The Christmas Contest

By Author / Illustrator

Maxime Gillio, Benedetta Capriotti

Genre

Seasonal

Age range(s)

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

ISBN

9781398550575

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

25-09-2025

Synopsis

Win the chance to be Santa's helper and open a chapter a day in the ultimate countdown to Christmas! A full colour illustrated story full of Christmas magic in a unique and internationally bestselling format: feel the excitement of the big day as you tear open a new chapter each night with the family.

Santa Claus has a problem. There are too many children on the nice list this year, and he's worried he won't be able to deliver all the presents by himself! The only solution is to recruit an apprentice for the first time in his long career and he needs a competition to do it! Soon, the North Pole is buzzing with excitement as contestants come forward to show they've got the Christmas spirit and know-how to help jolly old Santa himself. As Christmas Eve draws closer and Santa Claus tasks the hopefuls with more and more creative tests, who will come out on top?

A fun, magical story with twenty-four chapters enclosed in a perforated envelope, this is the perfect gift to give as the family counts down to Christmas.

Reviews

Lizi

The Christmas Contest provides a nice alternative to a chocolate advent calendar. The book is split into 24 chapters to be read every day of December until Christmas eve. The pages are cleverly sealed together so you can split the perforation to prevent peaking ahead!

The story is a simple one; Santa needs help and holds a competition to see who can be his assistant. Although very simplistic, it is still a joyful read for a younger child. The Christmas Contest would also be a great option for teachers who like an advent activity on their classes.

196 pages / Reviewed by Lizi Backhouse, teacher