Festivals and Celebrations Topic

Best children’s books about festivals and celebrations Let’s celebrate! Featuring fun picturebooks and fascinating non-fiction texts, this collection of the best children’s books about festivals and celebrations offers a colourful and insightful global journey. Learn about festivals from a range of cultures and traditions and extend your children’s understanding of important religious celebrations with this […]
Primary School Book Gift Guide 2022

Books are a wonderful choice of Christmas gifts for children. From timeless bedtime stories and curious information books to festive favourites and glorious gift books, we’ve selected our top recommendations of book gifts for children in the primary years.
Operation Nativity

When Oscar and Molly rush outside to investigate a crash in the night, they’re not expecting to find a dazed Angel Gabriel wandering around their grandparents’ back garden. And they’re certainly not expecting to find themselves in a race to save Christmas. But if they don’t track down a missing shepherd, wise man, donkey and […]
A Donkey Called Mistletoe

Jasmine’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and keeping them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means she gets into hot water herself… A perfect animal story for younger readers by Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted author Helen Peters, with beautiful […]
Virtually Christmas

The HILARIOUS new novel and the year’s most perfect festive gift – from million-copy bestselling author David Baddiel. It used to be the most WONDERFUL time of the year, but for years Christmas has been taken over by Winterzone. All the things that made Christmas special are gone: the human connection, the baubles passed down […]
The Grumpus and his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan

Do you know about The Grumpus? And his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan? And about the Awful Thing that happened at the North Pole on Christmas Eve? Perhaps I should tell you about it… This heartwarming story follows the adventures of an unlikely hero as he journeys to the North Pole, unwittingly and somewhat reluctantly making […]
Diary of a Christmas Elf

All Tog wants to do is work in Santa’s workshop and one wonderful day, the letter from Santa arrives: Tog has been selected as an apprentice elf! Making toys is a lot more technical and a lot less fun than Tog had imagined, and even though his new friend Holly tries to help him, he’s […]
Christmas Poems

Christmas Poems is a festive collection of classic and modern poems, carols and songs which celebrates all the best things about Christmas from the Nativity to Father Christmas, including snow, angels, reindeer, Christmas trees and, of course, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Collated by children’s poetry expert Gaby Morgan, Christmas Poems is illustrated by […]
One Christmas Wish

It’s Christmas Eve and Theo – left at home with a babysitter – sees an odd-looking star out of his window and decides to make a wish. He wishes that he had some friends to keep him company. Moments later the Christmas decorations begin to disentangle themselves from the tree behind him, ready to wreak […]
The Accidental Father Christmas

The latest hilarious caper from author Tom McLaughlin. Funny by name. Funny by nature. Ben has one important thing on his Christmas list, and it’s the same thing every year. He wants his dad to be at home for Christmas. But his wish never comes true. And Ben’s starting to get a bit sceptical about […]
A Christmas Story

‘Once, a long time ago, in a town called Nazareth, a little donkey was born.’ As the wonderful events of the Nativity unfold, Brian Wildsmith tells of the journey of a little girl and a donkey to Bethlehem. It is their perspective on the Christmas story that gives the book such an intimate, innocent and […]
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas

Packed full of fun, What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas is a fantastically lively rhyming adventure from the bestselling picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. In a big old house, the ladybird is visiting her friend the spider for the festive season. But those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, […]
The Tree That’s Meant to Be

A gorgeous Christmas picture book that’s destined to become a festive classic. A little fir tree is too small and too imperfect to be chosen at Christmas time. But being left alone in the forest brings more rewards than the tree could ever have hoped for . . . This is a charming and classic-feeling […]
The Christmas Eve Tree

A tender Christmas story with charming artwork by Emily Sutton, illustrator of Tiny. A poignant, exquisitely illustrated Christmas story, with words by Delia Huddy and pictures by rising star Emily Sutton. When the ugly little fir tree is taken to the city, no one wants to buy him; they prefer the big tall trees. But […]
Snowball

Created by award-winning, bestselling duo Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, Snowball is a brilliantly funny picture book, with wonderfully comical images illustrating the hilarious rhyming story – perfect for Christmas! A lonely young snowball, stuck at the top of a mountain, decides to visit the local town for a bit of fun – but on […]
The Night Before Christmas

A stylishly illustrated edition of the classic Christmas poem ‘ Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C.Moore – an essential festive favourite transformed by spectacularly talented debut illustrator Stacey Thomas. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse… Nothing captures the Christmas spirit […]
Jesus’ Christmas Party

A special new enlarged edition of the bestselling Christmas story told from the point of view of the grumpy innkeeper. When a night of angels, shepherds and bright stars keeps him from his sleep, is there anything that will cheer him up?
I Love You More Than Christmas

Little Bear LOVES Christmas. So do Mummy Bear and Daddy Bear. It’s so magical. It’s so heartwarming. It’s so wonderful! Could there be anything in the world that they all love more? A festive celebration of the love, friends and family at Christmas.
Christmas KS2

Best Christmas Books for Children Aged 7-11 Our list of the best children’s books about Christmas features books that celebrate the joy of the festive season, as well as stories about being kind to others, celebrating with loved ones and enjoying the magic of Christmas eve. Get into the festive spirit with our hand-picked recommendations […]
Christmas (EYFS/KS1)

Best Christmas Books for Children Aged 4-7 Our list of the best children’s books about Christmas features books that celebrate the traditional Christmas Story as well as stories about the joy of gift-giving, magical snowmen and winter celebrations. Get into the festive spirit with our hand-picked recommendations of children’s books all about Christmas. We ho-ho-hope […]
The Dog that Saved Christmas

