Christmas Steps: New rhymes for the season - Tapa blanda

Rhymes have always been an integral part of Christmas. Carols are sung in rhyme; every Christmas song we hear on the radio has rhyming lyrics. Mary Ann O'Leary has written her own Christmas-themed collection of poems that are modern but capture the excitement and warmth of Christmas and are full of affection for children. Tracking the progress of autumn into winter and celebrating the festive customs, the rhymes span a wide variety of topics. Some are humorous, some keen wordplay and some recall the first Christmas. Easy to narrate, this collection is perfect for children aged 5-18 and is intended to inspire young brains to write in rhyme themselves. Every child loves Christmas and this book celebrates every aspect of it. The months leading up to Christmas Day, the cold weather and shortening days, are nonetheless distinct from the rest of the year. There is unique anticipation, the keeping of traditions - and, for children, the waiting! These charming rhymes are accompanied by illustrations. The collection is a perfect gift for children not only at Christmas time, but for the whole winter season. Author Mary Ann has been inspired by the poetry of Eleanor Farjeon. Christmas Steps won the Gold award in the 6-8 year-old category of the Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards 2012.

Mary Ann O'Leary was born in Worcestershire and still lives in the north of the county. She was educated at St. Mary's Independent School, Worcester, and worked for many years in an accountant's office. She is now retired and her chief hobbies, apart from writing, are reading whodunits and travelling.