Age 4 plus:
The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland
Carys Bexington and
Kate Hindley
'TWAS the night before Christmas… with a wonderful Wonderland
twist! Lewis Carroll’s classic Wonderland returns but this time
instead of Alice, it’s Santa’s turn for an adventure down the rabbit hole. Join
the Cheshire-Cat, the Mad Hatter and the reindeer for a tea party with lots of
festive rhyming fun.
The Queen of Hearts hates Christmas… she has banned tinsel,
mince pies and even good cheer because when she was a little princess, the
White Rabbit was late delivering her letter to Father Christmas and she didn’t
receive a present.
But one snowy Christmas Eve, Santa finally receives her letter and races to deliver her gift! Will Santa and his reindeer be able to put the Merry back into Christmas in Wonderland?
But one snowy Christmas Eve, Santa finally receives her letter and races to deliver her gift! Will Santa and his reindeer be able to put the Merry back into Christmas in Wonderland?
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| STAR ARTIST: Kate Hindley |
Written by debut author Carys Bexington, who has a soft spot
for characters that don’t always make the best choices, and illustrated by star
artist Kate Hindley, The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland embodies the true
meaning of Christmas and will bring joy to all the family.
Age 9 plus:
Shadows of Winterspell
Amy Wilson
INVENTIVE author Amy Wilson is proving that she certainly
has the magic touch when it comes to children’s adventure stories. Shadows of Winterspell, a captivating story sparkling with
frost and magic, is the extraordinary follow-up to the Branford
Boase-longlisted novel A Girl Called Owl starring a girl who discovers her
father is Jack Frost, A Far Away Magic which sees two troubled youngsters
venture into a world of terrifying monsters, and Snowglobe, featuring a land of
enchanted but sinister snowglobes.
In her fourth wild and wonderful wintertime thriller,
Wilson’s imagination moves into overdrive as she sweeps us away to a world of
friendship and magic to uncover family secrets and find out who you really are.
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| MAGIC TOUCH: Amy Wilson |
Shadows of Winterspell is an enthralling and action-packed
adventure, full of mystery and magic, but also a tender and insightful
exploration of self-discovery, growing up and friendship, all perfectly attuned
to the realities of modern day life.
A wintertime winner that will capture the hearts and
imaginations of middle-grade readers, and the perfect Christmas gift for your
young adventurers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Guardians of Magic
Chris Riddell
STEP into a dazzling world of fairy tale wonders, intriguing mysteries, lovable heroes, unforgettable villains and skies filled with cloud horses as author and illustrator extraordinaire Chris Riddell works his special magic on a thrilling new children’s series.
Guardians of Magic is the first book in The Cloud Horse
Chronicles, a sumptuously presented and action-packed adventure series which
sees former Children’s Laureate and Costa award winner Riddell at his
imaginative best as three ordinary children discover that they have
extraordinary gifts.
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| UNIQUE STYLE: Chris Riddell |
The future of magic is under threat from three powerful enemies
and unless the three youngsters can fight back and believe in the impossible,
soon magic and the cloud horses that nestle in the branches of the giant
Forever Tree will be gone forever. Set against fantastical landscapes, and featuring witty and
inventive twists on traditional fairy tales, Guardians of Magic stars an
engaging cast of characters and is highly illustrated throughout in Riddell’s
unique, rich and intricately detailed style. The perfect Christmas gift for all adventure-seekers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 9-90:
Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year
TREAT yourself – and your family – to the inspirational words and verse of the Bard on every day of the year in a beautiful gift anthology. This enthralling and enlightening collection of 365 sonnets, soliloquies, quotes and extracts from the works of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language, has been lovingly curated by Allie Esiri, editor of the bestselling A Poem for Every Day of the Year and A Poem for Every Night of the Year.
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| INSIGHTFUL: Allie Esiri |
Esiri’s entertaining and insightful introductions give her
readers a new window into the work, time and life of Shakespeare, presenting
historical context, important dates and performances, and information about the
great man’s sources and rivals.
Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with all the family, this
superb anthology contains a wealth of wisdom, words and wonder. A verbal feast of Shakespeare not just for
Christmas but for every day of the year!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £18.99)
Age 9 plus:
Poems to Fall in Love With
Chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell
Poems to Fall in Love With
Chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell
In the follow-up to his emotive
collection, Poems to Live Your Life By – one of the Bookseller’s best poetry
books of the last 25 years – Riddell works his own brand of special magic on a
stunning selection of his very favourite classic and modern poems about love.
Blending his considerable artistic
talents and a lifelong love of poetry, Riddell’s thoughtful and lovingly curated
anthology reinvents how we read and see poetry on the page with words and exquisite,
intricate artwork to portray and capture the heartbreak, joy and love in every
poem.
From silent admiration through
passion to tearful resignation, these poems speak of the universal experiences
of the heart and give meaning to the ordinary, the moving and the celebratory. Classic
verses sit alongside modern poetry, and include poems from Neil Gaiman, Nikita
Gill, Carol Ann Duffy, E. E. Cummings, Shakespeare, Leonard Cohen, Derek
Walcott, Hollie McNish, Kate Tempest, John Betjeman and Roger McGough.
This perfect Christmas gift for
poetry lovers… and anyone who wants to celebrate the joy of love.(Macmillan Children’s Books,
hardback, £12.99)
The Real Family Christmas:
Three Stories in One
Sue Mongredien and
Kate Pankhurst
Three Stories in One
Sue Mongredien and
Kate Pankhurst
JOIN in the celebrations with these three funny festive stories about Father Christmas and his bonkers family… because nothing goes to plan when the Christmases are about! In Uncle Christmas, disaster strikes when Nick (a.k.a. Father Christmas) catches the flu just before Christmas Day, meaning that it’s up to his fun-loving younger brother Harry to save the day.
In Granny Christmas, Nick and Harry’s Granny turns up with her grumpy pet penguin, Percy, to stay for the festive season, causing chaos with her inventions and nearly ruining all the careful preparation the boys have done. Can Granny Christmas prove to her grandsons that her inventions are more helpful than harmful?
And in A Real Family Christmas, pandemonium ensues when the whole extended Christmas family unexpectedly turn up for the festive season. With their parents, Uncle Rufus and Aunty Ruby, three wild cousins, Great Uncle Alf, and seven-year-old Ivy all staying, how can Nick and Harry make sure that Christmas goes smoothly this year?
Perfect for newly confident readers or for the family to
enjoy together, Sue Mongredien’s three-in-one Christmas bonanza, featuring
gorgeous illustrations from Kate Pankhurst, is guaranteed to put everyone in
the festive spirit as the big day approaches!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
The Treehouse Joke Book
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
THE ‘wizards of Oz’ – the top Australian writer and illustrator team, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, who created the bestselling Treehouse series – are back to put extra fun into the festive season.
Enjoy grimaces and guffaws on every page in this super silly joke book that will have all the family (grown-ups included!) laughing their socks off.
Q: How do monkeys make toast? A: They put it under a
gorilla!
Q: What’s grey and powdery? A: Instant elephant mix!
From bears to birds, penguins to pirates, and skeletons to space,
The Treehouse Joke Book is packed with gags galore, hilarious jokes and wonderful
one-liners, all guaranteed to let youngsters have the last laugh!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Beyond Platform 13
Sibéal Pounder and Beatriz Castro
‘That’s the thing about magic… it’s only real if you believe in it.’
RETURN to the spellbinding wonders of the late much-loved author Eva Ibbotson’s classic book, The Secret of Platform 13, in a new fun, magical adventure inspired by characters from Ibbotson’s original book.
Written by Sibéal Pounder, and beautifully illustrated by
Beatriz Castro, this super new story recreates a dazzling world of hags,
harpies, mistaken identities, and the beloved Island of Mist. The island is under siege and Prince Ben and his best friend
Odge Gribble (a hag!) are in hiding. Desperate to find out why the island’s
protective mist is disappearing, Odge travels through the gump to Vienna, to
find a mistmaker expert.
