✦ AN IRISH CHRISTMAS BALLAD

Christmas has
a snow thief.

He would call it a perfectly sensible plan.

Enter the winter world of The Cloch and the Great Winter Heist — an illustrated story in verse, full of mischief, muddy boots and unexpected warmth.

Read the opening Meet The Cloch

Coming 30 October 2026 / By Chris Elstner

A little winter magic awaits

For ages 7–12112 illustrated pagesFour parts. One great heist.Made for reading aloud

The Cloch folds snow into a white blanket on the rooftops above Glensnow.

A perfectly sensible plan.

An illustration from the book

WELCOME TO GLENSNOW

Enough sparkle.
Enough slush.
Enough snow.

In a little Irish town, Christmas is everywhere. There are carols to sing, sledges to pull, and an apparently endless supply of photographs of the very same snowy tree.

The Cloch would prefer a little peace.

So, with his copper lantern glowing and a watchful little wren close by, he folds away winter’s white blankets. A splendid idea. Until the muddy boots, screeching sledges and a suspicious heap in the town square suggest otherwise.

See how the trouble begins

THE SMALLEST COMPANION

A big adventure.
A very little wren.

Keep an eye out for the little brown bird. This watchful companion shares The Cloch’s winter wanderings — and has a place beside every verse.

There is always more to notice when you slow down.

A tiny brown wren beside a steaming copper kettle and a sprig of holly, from the book.

OPEN THE BOOK

Shall we read a little?

Try the first three verses.
Even better, read them aloud.

PART I THE CLOCH STEALS THE SNOW

In the town of Glensnow, where the phones glowed bright,The same snowy picture came round every night.Each “Look! It is white!” brought a chorus of “Whoa!”The Cloch muttered, “I’ve seen it. Yes, thank you. I know.”He watched Christmas flakes tumble to and fro.

No. More. Snow.

Then he shut his front door and addressed the kettle.

Verse 1 of 3

The Cloch looks out of his doorway onto a lively, snowy Glensnow street.

A STORY TO SHARE

A little mischief.
However you read.

Show prices for

The hardcover

A glossy illustrated cover, a copper-coloured spine and 112 full-colour pages on 70lb white paper. For the sofa, the bedside table and reading together.

7.5 × 9.25 inchesEnglish · Ages 7–12

€27.50Hardcover

The ebook

The same winter adventure in an adaptable EPUB edition. Verse followed by illustration, with text you can resize on compatible reading apps.

Reflowable EPUBEnglish · Illustrated

€5.99Ebook

Publication: 30 October 2026

Retailer links will be added as listings become available. You can use the ISBN to ask your bookshop about this edition.

Publisher’s list prices. The retailer’s listing confirms the final price and availability in your country.

Illustrated portrait of Chris Elstner, laughing, with glasses, a long grey beard and an Ireland shirt. — Chris ElstnerAUTHOR & MASTER STONEMASON

THE AUTHOR

From shaping stone
to shaping stories.

Chris Elstner is a German author and master stonemason. That connection to stone finds a fitting home in the world of The Cloch.

His illustrated Irish Christmas ballad brings together dry humour, winter magic and a question worth sharing: how do we find a little quiet while leaving room for other people’s joy?

Get in touch

THE CLOCH AND THE GREAT WINTER HEIST

Make room for
a little winter magic.

Return to the story

Christmas hasa snow thief.

Enough sparkle.Enough slush.Enough snow.

A big adventure.A very little wren.