Reading for Pleasure Over Christmas
Reading for Please doesn’t stop just because we have reached the Christmas Holidays.
We start with the picture books and work upwards to chapter books. There are some all-time classics featuring familiar character favourites and some fresh faces too.
Elmer’s Christmas by David McKee, published by Andersen Press
It’s two days before Christmas Eve and the young elephants are very excited. They choose a tree to decorate and prepare the presents. But this year Elmer has a special treat in store for the young elephants – if they stay out of sight, they might get to see someone very special fly in!
Poppy and Sam’s Christmas by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Simon Taylor-Kielty, published by Usborne
It’s Christmas Eve on Apple Tree Farm, and Poppy and Sam are excited – is that Santa they can see? Join them and their animal friends as they wander the farm peeping through holes in the pages and trying to find the elusive Santa in this warm and cosy festive treat for little children.
The Night After Christmas by Kes Gray, illustrated Claire Powell published by Hodder Children’s Books
Phew! Now that the presents are all delivered, Santa and his elves can enjoy their own festive fun! With crackers and presents, dance-offs and light shows, Santa’s Boxing-night party is the North Pole’s biggest event of the year! A hilarious follow-up to the bestselling The Night Before the Night Before Christmas. This rhyming picture book is perfect for anyone who has ever wondered what Santa gets up to once all the present are delivered.
Trouble on Planet Christmas by Kate Saunders, illustrated by Neal Layton, published by Faber
There’s trouble on the planet of Yule-1, the real home of Father Christmas… Once again, the Trubshaw family are transported from Earth to a place where elves and reindeer are their friends. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas, the best holiday of the year. Hysterically funny and wonderfully bonkers, this is Christmas like you’ve never seen before.
Santa Jaws by Mark Sperring & Sophie Corrigan, published by Bloomsbury
Deep beneath the shimmering blue sea, it’s almost Christmas Eve, and Shelly the shark is VERY excited. She puts on her Santa suit and turns her cave into a festive Christmas grotto. Then she waits for all the little fishes to come in. They seem strangely reluctant . . . But Sid the squid thinks all his Christmases have come at once! Will Sid get taken in by Shark’s Santa disguise – or will he be in for a big surprise?
Meerkat Christmas by Emily Gravett, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
Sunny wants a white Christmas, with a decorated tree, carols and sprouts for dinner . . . none of which he can see at home in the Kalahari desert. So off he heads to find the perfect Christmas elsewhere, before realizing that maybe Christmas isn’t all about the trimmings.
Emily Gravett’s witty and heartwarming celebration of festive fun and family love shows that Christmas can be whatever you want it to be.
The Night the Reindeer Saved Christmas, by Raj Kaur Khaira, illustrated by Kasia Nowowiejsk, published by Studio Press
It’s almost Christmas Eve and the rockets on Mr Claus’s sleigh have exploded! With just hours to go, Mr Claus sets out to find a creature that can help him deliver Christmas gifts across the world. The polar bears are strong, but they’re too sleepy. The narwhals are fast, but the presents get too wet. The reindeer might just be the perfect creature to help… especially when Mr Claus discovers that the females have a secret… they can fly!
A Thing Called Snow, written and illustrated by Yuval Zommer, published by Oxford University Press
Fox and Hare were born in the spring, grew up in the summer, and were best of friends by autumn. When winter comes, they can’t wait to be able to jump, leap, and bounce in this thing called snow. But what exactly is snow? Join Fox and Hare on an Arctic journey as they ask all their friends to help them find out.
Peter Rabbit: Christmas is Coming, by Beatrix Potter, published by Puffin Books
Help Peter Rabbit countdown to Christmas with a story and activity for each day of advent!
Peter Rabbit is very excited – it’s nearly time for Christmas! He can’t wait to eat mince pies, decorate a tree and open all his presents. Join Peter and all his friends every day in December as they count down to Christmas and have lots of fun adventures along the way.
Featuring 24 brand new stories and an activity to enjoy every day of Advent, this beautiful book makes the perfect Christmas gift and will become a festive tradition for Peter Rabbit fans young and old.
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, published by Andersen Press
This magical Christmas classic is the perfect festive story to share with the whole family.
