What your child can do with it

What is in it for them

• Something to find out

  The book gives the reason. The Sun is still there: the Earth is tilted, and in December the far north can turn all the way round without coming into its light.

• Something to notice

  Once they have read about the cupboard with no bottom, they may recognise one where they are staying. The reflector on a stranger's coat means something. So does the tray by the door.

• Something to solve

  Puzzles with right answers. A spotter with points. A hint on the page when they are stuck, and the answer at the back when they want to check.

• Their say

  A score out of ten for the salmon soup. "Again!", "Once was enough" or "Never again" for the sauna. Nobody tells them what to think.

• More than one way to answer

  Some children will write half a page. Others would sooner tick a box, give a score, draw, or stick something in. Each of those is an answer here.

• Something to start

  A question to put to someone. A dressing race, timed. A game with snow that needs no equipment and gets its name from them. They can be the one who starts it.

• Somewhere private

  The journal has no questions in it and no dates. Nobody is owed a look.

• Something to show, if they want to

  They choose what to show you. When they do, you can see the holiday from where they stood.