The Christmas Competition

By: Mel Taylor-Bessent

Narrated by: Shakira Newton

‘A Christmas book about kindness and cheer to make even Scrooge’s heart melt’ Dame Jacqueline Wilson on The Christmas Carrolls

The Christmas-crazy Carrolls are back! Funny festive middle grade from the founder of Authorfy, perfect for 8+ fans of Matt Haig, Ben Miller, Sibeal Pounder’s Tinsel, and the Nativity! films

The Christmas-crazy Carrolls are back – and this time, they have an ice-skating baby penguin!

There’s a new family in town determined to steal the Carrolls’ tinselly crown. Can Holly and her family win the Christmas Chronicle’s competition for the Most Festive Family? Or will they discover that there is more to life than perfect Christmas decorations, a personal toboggan run, and more pressies than you can shake a candy cane at?

©2022 Mel Taylor-Bessent (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘A Christmas book about kindness and cheer to make even Scrooge’s heart melt’ Dame Jacqueline Wilson

‘Funny and loveable story’– Woman & Home

‘This will put a smile on your face and a lump in your throat’ – Daily Mail

‘Saturated with festive fun’– Irish Times

‘Hilariously silly, this super-seasonal debut will have readers chuckling’ – Metro

"As warm and cosy as drinking hot chocolate in your favourite Christmas jumper. A festive feast of fun." Maz Evans, bestselling author of Who Let the Gods Out

'Fizzing with energy and festive cheer, The Christmas Carrolls is a heart-warming must-read for the Christmas period. Mel’s writing sparkles like the star on top of a Christmas Tree.' Jennifer Bell, author of The Uncommoners trilogy

“The Christmas Carrolls is just fabulous! I laughed solidly throughout the whole thing. It’s gloriously festive, brilliantly funny and utterly endearing, too. Holly’s inventions made me chuckle, as did Mr Bleurgh, while Holly and Archie’s friendship was a joy to read. Also, Mel wrote one of the most beautiful descriptions of Christmas Eve I’ve ever read. The story is warm and wonderful and I loved it.” Abi Elphinstone, author of The Unmapped Chronicles series

“Well known in the children’s book world as the creator of Authorfy, Taylor-Bessent makes her debut with the story of the world’s most Christmassy family. Full of festive giggles and a message about what really matters.” – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller

‘It’s a very impressive debut effort from Taylor-Bessent’ – Financial Times