CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Gift books that make Christmas extra special

Dive into a magical, snow-sprinkled adventure full of sparkle and shine, experience the rollicking film Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas like never before, feast on the terrors of a truly evil Christmas elf, and unravel a curious seasonal mystery by solving 80 super Christmas puzzles with a dazzling selection of new books

Age 3 plus
The Christmasaurus and the Night Before Christmas
Tom Fletcher and Shane Devries

DISCOVER what makes Christmas truly special with this magical, snow-sprinkled adventure from the top team of star author Tom Fletcher and outstanding Australian illustrator Shane Devries. The Christmasaurus and the Night Before Christmas is their second picture book featuring the lovable Christmasaurus. It’s the night before Christmas and all Christmasaurus wants to do is help Santa and the elves get ready for the big day. But everything he does goes disastrously wrong. Then someone special shows him that things don’t need to be perfect to be wonderful... because the true spirit of Christmas comes from the unique sparkle in each and every one of us. Narrated in Fletcher’s brilliant read-aloud rhyme, and with an uplifting message about finding your own special talents at its warm, beating heart, this festive adventure is brought to spectacular life by Devries’ colourful and atmospheric illustrations and two stunning pull-out spreads. A gift book that is guaranteed to delight!
(Puffin, hardback, £12.99)

Age 12 plus
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Full Film Script
Tim Burton

ENJOY Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas like never before with this stunning book packed full of fantastic production art, director’s commentary, song lyrics and historical details. The screenplay and lyrics from Disney Tim Burton's much-loved, stop-motion animated film – along with hundreds of behind-the-scenes facts, illustrations, and historical details from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library – are all collected in these pages. Experience your favourite film in a new way with this special hardcover gift book which features the full film script, the complete song lyrics, and facts about the production and development of the film, including details about how the puppets were constructed and animated. Discover how Tim Burton took inspiration from festive verse as well as animated Christmas TV specials to write the iconic poem that the film would be based on and marvel at the process of stop-motion filmmaking. Readers will enjoy an in-depth experience of this beloved classic and gain a deeper appreciation for the animators, musicians, and voice actors who brought the story of Halloween Town to the screen. Movie-making magic for all the family!
(Studio Press, hardback, £25)

Age 12 plus
Disney Affirmations
Walt Disney

‘What is meant for me will find me...’ 

SPRINKLE a little Disney stardust on your daily routine with a beautiful selection of fifty motivational mantras. Disney Affirmations is the perfect little gift book to help challenge negative thoughts and overcome self-doubt with the support of your favourite Disney characters. Filled with wise words and confidence-boosting mantras, this small and perfectly formed book will delight Disney fans of all ages. Each affirmation is accompanied by an inspirational, full-colour image from a Disney film and a supporting text which will help you fill every day with a little magic. Start your morning the Disney way with mantras to manifest self-confidence, resilience and positivity. The beautifully foiled book features favourite characters such as Moana, Elsa, Dory, Merida, Mike Wazowski, Rapunzel, Winnie the Pooh, Woody, Lilo and more.  Magic from morning to night!
(Studio Press, hardback, £7.99)

Age 12 plus
Blood Texts: You’d Better Watch Out
Frank Cadaver

THE Christmas season might be fast approaching but that doesn’t mean it HAS to be jolly and bright! Feast your mind and feed your spooky vibes on the first book of a brand new Blood Texts horror series from mysterious author Frank Cadaver who claims to have been born in the witching hour and beneath a blood-red moon. So meet Evangeline... she’s not good, she might even be a bully, but she’s not a baby... so why did her Dad think bringing that freaky-looking Watching Elf would help her behaviour before Christmas?! But then, footsteps scuttle beneath the fairy lights, wrongdoers are attacked, each mysterious ‘punishment’ more violent and disturbing than the last. When she finds a tacky old horror magazine warning of a malevolent demon that flays your skin in the spirit of Christmas, Evangeline is filled with dread... is this connected to that hideous doll watching her from the hallway? And if so, what if she is on its naughty list? With its dark twist on Christmas tradition, a light dusting of fantasy, a fine line in humour, and a TRULY evil elf, this is a Goosebumps-style thrill ride for your terrible teens!   
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Cluedle: The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge
Hartigan Browne

CAN you work out Cluedunnit at Christmas?  Grab a pen and team up with world famous private investigator Hartigan Browne to unravel a curious seasonal case by solving 80 super Christmas mystery puzzles. The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge is the third Cluedle puzzle book for code-cracking families and skilful young super sleuths, and the perfect gift or stocking filler for all mystery fans. Delve into the funny festive Twelve Days of Christmas-themed treasure hunt mystery set at Mistlehurst Hall. Simply use your detective skills to discover which bird is hiding in the family tree, what the dancing ladies in the hall clock are hiding, and how faithful hound Monsieur Phideaux can help your investigation. Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel and maps to navigate, this bumper, brain-busting Christmas puzzle book provides fun for the whole family to enjoy!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
The Christmas Wish-tastrophe
Cariad Lloyd and Ma Pe

ON a dark Christmas evening when all seems lost, you just need some magic to light the way forward... Enjoy the fun and festive frolics as writer, actor, comedian, podcaster and improviser Cariad Lloyd dishes up a sparkling Christmas adventure full of heart, humour and a hungry sausage dog called Colin. When Lydia Marmalade makes a wish on the most magical night of the year, little does she know the chaos she is about to unleash. Could one simple wish start a... wish-tastrophe? When Lydia arrives at Lady Partridge’s large mansion Peppomberley, it’s because her widowed mum has died and she has had to leave her home with nothing to her name except her faithful dog, Colin. Lady Partridge – part of a rich family her mother had known years ago – isn’t at all keen to make Lydia part of the family. And if Lydia doesn’t behave herself until the end of the winter season, she will cast her off entirely even though with her mother gone, Lydia doesn’t have anywhere else to live. Helped (and often hindered) by a mischievous winter sprite, a grumpy butler and a hungry Colin, Lydia makes a wish on the most magical night of the year... with unexpected results! Italian cartoonist and illustrator Ma Pe’s gorgeous illustrations add extra life and soul to Lloyd’s fun and funny, but also powerfully emotive, seasonal romp. Everything you could wish for at Christmas!
(Hodder Children’s Book, hardback, £14.99)

