Virtually Christmas by David Baddiel - Funny Illustrated Children's Book - Ages 8-12 - Hardback

Details:. Condition: BRAND NEW. Format: Hardback. ISBN: 9780008334307. Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books. Age Range: 8-12 years. Overview:. Virtually Christmas is the hilarious, illustrated festive novel from million-copy bestselling author David Baddiel, with illustrations throughout by Steven Lenton. Christmas has been taken over by the cold, corporate "Winterzone," where robots, holograms and drones have replaced human warmth and family tradition. Eleven-year-old Etta refuses to accept this soulless version of the holidays and, with her best friend Monty, sets off on a race against time to track down the real Santa and rescue the true meaning of Christmas before it disappears for good.. About the Book:. In Baddiel's inventive festive satire, Christmas has been quietly hijacked by a mega-corporation called Winterzone. Gone are the family gatherings, hand-me-down decorations and even the terrible cracker jokes. Instead, ZoneDrones deliver every present, while 3D holographic Santavatars watch to see whether children have been naughty or nice. Etta, who still remembers stories her late grandmother told her about how Christmas used to feel, senses something precious has been lost. When she and Monty stumble across a mysterious clue, they're pulled into a fast-paced adventure to expose Winterzone and bring back the real Santa before Christmas is lost forever. Baddiel's trademark wit shines throughout, poking gentle fun at a tech-obsessed, hyper-commercialised world while never losing the warmth that makes his children's fiction so widely loved. Steven Lenton's lively illustrations punctuate the short, pacy chapters, ideal for children building reading confidence and fluent readers alike. The story gently explores consumerism, nostalgia and human connection, giving families plenty to talk about once the last page is turned. It's a funny, big-hearted read that resonates with fans of Baddiel's other bestselling titles, praised by booksellers and young readers for