Stories for Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of year once again and Christmas is the time of year, when family traditions are created. There’s so many ways to get into the Christmas spirit, whether it’s binge watching Christmas movies or thumbing through your favourite recipes. Parents of children of all ages know how delightful it is to introduce a new book to the rotation, especially when it’s one that you’ve had a tradition of reading every Christmas since you were a kid yourself. An added bonus is that a Christmas book may be the only way to get the kids to wind down after a very exciting Christmas Eve. The beautiful illustrations and sweet stories will leave you and your children feeling full of the holiday spirit. No matter what book you choose, we highly suggest holding on to them year after year. You may find that displaying them and reading them together as a family will become one of your most treasured Christmas traditions.
Our top picks have been chosen by Marlow Bookshop, our local book seller and I have added The Jolly Christmas Postman, as it was one of my children’s favourites.
For Our Younger Readers – Toddlers Upwards
The Jolly Christmas Postman (The Jolly Postman) by Alan Ahlberg
The award-winning Jolly Christmas Postman is the ultimate children’s picture book. There should be a copy beneath every Christmas tree in every house with young children!
It’s Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters – there’s a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called ‘Beware’ for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise gifts.
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
Celebrate thirty years of Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends with this funny story in the classic series from award-winning author and illustrator Nick Butterworth!
Percy the park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But one cold winter’s night Percy discovers that his little friends need more than food and he must find a way to help them.
Praise for One Snowy Night
‘A heartwarming bedtime tale…’ Susan Hill, The Independent
‘A lovely book to share at bedtime’ Children’s Book News
‘… it’s just right for reading aloud on a cold day’ Books for Keeps
The Snowman – Raymond Briggs
Spend Christmas with everyone’s favourite Snowman! This special edition comes with a sparkly glitter cover, and introduction by Raymond Briggs.
One winter’s night, a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure begins.
Raymond Briggs’ classic is a true piece of Christmas magic – narrated entirely through pictures, it captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is recognised throughout the world.
The Snowman is the perfect festive read for ALL the family!
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas – Julia Donaldson
In a big old house, the ladybird is visiting her friend the spider for the festive season. But those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to no good again. They have a devious plan – to steal the children’s Christmas presents from their stockings! It’s a good thing that the clever little ladybird has overheard their awful plotting, and she has a cunning plan to make sure they don’t get away with it.
Dogger’s Christmas – Shirley Hughes
A seasonal sequel to one of our most beloved children’s books, voted the public’s favourite Kate Greenaway medal-winner.
“There’s always the promise of a happy ending with Shirley Hughes” Observer
Over 40 years after Dogger was published, comes this magical follow-up: Dogger’s Christmas. It’s that special time of year: Christmas.
The time of carol-singing, tree-decorating, and of course lots of presents. But in the excitement of new toys, will Dave forget about his old friend, Dogger?
The very special story of one boy and his beloved toy – who always manages to be found…
For Our Primary School Readers – Year 2 +
The Girl Who Saved Christmas and others in series – Matt Haig
When Amelia Wishart decides there isn’t enough magic in the world, adventures ensue in this enchanting Christmas tale about the power of hope.
Without hope there would be no magic. Once upon a time, Father Christmas didn’t come to visit children every year. In fact, it nearly came to pass that there was no Christmas as we know it. Father Christmas had a lot to deal with; there were troubled elves, reindeers that kept falling from the sky, and more than a few angry trolls for him to contend with.
The reason? There was not enough magic in the world. Magic is born of hope – and if the children of the world couldn’t see any magic, then why would they hope for it?
It is Christmas Eve and all is not well. Amelia Wishart is trapped in Mr Creeper’s workhouse and Christmas is in jeopardy. Magic is fading. If Christmas is to happen, Father Christmas knows he must find her.
With the help of some elves, eight reindeer, the Queen and a man called Charles Dickens, the search for Amelia – and the secret of Christmas – begins …This is the gloriously heart-warming story of how one little girl came to the rescue and helped save Christmas.
A Dancer’s Dream – Katherine Woodfine
This gorgeously designed retelling of The Nutcracker will make the perfect Christmas present for ballet fans everywhere!
In snow white covered St. Petersburg, young dancer Stana’s dreams have finally come true – she has been chosen to play the lead role in Tchaikovsky’s new ballet, The Nutcracker. But with all eyes looking at her, can Stana overcome her nerves and dance like she’s never danced before?
This sumptuous and magical retelling of The Nutcracker will transport you on a journey fay beyond the page.
‘A wonderful book, with a glorious heroine and a true spirit of adventure’ – Katherine Rundell
‘Dastardliness on a big scale is uncovered in this well-plotted, evocative novel’ – The Sunday Times
A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
Coldhearted Ebenezer Scrooge has no use for Christmas cheer. He rejects a dinner invitation from his jolly nephew, scolds charity workers, and very begrudgingly allows his clerk a day off. All the warmth and joy of the holiday are humbug to Scrooge until Jacob Marley, his long-dead business partner, pays a call. Marley’s spirit is the first in a series of ghostly visitors who offer visions of the past, present, and future warnings that transform a bitter old miser into a charitable and compassionate man.
First published in 1843, A Christmas Carol was an instant success and has remained a holiday favourite ever since. The story has been adapted many times for stage and screen. As much a part of the season as holly, mistletoe, and evergreen wreaths, this immortal tale continues to charm readers with its message of generosity and goodwill.
How Winston Delivered Christmas – Alex T Smith
Winston is on a Very Important Mission. On Christmas Eve, he finds a letter to Father Christmas that did not make it to the post box – so, with no time to lose, he sets out to deliver it himself in time for Christmas Day! He has a lot of Very Exciting Adventures on his Very Important Mission and makes some wonderful friends along the way. Will he find Father Christmas in time?
This is the chapter book edition of Alex T. Smith’s modern Christmas classic, with gorgeous black and white illusrations from the author throughout – the perfect festive gift for newly confident readers.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C S Lewis
As a quartet of wide-eyed evacuees encounter wicked witches and saintly lions, Lewis guides the reader expertly through the brilliantly imagined world of Narnia, entered through a wardrobe door.
Four adventurous siblings-Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie- step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years.
A Swallow in Winter – Timothee de Fombelle (tissue warning)
A beautifully written Christmas tale, brimming with humanity and hope, by best-loved author, Timothee de Fombelle.
On a quiet Christmas night, a swallow takes flight from Africa, searching for something it cannot quite name. A disenchanted driver sits alone in his yellow truck, yearning to be home. And a man walks through the snowy streets, feeling utterly alone. But when the three destinies meet, it seems their search for hope, belonging and kindness has finally ended. An atmospheric and heart-warming story, perfect for this very special time of year.
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