Published by Scribblers, an imprint of The Salariya Book Company, 2020.

Little Bear and the Silver Star is a delightful Christmas picture book that’s full of warmth and charm. The story is set on Christmas Eve. The familiar and much-loved toys are having fun decorating the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, the sparkly star for the top of the tree is missing. Old Bear thinks it’s in the attic but, much to Little Bear’s disappointment, it’s too late to get it now.

While the other toys are asleep, Little Bear climbs the tree and lifts the hatch to the attic. He searches inside things, under things and behind things until, eventually, he finds the star. However, from then on things don’t go quite entirely to plan. Will Little Bear get back in time for Christmas? Will he fulfil his wish to put the star at the top of the tree?

Little Bear and the Silver Star is an exciting adventure that will delight younger readers. It has all the ingredients needed for a magical Christmas – friends, stockings hung expectantly, a magnificent tree, freshly fallen snow, and the sound of footsteps on the roof.

The illustrations have a lovely retro feel; the traditional toys and the vintage Christmas tree decorations create a wonderful sense of nostalgia. And the detail in the illustrations is quite exceptional: the patchwork quilt on the toys’ bed, the snow on the rooftop, the toys’ fur – all so finely drawn and wonderfully realistic.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 3+

Thank you to The Salariya Book Company for sending me this book to review. I reviewed it as part of the Little Bear and the Silver Star blog tour where Jane Hissey talked to me about her creative process. Read all about her journey from initial ideas to finished book here.