Book Recommendations
0 - 5 Years
The Snowflake
by Benji Davies
An enchanting and timeless winter tale from one of today’s most celebrated picture book stars.
From award-winning and bestselling picture book creator Benji Davies, comes a brand-new Christmas classic…
High, high up in the clouds a tiny snowflake is made. Perfectly small, fluffy, crystal and white, it tumbles and bounces inside the cloud. But then she begins to fall…
Exquisitely told and beautifully illustrated, The Snowflake tells the tale of one snowflake and one little girl – both longing for something and looking for their own special place in the world. The Snowflake is an utterly unforgettable and classic picture book from the multi-award winning and internationally bestselling picture-book creator, Benji Davies.
Twelve Dogs of Christmas
by Alison Ritchie
Christmas is approaching and one little puppy is very excited about his first ever Christmas Day. Everywhere he looks the preparations are underway with every dog in town helping out. However, will so many eager assistants joining in the fun help or hinder and will everything ever be ready in time?
This is a cheery picture book and one that would be fun to share as part of a family’s annual Christmas preparations as they can compare the puppy’s countdown with their own.
The Jolly Christmas Postman
by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
The award-winning Jolly Christmas Postman is the ultimate children's picture book. There should be a copy beneath every Christmas tree in every house with young children!
It's Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters - there's a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called 'Beware' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise gifts.
The Jolly Christmas Postman is the seasonal sequel of, the Kate Greenaway Medal winning, The Jolly Postman which, after 35 years, remains one of the most innovative and interactive children's books available
6 - 8 Years
The Christmas Eve Tree
by Delia Huddy
A poignant, exquisitely illustrated Christmas story, with words by Delia Huddy and pictures by rising star Emily Sutton. When the ugly little fir tree is taken to the city, no one wants to buy him; they prefer the big tall trees. But a homeless boy asks the shopkeeper if he can take the tree, and down by the river in a cardboard box, decorated with a few candles, the tree finds itself at the centre of a magical Christmas Eve it will never forget. A Christmas tale with a classic feel but a modern theme at its heart.
The Twelve Days of Christmas: Or Grandma is Overly Generous
by Alex T Smith
Grandma's presents may start off sensible – a partridge is easy enough to take care of – but her generosity soon gets wildly out of hand . . .
The Twelve Days of Christmas: Or Grandma is Overly Generous is a witty new take on the festive classic The Twelve Days of Christmas, accompanied by beautiful full-colour illustrations, this is the perfect Christmas present for any child.
The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List
by Tom Fletcher
You know about the Naughty List, right? Well, this year, the Christmasaurus is on a mission to track down children who have found themselves on the Naughty List to help them turn naughty to nice!
This is a collection of stories about mischievous kids learning the error of their ways, but it's also about sharing the true spirit of Christmas and realising that sometimes things aren't quite as they first appear...
9 - 11 Years
Tinsel
by Sibeal Pounder
What if somewhere along the way we've all got the Santa story a bit wrong...? Join Blanche Claus and her best friend Rinki for a funny festive sleigh ride you'll never forget!
From Sibeal Pounder, bestselling author of the Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series, this tale of friendship and mince-pie feasts is the perfect book to curl up with this winter.
Funny, feminist and with a huge heart, it's a gloriously Christmassy adventure that will delight even the biggest Grinch.
The Dog That Saved Christmas by Nicola Davies
Jake is different from the other kids at school. He struggles when routines change and people's emotions are so hard to understand. Christmas can be even worse and often the festivities are just too much to bear. But when Jake finds a little dog lost in the street he unlocks a connection he's never had before. Together Jake and Susan form a special bond that helps him to understand the world around him, changing his life for the better. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
The Christmas Pig by J. K. Rowling
Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve, something terrible happens - DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack's newest toy - the Christmas Pig (DP's annoying replacement) - has a daring plan: Together they'll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known...
A heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child's love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world's greatest storytellers.
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