Katie’s London Christmas is set in contemporary London, in the winter of 2006. The story follows eight-year-old Katie as she flies with her family to spend her first Christmas-time visit to London, a magical city full of vibrant colours, rich culture, and a world-famous Christmas tree.
In the opening chapter, “Crossing the Pond”, Katie and her family board their plane and depart from the sunny shores of California to London's grey sky. Katie is nervous and excited; her imagination dances with thoughts of the famous landmarks she will surely visit.
Next, in chapter two, “London-Bound”, Katie lands in London and embarks on a tour of the city’s major attractions. She stares in awe at the gargantuan Palace of Westminster and Saint Paul's Cathedral. Taking in the royal treatment the city has to offer, Katie and her family go on to explore the iconic Tower of London and the historic Tower Bridge. During their tour, Katie takes in the magnificence of London while creating some magical memories.
In chapter three, “Where it All Began…”, Katie delves back into London's history to learn about the city’s rich heritage. She visits the British Museum, where she learns about the different cultures who lived in the area thousands of years ago. Taking a step back in time, Katie discovers King Arthur's legendary Round Table before visiting Westminster Abbey to pay her respects to the tombs of the many kings and queens of Britain.
The fourth chapter, “People and Places”, tells of Katie's journey through the bustling streets of London. She takes a ride on the famous London Eye, with a breathtaking view of the city below her. Later, she takes a walk through Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, admiring the historical monuments along the way.
In chapter five, “Christmas Spirit”, Katie begins to feel the Christmas spirit in London. She visits the shops along Oxford Street, window-shopping with her family and helping them pick out presents for each other. Katie helps her family brave the fabric chaos of the East End’s most famous department store, Selfridges. On Christmas eve, they end up finding the exact presents they had been looking for and rejoicing about it.
Finally, “A London Christmas” wraps up the book. Katie experiences her very first London Christmas, receiving a special surprise and visiting the iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. On New Years day, she and her family take one more trip around London before boarding their plane and returning to sunny California. Throughout her journey, Katie had experienced the magic of London at Christmastime and made wonderful memories that will surely last a lifetime.
