WHEN it comes to writing Bradford grandmother - Julie Pryke - is on a roll.

With Christmas approaching it is perfectly fitting that her third children's tome takes on a festive theme.

'The Christmas Wrapping Paper' is described as a 'delightful dream-like adventure' following the main character, Jenny and her fascination with her new festive wrapping featuring Father Christmas, Rudolph, the elves as well as a sleigh packed with presents.

Jenny pins the paper to her wall but, to her shock, discovers Rudolph has disappeared prompting the all important question - how will Father Christmas undertake his very special Christmas Eve deliveries when his main assistant is missing?

There are plenty of comical capers as he tries to find his counterpart and ends up stuck in a tree.....

He even contemplates taking his car - but his alternative transport is afraid of heights! What should Father Christmas do?

Young readers will love the adventure tale that unfolds in the charming style to which fans of Julie's books will already be accustomed.

She explains how the idea for the book came from the family tradition of buying festive wallpaper that she would pin up as additional decoration around the home for her three sons - who are now in their 40s - at Christmas.

"My children love it because it reminds them of when they were little," says Julie.

Julie has always been good at telling tales - just ask her grandchildren!

Tell Tales, her debut book published by Beaten Track Publishing - who published her latest Christmas-themed paperback - comprises stories made up for her own grandchildren.

The aim of the book was not only to entertain its young readers with stories and word games, but to help the adults reading with them, whether family or teachers, to make up their own stories.

As well as telling a good tale, Julie explains how to set the scene, develop the plot and devise the characters.

Her second book Read 2 Me – takes Tell Tales online – and boasts an unusual format as it can be used for parents, carers and grandparents who, for one reason or another, can't see their children face-to-face on a regular basis but want to develop a good relationship with them.

Thomas, one of Julie's four grandchildren, has lived in Germany since he was born. In between her visiting her family overseas, and them coming to see her, their communication is maintained through a webcam or over the airwaves giving her the idea for a book where families could read together - wherever they are in the world.

But she is a great advocate for children flicking through pages of a book as well as reading on screen as they more often do in our technologically conscious society.

"I think it is very sad that we still don't have as much library facilities as we had and I think developing a closeness with a child whether you are a family member or friend or whether you are working with children actually having a physical book there they can run up to you and look at the pictures and you can share it together.

"For some children a book is a novelty but it is a chance to understand new words or talk about what they think will happen next and most don't do that."

The 71-year-old from Clayton believes she inherited her story-telling skill from her auntie who, she recalls, would entertain her on visits with her made-up bedtime tales about Red Cap the Elf.

Now Julie is keen to share her own story-telling skills with others. Her fourth book is due out in the summer.

'The Christmas Wrapping Paper' is published by Beaten Track Publishing and is priced at £6.99.

For more information visit beatentrackpublishing.com or to get your copy signed order from the author's website telltales2kids.com