Is That You, Beth Cherry?

Lucy Dillon

EVERYONE deserves a second chance at love! Step into the troubled world of Beth Cherry and join her as she digs deep into her hidden reserves to take her life by the scruff of its neck… and become the hero of her own story. Is That You, Beth Cherry? is the latest warm, wise and witty romance from Lucy Dillon (pictured below) who grew up in Cumbria and is now the bestselling author of eleven novels set in the fictional market town of Longhampton.

Beth’s life, like the unfinished screenplay on her laptop, is stuck between chapters. Since her break-up with Fraser – which was not part of the script – she has retreated into a lonely working from home world of sweatpants, disordered hours and comfort eating. The one luminous constant in her life is her love for her rescue dog, Tomsk, and his for her.

When Beth’s house-share falls apart, she is thrown a lifeline by the least likely person… Fraser’s mother Martine who offers Beth and Tomsk a temporary space above her garage in which to start over.

Returning to Longhampton, scene of her happiest memories with Fraser and his family, feels like a second chance… might this be a sign that she and Fraser are meant to be?

But when Beth is recruited as a writer for a project called The Story of Your Life, she starts to gain more perspective on her own life. Run by the local retirement community, some of the stories she hears are heartwarming, some are heartbreaking. All of them, Beth notes, reveal a little more than the teller realises. And when she is sent an anonymous story of first love that threatens to destroy more than one family’s identity, Beth has to decide… is it sometimes better to keep a secret than reveal the truth? With its enchanting premise, a leading lady whose self-loathing cannot help but tug at the heartstrings, and a story of love and hope that crosses the generation divide, this gentle, insightful and thoroughly uplifting story will leave readers with the warmest of glows.
(Hodder & Stoughton, hardback, £20)

The French Guesthouse

Isabelle Broom

AS winter tightens its grip, take an unforgettable journey to sun-soaked France with this epic and drama-packed romance from Isabelle Broom (pictured below), acclaimed author of The Orange House. 

An emotive and richly compelling tale of complex relationships, generational trauma and the cathartic nature of forgiveness, The French Guesthouse features a vibrant cast of characters and a backdrop that will transport you into the beating heart of summertime.

On the night Fliss loses everything – her beloved hotel ravaged by fire and fiancé exposed as a cheat – she receives devastating news… her estranged mother has died. They hadn’t spoken for fifteen years and Fliss has stayed away for her own self-preservation.

Summoned to a dilapidated guesthouse in France for the reading of the will, Fliss is stunned to discover she has been left all her mother’s possessions. But the inheritance comes at a price… both literal and emotional. 

Sharing the house is Etienne, her mother's grief-stricken, wine-soaked partner, and his guarded yet magnetic nephew, Benoit.

As Fliss begins restoring the guesthouse, she unearths long-buried secrets about her mother, their past and the true cost of her long absence. But to move forward, cure her guilt and claim the love and happiness she has never thought she deserves, Fliss must first reckon with the hardest question of all… can she forgive?

Sometimes the only way to rebuild the future is to face the past you tried to escape and that is the message that speaks loudly and clearly in Broom’s heartfelt, wise and beautiful story which is guaranteed to uplift the soul and add warmth and colour to your winter blues.
(Hodder & Stoughton, paperback, £10.99)

Christmas at the Home Farm Vets

Suzanne Snow

CAN a young vet’s broken heart be mended amidst a snowy winter in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales? Spend Christmas in rural splendour as Lancashire-based author Suzanne Snow delivers a fun, festive and heartwarming romance set in her fictional Hartfell Village. 

Loved for her contemporary and uplifting novels which come with a vibrant sense of setting and community and connect the lives of her characters, Snow (pictured below) is inspired by her passion for landscape, romance and rural life.

Here we meet Erin Hardy who, ten years ago, had her heart broken by fellow vet student Oli Sterling. Now, he has returned on locum at Home Farm Vets and she is his landlord. 

All Erin wants is independence and security. All Oli does is travel the world in between working as locum at practices for a few months. So when he comes back into Erin's life, she knows it’s temporary, no matter the lingering looks he gives her.

