Review: If You Love a Christmas Tale

I still remember the very first time I saw a book with sliding images - like a magical window, revealing another world. I can still feel the skin stretching around my eyes as they bugged out in surprise.

Well, this happened again when I opened the front cover of If You Love a Christmas Tale. Featuring the time-honoured festive classics - The Night Before Christmas and The Nutcracker - this amazing book showcases the gorgeous work of artist Lockheart in a series of stunning pages - every second one containing a shutter-like slideshow effect that changes as you open the page.

Santa on the cover becomes a toddler peering up the chimney, in wait. Children in beds with sugar plums 'round their heads becomes Dad flying to the window in his nightgown and kerchief. Clara tip-toeing down the stairs becomes a girl opposing the Mouse King.

The picture changes will make kids (and adults!) gasp in delight and repeat page-turnings will be necessary virtually instantly. While not strictly a pop-up book, its effects are the same - 3D and mesmerising. This would make a truly gorgeous Christmas gift - and will be a treasured book in no time.

Title: If You Love a Christmas Tale
Author: Clement Moore and Saviour Pirotta    
Illustrator: Susanna Lockheart
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $32.99 RRP
Publication Date: November 2009
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742371030
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture book

This book is available online