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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Where's My Santa?
Author: Kate McLelland
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 0-2
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.
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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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The Grumpus and his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan
Author: Alex T Smith
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+The Grumpus hates Christmas. Will he be able to stop it? A beautifully illustrated, heart-warming festive delight.
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Santa’s Christmas Countdown
Author: Kathryn Jewitt Illustrator: Sebastien Braun
Publisher: Townhouse Publishing Ltd
Interest age: 2-3
Santa’s lost his to-do list! Will he remember everything before Christmas? A fun touch-and-feel book starring a Black Santa.
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Jingle Spells
Author: James Brown
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 4-5
Can Trixie the witch save Christmas? A cracker of a festive book.
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Stick Man
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 4-6
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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Kid Christmas (of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop)
Author: David Litchfield
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+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…
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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: 4-6
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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Little Santa
Author: Jon Agee
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Reading age: 4-8A 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.
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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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Santa's New Sleigh
Author: Caroline Crowe Illustrator: Jess Pauwels
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 2-5
It’s Christmas Eve and Santa’s ready to leave the North Pole in his sleigh, but there’s a problem: the engine’s dead, and spare parts can’t be had for love nor money! Is Christmas cancelled?
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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.
