The First Christmas is a beautifully illustrated book, that tells a children's version of the story of the Nativity.
The story is told in a simple way that will allow children of many ages to understand and engage with the text. It provided the reader and listener with the key points, however does not make it out to be a religious story, allowing families of all faiths and beliefs to read and enjoy this story. Jess Racklyeft has done the most beautiful job of illustrating this book, using water colour and acrylic to provide texture and shade to her images. The characters have nice expressions and the animals are very cute too! The bright new star to signify the birth radiates on many pages, with Jess Racklyeft giving it a prominent place when necessary.
This is a story that I hadn't really told my children for a long time, and both of them were interested and engaged with this book. They loved the illustrations and asked lots of questions throughout the story. Miss 5 particularly loved the animals that are throughout the pages, naming each one she saw and then counted them on the second read. Master 9 remembered hearing the story of the Nativity when he was younger - he said that this story filled in the gaps from what he had forgotten. Overall this book is illustrated well, the story is nicely written and was easy to understand. This would be a good book to add to any collection of Christmas themed stories.
Lauren Fountain
An Aussie night before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison. Illus. by Kilmeny Niland
Twas the night before Christmas; there wasn't a sound. Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around. We'd left on the table some tucker and beer, Hoping that Santa Claus soon would be here.
So begins this iconic salute to Christmas in Australia drawing on the familiar sights and sounds of a night that is usually so hot and it's hard to sleep because it's still daylight outside, never mind 'dreams of pavlova' dancing around heads. And when there's a ruckus outside that needs to be investigated, who would be surprised that it's Santa in a rusty ute pulled by eight mighty kangaroos? Kangaroos called Kylie, Kirsty, Shazza and Shane, Kipper and Skipper, Bazza and Wayne?
There are many stories that put the Aussie spin on Christmas, but this is such a rollicking good yarn, funny and engaging that it's still available nearly 20 years since it was first published.
Accompanied by the distinctive illustrations of Kilmeny Niland, this is the perfect story to read to the little ones before they settle down, and the perfect story to end our Christmas Countdown.
A wonderfully infectious rhyming text about Grinch wanting to share his newly found love of Christmas will delight younger readers as it is read out to them or they tackle it for themselves. Most children will have heard of the Grinch and many will have read the first book, How the Grinch stole Christmas (1957) by Dr Seuss, so will be intrigued with the sequel by Heim and Ruiz, using the same style as Seuss, which shows another aspect of Grinch’s character. He still lives in a cave on Mt Crumpet, and has realised that he loves Christmas and wants to show his new attitude to the people of Who-ville, a village at the bottom of the mountain. After seeing a Christmas Tree competition on a poster he heads to Who-wood and selects a tree. He decorates it with an array of baubles and ribbons, tinsel and bunches of bows, anything reddish or green is to be added.
He takes it to the village ready for the competition the next day, Christmas Day and is dumbfounded when his tree is judged second. He takes his tree and trudges back to his cave, his heart growing colder the higher he climbed. But Cindy-Lou calls out to him, asking him to put a decoration on her tree just as all the other residents of Who-ville had done.
He thinks about it and his heart grows warmer as he realises that she has included him as a resident of the village. He goes back and places his offering on the tree, and helps crown the winner, Cindy-Lou.
A heart warming story for Christmas, showing the positive aspects of sharing, not only the tree and its decorations, but the coming together of people, particularly those who have been neglected or isolated. This story will find fans amongst all those who love Seuss’s work, and also those looking for a Christmas book which supports the virtues that Christmas inspires.
Themes Christmas, Dr Seuss, Sharing, Christmas tree, Inclusivity, Competition.
Fran Knight
Peter Rabbit: The Christmas star by Beatrix Potter
Another in the series of the books with Beatrix Potter’s perennial favourite characters: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter having an adventure told in a strong board book with lots of colour for the younger child to hold while it is read to them.
Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter have an idea. Christmas is coming so to surprise their mother they decide to decorate the tree themselves. All works well as they take all the fittings from the boxes, and put them in the special places on the tree. But when they get to the last box they find the most important piece is missing. Perhaps it has gone back to the sky says a wistful Peter after they have searched the house for the star. They decide that they should make a star themselves.
And this is what happens. But it is not as easy as they thought. All their efforts are rewarded when Mrs Rabbit comes home and is singularly impressed with their undertaking.
This book, easily held by young hands is full of life and colour as the rabbits try their hardest to find the star, then make it themselves. They work together, encouraged by Peter Rabbit who urges them not to give up when the first star breaks.
The warmth of the family setting will appeal to readers as the family prepares for Christmas. Children will love seeing the array of customs shown, showing them that Christmas is on its way.
They will be able to list those things that mean Christmas for them and their family, as well as enjoy the use of Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters.
Scholastic, 2008. ISBN 9781741690972 'Twas the day before Christmas And in his beach shack, Santa was snoozing, Flat out on his back.
'Shake a leg, love,' Sheila Claus said. 'Time to get ready For the big night ahead.' There is much to do before Santa makes his once-a-year flight . . . chooks to feed, breakfast to have, a walk with his missus, the news to read, pressies to wrap and the 'roos to sort out. "The koalas won't help me, they're too flamin' slow." Putting iconic Australian sayings and slang to the familiar rhythm of the Clement C. Moore poem, Kilmeny Niland uses her artistic talent to portray a DownUnder day before Christmas through stunning illustrations that capture a very different picture of Santa than the traditional one our children are so familiar with. Before sharing it, children might like to speculate on what it is that Aussie Santa does in preparation - perhaps a surf, perhaps a nap, perhaps prawns and a beer - whatever they predict they will delight in Niland's interpretation that might dispel their snowy North Pole images forever. And a must for any collection of Australian Christmas stories you might be sending to children overseas. Barbara Braxton
Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas present by John Burningham
Christmas Eve and Father Christmas has arrived home at the North Pole, exhausted from pulling his annual all-nighter, and, after settling the reindeer in, all of whom are just as tired, he climbs into bed. But then he discovers that there is still one present left in his sack - a gift for a little boy who lives in a hut atop the Roly Poly Mountains far, far away.
Will Father Christmas get out of bed, get dressed and make the arduous trip to deliver this gift? Of course he will, because he knows that the little boy's parents are too poor to get him a gift so the only thing he receives is what Father Christmas leaves him.
Every year books about Christmas come and go as regularly as the season itself, and it is rare to find one so good that it has endured for 30 years but this is one of those, and this is a special 30th anniversary edition.
Father Christmas decides to let the reindeer sleep and sets out on his journey alone, encountering all sorts of challenges but finding people ready to help him when he needs it, as he continues doggedly onward with no thought of not achieving his goal. Burningham's iconic illustrations add so many layers to the story so although the text is straightforward consisting primarily of Father Christmas explaining his problem and strangers offering to help, there are riches to explore and opportunities for adult and child to talk about what's really happening so they can retell the story of the return journey shown in just one wordless spread by themselves. What else could possibly go wrong? And not only will they empathise with Father Christmas finally getting back into bed, but they can speculate about what it might have been that he left for Harvey Slumfenberger.
Some of the parents of our younger readers will remember this from their own childhoods, so there is the added bonus of creating new memories as they share this with their own children. Nestling in my box of best Christmas books is the original and this one will be there too - my granddaughters will have a copy each.
Themes Christmas presents.
Barbara Braxton
The jolly Christmas postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Puffin, 2021. ISBN: 9780141340111. (Age:3+)
The Jolly Postman has a busy day ahead. It's Christmas Eve in Fairy-Tale Land and there's plenty of post for him to deliver! There's a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called 'Beware' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for Humpty Dumpty and many more! But, can he deliver it all by Christmas?