With Christmas approaching, the vet practice is busier than ever, and Erin is surprised at how well she and Oli work together to help the animals of Hartfell. From sharing meals in her cramped cottage to meandering to the village fayre, the wall Erin has built around her heart begins to crumble.

But Oli’s contract is coming to an end and he has shown no sign of wanting to stay. Has she set herself up for another broken heart by the only man she has ever loved? Or will she realise that being independent sometimes means relying on others, and security comes with taking risks?

With a cast of both human and animal characters to enjoy, a picture perfect wintertime setting, a slow-burn romance, and themes of family, single parenthood and rural life, this is escapist reading with a warm heart and a wise head.
(Canelo Romance, paperback, £8.99)

Chef’s Kiss at the Chalet

Sookie Snow

TUCK into one of the tastiest Christmas treats you’ll find this festive season as Sookie Snow – the queen of small-town, seasonal romance and self-confessed lover of all things cosy, sweet and spiced – dishes up a fabulous feast of food and fun. 

Chef’s Kiss at the Chalet follows an ambitious young chef’s journey from London to the snow-covered charms of Maplewood Creek in America… only to find herself falling in love and torn between two worlds.

When Elle Evans lands a spot at London’s most prestigious culinary school, her dreams finally feel within reach. Desperate to scrape together the cash for her tuition, she accepts a last-minute agency position as a chalet girl, a job which whisks her away to Maplewood Creek, a quaint town nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Hired by the affluent Hawthorne family, Elle finds herself in a world of wealth, luxury and big egos, far removed from her humdrum everyday life. As she navigates the challenges of her new job, mastering gourmet dishes and catering to the whims of her discerning employers, she realises there’s something she hadn’t accounted for… Charles Hawthorne, the family’s charming and undeniably sexy eldest son.

Charles soon becomes an unexpected distraction for Elle… she can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between them. But, with Elle’s career aspirations hanging in the balance and Charles’s carefree lifestyle and family expectations putting a strain on their blossoming relationship, can this unlikely duo survive the season?

Slow-cook romance is the number one ingredient in this Christmas cracker which puts love on the menu and guarantees the feelgood factor from first course right through to the delicious dessert!
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

Just a Taste

Anise Starre

SERVING up those much-loved flavours of the Christmas season is a fun, fresh and flirty kitchen romance from Anise Starre, best known for love stories with a seductive hint of steam and spice.

The only thing personal chef Noelle Jones loves more than cooking is Christmas. She has a roster of extremely wealthy clients, including the elusive and stoic Alexander Hoxton, the kind of man women dream about… but who shatters the daydream when he opens his mouth. 

When he asks her to cook a last-minute business meal he’s having, offering triple her pay for the short notice, Noelle jumps at the chance. It’s easy money, one of her favourite dishes and she'll still have plenty of time to get to her family’s annual Christmas reunion. 

But, when a sudden blizzard leaves Noelle snowed in with Alexander, she quickly realises he wants absolutely nothing to do with anything festive. Stuck with a veritable grinch, she’s sure this Christmas is about to become one of her worst… With delicious dialogue, a large serving of angst, and heaps of sizzling seasonal skirmishes, feelings are definitely boiling over in this hot Christmas romance… and you wouldn’t want to miss it!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £9.99)

The Cat Share

Angela Jariwala

CAT lovers will be purring with delight when they meet up with greedy feline Oscar, star player in a warm and joyful rom-com from author Angela Jariwala (pictured below) who sadly died in December of 2021 before finishing this novel. 

Her legacy is this delightful tale, inspired by a true story, of two neighbours – strangers to each other – who find love courtesy of one sassy cat.

Sometimes it’s as simple as meeting the boy next door. Jenni lives alone with her cat Oscar – yes, she’s single but, after breaking up with her boyfriend, she’s more than content to be living alone. 

Sometimes she worries she might be playing things too safe but she’s had enough of taking risks. Ben is a firefighter and, if he’s honest, he’s finding life hard. 

