One Christmas Eve by Corinne Fenton

Ill. by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. Black Dog, 2016. ISBN 9781925381252
"One Christmas Eve, Grandpa puts on his best shirt, Bella passes him his favourite hat, and they wave goodbye to Gran. Together they walk along the tape measure streets and roundabout corners until there, before them, is Luna Park.
When Bella visits Luna Park on Christmas Eve with Grandpa, he hands her a single silver coin to use on a ride. Bella enjoys the excitement of the roller-coaster, the squeals from the ghost train ride and the laughter from the giggle palace, but she is drawn to the sparkling carousel and it's here she spends her precious coin.
When Bella climbs onto her dashing carousel horse, something magical happens when they launch into the velvety night sky where they encounter a jolly man in a red suit and his prancing reindeer. But the magic doesn't end there..."
This is a nostalgic, charming story of Christmas in the less hectic times of 1968 that will arouse memories with many as they share it with their children and grandchildren in this Christmas Countdown. Reminiscing about Christmas in a time that wasn't so dominated by big, bold, bright and brassy - I spent my 1968 Christmas coming to terms with the heat of Port Moresby - and just taking the time to enjoy the simple things. And regardless of the season, who hasn't dreamed of a magical, mystical ride on one of the beautiful carousel horses and Fenton's beautiful text and Crosby-Fairall's stunning illustrations are a perfect match as we soar high above the clouds and discover the magic that is there. The power of imagination and dreams transcends all timeframes and generations. One Christmas Eve was the focus of the Melbourne and Brisbane Myer Christmas windows for 2016 and these are in Ballarat for 2017.
Lucky are those in a position to go to see them!
Barbara Braxton