The Christmas Treasure - The advent calendar book for young and old

By Melanie Stadelbauer and Sarah Schwarz

By chance Matthias overhears the parents on the evening before Christmas. There is talk of a treasure, a very special treasure. Soon he is supposed to arrive and then there is a big party.
The children, Matthias, Emma, Sara, Lena and Hanna, secretly sneak out of the house at night to search for the precious treasure.
Will they find it? What do old Martin and the farmer's wife Barbara have to do with it?
And who in the world follows the children all the time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: tredition
• Release date: Sep 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9783749718825

Book preview

The Treasure Hunt

WOW, you won’t believe what I've just heard, Matthew exclaims enthusiastically as he storms into the room. Have you been eavesdropping on the adults again? Emma rolls her eyes. She cannot believe that Matthew is constantly trying to find out their parents’ secrets. She is, supposedly, the most well-behaved member of the children and always anxious not to upset her parents. Oh, leave him alone! Sarah interjects, so at least we can find out what they are planning for Christmas!

You – always with your curiosity! Don’t you have any interest in being surprised at Christmas? Knowing everything beforehand is totally boring; then there is no suspense left! Sarah is about to answer, but Matthew interrupts the discussion of his two younger cousins.

Nonsense, it has nothing to do with Christmas. Besides, Christmas is totally passé; it’s only for small children. Who cares what gifts you get? What I've heard is way more interesting!

And what should be so exciting? asks Emma, visibly annoyed, as she braids her long blond hair.

Well, says Matthew mysteriously, aren’t you curious? I thought curiosity was stupid, yet…

Sarah was getting restless. Now tell me, what’s happened that’s so exciting?

Matthew smiles and tells Sarah in a mysterious voice, they have talked about a treasure, a very special treasure; it should be very valuable. I really feel like looking for the treasure. Who wants to come with me? Emma shakes her head, annoyed, and makes herself comfortable with a book on her bed. You and your stupid ideas. The treasure is probably somewhere a long way from here. How do you imagine finding it? We have no treasure map and no idea where to go. In addition, it is already evening. It is cold outside, and we have nothing to eat and drink. Where should we sleep if we do not get home in time? Somewhere in the forest? You fool! It's cold and will start to snow soon.

Now stop it, Emma! Matthew tries to interrupt the flood of his cousin’s words. I'll take care of you. And the treasure can’t be too far. Our parents have said that the treasure is on its way to us and soon the arrival will be celebrated. So it has to be around here somewhere. After some back and forth, now Emma is also seized by the thirst for adventure and thinks about what they need to survive in the wild.

All right, we need something to eat, something to drink, warm clothes…

Emma, do not think so hard. Come on, let's just pack! We won’t forget anything important. Matthew and Emma begin to distribute food and drinks in their backpacks and hide everything well. The children lie almost completely dressed in their beds. Nobody can know what they are planning, otherwise the adventure is over before it starts. Late at night, when it is already dark outside and the parents are lying unsuspecting in their beds, the children creep quietly on tiptoe out of the house. The big adventure begins.

Nagger on board

Matty, where are you going? The tiny voice of Hanna leaves Matthew startled, and he