The arrival of a small tabby cat, who Ben decides to call Fred, helps him feel less isolated. But then, one day, Ben decides to take a chance. Wanting to reassure Fred’s owner he’s not stealing their cat, he attaches a note to the cat’s collar. 

As the two neighbours start corresponding via the cat, their notes to each other reveal the truths they are hiding from even their closest friends… and themselves.

With themes of mental health and the healing power of love and friendship, this romantic feel-good romp is a perfect winter warmer. 
(Simon & Schuster, 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 feast 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, paperback, £9.99)

Small Acts of Resistance

Anita Frank

‘Sometimes in life, the greater courage is in realising the right thing is not always the best thing to do and altering your course accordingly.’

AS war rages across Northern France in May of 1915, brave soldiers put their lives on the line for king and country… but not all battles are fought on the frontline and sometimes courage, determination and the smallest acts of resistance can be found far from the front, and in the most unexpected places.

Anita Frank (pictured below) – who impressed both readers and critics with her stunning, award-winning debut, The Lost Ones, and followed up that success story with two more piercingly insightful novels, The Return and The Good Liars – sweeps us away to a small farmhouse in a rural French village where one all-female family must make impossible choices in their own perilous battle to save one young British airman’s life. Written in Frank’s impeccable, descriptive prose, delivering piercing insights into a tumultuous period of history, and tingling with the atmospherics that have become a hallmark of her novels, Small Acts of Resistance is a truly heart-rending and ultimately life-affirming story which explores love, loyalty, family relationships, fighting for survival, and heroism in all its different guises.

When his aircraft crash lands in Northern France in May of 1915, British airman Lieutenant Henry Farrier finds himself stranded behind enemy lines. He is not sure how long he can survive hiding out in woodland and has little choice but to try to set off on a dangerous course to the Dutch border.

What he hadn’t reckoned on was being discovered by schoolgirl Élodie who takes him back to the small farmhouse she shares with her older sister Marie and their grandmother Claudette Vaux who offers to hide him in a secret wall cavity that had once been used by her late husband when was smuggling tobacco over the border.

‘You won’t be the first person to be hidden within our walls,’ she tells Henry. ‘Not one of them has been found yet.’ From now on, Henry’s survival will depend on the courage and compassion of Claudette and her granddaughters, but Marie is far from happy with the plan, fearing that they will be shot by the Germans if Henry is discovered.

With their village already suffering under Occupation, and much of their food purloined by the enemy, Marie knows sheltering Henry will be immensely difficult and place the family in grave danger. And that peril only increases when two German officers – one a ruthless military man and the other a regimental doctor – are unexpectedly billeted with them.

Forced to live cheek by jowl with their occupiers, it takes all the besieged family’s cunning to keep Henry’s presence a secret but as the shadow of war spreads, loves awakens, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. But then love is put to the test and everyone’s loyalty is called into question… the fall-out from the choices they must now make will be felt long after the war is over.

Frank works her special storytelling magic on this gripping and emotionally charged tale, set behind the military lines and yet teeming with the same tensions and daily dangers faced by soldiers waging a brutal war in the trenches and airmen patrolling the shadowy skies of Northern France. At the centre of the story is the resolute matriarch Claudette who refused to abandon her home in the terrifying days when the Germans first advanced and has since then never once listened to her more cautious elder granddaughter’s pleas to leave, stoutly declaring that ‘no barbarian will drive me off my property.’

A tale of excruciating choices, loyalties tested to extremes, and the powerful bonds of family and friendship, Small Acts of Remembrance explores the experiences, emotional turmoil and claustrophobic intensity of a small group of people caught up in a the ever-increasing vortex of a deadly secret. But love – both romantic and familial – blossoms amidst the hiding and conniving, and we observe how the quiet courage, determination and resilience of Claudette and her granddaughters – who risk everything to help Henry – is no less heroic than the actions of soldiers on the nearby battlefield.

