The Christmas Surprise by Yvette Poshoglian

Ella and Olivia bk. 9. Levelled Reader Ages 5-6. Ill. by Danielle McDonald. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN: 9781742839219.
Recommended for 5-6 year old girls. Themes: Christmas, Family Life, Sisters. Ella and Olivia are sisters and best friends. Ella is seven years old and Olivia is five-and-a-half years old, they live with their mum and dad and little brother Max. The girls are very excited about the Christmas preparations and they are counting down to their favourite time of the year. Both love the food especially Nanna's pudding and they love decorating the big Christmas tree with their family and Uncle Stu. Mum calls them her 'little angels' and most of the time that is true. When they help with trimming the tree they fight and tear the beautiful star that tops the tree. The girls are so excited, they make a secret plan to stay up on Christmas Eve and open up their presents early.
The Ella and Olivia series are specifically designed for young girls who are beginning to read chapter books. They are written in an uncomplicated, straightforward manner with simple plots and relatable characters. The extremely large font and line drawings support the transition from picture book to beginning novel. This is the ninth book in the series.
Rhyllis Bignell