But in yet another case of mistaken identity, Odge finds Lina, a nine-year-old girl looking for adventure. With the help of friends old and new, and some very interesting magic, Odge and Lina must discover the secret of the mist, before they lose their beloved island completely.
An exciting and action-packed adventure which pays warm
tribute to the spirit, imagination and vitality of Ibbotson’s work.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 5 plus:
How Winston Delivered Christmas: An Advent Story in
Twenty-Four-and-a-Half Chapters
HERE'S a gift book that offers both brilliant storytelling and a sackful of creative Christmas activities! Writer and illustrator Alex T. Smith invites everyone to join Winston the mouse for storytelling, adventure and creative fun in an innovative and entertaining book that is perfect for sharing in the run-up to Christmas.
How Winston Delivered Christmas is written in 24½ chapters…
one to share every day leading up to Christmas, and with each chapter featuring
its own Christmas activities for families and friends to make together. On Christmas Eve, Winston the mouse finds a letter to Father
Christmas that didn’t make it to the post box. Follow Winston as he sets out through
the festive city to deliver Oliver’s letter to Father Christmas on Christmas
Eve. He has a lot of Very Exciting Adventures on this Very Important Mission
and makes some wonderful friends along the way. He also learns that a good deed
can lead to a very happy ending!
Like an advent calendar counting down to Christmas, each day also features festive things to make and do… you can go on a Christmas scavenger hunt, write a letter to Father Christmas, make mince pies and stained-glass window biscuits, and make your own Christmas cards, presents, decorations and crackers. Filled with bright and bold illustrations, and the author’s natural warmth and insight into what makes Christmas exciting for children, this wonderful book is destined to become a family favourite that will be returned to every year in the run up to Christmas.
(Macmillan Children’s Books,
paperback, £9.99)
The Misadventures of Frederick
Ben Manley and Emma Chichester Clark
THE joys and freedom of the great outdoors take the starring role in an exquisitely written and wrought picture book from exciting debut author Ben Manley and much-loved illustrator Emma Chichester Clark.
The Misadventures of Frederick, which has garnered acclaim from the highest quarters, combines a touch of timeless Gothic with a free-spirited, modern and youthful zest to deliver a picture book of delightful contrasts and heartfelt messages.
In a large, gated mansion surrounded by lakes and forests,
Frederick is bored. He leads a very sheltered life and when Emily invites him
to play outside, he has no choice but to refuse… what if he hurts himself? Frederick
thinks it would be much better to stay safely indoors. But determined Emily is
not one to take no for an answer and soon a series of letters are flying
between them that will eventually open up a new world for lonely Frederick.
Friendship, adventure and discovery all play a part in this playful and appealing story which has been carefully created in shades of dark and light, is a vibrant and timely reminder that youth is there to be enjoyed and not endured.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus:
The Snail and the Whale Festive Edition
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
YOUNGSTERS will love sailing off on the high seas for a special festive edition of top team Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic, multi-award-winning tale of The Snail and the Whale.
The inspirational, rhyming story of the unlikely friendship and life-changing adventures shared by a huge whale and a tiny snail will be brought to life on BBC One this Christmas in a new animated production starring Sally Hawkins, Rob Brydon, Cariad Lloyd and Dame Diana Rigg.
And now readers young and not-so-young can first read and
enjoy the classic story with a gorgeous wintry cover design, perfect as a Christmas
gift and sharing together with the whole family.
‘This is the tale of a tiny snail And a great big grey-blue
humpback whale…’
When a little snail longs to see the big wide world, she
hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together, they set sail on an
amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the
little snail feels so small in the vastness of the world. But when disaster
strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it’s up to the tiny snail to save
the day.
Brimming with Donaldson’s genius rhymes and Scheffler’s outstandingly
bright and colourful gallery of pictures, this is storytelling and illustration
in perfect harmony.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Meerkat Christmas
Emily Gravett
WHAT do you need for the perfect Christmas? A meerkat who lives in the hot sunshine of the Kalahari desert goes on the hunt for the perfect tree, the perfect snowy weather, the perfect presents, the perfect dinner and the perfect music in an outrageously witty and clever picture book from Emily Gravett.