With each character exquisitely drawn, and Frank’s piercing psychological insight guiding us deep into the daily perils of hiding a wanted man in plain sight, this is a tale of humanity at its best and worst, and another unforgettable journey alongside an author at the top of her game.
(HQ, hardback, £20)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Sparkling Christmas titles with lots for your tots

The run-up to Christmas just got an extra glitter and glow with a magical selection of board books, picture books, activity books and gift books for the family’s youngest readers

Age 3 plus
The Boy Who Grew Dragons:
A Christmas Delivery
Andy Shepherd
and Sarah Warburton

ANDY Shepherd, author of the best-selling The Boy Who Grew Dragons series, works her special brand of magic on a fabulously festive picture book starring her two much-loved characters, Tomas and Lolli. Perfectly created for a younger audience, and with gorgeous colour illustrations by the talented Sarah Warburton, A Christmas Delivery really does deliver on charm, warmth, humour and heart. Tomas and Lolli love Christmas and they’re not the only ones! Their dragons love Christmas too but they have a habit of getting into trouble. When a brand-new snow dragon hatches on Christmas Eve, she unleashes a flurry of snow that transforms their dragon-growing garden into a winter wonderland. It's all fun and snowball fights to start with... but there’s one BIG downside. There’s now SO much snow that they won’t be able to deliver the Christmas presents in time! Can Tomas, Lolli, Grandad and the dragons work together to save Christmas? Shepherd’s writing has a special Christmas sparkle in this cosy, chaotic and winter-warming adventure which celebrates family, friendship and the joys of togetherness.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Tashi: 30th Anniversary Edition
Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg
and Kim Gamble

FOR thirty years, a little adventurer called Tashi has been delighting young children all over the world. And now this special, bumper anniversary edition of the classic series, written by Australian mother and daughter team Barbara and Anna Fienberg, and illustrated by another Australian, Kim Gamble, is once more spreading the magic of Tashi. Our little hero is as brave as he is clever, and he tells fabulous stories. Tashi escaped from a war lord in a faraway place and flew in on the back of a swan and wished he could find a friend just like Jack. In this, the first book of his daring adventures, Tashi tells Jack about the time he tricked the last dragon of all. There are two bonus short stories and the out-of-print classic Tashi and the Wicked Magician to enjoy in this beautiful gift book, plus never-before-seen illustrations from Gamble’s sketchbooks. Ideal for reading aloud, or for early readers to tackle themselves, and with themes of friendship, family, magic, dragons and courage, Tashi is on a mission to win over a whole new generation of fans!
(Allen & Unwin, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Where’s Stitch? Limited Christmas Edition

CAN you spot Stitch? Don’t miss out on all the fun packed inside Disney’s simply marvellous Limited Christmas Edition of the Lilo & Stitch search-and-find activity book featuring a brand new Christmas-themed scene! Brought to life by stunning, full-colour original illustrations, this updated Where's Stitch? activity book is available for a limited time only. Look for Lilo’s mischievous alien pet in jam-packed scenes from the beaches of Kaua’I to the Galactic Federation and back. And can you spot Stitch, Lilo and their 'Ohana friends amongst the Christmas festivities? Ideal for Marvel and Disney fans young and old, this beautifully created search-and-find book guarantees hours of entertainment!
(Studio Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Hotel Flamingo: Frosty Fiesta
Alex Milway

JOIN Anna and her lovable animal friends for the fantastic fifth adventure in screenwriter and author Alex Milway’s heartwarming Hotel Flamingo series which has captured the imaginations of scores of young children. Welcome to the snowiest hotel in town! Winter has arrived at Hotel Flamingo, the snow is falling heavily and while it’s usually a quiet time of year for Anna and her animal hotel, this year is shaping up a little differently. The hotel is full of guests taking part in the Winter White-out Games, from penguins to polar bears to snowboarding rabbits. On top of this, long-term hotel resident Mrs Turpington is preparing for her winter hibernation along with her fellow hibernating animals, and is expecting a party to be held for them. But can it go ahead when Hotel Flamingo is snowed in? Anna and her team will have to pull out all the stops to host the most magical frosty fiesta that Animal Boulevard has ever seen! Maybe less sun doesn’t mean less fun after all! Ideal as a first chapter book for new readers and full of Milway’s vibrant two-tone illustrations, this wild and wonderful, snow-sprinkled story is a perfect ‘warm-up’ for the Christmas season!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Spin a Story
Written by Mara Alperin and various authors and illustrated by Mariona Cabassa