Age 9 plus
Maggie Blue and the Lost Child
Anna Goodall

FINDING Light in a dark world has never been more relevant than it is today and the third and final book in Anna Goodall’s coruscating middle-grade Maggie Blue trilogy burns brightly long after the last page has turned. Inspired by her interest in animals (including talking ones!), other worlds, families and friendship, Goodall’s thrilling, thought-provoking debut series stars a troubled 12-year-old girl thrust into terrifying adventures and discovering the power of friendship, courage and simply being yourself. In her last spectacular outing, Maggie Blue finds herself in the Dark World alone and marooned with a strange and unknown baby that refuses to be parted from her. The world has become dominated by climate disasters, and wars are breaking out around them between the surviving people and the witches. Maggie has a single quest she must fulfil, but at what cost... to her and her friends, Hoagy, the grumpy talking cat, Joan and Ida, Oz and the umons, who are desperate to save her? As the portals between the Dark World and her world start to crumble one by one, Maggie faces a terrible choice... to save herself and her friends or to sacrifice everything she has for the sake of the Dark World. Tingling with a tangible current of emotion, and with thrill-a-minute dangers in the chilling and mercenary Dark World where Maggie and Hoagy must fulfil their destiny, this exhilarating final book in the Costa-shortlisted fantasy trilogy ends with a hair-raising climax that will have readers on the edge of their seats. The ideal gift book for all fearless adventurers!
(Guppy Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
Fia and the Last Snow Deer
Eilish Fisher and Dermot Flynn

BE swept away to snowy, pre-historic Ireland for a timeless verse novel about hope, kindness and the power of friendship from exceptional new writing talent Eilish Fisher who grew up in America but has lived most of her life in Ireland. Brought to life by the stunning illustrations of Dermot Flynn, this is a powerful and visually and verbally beautiful story that both haunts and impresses. Born under the same solstice sky thirteen years ago, Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection. But as Fia’s villagers face a seemingly eternal winter, they turn their sights to Solas and an ancient prophecy that promises the return of sunlight and life... if the ultimate sacrifice is made. Refusing to allow the worst to happen, Fia and her cousin Mish run from the village with Solas, seeking out the Deer Mother, the mythical being who wakes the sun at the winter solstice and who might be their only hope. But the wilderness is harsh and shadows lurk at every turn. Can they make it to the Deer Mother and if they do, what choices will Fia face to bring back the sun and save her village? Through lyrical verse, Fisher creates an immersive fantasy world that opens amidst Flynn’s dynamic illustrations cloaked in darkness, and ends with the golden shades of solstice shining through. A tender and exquisitely imagined story of hope illuminated by mesmerising magic...
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
A Story of the Seasons
Anna Wilson and Carolina Rabei

DISCOVER the secrets of the changing seasons in this enchanting nature gift book. Written by Anna Wilson, and beautifully illustrated by Moldovan artist Carolina Rabei, National Trust: A Story of the Seasons encourages readers to spot the hidden life all around them in every season, from urban parks and gardens to wild estuaries and woodlands. Published by Nosy Crow in collaboration with the National Trust, the book is both informative and visually stunning as readers follow wildlife season by season, finding out about the exciting, and sometimes surprising, stories of the animals, plants and places you see around you. Meet tiny tadpoles growing into frogs in spring and colourful butterflies clustering around wildflowers. Find out how birds build their nests, why badgers have stripes, why leaves change colour and what makes high tides happen. Follow hedgehogs as they find safe places to hibernate among the falling autumn leaves, and birds searching for berries to eat during the coldest winter months. Discover the stories of eight different habitats through the year and find out about the plants and animals living in each one. From spring meadows to summer seas, and autumn parks to winter woodlands, there is something to see in every season. Wonderful wildlife for the whole family to treasure!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £20)

Age 7 plus
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 2025
Ripley’s

SPARK your children’s curiosity, fire up their imaginations, and entertain them for hours on end with the rip-roaring 2025 edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! No Christmas is complete without Ripley’s, a world famous compendium of strange-but-true facts developed by American cartoonist Robert Leroy Ripley as a cartoon strip in the years after the First World War. Guaranteed to amaze and entertain children and adults alike, this annual book treat dishes up a unique blend of weird stories and bizarre facts gathered from all over the world. This year, you can marvel at the ice caves of Alaska, find out what very unusual food Icelanders eat at their traditional mid-winter feast, discover why Lucas the penguin has to wear rubber boots, hear about the woman who sailed down the Missouri River in a giant hollowed-out pumpkin, and take the ‘Funny Bones’ test to see whether you can match photographs of skeletons to their animal owners. Jaw-droppingly brilliant!
(Century, hardback, £22)