Jake is different from the other kids at school. He struggles when routines change and people’s emotions are so hard to understand. Christmas can be even worse and often the festivities are just too much to bear. But when Jake finds a little dog lost in the street he unlocks a connection he’s never had […]
The Christmasaurus

The number-one-bestselling, magical first children’s novel from Tom Fletcher. This is a story about a boy named William Trundle and a dinosaur named the Christmasaurus . It’s about how they meet one Christmas Eve and have a magical adventure . It’s about friendship and families, sleigh bells and Santa, singing elves and flying reindeer. It’s […]
Babushka

Babushka is busy tidying her house when three unexpected guests arrive telling her that they are looking for a baby, a new born king. When they leave Babushka stays behind cleaning and tidying, and preparing a gift for the baby. Next morning when she starts to follow the men she finds that the snow has […]
Snow

As the day draws to a close, a family prepares for Christmas – decorating the tree, hanging stockings by the fire, putting out a plate of mince pies… Outside, the world turns to white. ‘No breath of wind, No gleam of sun Still the white snow Whirls softly down’
Silent Night

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Celebrate the magic of Christmas with this beautifully illustrated book, based on the world’s best-loved carol. Rediscover the Nativity Story in all its glory, from quaking shepherds to heaven-sent angels, as the song lyrics are brought to life on every spread. A gorgeous book for […]
A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas

Philip Yates’ rollicking rhymes and Sebastia Serra’s sprightly, fun-filled pictures turn this Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration. Now in board! The stockin’s were stuck to the bowsprit with tar, In hopes that Sir Peggedy soon would be thar. With impeccable rhythm and a great sense of fun, Philip Yates skillfully adds pirate adds pirate […]
Mimi and the Mountain Dragon

High in the mountains of Switzerland, lives a terrible dragon. In the village below, the people do everything they can to keep the dragon away. But one day, a little girl called Mimi finds a baby dragon. The little creature is lost and frightened but how did he get there and what if his mother […]
Hopscotch and the Christmas Tree

It’s almost Christmas, so Hopscotch and friends decide to put up their tree. But when their old one falls apart, no one can agree how the new one should look. Big, or small, fat or thin? Can the friends work together to find a new one? After all, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree… […]
How Winston Delivered Christmas

From Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of the Claude series, comes How Winston Delivered Christmas – the irresistible story of the brave little mouse who sets out on an adventure on Christmas Eve . Featuring beautiful colour artwork and Christmassy activities to make-and-do throughout, t his gorgeous book is sure to become a festive family […]
The Christmas Promise

A captivating retelling of the Christmas story showing how God kept His promise to send a new King. Superb illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and faithful, Bible-centred story-telling by Alison Mitchell combine to make this a book that both parents and children will love. A long, long time ago so long that it s hard to […]
The Mitten

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a […]
Grandpa Christmas

This bestselling Christmas picture book by renowned children’s author Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Jim Field, is now available in paperback for the first time. Michael Morpurgo frames his powerful message about protecting the environment in this beautiful personal story about a grandpa’s wish for his granddaughter to live in a better world. This vital and […]
The Snowman

Beloved children’s author Michael Morpurgo has re-imagined Raymond Briggs’ classic The Snowman for a new generation of readers. One December morning, James is thrilled to wake up to see snow falling. He spends the whole day making his perfect snowman; he has coal eyes, an old green hat and scarf and a tangerine nose… just […]
The Night I Met Father Christmas

Enter a world of wonder with this heartfelt Christmas classic from bestselling children’s author Ben Miller. Jackson knows all about the flying reindeer, he knows about the elves and the secret North Pole workshop, he knows about the magic that allows Father Christmas to deliver presents around the world in just one night, but there’s […]
The Crayons’ Christmas

A brand-new Crayons book from the #1 New York Times best-selling duo Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. This hilarious interactive book has letters, games, ornaments, a poster and even a pop-up Christmas tree – perfect for the festive season! ‘Tis the season for all of us to write our Christmas wish lists. But everyone knows […]
Leah’s Star

Bethlehem has never been so busy! Leah, the innkeepers daughter is rushed off her feet. Then in the starlight miracles begin. This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings a wonderful humanity to this familiar tale. With a story as ancient and familiar as the Nativity, […]
Little Robin Red Vest

The timeless Christmas classic by bestselling, award-winning author, Jan Fearnley, is now available with beautiful new art for a new generation. One frosty evening, a week before Christmas, Little Robin washes and irons seven warm vests for the chilly nights to come. As the days go by, he comes across lots of cold and shivering […]
A Boy Called Christmas

BELIEVE IN THE IMPOSSIBLE You are about to read the TRUE STORY of Father Christmas. If you believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. (Because this book is FULL of impossible things.) Are you still reading? Good. Then let us begin…
Dream Snow

A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC FROM THE CREATOR OF THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR Eric Carle’s only Christmas story is now a board book! Eric Carle’s DREAM SNOW has become a contemporary Christmas classic since it was published more than a decade ago. Now it’s the perfect board book for a new generation of Carle fans. The edition […]
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

The spirit of Christmas heals a sorrowing woodcarver’s heart in this stunning 20th anniversary edition of a Kate Greenaway winning festive classic. A stunning 20th anniversary edition of a Kate Greenaway winning Christmas classic, this is the poignant tale of Jonathan Toomey. Although Jonathan is the best woodcarver in the valley, he is always alone […]