SPIN, choose and discover! This gorgeously illustrated non-fiction adventure children’s gift book puts youngsters in charge of storytime with the simple twirl of a spinner. Enjoy true tales told in wonderful ways… and a new adventure each time you open the colourful Spin a Story. Twirl the spinner on the cover to land on one of four categories… Explore, Wonder, Laugh and Ooh! Pick a true tale within that category then read and relish a real-life tale. Then spin again to choose your next adventure. Land on green and choose from one of the Explore tales which includes red crab migration on Christmas Island and the best place to holiday in space. Spin to yellow for Wonder and be amazed by polar lights, coral reefs, and more. Twirl to orange for Laugh and have a giggle over the dinosaur riddle, discover how to tell a funny joke and find out about weird uses of wee. Then turn to blue for Ooh! And find surprising tales about slime, robots, talking plants, rocks that play music, and the reasons why kids are better than grown-ups. When you’re in charge, it’s double the fun!
(Red Shed, hardback, £14.99)

Age 4 plus
Fairy Shopping
Sally Gardner

YOUNG hearts will be stolen by this timeless, enchanting and heartwarming tale about shopping with the fairies in Silverbell Street, a beautifully detailed and nostalgic world. Fairy Shopping is a classic picture book from Costa and Carnegie-winning author and illustrator Sally Gardner and has been updated and modernised for a new generation of young readers. In Silverbell Street the shops are always open… if you believe in fairies. You can buy a cloak of invisibility or magic lamp, an umbrella that will transport you to the stars, eat flying fairy cakes at the Foxglove Restaurant, or join the fairies as they try on sparkly new dancing shoes and ball gowns. Familiar giants, fairies and witches will encourage children to find characters hidden in the illustrations. The perfect gift book for all lovers of fairyland!
(Zephyr, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
To Activate Space Portal Lift Here
Antoinette Portis

BEWARE! This book is an interstellar portal… and the aliens inside want to get to know you! Young imaginations will be taking flight when they open the pages of author and illustrator Antoinette Portis’s delightfully interactive picture book which lets children immerse themselves in all the drama of an alien encounter. So before you lift the cover, be sure you’re ready to meet Zrk and Blrg. They’re not so different from you… but to them, you’re the alien! After their initial shock at seeing you through the portal, they are eager to see what kind of teeth you have, compare home planets, and maybe team up for a prank. You met as aliens but by the time the portal closes, maybe you’ll be friends. Budding galactic explorers will love this fresh and playful book which is packed with Portis’s bright lines and bold colours, all paired perfectly with humour that also offers a subtle message about the concepts of ‘strangeness’ and acceptance. Whether for bedtime or circle time, this is a portal you’ll want to open!
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 4 plus
Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas
Jory John and Pete Oswald

DON'T miss a tasty wedge of Christmas fun with the latest adventure in bestselling author and illustrator team Jory John and Pete Oswald’s deliciously inventive Food Group picture book series. Starring the dynamic duo’s ever-popular character the Big Cheese, this colourful, foiled gift book includes a tear sheet of twelve holiday cards to keep little hands busy in the run-up to the big day. Every December, the Big Cheese hosts a gigantic jamboree with flashy decorations, sparkling outfits, extravagant gifts, ear-bursting music and jaw-dropping entertainment. It’s the Number One party in town and it can’t be beaten! But this holiday season, just hours before the festivities, disaster strikes and with no back-up plan in place, Big Cheese must call in a big favour to help save the big day. But will Christmas still be Christmas if it’s not quite so grand? In classic style, John and Oswald serve up a feast of life lessons in a Christmas-themed story that is hilarious, charming… and thought-provoking. So get ready for giggles galore as youngsters gorge on the antics of a Big Cheese who finally finds himself brought down to size!
(HarperCollins, hardback, £12.99)

