Top picks from the selection box of super stories this Christmas…
Reindeer Down! An Irish Christmas Tale by Natasha Mac a’Bháird, illustrated by Audrey Dowling
HB £13.99 published by The O’Brien Press
Age Pre-school+
A delightful and heartwarming picture book adventure. Santa’s sleigh is flying over Ireland, delivering presents to boys and girls. But then Dancer hurts her leg and can’t pull the sleigh. What will Santa do? Rory, the smallest reindeer, has a great idea. It’s full speed ahead to visit the deer in the Phoenix Park. Can they help Santa continue with his journey?
The Snail and the Whale Festive Edition by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
PB £6.99 published by Macmillan Children’s Books
Age Pre-school+
Publishing to coincide with a brand new animated TV production, this book features the classic story with a redesigned snowy cover, bringing a touch of seasonal joy to this delightful tale of adventure and friendship. A little snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the little snail feels so small in the vastness of the world. But when disaster strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it’s the tiny snail’s big plan that saves the day.
Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl, illustrated by Lauren O’Hara
HB £12.99 published by Walker Books
Age 5+
A timeless story celebrating friendship and imagination, from an exciting new voice in children’s literature. Mabel lives with her parents at The Mermaid Hotel, by the sea. She likes to keep an eye on the comings and goings of all the guests. Then one day a particularly interesting old lady comes to stay. There is something very suspicious about her, with her growly voice, heavy trunks and beady-eyed tortoise. And why does no one know her REAL name? There can only be one answer, Mabel decides… this guest is a SUPERVILLAIN.
The Christmasaurus and The Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Shane Devries
HB £12.99 published by Puffin
Age 7+
A book full of magic and music, humour and heart, and friendship like no other. One year has passed since William Trundle’s incredible adventure with the most extraordinary dinosaur – the Christmasaurus. Now, William is swept back to the magical North Pole, where he meets the mysterious, icy Winter Witch – whose power to control time allows Santa Claus to make the long journey all around the world every Christmas Eve. And when they learn that the fate of Christmas itself hangs in the balance, William and the Christmasaurus must work with the Winter Witch to protect it.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney
HB and eBook £12.99 published by Puffin
Age 8+
Readers won’t be able to stop laughing at the fourteenth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series! In this new adventure an unexpected inheritance gives the Heffley family a chance to make major improvements to their home. But they soon find that construction isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When things get rough, will the Heffleys be able to stay… or will they be forced to move?
Hidden Wonders
HB £14.99 published by Lonely Planet Kids
Age 9+
Strange and wondrous places await budding adventurers in this enchanting new book packed with natural marvels and man-made oddities. Hidden Wonders will sweep you away to the farthest reaches of the globe, over lost coasts and remote islands, into caves filled with glittering crystals and through forests where witches and dragons wait silently between the trees. Kids will feel like they have stumbled across an ancient book of the world’s most bizarre and wondrous places. So grab your compass and start exploring!
Author: Nadia Duncan
Editor