The Empty Stocking

by Richard Curtis

The Empty Stocking  is a brilliantly funny Christmas story by Richard Curtis and Rebecca Cobb.

In this fantastically funny and heartwarming story by Richard Curtis, scriptwriter of  Four Weddings and a Funeral  and  Love Actually , it's Christmas Eve and there's one very important question on everyone's mind - have YOU been good this year? For twins Sam and Charlie this is a big worry. Charlie has been especially naughty and everyone is sure that she won't get any presents AT ALL. But when Santa makes a mistake, it's up to Charlie to put things right...

Richard Curtis is an award-winning and international film-director and scriptwriter, and the creator of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Notting Hill and Mr Bean.

Award-winning illustrator Rebecca Cobb graduated from Falmouth College of Arts in 2004. She has collaborated with the Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Orange-Prize-winner Helen Dunmore.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE

Graduate of Harrow School and subsequently Christ Church, University of Oxford. Academy Award nominee and recipient of Emmy and BAFTA awards for screenwriting. He is also a director and producer. In 2007, he became a Fellow of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has easily become both mine, and my daughter’s, favourite Christmas story. Sam (Samantha) and Charlie (Charlotte) are twins who are identical in every way apart from their behaviour – for while Sam is generally well behaved, Charlie has been, well, quite bad this year. So bad in fact that her parents are a little concerned that Santa won’t leave her any presents when he comes because, as we know, he is perfectly aware of who is naughty and who is nice…

As you would expect from Richard Curtis, this book is an utter delight. From those munched hedges on Christmas morning, to his perfectly captured picture of family life, he weaves an utterly magical story. Santa, though, makes a mistake and this causes a change of heart in more than one person…

This is a picture book for older children. My niece, who is five and my eight year old daughter, were utterly entranced. I think it is perfect for 4+ and, possibly, will be loved by adults reading it aloud as much as by the children they are reading it to. A really lovely story; clever, thought provoking and heart warming.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my favourite books I’ve read in the last couple of weeks, maybe because it reminds me of me and my triplet sister!
A beautiful story about the secret complexities of a bond between twins that only siblings will ever understand. A lovely Christmas story that children can just sit and enjoy, which is sometimes the most important thing :)

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story, it just make some feel warm inside and reminds me there is good at the heart of every little terror if you just look for it.

[Nivedita · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been an absolute delight to feel this book in my hands while reading it. The book was indeed amazing and heartwarming and it turns out that no matter how much I love reading children's books, I've never had any psychical copy of any of the books I've loved. That is why this book brought me irresistible pleasure 💙

[Abril G. Karera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es de esas historias para niños que tienen un perfecto equilibrio entre dedicarse a contar una historia, generar tensión y emoción; y al mismo tiempo, hacer evidente su enseñanza sin aplastar la moraleja en la nariz. Divertido.

[Gretchen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little story--with fabulous illustrations--about how things aren't always as they seem. I loved it!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these illustrations. The story had enough complexity to make it interesting.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just watched the Netflix movie That Christmas with my family, and only then noticed that one the books it's based on was in my holiday TBR list.

I actually think the book pulls this off a bit better than the film, and I liked the fun little ways that it used font size and formatting to enhance how you read it. I think it would have been a little stronger if we didn't see Santa come back, and just let the full stockings be a twist ending. (Also questioning if Charlie shouldn't have given all the presents to Sam rather than half. But I suppose that's expecting a lot of generosity for a small child.)

[E. K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Empty Stocking is a magical and heartwarming read about empathy, love and siblings.

I loved reading about the twins, 'nice' Sam and 'naughty' Charlie. The book beautifully illustrates how the complexities of what can be perceived as acts of naughtiness, might in fact have a lot of well intentioned love behind them. Highly recommend to all readers big and small, naughty and nice!

[Christina Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come!

[Ailis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely children's book for Christmas with a good and easy to grasp message of repentance and sisterly love.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice book, my 2 year old daughter loved the illustrations, and I love the story as I have a "Charlie", and just like her although he can be naughty, hes good at heart.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is delightfully complex and surprising for a picture book. And it has Santa Claus in it. Score.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, actually brought a tear to my eye - the misunderstood sibling!

Is a firm festive family favourite, highly recommended.