Ayla’s Christmas Wish is a sweet exploration about what it means to celebrate Christmas in Australia.
Ayla’s family is preparing for a hot Christmas in their dry country town. But something is missing.
‘We don’t have a snowman!’ says Ayla.
Inspired by hay bale art in towns across Australia, from Tarrington in Victoria’s West to rural Kalbar in South East Queensland!
Age range: 3-6 years
Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo
NLA Publishing
ISBN: 9781922507617
November 1, 2023.
Order from Amazon, Booktopia, Dymocks, Readings, QBD, or directly from NLA. Or support your local indie bookstore – request a copy if not in stock.
Teacher Notes
Activities
Christmas Checklist and Word Search
Hay bale template and season wheel
REVIEWS
“It’s a lovely book, and I loved the checklist as well as the illustrations, which as always, tell the story as much as the text does. The colour palate evokes the sense of drought in a small country town, making you feel like you are there with Ayla and her family. I think it will be a great addition to any Christmas collection this year.” – Ashleigh Meikle, The Book Muse
“Complete with a gorgeously glowing and balmy colour palette and utterly joyful illustrations by Lucia Masciullo, Ayla’s Christmas Wish is a gift of a book that is sure to fulfil every heart’s wish this festive season.” – Romi Sharp, Just Write for Kids
“A glorious checklist of an Australian Christmas.” – Allison Tait, Your Kids’ Next Read Podcast, Episode 130
“This is a beautiful picture book… It highlights a different kind of Christmas, but one that kids across Australia will relate to and cheer for. This is my new favourite Christmas picture book! Highly recommended for Christmas fans everywhere.” – Kids’ Book Review
“I’m giving this a huge 5 (Christmas) stars and then scouring my craft ideas for possible haybale substitions…” – Just So Stories
“This picture book is perfect for children 3+ who wish to celebrate Christmas traditions the Australian way and learn how they’ve adapted over time to the Southern Hemisphere season.” – Reading Time
