Leo doesn’t want anything for Christmas. His mum died during the year and he is determined to keep the festive spirit in her honour. However, things don’t go to plan and time is running out…
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas is a children’s book written by Matt Lucas. I think it is probably aimed at children aged 8-10 but think families would enjoy sharing this together.
Poor Leo is grieving for his mum and it is his first Christmas without her. He wants everything to be perfect but nothing goes right and he despairs. There are some big emotions featured in this book but I think it is important for children to see that Christmas goes beyond the presents and celebrations.
To contrast and soften the emotion, there are lots of funny moments as well as references to Bake Off, plus Baked Potato songs! Personally, the musical interludes didn’t really work for me as I was listening to the main narration at 2.5x speed which made the songs almost incomprehensible! The writing is warm and easy to read/listen to, so I’m sure it will be a family favourite.
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas is an enjoyable children’s book with a careful balance of emotion and humour.
Book Blurb:
Dive in to this funny and heart-warming debut magical adventure from star of stage and screen, Matt Lucas – a festive modern classic for young readers of 8-12!
Leo LOVES Christmas. And this Christmas needs to be absolutely perfect, because it’s the first one without Mum. Only it all keeps going wrong!
The fairylights are in a tangle. The Christmas cards aren’t finished. The tree isn’t decorated. And the Christmas cakes have all been destroyed!
Soon Leo decides he’s had enough – he makes a heartfelt wish that it would all GO AWAY.
Then Leo wakes up on what SHOULD be Christmas Day – and it’s gone!! All of Christmas! But Leo isn’t going to let it escape that easily . . .
Join Leo as he sets out on a mission to undo his wish and get Christmas back in the brand-new festive classic by bestselling author Matt Lucas.
Home Alone meets A Christmas Carol in a hilarious adventure with a big dollop of festive magic. Funny, sensitive and emotional in all the best ways, this warm and seasonal family story touches ever so gently on childhood grief but is wrapped up in a chaotic and heart-warming adventure.
Listen to over 20 original songs, written and recorded by Matt to accompany the story, bringing the joy of a musical to book form!
