You probably think you know the story of the birth of the baby Jesus, you might even have been in a nativity play: Mary, Joseph, donkey, journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The bit they haven’t told you about is the accidental detour that Mary and Joseph took to Chipping Bottom, a characterful village in Hampshire. That story is told in this heartwarming adventure by Jenny Pearson, who has a real gift for writing books that have you laughing out loud one minute, reaching for tissues the next.
Narrated by young Oscar who, with his five-year-old sister Molly, takes on the challenge of helping the Angel Gabriel sort out the slight hiccup he’s caused in Operation Nativity, borrowed donkeys, a runaway turkey, lots of relatives plus Mary and Joseph, Balthazar and a shepherd called Steve all have their part to play in an adventure that is fantastical but absolutely rooted in family and abiding love, which after all is what the nativity story is all about. Heavenly reading!
When Oscar and Molly rush outside to investigate a crash in the night, they're not expecting to find a dazed Angel Gabriel wandering around their grandparents' back garden. And they're certainly not expecting to find themselves in a race to save Christmas. But if they don't track down a missing shepherd, wise man, donkey and the actual Mary and Joseph, who've all crash-landed in Chipping Bottom, not only will Christmas cease to exist, but they will too.
Operation Nativity is on.
Featuring fun festive activities to try with your family!
All I want for Christmas is for everyone to read this book. Equal parts hilarious, festive and heartwarming - Jenny Pearson has gifted us a new seasonal story to adore. - A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Jenny Pearson has done it again! A gorgeous, heartwarming story full of hope, humour and love. The perfect gift for Christmas. - Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
A hilarious festive caper - The Mail on Sunday
This mischievous story sparkles with festive jollity - The I
The focus is on family, including wealthy grandparents, and it prompts tears as well as giggles. - The Sunday Times
An ultimate Christmas adventure for young readers - The School Librarian
Author
About Jenny Pearson
Jenny Pearson's debut children’s novel, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, won the Lollies 2022 and was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book of the Year 2020, Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Bradford Boase and the UKLA Book awards.
When she’s not writing, Jenny enjoys inspiring young writers in her classroom and looking after her family and their many animals.
Jenny loves her job and is inspired by the children she has taught. She says, "If you're writing for children, it helps to know what they like but also what they're like. The characters I write are based on many children I have taught over the years and the friendships I have witnessed."