Age 6 plus
The Arctic Fox
Holly Webb and David Dean

MUCH-LOVED children’s author Holly Webb is enchanting young readers again with the eleventh heartwarming adventure in her adorable Winter Wildlife Stories series. Webb has written over 100 books for youngsters and in this delightful Christmas story, we meet Ellie who is so excited to spend her Christmas family holiday in Lapland. They are going to visit Santa, go on a reindeer sleigh ride and watch the Northern Lights. She has even dreamed about seeing her favourite animal... the Arctic fox. Ellie’s parents say this is unlikely, though, as hunting has left the species endangered. But when she hears a strange whining noise in the middle of the night, she follows the sounds and discovers a little Arctic fox caught in a trap. Can Ellie rescue him in time? David Dean provides the gorgeous black and white illustrations for this beautifully created adventure which is guaranteed to capture the heart of any child who can’t resist the magic of animals!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Anne of Green Gables:
Illustrated Gift Edition
Katherine Woodfine and Isabelle Follath

IF you’re looking for an extra special Christmas gift book, this glorious, illustrated retelling of L.M. Montgomery’s classic tale of Anne of Green Gables, set amidst the rural and coastal splendours of Canada’s King Edward Island, could be the answer. A timeless adventure – written by Lucy Maud Montgomery who was born in 1874 – the stories of Anne with an ‘e’ as she moves to Green Gables have enchanted generations of children and are now available in this stunning Nosy Crow Classics gift book edition. When the spirited orphan Anne Shirley is adopted by two farmers and goes to live at Green Gables – a beautiful farmhouse set among the summer flowers of Prince Edward Island – she quickly realises there has been a terrible mistake. Her new family – gentle Matthew and his stern sister Marilla – weren’t expecting a little red-headed girl who is chatty and charming, but also has a wild imagination and an even wilder temper! Will Anne succeed in captivating Matthew and Marilla with her good cheer and endless imagination? The relatable adventures and misadventures of Anne are brought to life for a new generation in this delightful, abridged retelling by bestselling Lancashire author Katherine Woodfine and illustrator Isabelle Follath’s full-colour, engaging and witty artwork. Beautifully produced, printed on luxurious paper, and with a foiled, textured jacket, cloth binding and ribbon marker, this sumptuous new classic is a joy to look at, a delight to read aloud, and an ideal gift.
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £16.99)

Age 3 plus
Santarella
Suzy Senior and Lucy Semple

DOES Cinderella dream of marrying a charming prince? Certainly not in this brilliantly feminist twist on the traditional fairy tale from the top team of author Suzy Senior and illustrator Lucy Semple! It’s more a case of Santa meets Cinderella in this funny rhyming romp which takes Cinders round the world and back in the twinkling of an eye. Oh no, it’s a chilly, frosty Christmas Eve and Santa’s hurt his back. He cannot fly the sleigh or even lift his sack. Is Christmas ruined? Not if Cinderella has anything to do with it! Leaving her mean step-sisters behind, she offers to give Santa a hand, and – along the way – travels across the world. But Santa has one more gift in his sleigh. Could it be the chance for Cinderella to write her own happy-ever-after? Senior’s addictive, rollicking rhyme and Semple’s richly detailed and comical illustrations are the perfect match for this retelling of the classic fairy tale which challenges stereotypes and is a joy to read aloud. Festive magic on every page!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Tales from Muggleswick Wood
Vicky Cowie and Charlie Mackesy

THE timeless, rural magic of Muggleswick Wood is just waiting to be discovered... and you won’t want to miss all the fun, humour and adventures! Bedtime reads are surely an essential part  of a child’s everyday life so dive into the quintessentially English countryside and meet some unforgettable characters with this perfectly beautiful treasury of woodland stories from debut author Vicky Cowie and illustrator Charlie Mackesy. Based on Cowie’s own childhood as the youngest of ten children growing up near Muggleswick Woods National Nature Reserve near Durham – home to some of the finest ancient sessile oak woodlands in the North East of England – this gloriously written and illustrated book contains five interlinked bedtime stories. ‘At last, there before them, the great oak trees stood, As the sun cast its beams through the boughs of the wood...’ Share adventures with a little girl as she meets new friends... the gnome, the dragonfly, two gargoyles and a brown bellied frog, meet a magical May beetle who makes wishes come true and visit a stately pile that has a secret inhabitant. From fairy revels and mysterious kelpies to troublesome moles and wishing beetles, these charming stories, told in flawless rhyme, and stunningly illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, are inspired by Cowie’s love of nature, animals and her happy family life. Complete with the atmospheric charm of Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood, and bursting with youthful joie de vivre, the Muggleswick Wood bedtime stories were written for Cowie’s own children... and now the magical world she created is set to spread happiness far beyond her own home!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Book, hardback, £20)

The Last Song of Winter

Lulu Taylor

A BEAUTIFUL, wild and windswept island off the coast of Pembrokeshire might look like a jewel shimmering in the ocean… but it is also the home of dark secrets that are just waiting to be unearthed.

Lulu Taylor (pictured below), queen of a string of classic winter-warming novels like Her Frozen Heart, The Winter Secret and A Midwinter Promise, dishes up all those favourite reading ingredients for a gripping and emotion-packed, dual-timeline story that was just made for log-fire reading on long, cold evenings.

Filled with this insightful writer’s acute observations on family relationships, beautifully drawn characters, and the all too recognisable slings and arrows of life and fate, The Last Song of Winter is a vivid, haunting story of theatrical glamour and forbidden love, wartime tragedy and a remote island with a dark history.

In Hampstead in 1938, young and romantic Veronica Mindenhall and her sister Billie live a seemingly charmed life with their wealthy parents. Their father is an actor and producer and their home is often filled with the stars of the theatre and music hall.

Veronica frequently falls in and out of love with some of their visitors but when she meets handsome young film star Jack Bannock, she is hit with ‘a great lightning bolt’ and secretly gives herself ‘body and soul’ to him.

