Picking his way home across the lava field, Tómas knows that this Christmas won't be quite the same - not without his Grandfather. But as the war draws closer, Tómas devises a plan to ensure his Grandfather's stories will still be at the heart of his family's Christmas - even if it means being braver than a boy ever dreamed he could be. Donning his grandfather's jumper for courage, working hard at chores for neighbours, he takes his hard earned pennies to shop for presents - only to find all the shops empty of stock. This is war time and rationing. There is just one shop still open - a bookshop.
Inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókafló?i?, where books are given as gifts on Christmas Eve.