Faber has won a four-way auction for 'a stunning, Icelandic-inspired Christmas story' from bestselling children’s author Katherine Woodfine, illustrated by Lizzy Stewart.

For readers of all ages, The Christmas Book is inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið, in which books are given as gifts on Christmas Eve. It is 'the perfect gift for sharing during the Christmas period.'

Children’s Publisher Leah Thaxton acquired world rights in the text from Louise Lamont at LBA Books, and artwork rights from Andrea Morris at Writers House. Thaxton said: "This glorious tale celebrates the wonder of books and bookshops - and booksellers. I fell in love with the story and the Icelandic gifting tradition that inspired it - and I feel sure the world will too. Katherine Woodfine and Lizzy Stewart have created something truly magical here, a future classic for children and adults alike, and the most perfect Christmas gift."

The Christmas Book is scheduled to publish in October 2026, with full-colour illustrations throughout, and with 'beautiful decorative endpapers.'

'It was Christmas Eve in the little farmhouse. The air was full of good smells of spices and jam and hot cocoa. No one was expecting any presents, but there would be leaf bread, cookies, Grandmother’s embroidered tablecloth, and they would all do what they could to make the Yuletide bright.

'Tómas picks his way across the lava field, heading home from school; he knows that Christmas won’t be the same this year, not without his grandfather. It is wartime and the town is rationing stock and black-out blinds are in the windows. But Tómas has devised a plan to ensure his grandfather’s stories will still be at the heart of his family’s Christmas – even if it means being braver than a boy ever dreamed he could be.

'He puts on his grandfather's jumper to give him courage and offers to do chores for all his neighbours…But when he takes his hard-earned coins to the high street, he discovers that there is only one shop with gifts to sell - thankfully, it is the very best shop of them all: a bookshop!'

Woodfine said: "Christmas books have a very special place in my heart — so it was an absolute joy to write this one, to collaborate with Leah and the wonderful team at Faber, and to see Lizzy’s beautiful artwork bring it so perfectly to life. The Christmas Book is a tribute to the power of sharing stories, the particular magic of books and bookshops, especially at Christmastime, and the hope that comes from even the smallest light shining in the dark."

Stewart said: "It's been a total delight to work with Katherine and the Faber team on this book. A text like Katherine's is such a gift to an illustrator: Icelandic landscapes! Christmas! Snow! BOOKS! It's been a joy from start to finish and I can't wait for The Christmas Book to meet its readers."

Katherine Woodfine is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling novel The Clockwork Sparrow, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She has since written eight more books in the Sinclair's Mysteries and Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series, as well as books for younger readers, including Sophie Takes to the Sky, Elisabeth and the Box of Colours, and A Dancer’s Dream. When not writing, Katherine also reviews children's books for The Week Junior. She is based in Lancashire.

Lizzy Stewart is an artist and illustrator, and graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2009. She received an MA in Communication Design from Central St Martins in 2013. Lizzy also teaches at Goldsmiths University and in hospitals on behalf of the National Portrait Gallery. Lizzy is based in south-east London.