Her other passion is St Elfwy, the beautiful island off Pembrokeshire owned by her family, and when war breaks out, the isolated bird haven becomes her retreat... a refuge from the conflict and a place to recover from lost love. But even peaceful St Elfwy cannot prevent tragedy and heartbreak.

Eighty years later, would-be author Romy Stevenson arrives on St Elfwy, now a trust-owned bird sanctuary and retreat, after gaining permission to stay at the remote island’s tiny Clover Cottage to write a book and where she will have only the enigmatic warden, an ‘oddball loner’ called Richard, for company.

However, Romy – who is escaping from a long-standing personal nightmare and hopes it won’t follow her St Elfwy – is not worried about the isolation, devoting herself instead to understanding the lure of this beautiful, haunting place and happily escaping into the past to discover the mystery behind an iconic film and the tale of Veronica Mindenhall. But warden Richard regards her as just another ‘spoiled’ city woman and behind its raw, ethereal charm, and the famous but eerie Singing Caves, St Elfwy hides stories of betrayal and loss... and it will be a perilous path to discover its dark and decades-old secrets.

Set against a stunningly atmospheric backdrop ‘where you can taste the pure air and the salty tang of the sea,’ and see ‘the guillemots dance,’ this evocative and romantic tale – is a classic wintertime treat. Weaving seamlessly between the lives of two generations of women – both battling their own demons and both drawn to an island that harbours terrible secrets that have festered over many decades – Taylor explores the pain of loss, mental illness and betrayal, and the sense of release that comes from truth, discovery, peace and redemption.

At the centre of the story is the irresistible St Elfwy, a breathtaking island sanctuary nestling in splendid isolation in the sea off the picturesque coast of Wales where troubled souls retreat in the hope of finding solace and inspiration amidst nature’s matchless wonders and birds of every hue. Turbo-powered by emotion, love, angst and drama, and with a satisfying twist in its feathered tail, this winter-warming romance is best imbibed with a glass of gently warmed, mulled wine!
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

All I Want for Christmas

Karen Swan

YOU know that the festive season is well and truly on its way when a Karen Swan Christmas cracker wends its way enticingly to the top of the charts and the front of the bookshelves.

And this year, the queen of epic romances sweeps us away to the alluring sights of Copenhagen – the city of glittering snow and twinkling lights – where an art history student is out of love and longing for a special someone to put magic into her Christmas gloom.

Author of big festive hitters like Midnight in the Snow, The Christmas Party, Christmas Under the Stars and Christmas By Candlelight, Swan (pictured below)  is an expert at delivering sack-loads of love, mystery, atmospherics and drama… and this enchanting story featuring three first dates and an art world discovery sparkles like a frost-filled morning. Christmas in Copenhagen is a magical time of year but Darcy Cotterell isn’t feeling festive. Newly single – again – after her boyfriend Lars cheated on her, she’s not even going home for Christmas. Instead the 26-year-old will be spending her holiday finishing her art history thesis.

But her best friend Freja – in the throes of her own torrid love affair – has other ideas and signs up Darcy to a dating app, determined that she won’t be lonely this Christmas. Darcy agrees to three blind dates... but her mind is firmly on work and not play.  

An unknown portrait by Denmark’s greatest painter is discovered beneath another masterpiece and Darcy is charged with discovering the identity of the woman in the painting. With no name or any supporting evidence to work with, she must utilise all her research skills to find a ghost.

Working closely with the most powerful figures in the art scene, she encounters sexy, arrogant corporate lawyer Max Lorensen who just happens to be Copenhagen’s bachelor number one and whose charm lures her into his dizzying orbit and makes her feel ‘beautiful, seductive; powerful, even.’ The mutual attraction would seem to be instant but, knowing they must work together, they abandon the match... or try to. But their feelings are undeniable... until Darcy discovers that Max has an agenda.

From first page to last, this is a captivating and multi-layered wintertime odyssey which moves between a simmering, shimmering romance in the present and a heartbreaking mystery from the past... and along the way, treats readers to a dazzling array of superbly portrayed characters. Sprinkled throughout with Swan’s trademark twists and turns, human insight, cosy charm, and eye for comedy, this is the ideal warm-up for the Christmas holiday season.
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

Home for Christmas

Heidi Swain

IN the cosy community of Wynbridge, there are secrets just waiting to be revealed... and when you add a sprinkling of fairy dust and a generous helping of Christmas magic, the stage is set for a delicious festive feast!

Anyone who has had their spirits lifted by Swain’s gorgeous novels, Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square, Poppy’s Recipe for Life, The Winter Garden and That Festive Feeling, will already know the small community living in a hidden corner of the bustling city of Norwich.

Swain (pictured below), who lives with her family in picturesque south Norfolk, won thousands of hearts with her enchanting stories set in Wynbridge, the fictional Fenland town where love blossoms whatever the season. And now she has found an idyllic city hideaway for heartwarming and entertaining stories which showcase her talent for blending escapist romance, domestic drama and a perfectly imagined cast of characters with real-life challenges in the modern world.

So if you yearn to catch up with some familiar names – and a delightful bunch of new ones – then meet Bella who is living her best life in Wynbridge with her beloved King Charles spaniel Tink. She has found a way to keep the house she inherited from her grandparents while expanding her dream online business – Away With the Fairies – and she’s ecstatic that Christmas is on the horizon.

In fact, everything is perfect until family friend, Catherine Connelly, asks Bella if she’d be willing to rent part of the house to freelance author Jude who is researching the architecture and history of the Connelly Clan and their family seat, Wynthorpe Hall, ahead of turning his findings into a book. The plan had been for Jude to stay at the hall but, a man who likes to keep himself to himself, he can’t cope with the chaos and Bella reluctantly agrees to open her door to him. Initially, the pair clash but then friendlier feelings begin to grow and Bella finds herself wondering if Jude could become more than just another guest before it’s time for him to leave. But then Jude announces that he has no time for Christmas and with her favourite time of the year suddenly in jeopardy, will Bella ever feel like she’s truly home for Christmas?