Age 4 plus
The Humble Pie
Jory John and Pete Oswald

AND enjoy more food for thought as Jory John and Pete Oswald dish up more of their clever and comical life lessons in The Humble Pie, another of their tasty romps in the Food Group series. The Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks, they deserve it! But when he’s paired with his best friend, Jake the Cake, for a school project, he soon realises that staying in the shadows isn’t always as sweet as pie. Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new pie pal discovers that letting your voice be heard always takes the cake! Empowering, witty and packed full of wisdom, this super slice of home truths shows youngsters that it’s possible to be humble… and still show the world who you are and what you can do!
(HarperCollins, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Can You Spot? Wintertime
Kirsteen Robson and Gareth Lucas

TEST your spotting skills with this interactive search book featuring winter scenes with snowboarding squirrels and ice skating penguins. Find a snowboarding squirrel, a fox on a gift box and a slipper-skating penguin then look for the little white mouse hiding in every scene. 

The pages are packed with all kinds of animals and objects to spot, match and count. A simple text and picture prompts the searches and there are plenty more delightful details to find and talk about. A wintertime fun book… and the perfect warm-up for Christmas!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £5.99)

Age 3 plus
The Little Prince Jigsaw Book
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Louise Greig and Sarah Massini

FIRST published in France in 1943, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s tender and magical fable about love, friendship and adventure would become a classic across the world. The Little Prince was written by Saint-Exupéry while he was exiled in the United States from occupied France and just a year later, he disappeared over the Mediterranean while flying a reconnaissance mission for his French air squadron. The charming story, which features an extraordinary space-traveller on a journey through the stars, has been adapted as both a picture book, and now an illustrated jigsaw book, for a new generation of young readers by award-winning poet Louise Greig and critically acclaimed illustrator Sarah Massini. The six 12-piece jigsaw puzzles – which are embedded in the pages and can be played with time and time again – bring iconic scenes from the story to life and will enchant and entertain young readers.
(Farshore, board book, £14.99)

Age 3 plus
The Street Where Santa Lives
Harriet Howe and Julia Christians

EXCITING new writing talent Harriet Howe, and German illustrator Julia Christians, celebrate the joy of community and the magic of Christmas with a picture book that is guaranteed to touch the heart of every reader. When an old man moves in next door, everyone is too busy to notice, except one little girl. He’s got a white beard and a round tummy, and is very handy at repairing toys in his workshop… he must be Santa Claus! When the old man becomes unwell, the little girl hatches a plan to rally the whole street together to look after Santa. But will he be better in time for Christmas Eve? This playful, festive story sensitively explores the theme of looking out for the elderly, especially during the holiday season. With Christians’ beautiful, cosy illustrations and Howe’s gently humorous text, this heartwarming Christmas tale of imagination, kindness and wonder has all the hallmarks of a contemporary classic and will be treasured by all the family.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Sparkly Santa Sticker Book
Alice Beecham and Kathrin Fehrl

PUT sparkle into your children’s advent season with this super Santa sticker book. Join Santa as he prepares for the big night, checks his list, loads up his sleigh with the help of his elves, and flies all around the world with his trusty reindeer to deliver all the presents. And along the way, add a little magic to the enchanting scenes with over 160 sparkly stickers. Christmas magic at your fingertips! (Usborne Publishing, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
The Littlest Christmas Tree
Jane Chapman

BIG bear hugs all round in this gorgeous Christmas picture book from star author and illustrator Jane Chapman who works her special (and adorable!) magic on a cosy and cuddly tale with family love and subtle environmental messages at its warm heart. It’s almost Christmas, and all the animals are out in the wood to pick the perfect tree. ‘Ours is little, just like me!’ beams Cubby. Carefully, she and Daddy dig up the tree, put it in a pot and take it home. Cubby quickly grows very attached to Little Tree. She sings it songs and reads it stories, and on Christmas Day there’s one last present... a bright red ribbon to go round Little Tree’s pot. But when Christmas is over, and Little Tree has to go outside, Cubby is so sad! Luckily, Daddy has the perfect solution... Little Tree will live right outside in the garden until next winter, when the Christmas magic can start all over again. Chapman’s beautiful illustrations add extra charm and piquancy to her inspirational story which celebrates the joys that come from the natural world and the important lessons that can be found in everyday family life.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Santa Story Jigsaw Book
Sam Taplin and Violeta Dabija

BRING the magical story of Santa’s Christmas Eve to life with this inventive board book featuring three nine-piece jigsaws. Follow Santa and his exciting list of jobs as he gets ready for the most magical night of the year. 

