The Joy of Christmas and Song: Read Our Review of The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas by Matt Lucas, Illustrated by Forrest Burdett

Leo LOVES Christmas.

And this Christmas needs to be absolutely perfect, because it’s the first one without Mum. Only it all keeps going wrong:

• The fairylights are in a tangle
• The Christmas cards aren’t finished
• The tree isn’t decorated
• And the Christmas cakes have all been destroyed!

Soon Leo decides he’s had enough – he makes a heartfelt wish that it would all GO AWAY.

Then Leo wakes up on what SHOULD be Christmas Day – and it’s gone!! All of Christmas! But Leo isn’t going to let it escape that easily…

Join Leo as he sets out on a mission to undo his wish and get Christmas back in the brand-new festive classic by bestselling author Matt Lucas.

Home Alone meets A Christmas Carol in this hilarious adventure with a big dollop of festive magic. Funny, sensitive and emotional in all the best ways, this warm and seasonal family story touches ever so gently on childhood grief but is wrapped up in an exciting and heartwarming adventure.

Listen to over 20 original songs, written and recorded by Lucas to accompany the story, bringing the joy of a musical to book form!
Most of you will know Lucas from his starring role in Little Britain. He’s been active as an actor, writer and comedian since then, and has written a number of kids’ books, including the hilarious My Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Silly Book of… series.

The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas is Lucas’ first book in musical form – and indeed, ‘possibly the world’s first musical novel,’ as he writes in his acknowledgements! He’s done a stellar job – I’m struggling to think of a more immersive book than this one. Combining text, illustrations and music, it covers all bases in terms of reader preferences, so your little ones are sure to be engaged the whole way through!

The book includes easy-to-scan QR codes throughout, each pulling up a fantastic original musical number that Lucas has written and recorded himself. There are lyrics at the back of the book to facilitate a family singalong – and these aren’t your traditional carols, so you don’t need to worry about having Jingle Bells stuck in your head for days on end.

For more visual readers, Forrest Burdett’s expressive illustrations dial up the fun and dynamism, and bring Leo to life as an even more loveable and memorable protagonist.

A must-read for anyone musically inclined, The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas is destined to become a Christmas reading (and singing) classic. While recommended for readers aged 8+, the music and singalongs are made to share with the whole family, young and old.

This is the perfect book to pop under the Christmas tree – or gift it early to foster festive joy and excitement in the lead-up to the big day.

Buy a copy of The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas here.