A multi-talented author and illustrator, and winner of two
CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals, Gravett works her trademark animal magic on a
beautifully imagined, cautionary tale that celebrates festive fun and family
love.
Gravett, author and illustrator of the modern classic
Meerkat Mail, once again she uses her artistic skills, creative imagination and
these appealing little animals to deliver a tasty treat full of exquisitely
detailed artwork, storytelling surprises and Christmas card flaps to lift as
Sunny the meerkat travels the world in the search of the perfect Christmas.
Sunny wants a white Christmas, with a decorated tree, carols
and sprouts for dinner… and none of those can be found at home in the Kalahari.
So off he heads to find the perfect Christmas elsewhere, only to discover that
maybe the season of love and family isn’t all about the trimmings after all. Proof that Christmas can be whatever you want it to be!
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus:
Oh, Christmas Tree!
Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
SUE HENDRA and Paul Linnet, the formidable duo who created the bestselling Supertato and Snowball picture books, have spruced up their imaginative powers once more for the madcap tale of a misbehaving Christmas tree!
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| BRANCHING OUT: Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet |
This rebellious tree would rather sit at the table and pull crackers on Christmas Day than stand in a corner wearing glittery decorations! Bauble, Belle and the Tinsel Snake need the tree to behave, so they can fulfil their decorating destinies, but the argumentative tree just won’t stand still and be decorated. Then Belle has a crafty idea… Full of warmth and wit, with brilliant characters and a bouncy rhyming text, this is the perfect warm-up for the season of trees and treats.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback,
£6.99)
Starbird
Sharon King-Chai
ENJOY a picture book brimming with magical storytelling and mesmerising artwork from talented Australian-born illustrator Sharon King-Chai. Intricate silver foiling shimmers across every page of this stunning book, an original and beautiful fable about freedom and love featuring the legendary Starbird who must battle to escape the clutches of the angry Moon King.
Starbird’s songs weave the richest dreams and delight all
who hear him, but when the Moon King traps him in a cage as gift for his
daughter, the colour and life in his voice begin to drain away through sadness.
But when the Starbird is freed by the little princess, her father vows to
search the globe and bring him back.
King-Chai’s heartfelt fable, filled with lyrical
storytelling and intricate illustrations of plants and animals, has the feel of
a timeless myth with its resonant message that captivity dims even the
brightest star.
(Two Hoots, hardback,
£12.99)
The Return of Sproutzilla
Tom Jamieson and Mike Byrne
A PAARPING good Christmas is guaranteed when youngsters get stuck into another hilarious picture book starring mean, green Sproutzilla! The villainous veggie was cooked up by author Tom Jamieson and illustrator Mike Byrne in the much-loved Sproutzilla vs. Christmas and now he’s back, ready to ruin Christmas… and this time he isn’t alone.
Jack and Ruby are getting ready for Christmas when suddenly,
Santa’s little elves arrive with terrible news… poor Santa has been kidnapped!
Can Jack and Ruby rescue Santa from stinky Sproutzilla and his menacing
sidekicks Broccolisaurus and Tyrannoparsnip rex, before the vicious vegetables
ruin Christmas for everyone? And can Sproutzilla ever be shown the true joy of
Christmas?
With Jamieson’s comical story providing the giggles and Byrne’s
illustrations turning Sproutzilla into a raucous, rampaging sprout, there’s
just an outside chance that this wonderful book might convince even the most
reluctant eaters to gobble down their greens this Christmas!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Adventures in Moominvalley
Tove Jansson and Amanda Li
IT'S over 70 years since the first book featuring The Moomins was published but Tove Jansson’s globally treasured stories continue to delight generations of children. The Moomins are a lovable family of roundish fairy tale characters with large snouts that make them resemble hippopotami and were created by Jansson, a celebrated Swedish-speaking Finnish illustrator artist, political cartoonist and author who died in 2001.
All the stories in this in this lavish gift book, featuring
nine exciting adventures, are closely based on the warm and whimsical Moomin
world and characters created by the celebrated writer, artist and illustrator
Tove Jansson. Presented in chronological order, and reworked by Amanda Li,
each story is taken from an animation episode and set in the idyllic and
peaceful valley where the round blue Moominhouse stands, and where everyone is
welcome.
