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We’ve pulled together a list of books to inspire children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Perfect for reading in the lead up to Christmas, or as presents they’ll love to open, we hope you find something to enjoy.
Check out our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and X where we’ll be giving away a book every day from 1st-12th December, and some of these books are included so keep an eye out! We’ll be kicking off with a signed copy of Skandar and The Spirit War on 1st December – don’t miss it!
We’re already a huge fan of Rob Biddulph, and often use his ‘Draw With Rob’ videos to help us get creative. His new illustrated book is about a boy and a fox who go on a magical adventure, and maybe they can help each other. The full colour illustrations capture the magic and possibility of a winter’s night, and the rhyming story leads you through the city and over meadows with the boy and the fox. This is sure to go into the rotation of books that are pulled out and requested time and time again.
Winter is normally a quiet time for Hotel Flamingo, but when the Winter White-out Games come to town, the hotel is suddenly bursting with guests. This is a joyful and fun book filled with humour and heart, as the animal characters all come together to try to make the games, and a tortoise’s hibernation party, a success, all while dealing with a LOT of snow. Perfect for 5-8 year-olds, the illustrations throughout bring the story to life.
These stunning hardback, illustrated editions from Bloomsbury make the perfect gift for readers of any age. The silver-foiled covers add a touch of elegance that will shine on any bookshelf, while the timeless stories within promise to be treasured for years to come. Whether enjoyed by young readers time after time or cherished by collectors who love the magic of classic tales, these books are destined to become a favourite on anyone’s bookshelf.
This is a unique and interactive book that your kids will love this December! Each chapter is enclosed in an envelope, giving them one to open each day leading up to Christmas Eve. They’ll love the novelty of revealing the chapter, and it’s a fabulous incentive for them to read with you every day! Plus, it’s a wonderfully fun and magical story too!
A beautiful, magical, enchanting novel told in verse with beautiful illustrations from Dermot Flynn, this follows Fia and her reindeer Solas as they struggle to survive an endless winter. They have hard choices to make, but the power of their friendship shines through every page, and you are with them every step of the way as they journey to try to bring back the sun. We first came across this book last year, when author Eilish Fisher wrote about the things animals have to say, if only we stop and take the time to listen, and how that inspired this book. You can read it here.
We have a tradition in our house where on the 1st December a Christmassy book gets pulled out and we sit down every evening and read a chapter (or 3) together. The Christmasaurus was the first book to kick this off, and each year we’ve continued with the next in the series. If you haven’t discovered the heart-warming joy of William and his festive dinosaur, then now is the time to start!
The final instalment in the thrilling series about battle unicorns, Skandar and the Spirit War does not disappoint! I’m not going to say anything about the plot of this book, in case you haven’t read the previous books – I don’t want to give away any series spoilers! But suffice to say, Skandar fans will not be disappointed. I’ve enjoyed this series from the very beginning, and this is a satisfying conclusion to an epic tale! If you haven’t read any Skandar yet, I urge you to pick up the first one – you’ve got a fun reading journey ahead!
With the head of the family dead, an angry wife, three handsome princes and an unexpected heir, Red As Royal Blood is a must read for any fans of The Inheritance Games. Add to that the setting of a royal court with all the ambition, alliances and betrayals that come with it, you’ve got a highly entertaining mystery novel. From the very first page when maid Ruby sneaks off in the middle of the night to play chess with one of the princes, the reader is thrown into her world and there already questions to be answered: why is a prince friends with the maid? What happened to Prince Sorren? Why is the kingdom in trouble? Intrigue from the very first page will draw you in and keep you hooked till the very end.
This is a fun book for teens about the drama, hijinks and entanglements that come with throwing a house party when your parents are away! Will the bullies get in? Will the house get destroyed? Will the neighbour’s dog be okay? You’ll have to read it to find out, but suffice to say this is a fun and light-hearted story in the Crongton series.
A thrilling, stand-alone novel, The House Saphir combines witchcraft, ghosts, mystery and murder – the perfect combination for a wintery read. I was captivated from the first page of this YA novel. Mallory, the main character, is intriguing – she’s descended from witches but can’t actually do magic herself, unless you count her ability to see ghosts. It’s this power that leads her to House Saphir where she’s been hired to banish a murderous ghost. I hadn’t read anything by Marissa Meyer before, but it’s clear to see why her books are popular – I’ll be sure to check out her others now!
Not a single book, but a unique book player that doesn’t need a screen or a subscription, so for those parents who’d like a screen-free alternative to audio book apps, this is for you!
Unlike players that have been out for a while, this has the benefit of a lot wider range of books from under 5s up to teens. There are hundreds already available, with more to come. And each audiobook is styled as a little mini book to pop in the player, so your child can create a mini library! It’s so cute, I love it! No screens, no wi-fi, no apps. Just safe story-telling for all ages.
Can you make an exception for the young writers and give them a book if they don't have facebook, instagram and xby Joanna John-Isaac - 02-12-2025 15:25
Reply from Young Writers...Hi, the 12 Books of Giftmas is a giveaway draw, so only 1 person each day will be chosen at random to win the book/s for that day. If you'd like to enter and don't have access to any of the social pages, you can email [email protected] stating you'd like to be entered into the draw, and which day you are entering. You would need to send a separate email for each day you wish to enter.