Enjoy emotion, drama, romance, friendship and a comforting sense of community as Swain rolls out her magical tale of love, hope, renewal and that trademark snow-sprinkled glow which wraps itself around you like a cosy blanket of love, warmth and laughter. And with its tasty festive concoction of real-life dilemmas, heart-fluttering romance, canine comedy and a heartwarming happy-ever-after, this is the perfect Christmas book hug.
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £9.99) 

The Christmas Cottage

Sarah Morgan

CHRISTMAS wouldn’t be Christmas without the gift of a beautiful, winter-warming story from much-loved author Sarah Morgan (pictured below).

Real-life human dramas, painful secrets, heart-fluttering romance and oodles of festive spirit – all delivered with Morgan’s trademark warmth and humour – are the special ingredients for this seasonal reading treat.

Imogen loves her job as an events organiser. She’s a natural (if not obsessive) multitasker and her colleagues are in awe of her. But Imogen isn’t the person she pretends to be, and she’s hiding painful truths about her past. 

But as long as she can keep on top of her work, Imogen can put everything else to one side. And then she makes a catastrophic mistake at work, and finally realises it’s time to reset. 

When her favourite client, Dorothy, invites her to spend Christmas with her and her family in her cottage in the Cotswolds, it sounds like the perfect way for Imogen to take stock.

Finding happiness at Christmas, Imogen soon settles into idyllic cottage life, especially with the prospect of a new romance on the horizon... but when long-buried secrets and unwanted faces from the past resurface, Imogen’s new peace is threatened. Will she end up alone this Christmas, or can she find it in her heart to forgive those who have hurt her and move on?

There is so much to enjoy in this new slice of unputdownable Morgan magic… a seductive, snow-sprinkled cottage in the stunning Cotswolds, that irresistible and uplifting sense of feelgood that imbues this author’s wonderful stories, and a romance to set your own heart on fire. Cosy up because the Christmas season is well and truly underway!

(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

Playing Nice

JP Delaney 

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare… A knock at the door and there stands a stranger claiming that the child you have cherished for two years isn’t yours. There was a mix-up at the hospital and two mothers left for home with the wrong babies.

There’s nothing quite like a baby switch mystery to get readers hooked, but this nail-biting, thought-provoking and utterly riveting thriller – soon to be a major ITV series starring James Norton and Niamh Algar – comes from a writer who never fails to put extra mind-bending firepower into every story that comes from his magic pen.

JP Delaney – who has penned fiction under other names – created waves in 2018 with The Girl Before, a blistering page-turner which featured a mesmerising exploration of obsession and deceit. The book was a runaway bestseller for Delaney (pictured below) and was followed by top ten bestsellers like Believe Me, The Perfect Wife, My Darling Daughter... and Playing Nice, a sensational baby-swap psychological thriller which melds domestic suspense with a slow-burn, terrifying menace.

Freelance journalist Pete Riley from Willesden Green in London has opted to be the stay-at-home dad to two-year-old son Theo while his partner Maddie, who works in advertising and had a traumatic birth, pursues her career.

Their lives are pretty uneventful until he answers the door one morning and lets in a nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, a stranger who breaks the devastating news that Theo isn’t actually his son.

A DNA test has shown that Theo is the son of Miles and Lucy Lambert, a well-heeled couple who live in upmarket Highgate. The babies – both born prematurely – were switched at birth by an understaffed hospital and Pete and Maddie’s real son, David, was sent home with the Lamberts.

For Pete (who thinks that love trumps paternity and genetics) and Maddie (who guiltily recalls that she found it difficult to bond with Theo), life will never be the same again, but the two families agree that rather than swap the boys back, they will try to find a more flexible way to share their children’s lives. Taking comfort in their shared good intentions to be ‘civilised’ about it, the four adults try to entwine their very different lives in the hope of becoming one unconventional modern family, but a plan to sue the hospital triggers an official investigation that unearths some disturbing questions about the night their babies were switched.

And when Theo is thrown out of nursery for hitting other children, Maddie and Pete have to ask themselves how far they want this arrangement to go. How much can they trust the real parents of their child, or even each other, and what secrets lie hidden behind the Lamberts’ glossy front door? Pete and Maddie soon discover they will each stop at nothing to keep their family safe…they are done playing nice.

It turns out that everyone has secrets in this gripping, probing and addictive exploration of just how far a parent will go to keep their child safe, as a dual narrative – alternating seamlessly between Pete and Maddie, and including flashbacks to the past – exposes disturbing revelations on both sides of the warring families.

Fascinating, timeless issues around parenting, and nature versus nurture, inevitably come into focus as the tension ratchets up and Pete and Maddie are stretched to an electrifying breaking point which takes us deep into a minefield of murder, lies, abuse and betrayal.

Delaney never disappoints and Playing Nice is an enthralling masterclass in character development and suspense. His creation here is a truly unsettling world where suspicions abound, danger lurks round every corner, and emotional power bleeds from the pages as hearts are broken and battle lines drawn. Expect ingenious twists and turns and a shocking finale that will blow your socks off… you have been warned!
(Quercus, paperback, £9.99)

A Lively Midwinter Murder

Katy Watson

IT was supposed to be a spectacular high society Christmas wedding at an ancient castle which stands proudly on a stretch of land between loch and sea in a remote corner of the wild and wonderful west coast of Scotland.

