A Story by Matthew Jones & Jools Abram Illustrations by Magdelana Rys-Styszko
Bread Ahead bring us a unique combination of scrumptious storytelling and delicious baking that all the family can enjoy
Baking is something to be shared with families, friends and communities. London’s beloved bakery Bread Ahead have created this Christmas bedtime story and cookbook to inspire young minds and nurture creativity.
Join Francis, his baker Dad and social media sensation Leopoldas Maximus the Cat as they take you on a magical baking journey to create a special mince pie to help Father Christmas fly! With Bread Ahead’s most famous mincemeat and mince pie recipes that both bakers big and small can get creative making treats for their friends and family before Christmas.
This charming, illustrated picture book is perfect for cosying up to read at bedtime in the nights before Christmas. Great fun to read out loud, this beloved, rhythmic story will be one to return to time and time again and is an immersive picture book for children aged 3 years and up.
Throughout the book Leopoldas the cat provides enlightening titbits, practical information and fun facts about the history of mince pies which hail all the way back to King Henry 5th in 1413.
About Bread Ahead
The bakery was founded in 2013 by Matthew Jones, and the family business quickly became a destination for Londoners and food enthusiasts worldwide. With its roots in Borough Market, Bread Ahead expanded to include locations in Chelsea, Wembley, Bromley, South Kensington, King’s Cross, GranarySquare, Battersea Power Station, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh and soon to be branches in Asia and the US.
The Bakery School, which opened in 2014, offers over 40 different in person and online baking workshops. Led by engaging baking tutors the workshops cover everything from doughnuts to British, Nordic, Japanese baking and of course mince pie masterclasses. Bread Ahead has published two cookbooks and continues to inspire bakers of all ages.
Bread Ahead is not only famous for its mince pies, the bakery has also become an Instagram sensation with customers flocking from all over the world to try Bread Ahead’s iconic crème brûlée doughnut.
Published: 4th November 2025 Paperback: £8.99
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