Christmas at Grandma's beach house by Claire Saxby
Ill. by Janine Dawson. Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781760065140
(Age: 5+) Warmly recommended. Christmas, Australia, Holidays, Beach.
This wholly likable story about Christmas in Australia will have
people singing along to the words as they parody The Twelve Days
of Christmas, the English Christmas song, using a familiar
Australian Christmas scenario. The family is going to Grandma's
house by the sea. One the first day it is 'my Grandma, my family and
me', but as the days roll along, more and more people are added. The
second day sees two uncle Bobs, the third day three friends, then
four beaming aunts on the fourth day. Each group added is gloriously
happy and sunny as they come to spend Christmas at the beach. The
illustrations show the range of things families do at the beach,
including everyone in their fun and frivolity. There are sandcastles
to be made, beach cricket to play, sunbathing, sitting about
reading, people watching, digging channels to fill with water and of
course swimming.
The charming illustrations capture all of the family filled activity
that being at the beach involves, babies playing together, surfing,
being swamped with sun burn cream, and so on. And Christmas at the
beach means having Christmas lunch on the sand and this is shown
with the Christmas paper napkins and plates and mince tarts and cake
being served. Many people will find memories tugged at the fun to be
had during those lazy endless days of summer holidays at the beach
and the younger readers will be filled with anticipation at what may
lie ahead in their Christmas holidays. This is a lovely addition of
the range of Christmas stories being released.
Fran Knight