Even the Trunchbull22 Des 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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Episoder(80)

Episode 66 - Return to the Fairytale Multiverse (Rumpelstiltskin and Rumaysa Ever After)

It's been a while since we did a fairytale retelling, so this week we have two for you! First up, a sumptuous and modern (if faithful) retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis. We'...

6 Aug 1h 4min

Episode 65 - Heartstrings (Rooftoppers and The Sad Story of Veronica Who Played the Violin) with Ria Ashcroft

This week, our books are linked by instruments from the strings section of the orchestra, and the way their music makes us feel. Special guest Ria suggested our chapter book. It's Rooftoppers by Kathe...

30 Jul 50min

Episode 64 - Don't Try This At Home (The Whiz Mob And The Grenadine Kid and The Three Robbers)

This week, we're reading books in which people steal (and do other reprehensible, dangerous or immoral things)! First up, our chapter book is The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid, written by Colin Meloy...

23 Jul 1h 12min

Episode 63 - Portal Fantasy (Another and The Barren Grounds)

This week we're reading portal fantasies! Our picture book is Another by Christian Robinson. This is a gorgeous mixed media wordless adventure about a girl and her cat travelling through a mysterious ...

16 Jul 1h 8min

Episode 62 - Small Folk (Chirri and Chirra, Underground and The Gammage Cup)

To kick off this new season we're reading books about tiny people - small folk. Our picture book is Chirri and Chirra, Underground, by Kaya Doi (translated from the Japanese by David Boyd). An absurd,...

9 Jul 1h 12min

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

To wrap up this tenth season, we're reading some thrillers for kids. Yes, they do exist, even in picture book form! The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen is a stunning piece of art. It's a horror...

14 Mai 1h 5min

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

Our picture book this week is less of a story and more of a tour of the narrator's very tastefully curated collection. The categories travel from totally mundane (small things) to very high concept (i...

7 Mai 1h 2min

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

This week we've two fantastic books focused on the theme of colour. Our picture book is a classic by Tana Hoban from 1978: Is it red? Is it yellow? Is it blue? This might be the first non-fiction pict...

30 Apr 1h 5min