Farshore has today announced a deal for the debut children’s fiction novels from multi-award-winning comedian, writer, and actor, Matt Lucas, including original songs written by Lucas for the book.

Home Alone meets A Christmas Carol in Matt Lucas’s The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas, the story of Christmas fan Leo, who is determined to make this Christmas absolutely perfect because it’s the first one without his Mum. When things go wrong Leo wishes Christmas would just GO AWAY, but when his wish comes true, and he wakes up on Boxing Day having missed the big day he sets out on a mission to bring Christmas back.

Readers of The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas will be able to listen along to over 20 original songs, written and recorded by Matt Lucas to accompany the story, bringing the joy of a musical to book form. The lyrics of each of the songs will be available at the back of the book, along with a QR code for readers to access a website where they can hear the songs.

The audiobook, voiced by Lucas himself, will also feature the music integrated throughout the story, making it an extra special festive musical treat.

Publishing in hardback on 12th October 2023, The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas is perfect for readers aged 8+. Full of family, friendship, and a big dollop of festive magic, this warm and seasonal family story touches gently on childhood grief, wrapped up in a chaotic and heart-warming adventure. The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas will be illustrated throughout with energetic, joyful artwork from new talent Forrest Burdett. A second book will follow in 2025.

Matt was a World Book Day author during its 25th anniversary year in March 2022 with his laugh-out-loud £1 book My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of True or False.

Main Image: Toby Madden