The Christmas Wish-Tastrophe
Cariad Lloyd, illustrated Ma Pe
Hodder Children’s Books

With echoes of Jane Austen, the story is set in 1812 and revolves around recently orphaned Lydia Marmalade who has been brought up in a cosy cottage, in a small village. Imagine arriving at a grand mansion house on 6th December to live with Lady Partridge at Peppomberley Manor, and being informed that you have until Christmas Day to prove that you can meet the standards expected of a proper young lady (good, modest and quiet), otherwise you will be sent away to a workhouse for poor children.

Lydia has nothing with her other than her much-loved sausage dog, Colin that she’s managed to smuggle in, and an optimistic outlook. Both of these she’ll need if she’s to cope with the challenges she faces, in particular that Lady Partridge appears anything but happy to have Lydia living in her home even if she is ‘a distant family member’. Unwelcoming too is Ronalds, the butler.

Pretty soon however, the newcomer finds allies amongst the servants, in particular Bertie the stableboy and his aunt Harriet., the cook. Then there’s Bel, an obstinate, accident-prone winter sprite that Lydia accidentally wished on, on St Nicholas’s Day, who is now bound to the girl and causes mayhem on the most inconvenient occasions.

Things don’t quite go to plan but can Lydia, with the help of her new friends, prove herself a worthy member of this Peppomberley household? Can she also discover why Lady Partridge has been keeping certain things hidden from her? There’s a jewellery theft, a Christmas tree fire and a mystery to solve in this wondrous tale of loyalty, searching for acceptance, love and belonging.

Cariad Lloyd’s characters are splendidly portrayed and her writing compelling: Whether shared with a KS2 class or read snuggled up with a hot chocolate, this is a seasonal gem spiritedly illustrated by Ma Pe.