Home - Chrissie Daines - Author and Illustrator

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Edward and the Christmas Grumps

It's Surprisingly Joyful! An amazing Advent countdown adventure in the enchanted kingdom of Santarctica. Can Edward and Jill outwit the dimwit grumbling grumps? The Grumbling…

The Halloween Queen

Coming soon! A swashbuckling Halloween and Christmas mash-up adventure. Edward, Jill and the gang return in an incredible, action-packed apple-bobbing countdown bonanza. Take a peek-a-boo…

The Earth Emperor’s Eye

A mystical, spell-binding, epic tale. Questioning perceptions about our planet and all it's living things. Includes a startling and highly curious Watch of world events…

Kidz Zone

Caution: Kidz Zone has been crafted by naughty elves, grumbling grumps and pranking penguins. Monstrous Mayhem may breakout at any time! Access may be denied!…

Reflections

Presenting a few poems from the 'Reflections' collection, including 'Edward's Chair' in memory of my dad - the inspiration behind Edward And The Christmas Grumps.…

Ah, you've arrived. I've been expecting you.

Hello, I'm Chrissie. This is me at the glorious Herts Book Festival 2022 with my book, models and diorama. I've a passion for writing, drawing and painting, and stop-motion animation. My creations are inclusive dreamy curiosities for children and adults. They're about Christmas and Halloween, and protecting our precious planet and its beautiful creatures. I'm especially thrilled that the prestigious LoveReading4Kids are recommending Edward and the Christmas Grumps as an annual festive read 'with a wonderful ending' whilst Kirkus Reviews, the leading professional book review group, endorsed it as 'a charming, magical tale.' The book's also a Mom's Choice Gold Award Winner for family-friendly media and has over 100 Santabulous five-star reader reviews! Discover more here and on my social media! Do please get in touch if you've read my creations. I love to hear from readers.

Sneaky, Cheeky, Peaky

Here's a fun little video I made about my story, Edward And The Christmas Grumps, including the Grump Grumble song. Check out my other videos too - all made from plasticine, cardboard, paint and a giant dollop of imagination.

Highlights

Featured Festive Book on LoveReading4Kids

Recommendation and Summary

Glittering Reviews

Readers Names on the Magical Christmas Tree 2022

Joyful Readers

Helping Santa on Christmas Eve!

Acclaimed Kirkus Review

Carol, Gordon and Nigel - Diverse and Inclusive

Wonderful and Adorable

Joyful Young Readers

Happy Elves

"This wonderful story is full of adventure and one that the whole family will love."

Zak - Edward's Lookalike!

"Zak dressed as Edward on World Book Day"

Florence

"Florence absolutely loved the story! She swept through the book in a week and left me a delightful thank you message."

Dathi

"Dahti is my youngest reader. His mum, Amanda, read him a door a day during Advent and posted daily on Instagram about how much they loved the tale. I'm thrilled that Dathi especially loved the Grump Grumble song!"

Magic Moments

"We keep going back to it, even after Christmas."

Mia

"Mia was simply thrilled by the new deluxe hardback edition! She adored it and says it's the perfect Christmas story ever."

Arthur

"It's Such a Great Story! We've been reading it every night in the run up to Christmas"

Cacia

"Such a fantastic book. Cacia couldn't put it down."

Our Teddy Edward

"Such a surprisingly lovely book. It's a tear-jerker with such a wonderful ending."

Enchanting

"Tears flowed as those last special pages were turned."

What Readers Say

I've Santabulous Five-Star reviews in the UK and USA on Amazon, Goodreads, Instagram and Facebook! Here's some snippets... ***** "Wow! What a wonderful and magical Christmas read." ***** "Really brightened up a lockdown Christmas" ***** "Fantastic read in the run up to Christmas" ***** "1000% can't recommend it enough. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do." ***** "It's hard to find a fresh holiday read that's so unique and interesting." ***** "It's definitely a book that will be read in our house as a tradition every year." ***** "I sincerely recommend this book." ***** "I have to admit I enjoyed this story." ***** Swipe for views on style and content>

Readers adore the style and content. ***** "Really well written and engaging." ***** "It kept our attention from start to finish." ***** "The pictures were an awesome addition. They were beautiful and sprinkled throughout." ***** "It's fun to read a book with so many twists and turns." ***** "Edward's teddy is absolutely precious." ***** "The characters are a lot of fun." ***** "The writing style of the author is inspiring, which drew me into the story." ***** "The characters are fun and the plot easy to follow." ***** "It combines festive cheer, adventure, mystery and a touch of magic." ***** Swipe to discover who's reading it >

It's inclusive, diverse and suitable for everyone. ***** "My eleven year old niece and I enjoyed this book so much." ***** "My daughter was hooked immediately." ***** "Such a fantastic book. Our daughter couldn't put it down." ***** "My eldest child is ten years of age and he thoroughly enjoyed reading this book everyday over Christmas." ***** "A great holiday read for parents and their kids." ***** "My daughter is seven and a dyslexic she actually enjoyed reading this story and with help read it all happily." ***** "I recommend this book for the entire family." ***** "The tears that came when my daughter knew we'd reached the last page because we enjoyed it so much." ***** "I believe parents and children will thoroughly enjoy reading this book this holiday season." ***** "I recommend this book for the entire family." ***** Swipe to learn thoughts on why it's unique and great value >

Reader's loved the countdown adventure... ***** "I love the free online Advent calendar. What a fun perk that we are using every year." ***** "The clever design of chapters as doors to an Advent calendar adds to the delight." ***** "We tended to read a chapter a day and couldn't wait for the next day to resume the story." ***** "It's twists and turns enthralled us for the whole month." ***** "This book kept us wondering in suspense and laughing the whole of December." ***** "If you're looking for a book to put under your tree. You found it!" *****

The environmental message is handled subtly and immersed in a wonderful intricate story .

Enjoy magical countdown adventures for all ages about Christmas, Halloween and protecting our precious planet. Stories ripe with original hand-drawn illustrations, stop-motion videos and FREE gifts – a unique online Advent calendar and bookmarks. Simply perfect Christmas books for children and adults with super reviews!

I do love a bit of escapism, as reflected in my creations. Here I am dressed as Belle, my favourite fairy-tale character, engulfed in a sparkling stardust aura. I sometimes dress as an elf too, when I run events promoting my Christmas story. Elves are sublime creators, instinctively imagining and conjuring up glorious gifts for young and old alike. I, too, strive to create deep, meaningful and ultimately joyful delights through my words and art. So, I describe myself as a creationist.

Google defines a creationist as someone who believes that the universe and all living things within it come from acts of divine creation. Well, I certainly believe there’s much more to the world than we’re able to experience with our five senses. Perhaps we have an inner knowledge or instinct that transcends us? It is this that I explore in my imaginings, all born of mystery and wonder. I marvel at the idea of hidden worlds, just out of reach, but tantalisingly close, and at the concept that the Earth itself has a spirit – Mother Earth or Gaia!

If, like me, you are curious and have a head full of questions about life, dreams, magic and mysticism then my creations are for you. It’s all connected. It’s all real.

Chrissie

Coming Soon – Finalised editions of The Halloween Queen and The Earth Emperor’s Eye! Plus… check out the curious new stories on the Whittenbury Watch, part of  the deep magic of The Earth Emperor’s Eye. The Earth really is enchanted!