Creating Magic in Picture Books: Behind the Scenes of 'The Winter Wish'

There’s something undeniably magical about Christmas. The twinkle of fairy lights illuminating dark winter evenings, the comforting aroma of mulled spices wafting through the air, and the joy of reconnecting with loved ones at the end of a busy year. It’s a season that often invites us to pause, reflect, and soak in the magic around us. For many, Christmas is the essence of cosiness—a time to wrap ourselves in the wonder of the season, whether through decorating the tree, unwrapping gifts, or simply enjoying being together with loved ones.

But behind the scenes of this idyllic picture, not everything is always as magical as it seems. For many small businesses, the festive season (traditionally the foundation of their yearly revenue) has become an increasingly challenging time. Rising costs, changing shopping habits, and restricted EU regulations, have all added to the pressures they face, making the run-up to Christmas feel more daunting than joyful. And yet, these very businesses are often the ones that bring the season’s magic to life in our communities: the florist designing festive wreaths that decorate our doors, the freelance illustrator selling festive cards and prints at their local market, the bookseller with their cosy wintry-themed books on display in your neighbourhood bookshop.

Supporting small businesses in the run up to Christmas isn’t just about keeping them afloat; it’s about preserving the heart and soul of what makes Christmas special. Each purchase from a local shop tells a story. It’s a connection to your community, a vote for creativity, and a way to keep traditions alive. When you choose to buy prints or cards from an artist or a delicious treat from your local cafe, you’re not only giving a unique gift—you’re also giving a little extra stability to a family-run business, a bit of encouragement to a passionate maker, and a whole lot of support to the idea that buying small matters.

Understandably, it can be hard to escape the attention-seeking screams of conglomerate advertisements, begging us to buy bigger and better because we’ll DIE without whatever they’re selling if we don’t. It may be late in the month now, but as we finishing preparing for the festive season, let’s remember that the magic of Christmas isn’t found in big-box stores or rushed online purchases. It’s in the stories behind the gifts, the personal touches, and the people who create them. This year let’s make our Christmases even more meaningful by supporting small businesses. Not only will we find treasures that can’t be replicated, but we’ll also help ensure that the spirit of Christmas is possible for everyone to experience.

I believe it is important to share this message with children too. Luckily, there just so happens to be a festive, magically themed picture book that highlights the importance of supporting local small businesses during this season. This book is called ‘The Winter Wish’, written by the very talented Helen Mortimer, and guess what! I had the honour of illustrating her beautiful story.

For those wanting to share this message with your little ones this December, I couldn’t recommend the story enough. I’ve personally shared the book with my friends’ VERY tiny humans (definitely too tiny to understand the story, but they seem to love the pretty pictures) and seeing their eyes light up and transfixed on the pages has now been etched into my mind as a joyous core memory. For those interested in buying the book, feel free to grab yours through the small business links below. Or better yet—check in with your local bookstore to see if they have it in stock!

The Winter Wish - Bookshop.org

The Winter Wish - Wordery

I also have some SUPER exciting news to share! On Sunday, 22nd December (yes, this Sunday—just in case Christmas holiday mode has you losing track of dates already), The Winter Wish will be read aloud on none other than CBeebies Bedtime Stories! And the best part? The amazing Justin Fletcher (aka Mr. Tumble, for all the little ones out there) will be bringing the story to life. Don’t miss it—tune in at 7:50pm to catch the magic!

Now, for my more creative-minded subscribers, I wonder if you’d be interested in getting a very exclusive peak behind the curtain at how I created the artwork for this wonderful story? If so, keep reading! If you haven’t subscribed yet, please feel free to support the small business that is Little Old Me and join my lovely Substack community by subscribing below. Welcome, and enjoy!