Packed with charming details to spot, each snowy double-page scene also houses a jigsaw which can be taken out for little children to complete. The finished puzzles can then be slotted snugly back into the book for safekeeping. The perfect way to shape up for Christmas!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
The Gruffalo’s Child Activity Book
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

IF you go down to the deep dark wood… you’re in for some Gruffalo fun! Little ones will love meeting up with all their favourite characters, from the fearless Gruffalo’s Child to the mysterious Big Bad Mouse, in this special festive sticker book with activities that are perfect for pre-school children. This magical Christmas activity book contains over 100 stickers and for every copy purchased, 50p is donated by Macmillan Children’s Books to the National Literacy Trust. Featuring games and puzzles, colouring, spot the difference, and search-and-find, the activities have been carefully designed for children aged three and over, making it the perfect Christmas gift for all Gruffalo fans.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
I Did See a Yeti!
Alex Willmore

IF you enjoyed the delicious slapstick humour and gigglesome twist in Alex Willmore’s I Did See a Mammoth! winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2024, this hilarious snow-sprinkled follow-up will have you giggling from start to finish! Readers can expect the unexpected when a young Antarctic explorer, who is supposed to be studying a family of (distinctly unextinct) mammoths, discovers a group of… yetis?! There are tall yetis, short yetis, cool yetis, yetis in sandals, and even a band of musical yetis. But will anyone believe it? I mean, would YOU? If you thought the wonderful I Did See a Mammoth! was off-the-scale funny, then you ain’t seen nothing yeti…
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Magical Orchestra
Lauren Crisp and Ella Hobbis

‘Shhh – listen! Can you hear something? Could it be…?’
‘Just what is going on?’ ‘It’s the world-famous forest orchestra!’ 

EXPLORE the magic of a classical orchestra with this beautiful picture book, which come complete with twenty marvellous musical instrument sounds. Deep in the forest, magical notes float on the air! A wise hare and a curious little rabbit are bounding through the forest when they discover an orchestra... its players are an array of magnificent woodland creatures. The musicians are warming up for a very special performance, and it’s going to be a night to remember. Listen in on rehearsals by pressing the sound buttons on every spread and discover the wonders of a classical orchestra. This interactive first introduction to the orchestra, beautifully illustrated by the talented Ella Hobbis, encourages both interactive learning and musical development. Perfect for little musicians and woodland animal lovers!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age 2 plus
Noisy Christmas
My First Touch and Feel Sound Book

HERE'S a bold and colourful touch-and-feel sound book that will bring all the joy of Christmas for babies, toddlers... and their parents! Enjoy watching little faces light up when they press the sounds button on every page in this interactive, chunky board book, packed with the exciting scenes and symbols of Christmas. Ring the bell, press the star on the Christmas tree, give Santa’s sleigh a push, and rub the teddy bear’s tummy to wish everyone a merry Christmas! Perfectly created to improve hand-eye co-ordination, encourage speech and inspire a love of reading, the book is ideal for sharing and helping your child to explore the wonder of Christmas.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £14.99)

Age 2 plus
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Brian Wildsmith

FIRST published in 1972, acclaimed illustrator Brian Wildmith’s classic picture book featuring the much-loved Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, has been republished in this beautiful paperback edition. 

