“Forest Letters for Christmas” and its sequel “Christmas Market” bring back the comfort of family reading

Sofia, December 1, 2025 — While chocolates from advent calendars bring temporary pleasure, books create lasting memories, family rituals, and stories we return to every year. This is precisely the alternative offered by the Bulgarian mouse Misho in the children’s books “Forest Letters for Christmas” and the new sequel “Christmas Market” — one letter, adventure, and new character for each evening until Christmas.

After its debut in 2024, the series is now taking two important steps forward: in autumn 2025, “Forest Letters for Christmas” is released in audio format on Storytel, and Abricos Publishing is launching the first foreign edition in Ukraine. The growing popularity of Christmas advent calendars in book format shows that families are seeking exactly this type of experience — warmth, shared time, and stories that don’t end after one day.

“I wanted to create something different from one-time surprises,” says author Milena Radeva. “Instead of a window with a chocolate — a story that stays forever. Children learn about nature, friendship, and human relationships, while parents get quality time with them.”

The sequel “Christmas Market” takes Misho and his friend Hamster to Vienna. The journey allows young readers to peek into the atmosphere of the imperial city: from the warm chocolate at the famous Christmas markets to the Art Nouveau architecture and the dream of an invitation to Empress Sis’s New Year’s concert. Through the curious eyes of the mouse, children encounter a new culture and holiday traditions, without the book turning into a dry tourist guide.

The biggest surprise for the author comes from Ukraine. “When Abricos Publishing contacted me, they told me: Our children need warmth and fairy tales more than ever. That’s when I understood that books truly have no borders,” shares Milena Radeva.

Both books feature hardcovers and rich illustrations, turning them into not only a valuable experience but also a gift to be passed down through generations. “Christmas returns every year. Why shouldn’t the book return with it?” adds the author.

“Forest Letters for Christmas” and “Christmas Market” are available on the Bulgarian Illustration Publishing House website and on Storytel.