Christmas Story Teller
Three Christmas editions were released: Christmas Story Teller 1 (1983), Christmas Story Teller 2 (1984) and Christmas Story Teller 3 (1985). Each had a “bumper 64 pages”, roughly the equivalent of two normal Story Teller issues. These three special editions had a fantastic mix of festive stories and popular carols.
Each festive issue complemented the Story Teller series published in that same year by featuring some of the most popular characters from that series. For instance, in Christmas Story Teller 1 Timbertwig (the star of a five-instalment series from the original Story Teller) returned for a Christmas adventure and the story What Wanda Wanted had cameo appearances from Rapunzel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Surprisingly, Gobbolino (surely the character most identified with Story Teller) did not appear in the first Christmas Story Teller but had starring roles in the second and third. Christmas Story Teller 3 was the most light hearted of the three Christmas editions. Clearly aimed at a younger audience, it contained shorter stories including three featuring the Magic Mountain characters from that year’s series, Little Story Teller.
Story Synopses
Christmas Story Teller 1 (1983)
Ding Dong Merrily on High!
A brand new arrangement of the favourite carol, sung by Martin Noakes, Margaret O’Reilly and Vivian Tierney.
Bertie’s Escapade
Kenneth Grahame’s farmyard romp where Bertie and his chums go out on a seasonal rampage.
The Chocolate Soldier
A tale of three friends and some very special mice, written and illustrated by Roger Langton.
Timbertwig’s Christmas Tree
Wiggly Wood celebrates a very decorative Christmas, thanks to author/artist Peet Ellison.
King John’s Christmas
The poem of A. A. Milne
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The immortal story of indestructible beauty from the Brothers Grimm.
Silent Night
A carol popular in every country where Christmas is celebrated. Sung by Margaret O’Reilly and Martin Noakes.
Boo Ho Ho!
Geraldine McCaughrean’s humorous story of the trials and tribulations of Santa and Rudolph.
What Wanda Wanted
How a spoilt and selfish little girl learns to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, by Felix Culpa.
Aladdin and his Magic Lamp
The well-loved story of a boy and a genie brings excitement to the pantomime season.
The Great Sleigh Robbery
Michael Foreman’s extravaganza tells the story of a kidnap attempt – on Father Christmas!
The First Christmas
The beautiful story of the day Jesus was born.
We Three Kings
The traditional carol of the three wise men, sung by Richard Barnes.
Christmas Story Teller 2 (1984)
Deck the Halls
A new vocal arrangement by Donald Fraser of one of the merriest of all Christmas carols.
Gobbolino’s Christmas Adventure
Ursula Moray Williams’ intrepid cat and the Little Wooden Horse encounter danger in the snow.
Shorty and the Starship
Anth Ginn and Malcolm Livingstone join forces to bring you the latest exploits of Story Teller’s favourite character from outer space.
Mole’s Winter Welcome
Kenneth Grahame’s lovable animals from The Wind in the Willows celebrate Christmas in their own very special way.
Santa’s Sunny Christmas
This year Santa travels a great deal further from the North Pole than he bargained for!
Good King Wenceslas
The traditional tale, retold by Alice Peebles, is followed by a new setting of the famous carol.
Dick Whittington and his Cat
Long popular during pantomime season, the story of an adventurous lad with ambitions to be Lord Mayor of London.
The Tale of the Little Pine Tree
Korky Paul is both author and illustrator of this delightful yarn about the most beautiful Christmas tree of them all.
The Fairies’ Cake
A tale from the highlands of Scotland in which a formidable cook almost meets her match!
Grogre and the Giant Nasher
The popular little ogre and his family encounter a few spots of trouble preparing for the big feast.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ immortal story of how the miserly Scrooge learns to love the spirit of Christmas.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
The traditional sing-along carol.
Christmas Story Teller 3 (1985)
Jingle Bells
Ring in the season of goodwill by singing the happy Christmas song.
A Carol for Gobbolino
When the popular little cat goes carol-singing it isn’t long before he finds himself plunged into another thrilling adventure.
Leroy Learns to Skate
Leroy the lion, Digby, Spot, Polly and the Tumbledownies all join forces in Ian Purdy’s riotous Magic Mountain story.
Snow
A delightful tale of a little Chinese girl who longs to see the snow. First published in Time and Again Stories by Methuen Children’s Books.
Snow Song
You’ve read the story, now sing the song!
Mother Goose
Meet the favourite pantomime character and follow Priscilla the goose’s efforts to outwit the baron.
Christmas Fun
A jolly rhyme to give you some ideas for Christmassy things to do.
Rudolph to the Rescue
Peter Wingham’s space age story of Santa and his trusty reindeer.
Away in a Manger
One of the loveliest of all carols.
Pull Out and Play!
Four pages of fun. Colour in the pictures and enjoy making Sugared Snowmen and Hearts and Cones.
I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing By
Another favourite Christmas song.
Dotty and the Teddy Bears
When Magic Mountain’s zany dragon blows a hole in her kitchen floor there’s trouble down below! Written by Malcolm Livingstone.
Clara and the Nutcracker Doll
The enchanting, magical story of the ever-popular ballet.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
A carol for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
The Surprise Christmas Tree
The poignant story of a little old man and his friends, the birds. Abridged from Little Pig Barnaby and Other Stories by Ursula Hourihane (OUP 1952) by permission of Oxford University Press.
The Forgotten Toys
A toy kangaroo and a rag doll go in search for a welcoming home.
Minnie’s Dinner Spell
The funny little witch tries to make a Christmas feast the easy way – with surprising results!
Morris’s Christmas Stocking
When a Magic Mountain hamster says he doesn’t believe in Father Christmas, he’s in for a shock!
Hurray for Christmas!
Sing along with the Mountain folk.