A01=Kathryn Simmonds
A12=Elena Selivanova
Author_Elena Selivanova
Author_Kathryn Simmonds
bedtime reading
Category=YBC
Category=YFJ
children's bible tale
Christian book
christian story
christmas
Christmas story
eq_activity-picture-books
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_teenage-young-adult
faithful book
forthcoming
holiday gift
illustrated
Jesus
kids picturebook
nativity
stocking filler
traditional tale
Product details
- ISBN 9781915749314
- Dimensions: 215 x 260mm
- Publication Date: 20 Aug 2026
- Publisher: SPCK Publishing
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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Who is Martin waiting for? And what if his Guest has already arrived?
In the old French city of Marseille, it's Christmas Day and Martin the shoemaker is waiting. He's expecting a very special guest, and his heart is full of hope and anticipation.
But as the hours pass, something extraordinary unfolds. Martin gives warmth to a shivering street sweeper. He shares a meal with a young mother in need. He places shoes on the bare feet of a little boy. He offers friendship to a lonely old woman who has no one.
And when night finally falls and his guest still hasn't come... Martin begins to wonder.
Or has the Guest been there all along?
A story of unexpected grace, quiet generosity, and the true heart of Christmas.
The Christmas Guest is a timeless festive tale rooted in one of the most beloved Christmas stories ever written: Papa Panov's Special Day. Rich with warmth, compassion, and quiet surprise, it speaks to children and adults alike, asking the question at the very heart of Christmas: what does it really mean to welcome someone in?
Kathryn Simmonds is an award winning poet and author. Her books for children include, Be My Sunflower, Trouble at the Bug Hotel (both with Walker Books), Twenty Bears, Twenty Bears on Holiday (both with Bloomsbury Children's Books), and Princes Don't Practice (Macmillan). She lives with her family in Norwich and loves helping with children's ministry at her church. Elena Selivanova has worked for over 25 years in children’s book illustration and has illustrated over 100 books, including ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas and 'Twas the Morning of Easter (Zonderkidz).
