Battle of the Santas

Usually jolly, sometimes grumpy, young and old – we’ve all got a favourite Father Christmas in fiction. Which book has the Santa that you love the most?

An illustration from the front cover of Dear Father Christmas of a smiling Father Christmas holding a red envelope; the background is a snowy mountainous scene.

To get you started, here are just a few of Mr Claus’s best moments: ho, ho, hooray!

  • Little Santa

    by Jon Agee 

    2021 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Fantasy
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A wonderfully entertaining festive tale, perfect for anyone who has ever wondered what Santa was like as a child. Full of quirky detail and subtle humour.

  • Where’s My Santa?

    by Kate McLelland 

    2021 0 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Touch and feel books

    Children will love finding Santa and revelling in Christmas in this board book that is full of interesting textures to explore, from glittery snowprints to a snowman’s felt hat and, finally, the thick white beard of Father Christmas. 

  • Santa’s Christmas Countdown

    by Kathryn Jewitt, illustrated by Sebastien Braun 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Funny
    • Touch and feel books

    Santa’s lost his to-do list! Will he remember everything before Christmas? A fun touch-and-feel book starring a Black Santa.

  • The Snowman

    by Raymond Briggs 

    1978 2 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    James builds a snowman in the garden, then wakes up in the night to find that it has come to life.

  • Emily Brown and Father Christmas

    by Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Neal Layton 

    2018 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    Father Christmas is on a mission to be modern this year. But are the old ways sometimes best? The unshakeable Emily Brown is just the girl to sort Santa out and save everyone’s Christmas. Fabulously fun and festive!

  • The Polar Express

    by Chris Van Allsburg 

    2015 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy

    An enchanting Christmas story, beautifully written and illustrated with pictures full of warmth and light

  • Stick Man

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture 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.

  • The Street Where Santa Lives

    by Harriet Howe, illustrated by Julia Christians 

    2025 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Diversity and inclusion

    Could the new neighbour really be Santa? One girl is convinced he is – and when it’s winter, he needs her help. A heartwarming story about community, with gorgeous illustrations.

  • Twas The Night Before Christmas

    by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by P.J. Lynch 

    2021 4 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Award-winning illustrator P.J. Lynch brings his characteristically detailed, atmospheric illustrations to this well-loved poem in a beautiful edition of a Christmas classic.

  • Dear Father Christmas

    by Alan Durant, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban 

    2013 5 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Funny

    Christmas is fast approaching and Holly writes to Father Christmas. To her surprise, he replies and the pair begin to exchange letters.

  • How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?

    by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    This absolutely brilliant Christmas picture book is just as deadpan and hilarious as you might expect, given this is the team that gave us Circle and Square, and The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse. New and old fans of Klassen’s will love his adorable, offbeat illustration, and the text is warm and quirky too. A real treat. 

  • Kid Christmas (of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop)

    by David Litchfield 

    2022 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    A heartfelt retelling of the Father Christmas legend. In this festive picture book, young apprentice toy-maker Nicky Claus sets out to deliver a special toy to every child so that they can feel happy, at least for one day…

  • The Other Father Christmas

    by Serena Holly, illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz 

    2025 7 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Diversity and inclusion

    A heartwarming chapter book about a boy and his Grandad, who go to the North Pole on a quest to find the next Santa. 

  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

    by C S Lewis 

    1950 9 to 14 years 

    • Classics
    • Fantasy

    When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy – step through a wardrobe door in the strange country house where they are staying, they find themselves in the land of Narnia.

  • A Boy Called Christmas

    by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould 

    2015 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Funny

    A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and a boy called Nikolas, who isn’t afraid to believe in magic.

  • The Grumpus and his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan

    by Alex T Smith 

    2022 9 to 14 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Funny

    The Grumpus hates Christmas. Will he be able to stop it? A beautifully illustrated, heart-warming festive delight.