Board books
Happy Christmas Spot! by Eric Hill
It’s super to see a new Spot book this Christmas. This one has nice sturdy flaps so even very young children can turn the pages. It’s a guessing game, or in National Curriculum parlance, ‘inference’!
Tickly Christmas Wibbly Pig! by Mick Inkpen
It’s Christmas, and Wibbly Pig’s Big Aunt Larlie has bought herself some balls of wool, more balls of wool than usual. Is there another tickly Christmas present on the way?
Mog’s Christmas by Judith Kerr
We just had to buy more of these! and of the below…
Mog’s Christmas calamity by Judith Kerr
We love this book of the TV ad. It so perfectly represents Christmas – burnt turkey, tree falling over and all. How utterly joyous that Judith Kerr has had time to write and draw another Mog book, and that she made a cameo appearance in the advert! Long live Judith Kerr, our heroine.
Elmer’s Christmas by David McKee
It’s two days before the annual visit of Papa Red and the young elephants are very excited. They choose a tree to decorate and prepare the presents for Papa Red to collect during the night to take to those who need them. But this year Elmer has a special treat in store for the young elephants, if they can keep quiet and out of sight.
The best Christmas present ever! by Ben Mantle
“It’s Christmas and Bear has forgotten to get his best friend Squirrel a present. Oh no! He’ll have to make something instead. Except Bear isn’t very good at making things. A badly knitted jumper, a terrible painting and a broken rocking chair are not the best Christmas presents ever – or are they?” A warm hearted Christmassy message.
How to catch Santa by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish
All the excitement of Christmas Eve is captured in this very funny new picture book, as a brother and sister plot how to catch Father Christmas.
Santa’s workshop by Jan Lewis
With several flaps to open on each page, this one should entertain for at least 3 minutes. Pity the reindeers have the wrong names (Fudge and Caramel), but I guess you can’t have everything.
Picture books
The Tooth Fairy’s Christmas by Peter Bently and Garry Parsons
“The Tooth Fairy meets Santa in a glorious rhyming story with that feel-good Christmas factor. Tim Tucker has just lost a tooth but the Tooth Fairy is blown off-course in the snow. Luckily, a sleigh comes her way and Santa rescues her. Together, and with the help of a little magic, they deliver their gifts to Tim.”
Socks for Santa by Adam and Charlotte Guillain and Lee Wildish
“George, our fearless hero, returns for a fifth amazing adventure. This time he ventures to the North Pole to make sure Santa gets presents for a change! But who will he meet on his shivery quest and how on earth will his woolly socks save the day?”
Snow Bunny’s Christmas gift by Rebecca Harry
This is a sweet tale about the little bunny with the big heart, and the true gift of friendship. If you have a smart phone or tablet, you could scan the QR code to hear an audio version too.
Norman the slug who saved Christmas by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
“But after a frenzy of unwrapping presents, Norman spots a label – and realises that none of the presents were meant for him, but had in fact fallen off Father Christmas’s sleigh. Norman knows he has to get the presents to the family they’re meant for – but how can he manage it on time? Can one little slug save Christmas?” Yes, but it’s pretty yucky!
The nutcracker by Jane Ray
Just in time for the Christmas ballet season, Jane Ray’s illustrations of this magical traditional tale, are perfectly gorgeous.
This little piggy went singing by Margaret Wild and Deborah Niland
A variation on the traditional toe counting rhyme, this new picture book is beautifully produced.
Short chapter books
Secret Santa by Pip Jones
This new rhyming story about Ava and her imaginary cat, Squishy Mac Fluff will be perfect for children who have just started to read by themselves. In this festive episode, Ava tries to help with Christmas preparations and manages to shake the decorations from the tree.
Junior novels
It’s a crazy Christmas! by Giles Andreae
This very silly book about accident prone Billy Bonkers, is sure to be popular with those children who like to read jokes aloud.
Christmas stories by Julia Donaldson and others
This collection of seasonal tales by many of our famous authors is a welcome re-issue.
The snow sister by Emma Carroll
This is a perfect book to read aloud in the run-up to Christmas. It moves on apace and is packed with pathos as poor little Pearl makes a sister out of snow to keep her company . A touching novella about poverty in Victorian Britain.
William at Christmas by Richmal Crompton
Especially for fans of loveable rogue William Brown, comes this compilation of episodes extracted from William books. The cover is new, but the stories have original illustrations by Thomas Henry, pure catnip for nostalgic grandparents.
A boy called Christmas by Matt Haig and Chris Mould
Matt Haig’s hilarious new book begins with the lonely poverty stricken childhood of Nikolas, the boy who became Father Christmas Stephen Fry says it’s “the most evergreen, immortal Christmas story to be published for decades”. Chris Mould’s illustrations are ripe to pore over.
Lily and the Christmas wish by Keris Stainton
When a winter storm hits Pinewood, everyone’s Christmas wishes get mixed up (they were written on luggage labels hanging on a tree in the centre of the town), and that’s when the magic started. Lucy, James and her little dog (who can now talk) try to sort it all out in this cosy Christmas read. Lovely.
My brother’s Christmas bottom unwrapped by Jeremy Strong
Borrow this hilarious tale of festive fun from a library near you now. You won’t regret it! Well you might if you have to read it several times on the trot, or if it gives the children you know any ideas for merry-making mayhem, but by then it will be too late.
Picture book for older readers
Refuge by Anne Booth and Sam Usher
“The Christmas story and what follows: the fleeing of Jesus, Mary and Joseph from Herod’s soldiers to Egypt. This is a book with timeless crossover appeal and a message that couldn’t be more relevant.“