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Countdown to Christmas

24 Magical Stories

Alexandra Stewart, Author

Freya Hartas, Illustrator

Imprint: Hodder Children's Books

Publication date: October 10, 2024

Category: Anthologies (Children's / Teenage)

ISBN: 9781526365705

A beautiful gift treasury of twenty-four of the most beloved classic stories, poems and songs from all around the world that love to be shared in the countdown to Christmas.

Ride on the Snow Queen’s sleigh, discover the elves secretly making shoes in the night, learn about the first ever Christmas in space and enjoy a new Christmas story every night as you count your way down to the big day. With stories beautifully retold by Alexandra Stewart and gloriously illustrated by Freya Hartas, Countdown to Christmas is the perfect stocking filler to help little ones feel the magic of Christmas.

Alexandra Stewart

Alexandra Stewart read Modern History at Oxford University before training to be a journalist. After working as a reporter on several newspapers, she crossed the floor to become a press officer for the Metropolitan Police and, later, Central Government. Since then, she has worked in the Civil Service in a number of roles, including as a ministerial speechwriter. Alex lives in Wiltshire, UK, with her husband, two young children and two rather grumpy rabbits called Batman and Robin.

Freya Hartas

Freya is a Bristol-based illustrator specialising in children’s books. She live with her partner and their ancient black cat, Katsu, and works from a cluttered desk in a shared studio down the road. She graduated from Falmouth University with a first class honours in BA Illustration in 2014.

Freya loves to conjure up humorous characters, animals and monsters, creating the most fantastical worlds for them to inhabit. She has worked on picture books and classic chapter-book illustrations aimed at older children.