But trouble is brewing, snow is falling thick and fast, and dark secrets and family feuds fester beneath the surface of the celebrations. And when one of the guests is found dead in the snow outside the castle’s family chapel, it will need three amateur sleuths to track down the murderer.   

If you’re looking for that perfect wintertime read, pour yourself a glass of mulled wine and cuddle up with this delightful contemporary murder mystery which dishes up the vibes of the Christmas season and the va-va-voom of the much-loved Golden Age of crime writing. A Lively Midwinter Murder is the fourth wickedly clever book in Katy Watson’s (pictured below) entertaining Three Dahlias debut series which delivers vintage-style mysteries, and stars three rival actresses who have all played fictional 1930s detective Dahlia Lively on screen and are now making a name for themselves as the Three Dahlias and solving real-life murders.

So meet national treasure Rosalind King from the original movies, Caro Hooper, the TV Dahlia for thirteen seasons, and ex-child star Posy Starling who came fresh out of the fame wilderness and took on the Dahlia mantle for a brand new movie.

The three women and their partners have travelled north for what they hoped would be an exciting winter getaway at Dunwick Castle in the the Scottish Highlands where their friend, Libby McKinley, is to marry the new laird, Duncan Alexander, in a special service on Christmas Eve afternoon.

But all is not well at the castle... an unidentified body has washed up on a nearby beach and bride-to-be Libby is nervous after receiving an anonymous warning telling her to leave. And then there’s the long-standing feud between the Alexanders and the Blackwells, and the ‘invisible but inviolable’ line that is drawn between the neighbouring families. When a fierce snowstorm cuts off the castle from the mainland and tensions reach breaking point, the dead body of one of the guests is found in the snow outside the family chapel... a body wearing a wedding dress and a stolen diamond necklace.

The Dahlias had hoped for roaring fires and romance this Christmas but now they are on the trail of a murderer... and if their suspicions are correct, it looks like the wedding may be off. Can the three sleuths save the day, and ensure their friends get a happy ever after?

Watson, who spent her teenage holidays reading paperback Agatha Christies, always dreamt of writing her own crime novel and these delightful Three Dahlias tales – with their addictive mix of satirical humour, devilishly clever plotting and superbly drawn characters – are a dazzling celebration of the Golden Age crime she loved so dearly.

Add on the alluring and atmospheric backdrop of wintertime at a snowed-in castle – a formidable fortress perched uncertainly ‘between earth and water’ – and you have an exquisitely Christmassy setting for this festive feast of vintage-style mystery and murder with a delicious modern twist! Cosy crime with a glitzy, glamorous, seasonal glow!
(Constable, hardback, £16.99)

A Backstage Betrayal

Michael Ball

THERE'S no business like showbusiness especially when it comes to life in the theatre... but when there are dark secrets lurking behind the curtains, the drama isn’t always just on stage.

Take your seats, dim the lights and enjoy the show as singer, actor, presenter, and now author, Michael Ball (pictured below) brings his thirty years of musical theatre wit and wisdom to the second ‘act’ of an exhilarating series played out against the fascinating back and front stage life of a Yorkshire theatre in the Twenties.

Packed with insider knowledge, a dazzling cast of diverse characters, and a plot that would be worthy of any stage performance, The Empire series is turning out to be a theatrical treat that has won a multitude of hearts and plenty of reading encores. Top of the bill are 46-year-old Lady Lillian Lassiter, widowed co-owner of the Empire, her son Jack Treadwell, the manager and erstwhile proprietor, and his playwright wife Grace, and the year is 1926 when times are hard at the theatre in the Yorkshire town of Highbridge.

The post-war period has brought with it a lot of turbulence and Jack, Lillian, and Grace know they need to get things back on track. So what could be better than the annual pantomime and an all-singing all-dancing talent contest, showcasing the best performers around.

But could Lillian’s new admirer, Grand Duke Nikolai Kuznetsov of Marakovia, be bringing disaster in his wake, will the Empire get caught up in the scandal surrounding West End star Stella Stanmore, and what are their enemies in Highbridge planning? While Jack and Grace fight to ensure the show does go on, a high-ranking British royal visitor raises the stakes, and a young widow called Sally Blow dares to dream that the talent contest might be her big break. But as the contest draws closer, tragedy strikes... it seems that amid the sequins and sparkle there are strange goings-on, and a plot is afoot. Is everything Jack and Grace have worked so hard for about to come crashing down, and could this be curtains for the Empire?

The inner workings of the magical world of theatre spring to glorious life in this glitzy, glamorous but also gritty and down-to-earth tour of the majestic Empire and the many and varied people who work to keep the stage lights burning and the show alive and kicking. Ball certainly knows his stuff and it shines through in this mesmerising and authentic portrayal of theatre life as we peer into the backstage ups and downs, tread the boards with the actors, witness the cut-throat nature of theatre management, and follow the staff and players’ personal and professional dramas and dilemmas.

Stars of the show are undoubtedly Jack – whose blood fizzes and thrums to the beat of the theatre –and his feisty wife Grace, the Empire’s young stalwarts whose exuberance and addictive enthusiasm add extra zest to the performance and bring a welcome light to some of the darker corners of the story.