So join nine-year-old Moomintroll, his parents, Moominmamma and Moominpappa, and their eclectic and happy band of friends – Little My, Snufkin, Snorkmaiden, the hattifatteners and other famous characters from the classic stories. A wonderfully whimsical Christmas gift for Moomin fans of all ages.
(Macmillan Children’s Books,
hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus:
Christmas Comes to Moominvalley
CHRISTMAS Comes to Moominvalley is another exquisitely illustrated re-telling of one of Jansson’s classic stories, The Fir Tree. The Moomin family are woken up from their deep winter sleep by a cross Hemulen to be told that ‘Christmas’ is coming and they can’t possibly sleep through it. The only trouble is, the Moomins have never heard of Christmas and have no idea what all the fuss is about. They are just going to have to learn what Christmas is and what it means…
This beautiful classic picture book, sensitively adapted by
Alex Haridi and Cecilia Davidsson, captures Jansson’s uniquely wise, perceptive
and original voice, is perfectly paired with Filippa Widlund’s eye-catching
illustrations, full of character and detail and based on Jansson’s original
drawings and colour plates.
A new generation of readers will love the adorable Moomin
family and friends, and their special values of tolerance, kindness and
integrity, as they prepare for their first Christmas. A delightful reworking of a classic tale…
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age one plus:
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without an inventive board
book to let the youngest family members get in on the fun, so let them push,
pull and slide the tabs in two gorgeous interactive board books
Busy Reindeer
Samantha Meredith
THRER'S lots to see and do in Busy Reindeer. Inquisitive little hands can push and pull the tabs and turn the wheel as they read about Ruby Reindeer’s magical Christmas Eve journey with Santa.
Join Ruby Reindeer as she leads Santa’s sleigh and flies through the sky and helps to deliver Christmas presents in the latest book in the popular Busy Books series. Tiny tots will love playing with this bright and colourful board book which has a gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Samantha Meredith. With plenty to talk about and things to spot on every page, Santa is sure to find lots more willing helpers to delivers his presents!
AND watch little faces light up as they enjoy a bright and colourful interactive introduction to Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale. Push, pull, slide and turn the mechanisms to bring the story of A Christmas Carol to life and introduce the familiar figure of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Grumpy old Scrooge finds Christmas a bore, declaring the festivities a load of ‘bah humbug.’ Can a visit by three ghosts persuade him to learn to love the season of joy again, and celebrate with lots of good cheer? This well-loved story is beautifully imagined and brought to vivid life for a new generation by illustrator Jean Claude.
(Campbell Books, board books, £5.99 each)
Age 2 plus:
Kiki and Jax: The Life-Changing
Magic of Friendship
Marie Kondo and Salina Yoon
RENOWNED ‘tidying’ expert Marie Kondo brings her unique magic and neatness to Kiki and Jax, an enchanting picture book story about how tidying up can spark joy in the lives of young children.
Kondo, star of Netflix’s hit show, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, began her tidying consultant business as a nineteen-year-old university student in Tokyo and now she is an expert helping people around the world to transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration.
Kiki the squirrel and Jax the owl are best friends… Jax
enjoys sorting but Kiki enjoys collecting and gathers a lot of stuff. Soon her
home is full of things all over the place. Where is Kiki's ball, what did she
do with her swimsuit? Her home has become an obstacle course and it’s hard for
Kiki and Jax to play together. But Jax has a plan. He teaches Kiki how to sort
everything and to keep only those things that spark joy. Once she and Jax have
tidied up, Kiki has room in her life for those things that matter the most… especially
her good friend Jax!
Charmingly illustrated by the award-winning Salina Yoon,
this entertaining and informative picture book is an easy-to-understand and accessible
introduction to Kondo’s concept of tidying and includes a special, step-by-step
folding activity to try out at home. Tidying away Christmas presents might prove to be fun for
even the youngest of children this festive season!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £11.99)
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