Late on Christmas Eve, after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him: The Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives there, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the reindeer’s harness. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring.
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Alex T. Smith, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
On the first day of Christmas my Grandma sent to me . . . 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. A witty new take on the festive classic accompanied by beautiful full-colour illustrations.
Robin and the Fir Tree by Jason Jameson, published by Templar Publishing
The Fir Tree grows in a forest far away from the bustle of the town. It is a beautiful place, but he dreams of the excitement of the outside world. His friend the Robin tells him stories of the places she has seen, and the forest animals dress him up with berries and leaves, but he is still not happy. One day he is cut down and taken away to be a beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of town. He thinks his dreams have come true, but what will happen when his
Santa Post written and illustrated by Emma Yarlett, published by Walker Books
Santa receives letters of Christmas wishes from children all over the world. But this year there’s one that just doesn’t make sense. What does this child want for Christmas? Santa is determined to find out! An irresistible festive follow-up to the internationally bestselling Dragon Post and Beast Feast. This joyous novelty book sparkles with Emma Yarlett’s vibrant illustrations and quirky humour, and is full of lots more hilarious letters to open.
Santa Gets a Second Job by Michele D’Ignazio, illustrated by Sergio Olivotti, published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Times are tough for Santa. He’s tightened his belt, made the reindeer redundant and now it’s time to get a second job. But finding work is not easy at all, even if you’re Santa. He finally finds the perfect job to be useful to the community! When Santa finds some lost letters from years ago in the bin, begging to meet him, he sets out to find their owner. Will he be able to find them and finally grant their wish before Christmas Day?
Tinsel by Sibeal Pounder, published by Bloomsbury
What if somewhere along the way we’ve all got the Santa story a bit wrong…? This tale of friendship and mince-pie feasts is the perfect book to curl up with this winter. Funny, and with a huge heart, it’s a gloriously Christmassy adventure that will delight even the biggest Grinch.
The Book of Hopes, edited by Katherine Rundell, published by Bloombury
This collection, packed with short stories, poems and pictures from the very best children’s authors and illustrators, aims to provide just that. Within its pages, you’ll find animal friends from insects to elephants, high-flying grandmas, a homesick sprite, the tooth fairy, and even extra-terrestrial life.
The Night I Met Father Christmas by Ben Miller, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
Jackson has always wanted to meet Father Christmas. He knows all about the reindeer, he knows about the elves and the secret North Pole workshop, he knows about the magic that allows Father Christmas to deliver presents around the world in just one night, but there’s one question he wants answered … how did Father Christmas become Father Christmas?
One Christmas Eve, Jackson’s wish comes true and not only does he get to meet Father Christmas but he also hears his incredible story…
Wilde by Eloise Williams, published by Firefly Press
Can Wilde break the curse of the witch called Winter? Being different can be dangerous. Wilde is afraid strange things happen around her. Are the birds following her? Moving to live with her aunt seems to make it worse. Wilde is desperate to fit in at her new school. But in a fierce heatwave, in rehearsals for a school play telling the local legend of a witch called Winter, ‘The Witch’ starts leaving pupils frightening curse letters. Can Wilde find out who’s doing it before everyone blames her? Or will she always be the outsider?
The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
The Ickabog is coming… A mythical monster, a kingdom in peril, an adventure that will test two children’s bravery to the limit. Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world’s best storytellers.
The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
agnus Bane and Alec Lightwood are settling into domestic life with their son Max when the warlocks Ragnor Fell and Shinyun Jung break into their loft and steal a powerful spell book. Realizing that Ragnor and Shinyun are being controlled by a more sinister force, Magnus and Alec set out to stop them and recover the book before they can cause any more harm.
Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition, by JK Rowling & Emily Gravett, published by Bloomsbury
Get ready to learn everything you need to know about the sport at the heart of Hogwarts! Quidditch Through the Ages is the essential companion to the Harry Potter series, a funny, fact-packed fantasy history of the seriously competitive wizarding sport. Bursting with glorious illustrations, magical memorabilia and two super-sized fold-outs, this spectacular new full-colour edition pairs J.K. Rowling’s witty, inventive text with Emily Gravett’s incredible artistic imagination.
