The Christmas Stars of Avalar - being three heart-centered sagas and a prequel

Everybody on Avalar - from humans and dwarfs to frost dogs and dragons - is taught two basic truths right from ★ Love, joy and generosity are the most important things in the world, and ★ Every single being and every single thing is absolutely perfect just as they are Of course this planetary positivity tends to enforce a certain amount of outlandish behavior among the population, who walk, fly or swim around as if every day is Christmas and life itself is a gift just waiting to be unwrapped. They all seem to believe that with an open mind and an open heart anything is possible - can you even imagine? Just look at our two young protagonists - Holly happily walks all the way around the world, all by herself, just to find the perfect Christmas presents for her parents, and her best friend Oliver doesn’t hesitate to storm Christmas Village and demand the pet reindeer Santa never delivered. But even given such patently peculiar levels of self-confidence, when Avalar settles into the interminable Long Winter, threatening the idyllic planet's very existence, not a single one of her inhabitants can figure out why this deadly freeze descends or how to save their world. Meanwhile Holly and Ollie sit at home waiting for a warming they fear may never come - at least until their lives are enriched by the arrival of a mysterious and infectiously happy old woman, who they later learn is none other than the Queen of Joy . Determined to end this mysterious freeze, and equipped with little else than a few magical objects and a strong and abiding belief in themselves and each other, the two children set out into an epically treacherous winter storm, facing punishing cold and impossible odds, and follow their hearts all the way to the stars. With the last bits of her extraordinary life force, the ancient Queen does everything she can to support their quest from afar. Even after she has fallen into what seems to be her own final sleep, she reaches out and catches the children one last time. But will it be enough? Will the children succeed, or will the magical world of Avalar, and all of her life, love and joy, be lost forever to this seemingly senseless Long Winter? The Christmas Stars of Avalar is written in a beautifully elevated language, gently challenging younger readers while delighting people of all ages with its humanity and holiday cheer as much as its admirable craft. My own Christmas wish is that this book inspires every reader to love themself and others in the same way everybody on the wondrous world of Avalar does, and that we all experience so much joy this holiday season that we have no choice but to share it with friends, family and everyone else.