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?
To get you started, here are just a few of Mr Claus' best moments: ho, ho, hooray!
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Dear Father Christmas
Author: Alan Durant Illustrator: Vanessa Cabban
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+Christmas is fast approaching and Holly writes to Father Christmas. To her surprise, he replies and the pair begin to exchange letters.
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The Night Before Christmas
Author: Clement C Moore Illustrator: Christian Birmingham
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+There have been countless editions of Clement's poem but none has transcended this one illustrated by talented artist Christian Birmingham.
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Stick Man
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+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.
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The Snowman
Author: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 3+James builds a snowman in the garden, then wakes up in the night to find that it has come to life.
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The Polar Express
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Anderson Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+An enchanting Christmas story, beautifully written and illustrated with pictures full of warmth and light
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: C S Lewis
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+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.
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I Love You, Father Christmas
Author: Giles Andreae
Publisher: Orchard
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 5+A sweet picture book, full of engaging rhyme about one child's love for Father Christmas.
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A Boy Called Christmas
Author: Matt Haig Illustrator: Chris Mould
Publisher: Canongate
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+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.
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Father Christmas
Author: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+For poor Father Christmas, December 24th is the hardest night of work in the year. Raymond Briggs follows him on his wonderfully grumpy and funny journey, revealing some beautifully illustrated moments of joy.
