What are the best books to give children this Christmas?

published 13 November 2019

It’s been another exciting year for children’s books, and publishers are pulling out all the stops this season.

From festive-themed books to much-loved classics, personalised children's books to the next instalment in some highly-anticipated series’ - there’s something for every child this Christmas.

Peppa Pig’s Christmas Jumper Day

Kids love Peppa Pig, so any book with this much-loved character is sure to be a hit. And let’s be honest, anything to get our kids reading is a good thing. In the latest Peppa book it’s Christmas Jumper Day at Peppa’s playgroup. She is very excited, until she realises her christmas jumper doesn’t fit. Will Daddy Pig, with all his wisdom, save the day?

Peppa Pig’s Christmas Jumper Day, Penguin, £3.99. Buy it now

The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy

It may not have been what Frog was expecting when he turned up at Bear’s house - it certainly doesn’t look like the hotel from the brochure. But, that may have something to do with reading his map upside down. Still…Bear decides to invite him in anyway for pastries, real snow and even Northern Lights. A fun and festive tale of friendship and kindness.

The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy, Little Tiger, PB, £5.24. Buy it now

Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton

Just because something is new and ‘improved’ doesn’t mean it’s always right, as Emily found out when she met Father Christmas and his new shiny turbo-charged sleigh and sat nav. Sometimes a good old map and touch of magic is what you need. As usual, Cressida Cowell delivers another enchanting tale with an important message about savouring traditions.

Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell, Hachette, PB, £9.35. Buy it now

The Real Family Christmas by Sue Mongredien

With – hopefully – some time to relax with the kids at Christmas, this lovely book for newly confident readers is a great way to spend time together. With three festive stories about Father Christmas and his mad family, you’ll meet Granny Christmas and her grumpy pet penguin, fun-loving Uncle Christmas and the man himself. If this doesn’t get you in the mood for the silly season, we’re not sure what will!

The Real Family Christmas by Sue Mongredien, Pan Macmillan, PB, £5.24. Buy it now

Christmas Is Coming! An Advent Book! By Katie Hicks

A beautiful present, this keepsake advent book is one for the whole family. Each flap on the front cover reveals a clue as to what may be found inside, whether it’s a recipe, festive game, story or carol to sing. Everyone loves a tradition at Christmas - and this is a book that will keep giving year after year with its classic illustrations.

Christmas Is Coming! An Advent Book illustrated by Katie Hickey, Chronicle Books, HB, £9.53 But it now

Cookie is a 9-year-old girl your child will love, and possibly want to be best friends with. The first book in a series from the Blue Peter presenter, it’s a funny and relatable book that’s sure to make parents laugh too. When Cookie moves to a new house, the only thing that will make her happy is the cute puppy she’s seen in the pet shop. Only the most annoying boy in the world buys it – and then moves in next door to her. With lots of chaotic family adventures, a madcap science school project and comic illustrations kids will adore, it’s an entertaining and positive read they’ll whizz through in no time.

Cookie and the most annoying boy in the world by Konnie Huq, Templar Publishing, HB, £5.24 Buy it now

Alice In Wonderland & Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Who doesn’t love a beautiful-bound classic for Christmas? Not least the story of Alice, the young girl who follows a white rabbit down a hole into a world where everything seems rather curious. From shrinking and growing adventures to meeting talking animals and encountering the Queen of Hearts, it’s sure to spark any child’s imagination. And with illustrations from the award-winning design studio behind the graphics for the Harry Potter films, it’s a lavish gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Alice In Wonderland & Through The Looking Glass, illustrated by MinaLima, Harper Collins, HB, £15.90. Buy it now

The Great Reindeer Disaster by Kate Saunders

Imagine if a Christmas reindeer fell down your chimney in the middle of summer. Well, that’s exactly what happens to the Trubshaw family when Percy Prancer alights on the floor of their summer holiday cottage in Devon. What the Trubshaws did not expect though is to be whisked away to meet the real Father Christmas. Quite the adventure, you’re in safe hands with Kate Saunders, author of wonderfully imaginative books Beswitched and The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop.

The Great Reindeer Disaster by Kate Saunders, Faber & Faber, PB, £5.24. Buy it now

The Christmasuarus and The Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher

Following on from the success of his first novel The Christmasaurus, William Trundle is back for another adventure with his extraordinary dinosaur friend. But this time, they are transported to the North Pole to meet the Winter Witch – whose power to control time allows Santa to travel all around the world. Only it’s up to William and the Christmasaurus to make sure that still happens. Full of magic and Christmas spirit – this is the perfect festive read.

