There is a plethora of new children’s books to choose from for festive reading. In addition to Christmas classics like The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the following stories are sure to delight and entertain over the holidays.

Picture Books

Santa’s New Sleigh by Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwels takes you on a delightful colourful, rhyming ride, as Santa’s sleigh breaks down and all the elves must come together to try and save Christmas! They try everything from skiing to polar bears to no avail. But one little elf has the right idea and soon Santa is able to take to the skies and bring Christmas to everyone. Festive fun abounds with lively, humourous illustrations bringing it all to life. Published by Faber.

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam in Santa’s Stolen Sleigh by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton is another fun-filled Santa story, but this time it’s the elves who are in trouble as they come down with spots and can’t finish getting the presents ready! Luckily, baking duo Shifty and Sam are on hand to help Santa, along with a very naughty polar bear who just wants to fly the sleigh. Watch out for some magical mix-ups as baking ingredients are mistaken for flying dust! A sweet treat for everyone to enjoy at Christmas time. Published by Nosy Crow.

The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy is a magical picture book following the story of a little tree with a very special destiny. Based on the true story of how we come to have a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, this utterly delightful tale is full of nostalgia and the magic of Christmas. With a mesmerising rhyming narrative and Beautifully drawn atmospheric illustrations, The Christmas Pine is sure to be a classic for years to come. Published by Alison Green Books.

Middle Grade

Wishyouwas The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters by Alexandra Page illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee is another story destined for classic status! This timeless tale transports you to a secret underground world full of magic and wonder, as we discover Wishyouwas, a Sorter who makes sure lost letters reach their destinations. With a brave heroine in Penny Black and beautifully described world of postboxes and pens, Wishyouwas is a charming adventure, perfect for Christmas time. You’ll never look at a postbox in the same way again! Published by Bloomsbury .

A Secret in Time by Sally Nichols is the fourth adventure in this highly enjoyable time-slip series. This time brother and sister, Alex and Ruby, head back to the winter of 1947 through the magic mirror in their Aunt’s house. There, they meet the harsh reality of life after World War 2 and have to solve a mystery involving a missing family heirloom. Adventure abounds and historical detail brilliantly brings the time period to life for young middle-grade readers, creating a wintry story for readers to escape in. Published by Nosy Crow.

Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas by Sibeal Pounder brings more festive heroines to life in a story celebrating friendship and Christmas in equal measure, and giving a twist on the origin tale of Santa Claus. Blanche Claus is homeless on the streets of Victorian London when she receives her first ever Christmas gift – a magical bauble. So begins a madcap adventure that will see Blanche making new friends and finding magic she couldn’t have possibly imagined! So much so, Blanche wants to share her festive dreams and wishes with all children. Sleigh rides, the North Pole, elves, mince pies – there’s more Christmas than you can shake a stick at, turned on it’s head with laugh-out-loud results and lots of love. Previously reviewed in hardback, now published in paperback by Bloomsbury.

The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent and illustrated by Selom Sunu is this year’s ultimate festive read, spreading much-needed Christmas cheer through every page! Holly Christmas and her family celebrate Christmas every day, which is fine until Holly starts a new school. Little does she realise the challenges that await her as she dons her Santa backpack and ready’s herself to share Christmas carols – in September! Discover the power of true Christmas spirit and kindness, in a story that is bursting with festive fun, as Holly battles to save her own Christmas cheer and that of her school’s too. Perfect for everyone who loves Christmas – and those who don’t too! Published by Farshore.

With thanks to Alison Green Books, Bloomsbury, Faber, Farshore and Nosy Crow for sending me these books to review. They will be donated to my local foodbank in time for Christmas!