The best books to give children this Christmas: Our expert has gone through every
PICTURE BOOKS
THE CAFÉ AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODS
by Mikey Please
(Harper Collins £7.99, 48pp)
When talented chef Rene builds her dream café, no customers arrive and only weird Glumfoot applies for the waiter’s job. But when an ogre walks in demanding pickled bats, slugs and mice, wily Glumfoot knows that changing the dishes’ names on the menu can turn the café into the hottest ticket in town. A feast of fun.
MR SANTA
by Jarvis
(Walker £12.99, 40pp)
When a little girl wakes up to find Santa Claus in her bedroom she’s so excited that she bombards him with questions (Can reindeer talk? What’s your favourite colour?) before riding across the world with him in his sleigh. Eventually she falls asleep – but did it really happen? Perfect for reading aloud, with dreamy illustrations.
SANTA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS
by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Sydney Smith
(Puffin £12.99, 40pp)
When Polar Bear discovers that Santa works on Christmas Day, he and the elves decide to host his first festive celebrations with a special visitor dressed in red. Barnett’s deadpan humour is entertaining and the illustrations are so cosy you can warm your hands on them.
THE DOG WHO DANCED ON THE MOON
by John Boyne. Illustrated by Ashling Lindsay
(Puffin £7.99, 32pp)
Young Jeremy is obsessed with space, which sadly leads to bullying and belittling – but luckily he also has Maxwell, a whirling, dancing dog, to inspire him. When Nasa faces an emergency, Jeremy and Maxwell shoot into space to save the day. This bonkers adventure about achieving your dreams will make your spirits soar.
THE SHY BOOK
by Howard Pearlstein. Illustrated by James Munro
(Graffeg £7.99, 36pp)
This highly original, interactive volume features the book as a character in itself – one that’s so shy that, although it longs to be read, fears it’s boring and that a different choice would be more entertaining. Best read aloud, it is an ideal way to help children build their confidence.
WHERE TO HIDE A STAR
by Oliver Jeffers
(HarperCollins £14.99, 48pp)
Jeffers’ popular boy and star are back in a sparkling new escapade. With best friend penguin they play a (very funny) game of hide and seek until star accidentally drifts off in a rowboat. Luckily, boy’s friend Martian spies star at the North Pole – with a new companion . . . A joyful evocation of friendship, loyalty and home.
I FOLLOW THE FOX
by Rob Biddulph
(HarperCollins £12.99, 32pp)
A young boy loses his toy Little Fox in the park but, as he lies in bed feeling miserable, a real fox appears and asks for his help in rescuing her cub. He follows her across town and snowy fields on a magical journey – but can she help him in return? In the morning he wonders if he had dreamed it all, until . . . Gorgeous.
THE FUN WE HAD
by Charissa Coulthard. Illustrated by Sam Usher
(S&S £12.99, 32pp)
Christmas is an emotional time for those who have lost family and this beautiful, compassionate book about a little girl who visits her dying grandmother over the course of a year, recalling all the wonderful adventures they shared, is a welcome reminder of the comfort happy memories can bring. I cried, and I smiled . . .
THE WORLD TO COME
by Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn. Illustrated by Emily Sutton
(Magic Cat £12.99, 32pp)
‘On my way through the wood wound a thread through a dream’ and this stunning collaboration between bestselling writer Macfarlane, actor-musician Flynn and artist Sutton is a dream book. Celebrating nature, words and rhythm it has a seductive quality that lets you hear the heartbeat of the living world – enjoy.
THE DICTIONARY STORY
by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
(Walker £14.99, 56pp)
Dictionary contains all the words but she’s envious of adventure story books – until hungry Alligator escapes her lists to chase Donut through the pages. Cloud, Ghost, Moon, Queen and Puddle join in, but when Tornado swirls everyone into chaos, Alphabet’s song restores calm. Clever, witty with hilarious illustrations.
