Find out why Notasbig doesn't think the grinning Gigantic Crocodile who lives in Australia biggest river,  will get his wish for Christmas - you might be surprised. Or why the Crinkleman's Phizzard tries to find out what's the best thing about living in England and what's a Cracler and Crinklemas and how come so many people enjoy it?

Ellie McNicoll's Matilda and the Naughty List begins with a letter to Father Christmas on the 18th December - a bit late one would think, but she has had a change of address - not quite the usual one.The story in her letter is sure to resonate with a few readers.

Talking about the food preparation in The Giraffe and the Belly and the Runaway Baubles is mouthwateringly good and just as adventurous as we read about belly and his ability to cleverly hid the presents. It is a fun story as we get ready for the big day with all sorts of adventures.

The incidental drawings illustrate each story perfectly as do the other emphasis on certain worlds and actions.

The Twits and the Great Carrot Caper co-written by Greg James and Chris Smith are written over several chapters beginning with THw Worst Beard in the World is a treat. Especially the drawings with a chart comparing Father Christmas and Mr Twit. Go on an adventure with these two beginning on Christmas Eve.

Having stories that take both hemispheres and very different conditions, traditions for Christmas, written in each author's style based on Roald Dahl this is an ideal book to give to kids on Christmas Eve or even a few days beforehand.

We loved reading this collection of fun.

The Author

On Roald Dahl's school report, 'I have never met a boy who so persistently writes the exact opposite of what he means. He seems incapable of marshalling his thoughts on paper!' After finishing school Roald Dahl, in search of adventure, travelled to East Africa to work for a company called Shell. In Africa he learnt to speak Swahili, drove from diamond mines to gold mines, and survived a bout of malaria where his temperature reached 105.5 degrees (that's very high!). With the outbreak of the Second World War Roald Dahl joined the RAF. But being nearly two metres tall he found himself squashed into his fighter plane, knees around his ears and head jutting forward. Later in the war Roald Dahl was sent to America. It was there that he met famous author C.S. Forester (author of the Captain Hornblower series) who asked the young pilot to write down his war experiences for a story he was writing. Forester was amazed by the result, telling Roald 'I'm bowled over. Dah;ls books include The BFG, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and many, many more.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THESE BOOKS

JOIN IN

Receive our BookTalk newsletter with all the latest book reviews