Episode 52 - Is Santa romanceable? (The Truth about Mrs Claus and Stepfather Christmas)
Even the Trunchbull22 Joulu 2025

Episode 52 - Is Santa romanceable? (The Truth about Mrs Claus and Stepfather Christmas)

It's almost Christmas and we're in a silly, silly mood. Father Christmas is a wonderful mythological figure with loads of room still to stretch and change and imagine him. Today, we're looking at the women who fall in love with him.

First up, it's a story about finding a place for yourself and your passions within a strong family legacy. The Truth about Mrs Claus, by Meena Harris and illustrated by Keisha Morris is about a little teddy-making elf named Amalia. She comes from a long line of teddy-makers, and there's huge pride in this, but she just... doesn't love making teddies. Could Santa help her? Well, he's not in, but a certain Sarah B. Claus has some nuggets of wisdom to share. With women of colour front and center, this is a sweet story with a strong message about the value of seeing others break the mould when you're trying to find your own way.

Next up, Stepfather Christmas by LD Lapinski. How would you feel if your mum, single for years, suddenly announced she was bringing her boyfriend home to stay over Christmas for two whole weeks? And then, what if he happened to have a white beard, a bit of a belly, wear all red and say "ho ho ho"? Harper is convinced her new stepdad is Father Christmas. How else can you explain all the post? And the amazing hot chocolates? And the reindeer tattoos? This advent story in 25 chapters answers the question : What if you really did see Mummy kissing Santa Claus?

We'll be back with a new season in 2026! If you'd like some bonus content, including both of Nina's advent stories for children, you can join our patreon here.

Another way to support us is to shop our picks on our bookshop here

What A Wonderful Day is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by Shane Ivers of silvermansound.com

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Episode 61 - Terrors by Torchlight (The Dark and When the Storm Comes)

Episode 61 - Terrors by Torchlight (The Dark and When the Storm Comes)

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Episode 60 - Precious Stones (These Are My Rocks and The Weirdstone of Brisingamen)

Episode 60 - Precious Stones (These Are My Rocks and The Weirdstone of Brisingamen)

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Episode 59 - True Colours (Is it red? Is it yellow? Is it blue? and Entangled)

Episode 59 - True Colours (Is it red? Is it yellow? Is it blue? and Entangled)

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Episode 58 - Gay Paree (Madeline and Secrets of the Snakestone)

Episode 58 - Gay Paree (Madeline and Secrets of the Snakestone)

This week our books are both set in the city of lights! Our chapter book is the 1939 classic Madeline, written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans.  This one's from the vault of Nina's childhood, and ...

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Episode 57 - Scary Sisters (Charmed Life and Virginia Wolf)

Episode 57 - Scary Sisters (Charmed Life and Virginia Wolf)

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16 Huhti 1h 15min

Special minisode #2: Three Picture Books that Made Me (The Elephant and the Bad Baby, The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate and Ten in the Bed)

Special minisode #2: Three Picture Books that Made Me (The Elephant and the Bad Baby, The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate and Ten in the Bed)

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Episode 56 - T-Rex Trilogy Terminus

Episode 56 - T-Rex Trilogy Terminus

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26 Helmi 46min

Episode 55 - Rub a Dub Dub (How To Give Your Cat A Bath : In Five Easy Steps and Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief)

Episode 55 - Rub a Dub Dub (How To Give Your Cat A Bath : In Five Easy Steps and Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief)

This week, we're reading stories which feature bathtubs!  And starring little girls who wear their hair in space buns. Our picture book is How To Give Your Cat A Bath : In Five Easy Steps, written by ...

19 Helmi 50min