YOUNG READERS
FOX GOES NORTH
by Jeremy Strong. Illustrated by Heegyum Kim
(Scholastic £14.99, 240pp)
This is the last book Strong wrote before he died earlier this year and there’s an elegiac quality to this funny, sweet story of a maverick gang of animals travelling to see the Northern Lights. Lugubrious Moose tows a house on wheels, Little Owl argues but it is the fate of fox that tugs at the heartstrings. A classy last act. Age 7+
TURTLE MOON
by Hannah Gold
(HarperCollins, £14.99, 336pp)
Silver and her parents move to a turtle rescue centre on the lush coast of Costa Rica where she sees a rare leatherback turtle laying her eggs. But when the eggs are stolen, she and new friend Rafi must find the thief before he sells them. Dramatic, atmospheric and incredibly touching, this story is Gold’s best yet. 8+
GHOSTLINES
by Katya Balen
(Bloomsbury £12.99, 288pp)
When Albie and his mum arrive on the island of Ayrie, kindly Tilda befriends the unhappy boy, secretly taking him to a supposedly haunted island. This sparks a tense adventure, full of charismatic characters, humour, warmth – and delightful puffins. 9+
I AM REBEL
by Ross Montgomery
(Walker £7.99, 304pp)
Adopted stray dog Rebel is devoted to young Tom and lives on the farm with him. So when Tom disappears to join a band of insurgents rising against a cruel king, Rebel attempts to follow on a perilous journey where his loyalty is challenged. Rebel is drawn with such passion and personality you almost forget he’s a dog. 9+
ME AND AARON RAMSEY
by Manon Steffan Ros
(Firefly £7.99, 160pp)
FOOTBALL bonds Sam with his dad Huw, a talented player until an accident changes everything. Huw is depressed so Sam transfers his hero worship to Welsh player Aaron Ramsey. When illiterate Huw learns to read and they watch Wales play, their rift heals in this moving story. 9+
BIRDIE
by J.P. Rose
(Andersen Press £7.99, 256pp)
Birdie, the mixed-race daughter of an English girl and Black American GI, has been raised in a 1950s children’s home until a great-aunt unexpectedly adopts her. In the small Yorkshire mining village, her respite from hostility and racism is an old pit pony, Mr Duke, destined for the knacker’s yard. A triumph of spirit. 9+
THE WRONG SHOES
by Tom Percival
(S&S £12.99, 336pp)
Will’s dad is unemployed, his mum has left and his tatty trainers are a trigger for bullying. But Will has a talent for art that helps him connect with others. The authenticity of voices and Percival’s illustrations stand out. 9+
THE HOUDINI INHERITANCE
by Emma Carroll
(Faber £7.99, 304pp)
In 1926, escape artist Harry Houdini visits Glory and Dennis’s home town where Glory outwits him with her handcuff trick. She’s asked to look after his precious trunk of secrets – but he suddenly dies in America, so she and Dennis must protect his legacy. Built around real events, this thrilling escapade is full of tricks. 10+
ETTIE AND THE MIDNIGHT POOL
by Julia Green
(David Fickling £7.99, 256pp)
There’s a haunting atmosphere in this lyrical tale of Ettie, who lives in a remote house with her grandmother. Ettie meets Cora, a wild girl who encourages her to swim in a quarry pool but there’s a history of tragedy that will force her to see everything differently. Superb. 10+
MIDNIGHT TREASURE
by Piers Torday
(Quercus £14.99, 384pp)
If you like your villains dark, dangerous and bloodthirsty, this epic fantasy of werewolves, vampirs and a quest for Midnight Treasure ticks every box. Tibor, a young werewolf adopted by vampirs, and his best friend Roza battle immortal forces in a race against time. Fabulous. 11+
TEENS & YA
SONGLIGHT
by Moira Buffini
(Faber £8.99, 480pp)
This thrilling, post-apocalyptic drama involves two warring, male-dominated tribes. Elsa has a secret telepathic power called Songlight, as does her lover, Rye, but if discovered they face punishment. An act of betrayal forces Elsa to rebel in this brutal, explicit story with shades of The Handmaid’s Tale.
