aren’t picking up a comic book. Enter The Smurfs Christmas Special. There is certainly no peace on Earth, especially in the Smurfs Village. Before they can stuff their stockings and open their presents, they have to deal with dragons, talking snowmen, grumpy bears, a kidnapped Santa Claus, and a reindeer chase through the starry night sky. This is truly a visual treat to save Christmas with a hint of childhood nostalgia making it perfect for the entire family.
“No good story ever is the story that one expects,” says Santa to Jackson one Christmas eve. The Night I met Father Christmas is a novel with illustrated goodies that will take your breath away. Jackson knows all about Christmas and the elves, the flying reindeers, and the secret workshop in the North Pole. The one thing he doesn’t know is how did Father Christmas become Father Christmas? Join the duo on an epic sleigh journey across the continents on a sort of ‘Santa’s origin’ story. On the way meet a mean-spirited and miserable elf named Torvil who is about to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
I couldn’t resist a good old-fashioned collection of mystery stories with a Christmas theme. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie is a set of stories which she put together to celebrate one of her favourite times of year. Amongst the half-dozen, The Mystery of the Spanish Chest could be described as a Hercule Poirot Special according to the dame’s introduction. On the other hand, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is a tribute to childhood Christmases spent at her brother-in-law’s home in the North of England.
I’d saved The Snow Dragon for the last because this had a lasting impact on me and I hope it has one on you too. In a dark and gloomy orphanage owned by Griselda Bone, daydreaming is banned. Skipping is forbidden, and Christmas is well and truly cancelled. However for Phoebe and her sausage dog Herb, could magic still await beyond the swirling snow-filled air of the property gates?
There was Griselda in her pinstripes trying to tear her down, but here was a dragon building her up. “You can be late for many things in life, but you should never keep an adventure waiting…” offers the Dragon. Let that thought guide your reading recommendations this holiday season.
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The author is a freelance journalist and runs the independently-owned Storyteller Bookstore in Kolkata