The Christmasuarus and The Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher, Penguin, HB, £8.64. Buy it now

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney

Eagerly awaited by fans of the series, this is one book kids will be desperately searching the bottom of their stockings for. The 14th book in the series sees Greg Heffley’s family receive an unexpected inheritance, giving them a chance to make some home improvements. As expected, it’s laughs aplenty, and be warned - will probably have been read by Boxing Day.

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney, Penguin, HB, £6,49. Buy it now

Earth Heroes by Lily Dyu

As climate change becomes real, the threat can seem overwhelming to children, but this lovely book shows children how they can make a difference by celebrating the individual people who are already doing their bit. With twenty inspirational and easy-to-read stories from the likes of Sir David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg and Ellen McArthur, each explains how they got started and the work they’ve already undertaken. Delivering the message that one person can make a difference, no matter how big or small, will leave children feeling hopeful and inspired – parents too!

Earth Heroes by Lily Dyu, Nosy Crow, HB, £7.11. Buy it now

We Are The Beaker Girls by Jacqueline Wilson

For fans of the hugely popular Tracy Beaker series, comes the latest book following grown-up Tracy and her daughter Jess. Living and working in a shop full of treasures by the sea, Jess has got her hands full as she tries to find a new boyfriend for her Mum and deal with the local kid who’s picking on her. When Jess uncovers the truth about her new enemy, it means big changes for the Beaker girls.

We Are The Beaker Girls by Jacqueline Wilson, Random House, HB, £6.99 Buy it now

Our Planet by Matt Whyman

Bursting with beautiful photography, easy-to-read descriptions of our planet’s diverse habitats and important messages delivered with a dose of hope, this is an ideal gift for any child. This official children’s book to accompany the Netflix documentary, with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough, is surely the book to inspire future generations. What’s not to love?

Our Planet by Matt Whyman, Harper Collins, HB, £14.00 Buy it now

Pages & Co: Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales by Anna James

This really is a book for book lovers! The second in the Pages&Co. series, book wanderer Tilly is yet to run amok the pages of more stories – this time: fairy tales, with her best friend Oskar. But it seems all is not quite as it should be as characters appear lost and stories are all mixed up. With some great plot twists that will keep readers guessing to the end, it’s another spellbinding instalment in this imaginative and enchanting series.

Pages & Co: Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales by Anna James, Harper Collins, HB, £6.99 Buy it now

Frostheart by Jamie Littler

If your child loved How To Train Your Dragon, they’re going to love this wintry and magical debut. Our small hero, Ash, lives in a world inhabited by Levethians – monsters - and is looked after by a very grumpy yeti. When Ash saves the crew of the Frostheart sleigh he realises he is in possession of some pretty amazing powers and embarks on an adventure to find his family. And what an adventure it will be for the reader. This fantastic story has a delightful cast of characters, it’s funny, beautifully illustrated and will keep your kids gripped and begging to know when Book 2 will be out.

Frostheart by Jamie Littler, Penguin books, PB, £5.99. Buy it now

The Impossible Boy by Ben Brooks

From the author of the bestselling Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different comes an inspired debut novel. It’s Christmas and Emma’s feeling downhearted. So when she and her friend Oleg invent a new friend called Sebastian – and he magically appears in their secret den – life suddenly gets a bit more interesting. As the trio begin their adventures, strange things keep happening and it seems someone wants to erase Sebastian. Can friendship and the magic of the impossible help protect their new friend? A clever read.

The Impossible Boy by Ben Brooks, Quercus, HB, £6.99 Buy it now

Do you have any recommendations for classic children's books? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know.

Zoe is a features writer and books editor for Woman&Home. Over the last fifteen years she has worked on magazine titles including Marie Claire, Now, LOOK, Woman’s Weekly and Junior.

She loves to travel and is a self-confessed luxury hotel junkie following a honeymoon stay in Ravello on the glamorous Amalfi Coast, which she claims spoilt her forever. Having also visited Lake Como, Puglia, Tuscany (where she got married), Venice and Rome on more than one occasion, it’s no surprise that she hopes to live in Italy one day.

Travelling with family is important to Zoe, appreciating the time she spends on holiday with her husband and two daughters. Although she loves Italy, it’s Greece that’s become their family holiday place. With an intoxicating mix of beautiful beaches, warm weather and chic hotels catered to families, it’s a win-win for everyone.

Her most memorable trips would have to be South Africa and Canada for their vast, wild and dramatic landscapes, New York for that ‘film set’ feeling and swimming with pigs in The Bahamas.

The Norway Fjordes and Vancouver are firmly on her travel wish list, but she is just as fascinated by Europe’s cities and could spend most of her life on short breaks - although her beach-loving husband may have something to say about that.

Always looking for that escape from the norm, a source of inspiration and relaxation away from a hectic home and work life, Zoe is most likely to be found googling ‘out-of-this-world hotels’ and then working out how to get there…