Christmas Books for Children (that parents will love too)

Shopping Guides

Books

Published on Sunday, 18 November 2012 09:00

Last Updated on 06 November 2018

Monica Costa

0 Comments

In the era of digital media, Kindle and iPad, I still love turning the pages of books and particularly children’s books that are so colourful and beautifully illustrated. Here is a selection of London Mums’ favourite books this Christmas.

 

GOBBOLINO THE WITCH’S CAT

Reissued for its 70th anniversary, this classic tale by Ursula Moray Williams (Illustrated by Catherine Rayner), which has never been out of print, has been loved by generations of children. With beautiful illustrations from the award-winning Catherine Rayner, Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat is still as vital a part of any child’s library of classics as it was 70 years ago, and perfect for Christmas gifting. Really original storytelling about a witch’s cat. So unusual but yet so unique.

No one could mistake Gobbolino for a simple kitchen cat, with his sparky whiskers and magic tricks, but that’s just what the witch’s kitten wants to be. Instead of learning how to turn mice into toads for the witch’s brew, Gobbolino sets out on an adventure to find a family and a home of his own. RRP Hardback £9.99 Age 5+

DAVID WALLIAMS’RATBURGER 

The fifth screamingly funny novel from David Walliams, number one bestseller and fastest growing children’s author in the country.

Hot on the heels of bestselling Gangsta Granny comes another hilarious, action-packed and touching novel – the story of a little girl called Zoe. Things are not looking good for Zoe. Her stepmother Sheila is so lazy she gets Zoe to pick her nose for her. The school bully Tina Trotts makes her life a misery – mainly by flobbing on her head. And now the evil Burt from Burt’s Burgers is after her pet rat! And guess what he wants to do with it? The clue is in the title…

From the author that is being called ‘a new Roald Dahl’, Ratburger is not to be missed!
Talking about the new book, David said “I can’t wait for my young fans to get their hands on ‘Ratburger’. It is my scariest and funniest book yet.” The story is genuinely funny.

THE SNOW BEAR

This is the perfect Christmas cold to read in front of the fireplace snugged in a warm blanket. Lovely winter story!

The plot: As the snow begins to fall just days before Christmas, Grandad helps Sara build an igloo in the garden, and Sara sculpts a small polar bear to watch over it. And what could be more exciting than sleeping outside under the stars? But when Sara awakes in the middle of the night, she finds the igloo is no longer in the garden but lost in a world of ice …and her snow bear has transformed into a real live polar bear cub. Sara and the cub set out on an enchanted journey through the wilderness – will they ever find their way home?

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTMAS

Want to know the truth about Christmas? Then this beautiful gift book is for you!
The truth about Christmas unravels its traditions and answers lots of the questions you never got the answers for.
Have you ever wondered who decided to celebrate Jesus’ birthday on 25th December . . . and why?, did Father Christmas really used to wear green?, Who invented the advent calendar?, What do crackers have to do with Christmas?, Where do the flying reindeer come from?, Why are carols called carols? The answers to these and many other festive questions can be found within the covers of this delightful little book!

 

 

Zoe and Beans: Zoe’s Christmas List (by Mick Inkpen and Chloe Inkpen)

Zoe and Beans return in a very magical Christmas adventure! Zoe knows exactly what she wants for Christmas, and to make sure Father Christmas does too, she and Beans take a trip across the Arctic all the way to the North Pole. But with a baby polar bear to rescue and a swirling snowstorm to contend with, will they ever make it?!
A wonderful Christmas story with amazing pull-out page!

 

ON A STARRY NIGHT
by various authors, illustrated by Alison Edgson, published by Little Tiger Press

Great book full of winter stories involving animals. It is one of our favourite Christmas books. It is enchanting to read about puppies’ adventures on a chill, frosty night, when the stars are shining brightly. One of the best stories is the one of a husky puppy dreaming of life as a sleigh dog.
Other stories include a young goose who learns how to navigate the sky at night, an arctic fox discovers who he is afraid of the dark during the polar night, and a lost narwhal who catches a magical falling star upon his spiral tusk. This is a sparkling addition to our hugely successful range of anthologies, with delightful illustrations from Alison Edgson and featuring all-new stories from a host of best-loved authors, including Penny Dolan, Michael Broad and Holly Webb.