Joy to the word
Want to get the kids even more excited for Christmas? Try some fun and festive bedtime reading
Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Neal Leyton, Hodder Children’s Books, £12.99
FROM the author of How To Train Your Dragon, comes a charming story about young girl Emily Brown and her old grey rabbit Stanley who are settling down to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Suddenly there’s a cry of “HO-HO-HELP!” from outside the window. It’s only Father Christmas, who has got himself into a spot of bother thanks to his new climbing equipment. Emily and Stanley come to Father Christmas’ aid...
It won’t be the only time that night, thanks to the man in red’s efforts to drag himself into the 21st century.
His bang-up-todate sleigh breaks down while his smartphone and sat-nav are no use at all.
Can Emily and Stanley convince Father Christmas that good old- fashioned magic is the best way to get the job done after all?
The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal, Little Tiger, £10.99
THIS fabulously festive tale sees Bear settling down for a nice simple Christmas at home when a surprise visitor turns up on his doorstep.
Frog thinks he’s arrived at The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel, but sadly he’s read his map all wrong and couldn’t be further from his desired destination. Will Bear step up and give frog a Christmas to remember? And will it be a patch on what the real hotel has to offer? This is a lovely story to get you and your little ones in the mood for the festive season, with wonderful illustrations of Bear and Frog’s adventures. This is a story packed full of compassion, kindness and generosity too, which are perfect qualities to spread at Christmas time.
The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Kes Gray and Claire Powell, Hodder Children’s Books, £6.99,
MANY parents will be familiar with Clement C. Moore’s classic festive poem The Night Before Christmas.
In this twist on the tale, it’s the day before Christmas Eve and Santa is ever so busy… he’s got presents to wrap, reindeer to wake and a sleigh to start. But has he forgotten something? This hilarious, rhyming picture book is sure to have you giggling!
Santa’s Wonderful Workshop, written and illustrated by Elys Dolan, Oxford Children’s Press, £6.99
IF you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in Santa’s workshop then this is the story for you.
With more toys to make than ever before it’s going to be the busiest year yet, but luckily Santa and the elves have everything under
control... except for a rampaging polar bear, a toy factory that only makes toasters and some pesky penguin visitors.
This picture book is full of laughs with lots going on across every page. Right from the start – where the naughty and nice list has been lost, but on closer inspection a reindeer is using them as toilet paper – you know you’re in for a good chuckle.
Younger readers may struggle with the structure as there is quite a lot going on on almost every page, however this would still make for a great read in the run up to the big day.
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford, Little Tiger, £7.99
MIA is disappointed when she finds out her dad won’t be coming home for Christmas. She decides to send a card to him, which sets Mia off on a magical journey into a mysterious postbox, where a new reindeer friend whisks her across snow-cloaked mountains and exotic streets lit by paper stars. But will she reach her dad in time for Christmas? This celebration of the festive season features lots of peek-through pages and hidden flaps making a lovely read to be shared by all the family.
One Cosy Christmas by M Christina Butler, illustrated by Tina Macnaughton, Little Tiger, £7.99
LITTLE Hedgehog is determined to have the perfect Christmas with his animal friends, but there’s something mysterious going on... something that could spoil all his festive plans. Biscuits have been eaten, hats have gone missing and someone has been snoring all night! Who is to blame? The 11th Little Hedgehog book features charming illustrations and touch-and-feel elements which combine to give the story an extra cosy feel, just right for winding down at bedtime.
Christmas Fairy Tale Mix Up by Hilary Robinson and Jim Smith, Hodder Children’s Books, £7.99
OH no! Santa has got stuck down the chimney while delivering presents to the Three Little Pigs...
Now you can create your own hilarious festive fairy tales with this ingenious, split-page, spiral bound book.
Enjoy hundreds of novelty stories from the creators of the popular Mixed Up Fairy Tales.