Ten Christmas books

Curl up by the fire and share these children's books over the festive season. Most are recent releases, although some are favourites from previous years. We hope you will enjoy them all!

The Snow Queen

by Hans Christian Andersen

Andersen Press

Lynch's vivid yet ethereal illustrations capture the balance between the wondrous and the recognisable in this powerful story about the redemptive nature of love and the passing of time.

Read about 'The Snow Queen'
Stick Man

by Julia Donaldson

Alison Green books

The award-winning creators of The Gruffalo now present us with a modern variation on a long-established folk tale theme, which details the perilous adventures of a stick.

Read about 'Stick Man'
Cat in the Manger

by Michael Foreman

Andersen Press

The narrating voice in this cat's-eye Nativity story has the perfect blend of aloof cantankerousness and wonder.

Read about 'Cat in the Manger'
The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems

by Michael Harrison and Christopher Stuart Clarke

Oxford University Press

This magical anthology carries the reader from chilly December days, through the festive season to the New Year and then on to the first flowers of spring.

Read about 'The Oxford Book of Christmas Poems'
The Happiest Man in the World

by Mij Kelly

Hodder Children's Books

A Christmas story about the nature of happiness and the importance of giving, with full page, evocative and detailed illustrations making it ideal for classroom use.

Read about 'The Happiest Man in the World'
The Night Before Christmas

by Clement C Moore

Collins Children's Books

There have been countless editions of Clement's poem but none has transcended this one illustrated by talented artist Christian Birmingham.

Read about 'The Night Before Christmas'
The Best of Times

by Michael Morpurgo

Egmont

The Prince invites entertainers to the palace to cheer up the Princess. The puppeteers come too and perform the greatest story – the Christmas Nativity story.

Read about 'The Best of Times'
The Thirteen Days of Christmas

by Jenny Overton

Oxford University Press

Since their mother died, Annaple has frustrated her younger siblings with her over-zealous housekeeping, and terrible cooking. Overton creates a delightful tale of a close-knit family.

Read about 'The Thirteen Days of Christmas'
The First Christmas

by Jan Pienkowski

Puffin

Jan Pienkowski's silhouette illustrations lend an air of mystery and drama to this text, taken from the King James Bible.

Read about 'The First Christmas'
The Lion, the Unicorn and Me

by Jeanette Winterson

Scholastic

The donkey is chosen to carry Mary to Bethlehem by an angel who prizes the animal’s humility over the regal prowess of a lion and the mystery of a unicorn.

Read about 'The Lion, the Unicorn and Me'