Chris McCormack's latest children's book, The Fight Before Christmas, is very much a book for our times. Firstly, at the time of writing this blog, that time is obviously Christmas; with just a few days to go before the big yuletide ho ho, and as a delightful take on Clement C. Moore's classic tale, the book ticks that box beautifully.But there's more to it than that.Embracing all that the digital world has to offer, Chris has constructed a book that reflects the potential that digital books have to be so much more than just an electronic version of their printed sibling and offer some interesting ideas for authors looking to bring new ideas to their work.While still delivering everything we'd want from a children's story - great characters, an engaging plot, and a timeless message that appeals to young and old - the iBook version utilises the digital medium to engage the reader in other ways too. Chris presents the reader with opportunities to click on the screen and learn more about the traditions of Christmas and also try to find hidden messages from the characters. And at the back of the book there's an interactive quiz to test how much you've been paying attention.And, of course, there's the audio version, where you can opt to have the story read to you (by me!). At one point, there's even a song (for which I engage the services of my daughter). And this is another interesting angle the book brings for cross-over, adding layers within a single medium and really showing what authors can do to bring their readers more completely into their world.To promote the book, Chris has been combining old school press with online marketing. A couple of weeks ago, the book was featured in our local newspaper, but online Chris has also pulled together a great promotional video, once again showing how authors can use readily-available tools to add a little cinema-glitz to their awareness campaigns. Take a look. And, if you're a writer considering how to bring your next work to the world, there are definitely a few ideas here worth considering.Merry Christmas from WordWatchers!