Coco and the Christmas Beetle by Laura Bunting, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

Title: Coco and the Christmas Beetle

Author: Laura Bunting, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

Genre: Christmas

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 1^st October 2023

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 48

Price: $19.99

Synopsis: Coco loves Christmas. Everything about it. She is most looking forward to the celebrations in town, especially the lighting of the tree. But then she finds out Tabby Town won’t be putting on a celebration this year. Can a lonely Christmas beetle give Coco the bright idea she needs to create the most meow-gical Christmas ever?

~*~

Coco is excited – it’s almost Christmas, and soon she can head to Tabby Town for the big Christmas tree lighting. But this year, the town has decided they aren’t going to do anything for Christmas – and Coco is devastated! Whilst exploring her garden, Coco meets a lonely little Christmas beetle, who can’t find her friends, and explains what she does to Coco, and tells her what Christmas beetles need to survive – rain and gum leaves. The Christmas beetle’s story gives Coco a great idea to make Christmas magical without Tabby Town – but can she pull it off?

I love the Coco books -they’re so cute and filled with heart and soul. Each story focuses on a new challenge for Coco – and this time, it’s Christmas! Yes, it is the season for Christmas books in October, and there are some wonderful ones coming out this year. Coco has her own Christmas book now. What I like about these Christmas books is that each character has their own take on what they want from Christmas in their own world. For Coco, she’s missing out on a tradition from Tabby Town that for her, marks the start of Christmas, and that is something important in her life. I loved that this was dealt with in a reassuring way, letting readers know that their feelings are valid whilst still showing that the world changes and things are not always going to be the same. But Coco and her friend, Max are creative, and it is their creativity and ingenuity that will help them make Christmas magical.

What Coco and the Christmas Beetle shows us is that Christmas is what we make it, and that it can be different for everyone – and using our imagination to find a way to make something special is the important thing. It is about family, friendship, and community – and the magic that we create for those around us. I loved the way Coco and Max kicked off the Christmas season for their community, because it was filled with creativity and ideas that kids can use in their own homes and communities and do so in ways that work for them and with what they have at hand. Coco’s latest story is one of my favourites in the series – it combines cats and Christmas, and honestly, what could be better?

Some people might say that it is too early for Christmas stories – but getting them now and having them ready to read in December is what makes their early appearance so awesome. In my mind, it is always a good time to read a Christmas story, and whilst they’re lots of fun to read in December, I think there are things in them that mean they can be enjoyed year-round, especially in the weeks and months leading up to Christmas as we anticipate the fun that is coming. I can’t wait to see where Coco takes us next! A lovely book that Coco fans will adore.