{"product_id":"laras-first-christmas","title":"Lara's First Christmas","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"226\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"170\"\u003eLara’s First Christmas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"170\" data-end=\"173\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"173\" data-end=\"224\"\u003eBy Alice O. Howell | Illustrated by Maggie Mailer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"228\" data-end=\"304\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"228\" data-end=\"304\"\u003eA tender story of belonging, kindness, and the true spirit of Christmas.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"306\" data-end=\"492\"\u003eSet in snow-covered Norway just before World War II, this heartfelt tale follows young Lara, who finds herself far from home with her refugee parents, staying in a quiet, isolated hotel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"494\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eWhile her parents are occupied, Lara feels alone—until she meets a cast of unexpected companions: two eccentric English gentlemen who teach her to ski, and a kind, grandfatherly carpenter named Andreas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"891\"\u003eThrough these encounters, Lara begins to discover something deeper than celebration… a quiet understanding that Christmas is not bound by place, tradition, or belief—but lives within the heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"931\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"931\"\u003eInside this book, you’ll discover:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"933\" data-end=\"1172\"\u003e• A gentle story of \u003cstrong data-start=\"953\" data-end=\"981\"\u003econnection and belonging\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"984\"\u003e• The universal meaning of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1051\"\u003eChristmas across cultures and faiths\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1054\"\u003e• Themes of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1108\"\u003ekindness, generosity, and human warmth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1111\"\u003e• A comforting, reflective narrative perfect for the season\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1207\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1207\"\u003eWhat makes this book special:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1209\" data-end=\"1474\"\u003e• A timeless story with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1233\" data-end=\"1267\"\u003espiritual depth and simplicity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1267\" data-end=\"1270\"\u003e• Beautifully illustrated to complement the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1314\" data-end=\"1339\"\u003esoft, reflective tone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1342\"\u003e• Resonates with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1359\" data-end=\"1385\"\u003eWaldorf\/Steiner values\u003c\/strong\u003e of inclusivity and meaning\u003cbr data-start=\"1412\" data-end=\"1415\"\u003e• Ideal for quiet reading during the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"1472\"\u003eChristmas season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1476\" data-end=\"1621\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1476\" data-end=\"1516\"\u003eAt its heart, this story reminds us:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1516\" data-end=\"1519\"\u003eChristmas is not just a day or a place—it is a feeling of love, shared humanity, and open-heartedness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1623\" data-end=\"1639\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1623\" data-end=\"1639\"\u003ePerfect for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1641\" data-end=\"1802\"\u003e• Children aged 4–9 years\u003cbr data-start=\"1666\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003e• Families seeking a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1720\"\u003emeaningful Christmas story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1723\"\u003e• Waldorf\/Steiner homes and classrooms\u003cbr data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1764\"\u003e• Gentle bedtime or seasonal reading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1804\" data-end=\"1823\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1804\" data-end=\"1823\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1968\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003cbr data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1851\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1853\" data-end=\"1863\"\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48\u003cbr data-start=\"1866\" data-end=\"1869\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1871\" data-end=\"1886\"\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.61 x 0.46 x 22.71 cm\u003cbr data-start=\"1910\" data-end=\"1913\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1915\" data-end=\"1931\"\u003eReading Age:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–9 years\u003cbr data-start=\"1941\" data-end=\"1944\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1946\" data-end=\"1955\"\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0880105534\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51135097733405,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/1786\/8061\/files\/6145aaaf-Laras-First-Christmas-400.jpg?v=1775794799","url":"https:\/\/thesoundtemple.com.au\/products\/laras-first-christmas","provider":"The Sound Temple","version":"1.0","type":"link"}