In 1986 we were introduced to The Jolly Postman, who delivered the mail around Fairy-Tale Land and tucked into tiny envelopes were actual letters like a letter of apology for the three bears from Goldilocks, a postcard from Jack for the giant, and a solicitor's letter on behalf of Little Red Riding-Hood for the wolf who ate grandma. Five year later we were treated to the Christmas version and more than 30 years on this is still delighting a new generation as they eagerly await both Christmas and perhaps the postman bringing something special for them. As well as introducing them to the concept of printed cards and letters and so forth, disappearing so rapidly in these days of digital communication that Australia Post is cutting back to every-other-day delivery, it offers opportunities for them to create something special for their favourite character from the world of stories. In fact, the book has been so popular, that a quick internet search brings up many suggestions for activities that will keep little ones occupied during those times when parents are so busy.
A Christmas classic that deserves its place in any collection.
Themes Christmas, Letters, Postmen.
Barbara Braxton
Here comes a Merry Christmas by Justine Clarke, Arthur Baysting and Peter Dasent. Illus. by Heath McKenzie
Co authored by Arthur Basting and Peter Dassent, the text in this Christmas book is one by Justine Clarke, which can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKcUVaL7k7s (be warned it easily becomes an ear worm, but a nice one).
It is a zippy, easily learnt and absorbed song and music, so kids will readily sing along.
The newly published book contains the song as text, teamed with Heath McKenzie’s wonderful illustrations.
The text has all the icons of Christmas, including a star, Christmas tree, jungle bells, reindeer, angel on top of the tree and most importantly family and the love that surrounds them.
The family is waiting for Christmas after a long year, and see a bright new star in the sky. They know that Christmas means Santa is on his way with presents for them all. They bring a tree inside and decorate it with lights and streamers, ribbons and an angel on top. The whole family helps with this and McKenzie shows them getting all these things together from a box which has probably been untouched for twelve months, and cooking special treats for Christmas. They are all singing the many songs sung at Christmas, welcoming other members of their family to their house.
This is a wonderfully infectious song which we will all hear at Christmas, as it reiterates the basic tenets of Christmas, family love and togetherness.
McKenzie’s illustrations reprise these values of Christmas. Each page shows a loving inclusive family, doing things together: cooking, singing, laughing, welcoming visitors, watching the night sky, decorating the tree, supporting each other before the events of Christmas Day.
The faces are smiling and full of fun, and kids will recognise the tangle of the Christmas lights, the dusty box brought up from the cellar, the anticipation on every face. I loved the elegant endpaper with its deep, deep blue, a single star suspended above the earth and the moon, trails of cosmic dust sweeping across space. Its simplicity is outstanding and I can imagine many kids poring over this page, thinking lots of thoughts about life, family and Christmas.
Ever since Dasher left the travelling circus and went to live with Santa at the North Pole, Christmas has been her favourite time of the year. Impatiently she waits for the big night to come, counting down the sleeps, but one night, when she hears the sound of Christmas carols she can wait no longer and she takes off on her own. 'I'll be back before they even know I'm gone,' she says with confidence before flying off.
Knowing that the North Star will always guide her home she is not afraid, but when the clouds build and it starts to snow, she loses the sound of the music and the sight of the star and before she knows it she is lost, hungry and tired. Until she sees a little house with a tree covered in lights in the garden...
Young readers will be familiar with the legend of Santa's sleigh being pulled by magical reindeer and may even be able to recite their names first given to them by Clement C. Moore in 'Twas the night before Christmas. In the original story, they learn the backstory of these creatures and how they came to be Santa's helpers, and this is a delightful sequel. The digital illustrations that feature all that you would expect of a northern hemisphere Christmas scene have a lifelike feel to them adding to the magic and consolidating it for just a little bit longer..