US IN THE BEFORE AND AFTER
by Jenny Valentine
(S&S £8.99, 256pp)
Only the hard-hearted won’t sob at this deeply moving evocation of teenage grief, ghosts and love. Mab and Elk are best friends but after a summer party, the consequences of a shocking accident and a violent death devastate both their families. You won’t see the final twist coming.
THE DAGGER AND THE FLAME
by Catherine Doyle
(S&S £16.99, 512pp)
Fantome, a city with catacombs, alleys and shadows, is a powerful part of this absorbing adventure where two guilds: the Cloaks (thieves) and the Daggers (assassins) battle over Shade-magic. But when Seraphine meets Ransom, their opposing tribal loyalty is threatened by . . . love. Romantic, dramatic and dark.
WHERE THE HEART SHOULD BE
by Sarah Crossan
(Bloomsbury £14.99, 432pp)
Set during the Irish famine of the 1840s, educated, 16-year-old Nell is forced to work as a scullery maid to a cruel English landowner. When she and his reluctant heir fall in love, they face divided loyalties, opposition and social upheaval. Terrific on every level.
TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW
by Jason Reynolds
(Faber £8.99, 256pp)
Neon is cowering in the bathroom, terrified. In 24 seconds, he and his girlfriend Aria will make love for the first time. Flashback to 24 minutes earlier when he arrived at her house. Then 24 hours before that – until when they met two years before. A sensitive reminder that boys have feelings, too.
NON-FICTION
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A SILLY QUESTION
by Mike Rampton. Illustrated by Guilherme Karsten
(Nosy Crow £18.99, 144pp)
What’s the longest place name in the world? Why aren’t all the months the same length? This dizzying assortment of questions will encourage children to expand their knowledge. All the facts have been checked by Cambridge University, so no arguments!
SEVEN SMALL INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
by Roma Agrawal. Illustrated by Jisu Choi
(Laurence King £16.99, 64pp)
this fascinating book studies the nuts and bolts that make things possible: the nail, wheel, spring, magnet, lens, pump and string. The history, science and applications of these that have led to the space station, skyscrapers and even artificial hearts is mind-boggling.
HAMZA’s WILD WORLD
by Hamza Yassin. Illustrated by Louise Forshaw
(Macmillan £14.99, 416pp)
Wildlife photographer, TV presenter and Strictly winner Hamza leads us on a safari through the natural world in this fact-filled book that’s illustrated with line drawings and Hamza’s stunning black-and-white photographs. And with his Top Ten animals, you’ll learn a lot about his love for his job, too.
POETRY AND COLLECTIONS
NURSERY RHYMES
Edited by Robert Lacey. Illustrated by Ben Coppin
(Paper Argosies £20, 128pp)
This collection of classic nursery rhymes with artwork by Claud Lovat Fraser was published 100 years ago but has been updated by illustrator Ben Coppin. In this wide-ranging selection, historian Robert Lacey explains their origin and meaning – reminding us that even if they seem nonsense, children love the rhyme and yes, sometimes cruelty, underpinning them. A treasure chest of nostalgia and perfect present.
BLUE HEART
by Nicola Davies
(Graffeg £14.99, 64pp)
This beautiful book for all ages looks at five species of whale: blue, sperm, humpback, right and orca with each celebrated by poems evoking the majesty of these elusive, often endangered creatures. Sublime.
PICK AND MIX POETRY
Edited by Julia Donaldson
(Macmillan £25, 336pp)
Who better than Britain’s favourite author Julia Donaldson to choose more than 300 poems that include contributions like James Reeves’ The Bogus-Boo. Each illustrated spread has a different theme and, although Donaldson describes it as a lucky dip, each one is an absolute winner.