With secrets and scandals, intrigue, glamour and romance, and all the excitement and vibrancy of a theatre with its heroes and villains, there is never a dull moment from curtain rise to the final, action-packed showdown. Indeed, you might say that the Empire has everything a top-notch production requires… the next act can’t come a moment too soon!
(Zaffre, hardback, £20) 

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A feast of fantasy, dazzling sci-fi and the gift of love

Enjoy a master storyteller’s unforgettable adventure set in an epic world of fantasy and realism, inspire the imaginations of young sci-fi fans with a dazzling anthology of retold classic science fiction stories, enjoy an adorable novelty picture book just made for your loved ones, and take flight with a swallow who goes against the flock with a sparkling new selection 

Age 9 plus
Jed Greenleaf
Kieran Larwood and David Wyatt

A BATTLE for power in a magical kingdom becomes an unforgettable adventure in a thrilling standalone novel from master storyteller Kieran Larwood whose imagination is as boundless as the epic worlds he creates. With intriguing references to folklore, and real English history unearthed from the brief Tudor reign of doomed Lady Jane Grey, Larwood’s love affair with nature shines through every dark and delightful corner of this atmospheric story which is filled with fantastical characters and brought to life by the richly detailed illustrations of David Wyatt.

Albion city is governed by a puppet queen, secretly controlled by Lord Cromwell, and strange magic is afoot as six power-hungry Guilds all compete to rule alongside the queen. But hidden plots and secret schemes make the contest unfair and the strongest guilds are about to wipe out the weakest. Although the Leaf Guild is the weakest of them all, no one has reckoned with young orphan Jed Greenleaf who has been adopted by the guild and found to have the extraordinary ability to transform into a half-tree, covered over with bark. He just needs to learn how to harness that power before he is thrown into battle for his guild’s survival. Could he be the hero that the Leaf Guild needs to win at the Punchbowl tournament? It just might be that this year Jed can turn over a new leaf in the history books, and bring glory to the decaying guild and peace to Albion.

The top team of Larwood and Wyatt – creators of the hugely popular The World of Podkin One-Ear rabbit world series – work their magic again on this spectacular blend of fantasy and realism as we follow Jed’s blossoming from bullied worrier to fearless warrior. It’s a truly breathtaking adventure, filled with magical oak forests, dastardly villains and sparkling dryads, and starring a hero who – against all odds – finds the courage and determination to right wrongs, fight evil, and win battles. A fabulous feast of fantasy!
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 9 plus
Tales from Beyond the Stars: A Collection of Classic Science Fiction Stories
Adam Roberts and Evangeline Gallagher

INSPIRE the imaginations of young sci-fi fans with this dazzling anthology of classic science fiction stories, cleverly retold to make them accessible to children, and brought to life by rich and colourful artwork. Long before humans ventured into outer space, writers spun stories of what might lie in the unknown worlds beyond our planet and speculated about the future. Journey into the mysteries of the universe with striking retellings of seven classic science fiction stories and marvel at the boundless imagination of classic sci-fi writers like H.G. Wells and Mary Shelley. From tales of space exploration to time travellers and alien invaders, this striking anthology – written by award-winning British novelist Adam Roberts and spectacularly illustrated by Baltimore artist Evangeline Gallagher, is the perfect introduction to the world of science fiction. Tales from Beyond the Stars includes The Star by H.G. Wells, Micromegas by Voltaire, The Last Man by Mary Shelley, From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne, Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells and Buck Rogers: Armageddon 2419 AD by Philip Francis Nowlan.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £20)

Age 8 plus
Disney Modern Classics: Lilo & Stitch
Sally Morgan

RELIVE the magic of the Academy Award-nominated Lilo & Stitch with this beautiful hardback gift book featuring an eye-catching foiled cover and a captivating retelling of the animated film. A family favourite, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is one of the best-loved films of contemporary times and now you can discover the paintings, sketches and concept art from the original Walt Disney Animation Studio artists. Also featured is a foreword by Fox F. Carney, Manager, Research at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and when readers turn to the back of the book, they can learn more about the artists who worked on this iconic animated film. Disney’s forty-second animated feature film, Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 and has gone on to become a huge commercial success. A dazzling deluxe gift book that will be treasured by Lilo & Stitch fans of all ages.
(Studio Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Official Guide
Stephanie Milton

GET creative with this colourful and invaluable official companion to the bestselling Disney Dreamlight Valley game which is a hybrid between a life-sim and an adventure game. It follows players as they decide to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and return to their old rural home, falling asleep in their old backyard play area and entering a dream world as their memories of childhood return. The game is rich with quests, exploration and engaging activities featuring Disney and Pixar friends, both old and new, and this guide is packed with information and tips to help players progress and make the most of their Valley. Learn how to gather resources, earn Star Coins and Dreamlight, work on your friendships, complete mysterious quests and get creative to build a magical Valley for everyone to enjoy. Section One explains everything you need to know about the Valley, its inhabitants, its resources and its secrets, and will show you where to look for rare resources, how to make meals, which gifts will earn you the most friendship points, tried and tested methods for befriending critters and the best ways to earn Star Coins. Section Two is where the fun really begins... it’s full of inspiration to help players landscape, design and decorate their Valley, as well as interior design ideas for the home, and instructions on how to use the Touch of Magic creative tool for clothing and furniture customisation. Including behind-the-scenes details from the game developers, and information about the paid expansion, A Rift In Time, this is the must-have guide for Dreamlight Valley fans.
(Studio Press, paperback, £10.99)

Age 7 plus
Disney Stitch: ´Ohana Means
Family: Musings on Everyday Life
Denise Shimabukuro

FIND comfort and calm on a journey of discovery with this beautiful book written by author Denise Shimabukuro who was inspired by cherished memories of a childhood spent in Hawai´i. With themes of friendship, family and togetherness, and with Disney film characters Stitch, Lilo and Nani at the centre of these musings on everyday life, the book celebrates being wrapped by the Aloha Spirit that unites all those living in the islands as one ´ohana. Sharp and sweet as only life can be, Lilo and Stitch’s messages hit hearts with the plainest of truths... let the simple things that really matter be the bond that unites us all. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations of Stitch, Lilo, Nani and their extended, one-of-a-kind ´Ohana, the book journey invites readers to find hope, calm and reassurance within each page. And it’s through the characters’ various attitudes and feelings that readers learn to rediscover the little things in life, the true relationships, the caring for others and the moments you can treasure and remember forever. The perfect gift for your loved ones.
(Studio Press, hardback, £9.99)

Age 6 plus
From The Heart
Samantha Sweeney and Ella Bailey

‘This book is jam-packed full of love – a treasure for us two. It shows how much you mean to me... a gift from me to you!’ 

