The Gift Shop Bear

Phyllis Harris

Worthy Kids, 2022

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781546013891 

From a cosy box in the attic of the Nana’s Gift Shop, Bear watches the seasons pass waiting for the last leaf to fall because he knew that’s when Annie would come to get him and place him in pride of place at the bottom of the Christmas tree in the shop window. He knew that for the next few weeks he would do all sorts of things with Annie to mark the coming of Christmas but this year was different – the shop was closing for good and Bear was really worried about never seeing Annie again…

This is one of those feel-good, traditional Christmas stories that is timeless and thus likely to be one that endures for generations as a family favourite.  It features all the elements that we think about at Christmas, regardless of it being set in the northern hemisphere with snow and carolers and people rugged up in their winter woolly warms. It leaves a feeling as warm as a teddy bear’s snuggle.