Join Nicci for our final Sunday Book Club of Half Term, as we step into a snow-covered world of Christmas magic, mischief and fun!

Christmas is in danger... and only YOU can save it!

Join Nicci at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop for a magical, interactive Sunday Book Club as we celebrate Once Upon a Stolen Sleigh: A Choose-Your-Own Christmas Adventure by the wonderfully talented sisters Natalia and Lauren O'Hara, published by Macmillan Children's Books.

For our final Sunday Book Club of October Half Term, we're stepping into a snow-covered world of Christmas magic, mischievous villains and very important decisions!

We'll enjoy an interactive storytime where children help decide what happens next, followed by a fun, book-inspired creative activity.

ABOUT ONCE UPON A STOLEN SLEIGH

It's a magical time in Lapland!

Bells are ringing, moose are carolling and pies are mincing. Santa's elves are busy packing the sleigh, ready for Christmas Eve.

But there's trouble brewing...

The dastardly Thief King is plotting to steal Santa's sleigh and all the presents!

And there's only one person clever enough to save Christmas...

YOU!

In this wonderfully imaginative choose-your-own Christmas adventure, readers take charge of the story, making decisions that will determine what happens next.

Which presents should you choose? Twinkling marbles or silver flowers? Sparkling bracelets or delicious sugar plums?

With each choice, a different part of the adventure unfolds as you race to deliver the presents, rescue Santa and save Christmas!

Filled with beautiful illustrations, magical characters and enchanting storytelling, Once Upon a Stolen Sleigh invites children to become storytellers themselves, creating their very own Christmas fairytale.

ABOUT NATALIA & LAUREN O'HARA

Natalia and Lauren O'Hara are sisters and the creative duo behind a collection of beautifully illustrated children's books inspired by fairytales, folklore and imaginative storytelling.

Natalia O'Hara is a children's author whose books include Once Upon a Fairytale, Frindleswylde, The Bandit Queen and Hortense and the Shadow. Her writing brings together magical worlds, memorable characters and a love of traditional storytelling.

Lauren O'Hara is an illustrator whose distinctive, richly detailed artwork brings Natalia's stories to life. She has also illustrated books including Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl and Mei Mei the Bunny by Laufey.

Lauren has twice been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal, and her illustrations have received recognition from the World Illustration Awards and Illustrators' Ireland.

Together, the O'Hara sisters create enchanting books that encourage children to explore their imaginations and discover the magic of storytelling.

AT THIS SUNDAY BOOK CLUB, CHILDREN WILL:

📖 Enjoy an interactive read-along of Once Upon a Stolen Sleigh with Nicci

🎄 Journey into a magical, snow-covered Lapland filled with Christmas surprises

🎁 Help choose the presents and make important decisions that shape the story

🛷 Discover whether they can outwit the Thief King and save Santa's sleigh!

🎨 Take part in a fun, Christmas-inspired creative activity based on the book

✨ Discover how their choices can create different adventures and endings

📚 Every child takes home their own copy of Once Upon a Stolen Sleigh to enjoy and explore all the different story possibilities at home!

Join us for a wonderfully festive finale to October Half Term, filled with imagination, storytelling and a little early Christmas magic at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop!

Important Information :

Suitable for children aged 3 - 6

Event duration: approx. 30 minutes

Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a paperback copy of the book, usually £8.99)

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

The bookshop is on the first floor, accessed via a flight of stairs.

Children will sit for the reading, then move to a play/craft table for activities. All materials are provided and age-appropriate.

Adults may stay for the event (limited seating available) or relax with a coffee and pastry downstairs in STAPLE.

If you can’t attend, please let us know so we can offer your space to another family.

Photos may be taken for social media (backs of heads only). Please let us know at the start of the session if you prefer your child not to be included.

📧 Questions? Contact: books@happyreading.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.