Beattie Alvarez (ed.) A Miniature Christmas, Christmas Press, November 2018, 80 pp., RRP $24.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780648194514
This is a collection of twelve stories by some well-known and some not so well-known authors, all with the unifying themes of Christmas and miniature worlds of goblins, genies, fairies and magic. The blurb uses the word spellbinding, but for me, in its literal sense of spells, rather than enthralling.
It’s a book to read to younger children, although more proficient primary-school-aged readers will be able to tackle it alone. The stories vary in length and sophistication, both of theme and language. There’s a range of formats on the page. All stories have illustrations – some are full page and others are smaller, scattered through the text. And there’s a variety of ideas, from fuchsia fairies in the garden to Oliver Phommavanh’s The Funactor, developing an app to show how successful a Christmas present had been.
For me, the book has an old-fashioned feel and look, and reminds me of books I saw all those years ago when I was a child, albeit now in colour. I don’t think its presentation will attract young readers searching independently for a book. But those who love fairies and goblins, mice and magic may enjoy it.
Reviewed by Maureen Mann
