What a cheering tale of festive friendship this is. It’s Christmas morning and, after opening all their presents, Esme and Bear spot a gloriously-wrapped gift left under the tree that isn’t for either of them. Then they notice the tag - “For Little Bunny Boo-Boo, Love Santa.” Thinking Santa must have got his parcels mixed up, they set off to find Little Bunny Boo-Boo who, it turns out, is new to the area and doesn’t have any Christmas presents, or friends…
Mark Sperring’s text is a treat to read aloud, evoking just the right amount of peril as Esme and Bear trek along a treacherous path to find Little Bunny Boo-Boo. And Lucy Fleming’s illustrations glow with wintry magic throughout, from her depiction of Esme’s Christmas-y living room, to the snowy woodland she and Bear traverse. Lovely little visual details provide plenty of talking points around the story too, with animals to spot in the woods and signposts to read (and heed). The story unfolds to a warming message when Little Bunny Boo-Boo unwraps the gift to find an empty box (but for a note from Santa) and realises she’s been given exactly what she wanted - friends in the form of the visitors Santa drew to her house.
On Christmas morning, a magnificent, red-wrapped gift sits underneath the tree. But it isn't for Esme. And it isn't for Bear. So they set out to find the rightful owner. Little do they know that it's the greatest gift in all the world.
A heartwarming Christmas tale about the magic of friendship.
Mark Sperring worked as a printer before becoming a bookseller, and later becoming a children's book author. Mark is the author of Dino Mummy, Dino Baby, Dino Daddy, Four Silly Skeletons, I'll Love You Always and The Naughty Naughty Baddies (Bloomsbury), Captain Buckleboots on the Naughty Step (Puffin) and The Sunflower Sword (Andersen). He lives in Bristol.
