Five Christmas Friends

A Christmas "count-and-slide" board book, this story is a clever way to help little ones learn to count while also introducing lots of festive favourites: from snowmen to elves and wintry robins and even Santa Claus himself.

It's a whistle-stop tour through some of the magical elements of Christmas, which means it's also a lovely way to introduce the idea to chidren who are still a little young for it all, but who can certainly be swept along by the prospect of presents and flying reindeer! They will love the interactive tabs to pull and slide and also enjoy spotting the little white mouse, which appears on every page.

Rosalind Maroney's illustrations are soft and warm and at their absolute best when paired with cosy scenes: the glowing baubles on the reindeer antlers or the fairy lights strung across the windows of pastel-coloured townhouses. The final spread brings everything together in a page that is like a miniature advent calendar. Small hands will eagerly open up the windows and door of the house to see what hides behind them...

A really sweet (and educational) book to bring small children into the Christmas fun.