The festive favourite, with a stunning cover design, is made truly magical in the masterful hands of the legendary Wildsmith. With gorgeous artwork to accompany the words of one of our best-loved songs, this is a wonderful festive treat to share with youngsters and deserves a spot under every Christmas tree.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Slide and Peek Santa
Hector Dexet

CAN you guess what Christmas gifts Santa has brought for the animals? Pull the tabs to help unwrap the presents with this festive board book which includes easy-to-use sliders, perfectly created for little hands to reveal the surprises on every page. Santa has been busier than ever this year and has loaded his sleigh with presents for all the animals. Reveal the perfect gifts he has brought with a pull-tab on every page… cosy socks for the spider, snug pyjamas for the crocodile, a speedy sled for the penguin and a charming hat for the ladybird! But did he forget anyone? French author and illustrator Hector Dexet’s captivating artwork is guaranteed to win the hearts of readers young… and not so young!
(Post Wave, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
Reindeer, Reindeer What Can You See?
Dee Costello and Pintachan

LITTLE ones will be flying high when they get their hands – and eyes – on this lift-the-flap, mirror board book starring Santa’s trusty reindeer. Reindeer! Reindeer! What can you see? Under the tree, who could it be? Lift the chunky flaps to help the cute reindeer discover who and what is hiding underneath and reveal a polar bear, a cheeky elf, a snowman and Santa himself! With a mirror surprise under the final flap, and the colourful illustrations of Spanish artist Pintachan, this super seek-and-find book is perfect for sharing with the very youngest readers at Christmas.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age from birth
Jingle Bells Sound Book
Sam Taplin and Federica Iossa

LITTLE children will enjoy hearing all the different Christmas sounds and tunes as they press the pages of this beautifully illustrated book. From Jingle Bells and Ding Dong Merrily On High to Deck the Halls and Happy New Year, there are joyful sounds on every page. Featuring Santa, Christmas carols and lots of festive fun, Usborne’s magical sound book invites young readers to step into a snowy landscape where all the animals are getting ready for the big day. On each double-page spread there is a classic carol or song to hear, as well as a festive sound effect. From Santa soaring into the night sky to a brass band playing Christmas tunes, this book is a perfect way for the family’s very youngest members to relish all the excitement and magic of the season.
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £12.99)

The Winter Ball

Anton Du Beke

THE fear of bombing raids and enemy invasions have haunted the streets of wartime London throughout the long months of 1942 but, as the winter cold arrives and Christmas season approaches, the danger lies closer to home closer… and at the city’s prestigious Buckingham Hotel, a traitor is on manoeuvres.

Put on your dancing shoes, polish up the sequins, and glide seamlessly into the glitz and glamour of Mayfair as the dark shadows of conflict once again fall over the luxury hotel which has become the much-loved stage for Strictly Come Dancing royalty and all-round entertainer Anton Du Beke’s richly nostalgic novel series.

The king of dance – and now king of romance – Du Beke (pictured below) returns to sweep us off our feet and waltz us back in time to the upstairs and downstairs dramas of the residents and staff of the Buckingham Hotel in wartime, and the mystery, romance, perils and personalities that have made this series such a winner with readers. The Winter Ball is our eighth trip back in time to the music and magic of the Buckingham’s magnificent Grand Ballroom where dreams and dilemmas are part of everyday life, and where the war is proving the catalyst for changes, some totally unexpected and some – like the arrival of the American forces – exciting.

As the snow falls on Berkeley Square in December, the staff at the Buckingham are busy preparing for the arrival of American soldiers. Raymond de Guise, known to all as King of the Ballroom, is rallying the performers for the upcoming Winter Ball, with a familiar face returning to surprise the guests.

As rumours circulate that the Royal Party will be in attendance on the night, tensions begin to rise on and off the dancefloor as shocking secrets are revealed. Raymond has always been a keeper of secrets, most especially his own. But what his friends and family don’t know is that he has returned from the frontline to the ballroom to feed inside information from high society to the British government.

And as the festive season approaches, he is given his most dangerous assignment yet… welcoming three American officials into his home with the knowledge that one of them is a traitor. As the Christmas baubles glitter, he must discover who has treachery in his heart before it is too late. Will Raymond be able to protect his home and his country… or will this be the time he finally loses what he loves the most?

The Winter Ball delivers the same heady mix of real social and British history with a story full of nostalgia, suspense, romance and perilous espionage as Raymond dices with danger while the