Christmas 2015
Christmas highlights from The English Programme
We continue our regular daily broadcasts of our TV guide Auntie Beeb on both Spreaker and itunes, so you won't miss any of your favourite shows from the BBC. We will also be continuing our new series of Classic TV Guide. There are also plenty of great seasonal movies on TV and we will let you know about the best of them with our Movie Show.
This Christmas we have broadcast our regular annual performance of the classic seasonal Sherlock Holmes story The Blue Carbuncle.
If you're looking for suggestions and ideas on which books to read over the holidays you should listen to The Book Programme.
This Christmas we have also given our Google Plus page a new look. Over the festive period we will be using our page to suggest lots of Yuletide-related books to read. Below is a selection of some of the books we'll be looking at:
Christmas Eve
Dinosaur Christmas
By: Jerry Palotta (Author), Howard McWilliam (Illustrator)
Did you ever wonder who pulled Santa's sleigh before he had reindeer? Dinosaur fans will adore this funny, magical tale of Santa's prehistoric helpers. Laugh-out-loud pictures depict the dinosaurs in hilarious situations: the Tyrannosaurus rex wouldn't stop licking Santa, the Pterosaurs flew to high, and the Maiasauras ate presents when no one was looking! Children will love meeting Santa's prehistoric friends in this Christmas tale with a twist.
A Calf for Christmas
By: Astrid Lindgren (Author), Polly Lawson (Translator), Marit Tornqvist (Illustrator)
It's the last day of school before Christmas and snow is falling heavily. Johan heads to school on his sled, but he can't stop thinking about the terrible thing that happened yesterday -- his family's only cow died, and they have no money to buy another. Rich farmer Peter Jonsson has come to town today for the Christmas market. He buys a calf then, after spending some time in the local inn, loses it on the sleigh ride home! When Johan heads out to clear snow, what does he find ...? Maybe he'll have a happy Christmas after all. A charming story by acclaimed author Astrid Lindgren, set in a traditional Swedish landscape.
The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas
By: Tom Fletcher (Author), Dougie Poynter (Author), Garry Parsons (Illustrator)
This mini edition of the best-selling Christmas picture book is the perfect stocking-filler. Danny wants everything for Christmas. But what he gets is a dinosaur, a very hungry dinosaur. Danny's new dino eats up all of Christmas, but as we all know, what goes in must come out ...Danny is about to have the most EXPLOSIVE Christmas of his life! There's poop, presents and prehistoric creatures in this festive feast!
The Christmas Visitors
By: Karel Hayes (Author)
It's Christmas at the cottage by the lake and the bears are busy preparing to celebrate. The human owners of the cottage, however, are in the city feeling glum. Until the idea comes to them to spend the holidays at their cottage. What follows is a set of misadventures as the family arrives without presents-they were left on the train-and without the usual holiday accoutrements-the Christmas trees and turkeys are all sold out. But they are in for a treat as the cottage has been decorated by their unseen friends. So the bears unwittingly save Christmas for their human hosts, yet are still able to enjoy their own fine celebration. And, as with the other books, the bears do so all while cleverly avoiding confrontation with their human friends.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
A Boy Called Christmas
By: Matt Haig (Author), Chris Mould (Illustrator)
You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas. It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible. If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you. Because this book is FULL of impossible things. Are you still reading? Good. Then let us begin ...A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and an eleven-year-old boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic. From the winner of The Smarties Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. With illustrations by Chris Mould.
Tales from Christmas Wood
By: Suzy Senior (Author), James Newman Gray (Illustrator)
Christmas wood is full of animals: Badger, Fidgety Fox, Owl (not Wise Old Owl, just Owl), the Rabbit family, Tiny Mouse, and Robin. It's nearly Christmas and all the animals are getting ready to celebrate - Badger is looking for new friends, Tiny is making (or is that eating...) gingerbread, and Rosie Rabbit just can't get ANY peace and quiet! Five festive stories from the animals in the wood all come together in a fantastically Christmassy finale in a barn with some rather special guests...
Dear Father Christmas
By: Alan Durant (Author), Vanessa Cabban (Illustrator)
When Holly sees a man who looks like Father Christmas, she decides to write him a letter: "Dear Father Christmas - is it snowing in Lapland? Please answer. Love Holly." And so begins the start of a touching penpal friendship with Father Christmas himself in which Holly learns about the magic of elves, reindeer and life in Lapland, as well as getting some very special Christmas surprises. This gift book comes with letters to read and and a special silver ticket from Father Christmas!
The Christmas Cat
By: Efner Tudor Holmes (Author), Tasha Tudor (Illustrator)
Experience the Magic of Christmas...It is Christmas Eve. An abandoned gray cat shivers alone in the cold, snowy forest. In a nearby farmhouse, a young boy worries that Santa Claus might not be able to come in such bad weather. But soon the bitter wind stops howling, and the sound of sleigh bells rings clearly through the woods. Neither the cat nor the boy knows it, but a small Christmas miracle is about to occur. Beloved illustrator Tasha Tudor's classic style gives this holiday tale a timeless appeal.
And Then Comes Christmas
By: Tom Brenner (Author), Jana Christy (Illustrator)
WHEN the days barely start before they're over again, And red berries blaze against green shrubs...THEN it's time to get ready for Christmas! From icicles clinging to roofs and houses strung with colourful lights to visiting Santa and hunting for the perfect tree, this classic-in-the-making celebrates all the holiday's excitement. Evoking both winter's changes to the world outside and well-loved traditions taking place at home, here is a story to encourage readers to curl up with their loved ones and bask in the magic of the Christmas season.
Father Christmas Goes on Holiday
By: Raymond Briggs (Author), Raymond Briggs (Illustrator)
In this hilarious sequel from Raymond Briggs, author of The Snowman and inspiration for The Snowman and Snowdog, a still rather grumpy Father Christmas decides to go on holiday. No-one needs a holiday more than Father Christmas, but where can such a well-known and easily recognized person go? Father Christmas sets off in search of his ideal holiday spot! France, Scotland and Las Vegas are his chosen destinations, but as Father Christmas discovers - there's nowhere like home.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee
By: Nicholas Allan (Author)
'Father Christmas needs a wee. He's been drinking drinks since half past three ...' At each different house that he visits Father Christmas drinks and eats all the goodies left out for him. Before long he really, really, really needs a wee. So much so that he even forgets to leave the presents behind. But he dashes back, delivers all the pressies and flies home at high speed to avoid an embarassing accident ...there's just one tiny problem ...he's lost his house key! Find out what happens and whether Father Christmas ever gets to relieve himself in this brilliant and fabulously funny counting book from the talented author/illustrator Nicholas Allan.
Maisy's Christmas Tree
By: Lucy Cousins (Author), Lucy Cousins (Illustrator)
Tis the season to be jolly...Follow Maisy and her friends as they prepare for the big day and decorate the tree! Cyril strings up the fairy lights, Tallulah adds the baubles, Charley hangs the sugar canes, and Eddie tops it all off with an angel. But the fun doesn't stop there - there are presents to wrap and songs to be sung! Merry Christmas, everyone!
Printable schedule