HEARTS will be melting at this season of giving with an adorable novelty picture book just made for your loved ones from the top team of author Samantha Sweeney and illustrator Ella Bailey. With flaps to write under and pockets to store precious memories, photos and keepsakes, From The Heart can be personalised to create a unique keepsake for special family members or friends. Every page contains interactive elements such as decorative flaps, photo frames and envelopes where you can express your love to make a unique and treasured gift. Bailey’s cute, eye-catching illustrations blend perfectly with Sweeney’s lyrical, rhyming text to convey universal themes of love, friendship and shared memories all within one utterly heartwarming book.  The heartfelt gift of love!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn
Harriet Evans and Nic Jones

DISCOVER the wonders of nature at night in a spectacular lift-the-flap book full of colour, learning and fun. Young imaginations will be filled with enchantment and curiosity as they travel through the pages of this innovative and entertaining book from inventive publisher Little Tiger Press. Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn offers a stimulating approach to presenting facts and with colourful illustration full of split-page flaps to lift and amazing facts to discover. Journey from the woods at dusk to the lofty Himalayan Mountains and the sweltering deserts, and learn all about the natural world which thrives after the sun goes down. With its gently informative format, the book is full of fascinating facts about the animals and plants which exist in all kinds of climates and habitats, while the split pages allow readers to explore each landscape in a uniquely immersive way. See which night-time wildlife can be found in the open and which stay hidden within their shadowy habitats. Full of Harriet Evans’ bite-sized facts and all brought to vivid life by the enchanting, muted tones of Nic Jones’ beautiful illustrations, this is an exciting and child-friendly way to let youngsters see the world of wildlife at night, and the perfect book for bedtime reading.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
I’ll Love You Till the Crocodiles Smile
Kathryn Cristaldi and Kristyna Litten

‘I will love you till forever and forever and more, till my love shakes the jungle with a lion-size ROAR, as night blankets the forest near a soothing waterfall and the chimpanzees sleep in trees, two hundred feet tall….’ 

LOVE shines out from every page of this lyrical and lovely picture book from the creative pairing of author Kathryn Cristaldi and illustrator Kristyna Litten who brought young readers I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home. With its tender tone, gentle humour and bold and colourful illustrations, this story of unconditional love is the perfect cosy and comforting bedtime read... and destined to become a favourite with both adults and children.
(HarperCollins360, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Swallow Who Stayed
Philip Giordano and Arielle Aaronson

TAKE flight with a swallow who goes against the flock with this beautiful and emotive picture book which celebrates friendship through the four season and is the work of Tokyo-based illustrator and animator Philip Giordano. Translated by Arielle Aaronson, The Swallow Who Stayed stars a swallow called Iris who decides to chart her own path and makes friends along the way. Iris, a curious swallow, asked the other birds: ‘What happens to the forest when we leave?’ But nobody knows the answer because no swallow had ever stayed long enough to see. And when it’s time for the swallows to fly South for the winter, Iris, who has always wondered what the winter is like, decides to stay. One by one, the leaves fall from the trees and the cold begins to settle. Soon an icy wind blows and big snowflakes tumble from the sky. Maybe staying for the winter was a mistake… until everything changes when Iris stumbles into the home of a squirrel. Giordano’s colourful, geometric artwork perfectly captures the changing seasons and the different skyscapes of morning and at night throughout the year in this heartfelt story which explores the unexpected surprises that can happen when we dare to do something different, and celebrates a friendship that lasts from winter to spring.
(Greystone Kids, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Fifi & Friends: The Super Car Race
Tamara Ecclestone Rutland and Amy Zhing

AN exciting new series celebrating girls and motorsports in a Formula 1 inspired debut picture book series by TV personality and mother-of-two Tamara Ecclestone Rutland, daughter of Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of the Formula One Group. While everyone loves the idea of a race, Tamara is passionate about teaching the younger generation how everyone should be treated with love and respect no matter their background, ability, gender or hobby. Fifi is a little girl who LOVES nothing more than tinkering about in her go-kart, whether it's fitting a new engine, inflating the tyres or painting it a shiny new pink. With a Super Car Race in the afternoon, Fifi's knowledge is soon put to the test! Can she help her friends before it's too late? Join Fifi & Friends as they whizz around the track and discover what friendship is all about. An action and fun-packed picture book that stars a cast of relatable children, with typically different likes and dislikes, and champions curiosity and determination.
(New Frontier Publishing, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Duck Who Came for Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dredemy

YOUNGSTERS will love getting their teeth into the fifth tasty picture book in Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dreidemy’s heartwarming and hilarious The Lamb Who Came for Dinner series. The Duck Who Came for Dinner sizzles with Smallman’s wit and warmth and French illustrator Dreidemy’s striking and characterful artwork as we meet up again with Wolf, Hotpot the lamb and their pet crocodile Omelette one windy day when a little duck blows into Wolf’s backyard. Wolf and Hotpot call her Apple, and together they nurse her wonky wing back to health. But though she may be small, Apple is one plucky duck and it’s not long before she is flying to their rescue when Hotpot’s kite-flying adventure turns sky high. Smallman’s clever, comical and cautionary tale encourages young readers to challenge stereotypes and expectation and look beyond the surface. The perfect book to share with your own special family and friends!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)