The Christmas Train is a new picture book written by multi-talented South Australian children’s author and poet Mike Lucas. This is an enchanting story with stunning illustrations that will bring joy and the magic of a northern hemisphere Christmas to young and old. The striking front cover showcasing a Christmas train in the snow is bright and bold and with the shiny gold lettering will instantly appeal to all. The red and white knitted style of the endpapers will remind older readers of long forgotten Christmas jumpers and scarves and feature in the story on some very special characters.
This engaging rhyming story is about a brother and sister who join other children on the Christmas Train to the North Pole. Throughout their journey are references to Christmas traditions such as choral singers, gingerbread houses, snowmen and sleighs, frozen lakes and skaters, and beautiful Christmas lights in the night sky.
Above the dark forest, the sky is alight with pinks, greens and blues and a star shining bright.
Closer to the North Pole, the Christmas star appears and there are polar bears, candy canes, reindeers, elves, and Santa with his sleigh packed full of Christmas presents. With a little bit of Christmas magic the children find themselves back in bed waiting for Santa. Was it all a dream?
The Christmas Train will be a wonderful and much-loved addition to your home, school or public library Christmas book collection. The colourful illustrations by Sofya Karmazina are captivating and full of life - the elves and reindeers are particularly delightful. Merry Christmas!
It is Christmas Eve and the other animals are putting their presents under the tree. Kookaburra calls out to Echidna waking her, and asking what she has for Roo. Echidna is saddened as she has nothing to offer, so goes into the bush to see what she can find. She gathers some colourful flowers and makes a crown but realises it is too small for Roo. Kookaburra suggest that she make another, but she falls asleep while doing it. The other animals wake her and she puts his present for Roo under the tree. The next day it is Christmas Day, and the animals gather to open their presents. Roo eagerly opens her present, and as she does, Echidna sees that she has made it too big. Roo is enthusiastic for her lovely present and places it over her shoulder and around her neck as she thanks Echidna for her beautiful necklace.
A lovely story for the coming Christmas season, this story showcases Australian animals as they work out what to put under the Christmas tree. Readers will love recognising them all, and seeing how they prepare for Christmas thinking about what sort of present to give their friends. The story will encourage readers to think about the role of the present at Christmas and what is appropriate. The twist gives the story a lift as each animals sees the present from a different perspective.
Lots of the symbols of Christmas are used in the illustrations, giving readers the opportunity to talk about what Christmas means to them. And the front cover with its touches of glitter over the wreath makes it very tactile for little hands.
Themes Christmas, Australian animals, Gift giving, Friendship.
Fran Knight
You choose Christmas by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt
Puffin, 2023. ISBN: 9780241556016. (Age:3+)
For many, Christmas brings to mind images of decorated trees twinkling with lights; a jolly, fat man in a red suit bringing gifts; family seated around a table eating turkey and trimmings and...
But there are as many choices to make about how Christmas can be celebrated as there are families in the world, and this amazing book brings together many of them in a unique way that encourages the young reader to pick and choose their own adventure through this time.
Written in rhyme, each double spread has a different focus on the general commonalities of the season such as the advent calendar, decorating the tree, Santa's workshop, or choosing gifts and then there are a multitude of things that the child can choose, either those that are familiar or maybe making up a different story. For example, would they send a Christmas card with a picture of La Befana or a pohutukawa tree, a "snowman" made of sand or 13 mischievous "Yule Lads"? Similarly, what might be on their Christmas menu? Indeed, when would they have it?
Apart from being an entertaining way to get the child to engage with the book, it is also an opportunity to show them that there are many ways to celebrate, and that what might be familiar to them may be foreign to the family next-door. But there is no right way or only way. They might even like to think about the things that other families do that they would like to try, and consider which of the things their family does that they will share with their own children in years to come.
This is the latest in this series which is celebrating its 21st birthday, one that has endured because the young reader can return to it time and time again and have a new, unique experience each time as they not only learn to make choices and decisions but have the power to do so.
Themes Christmas.
Barbara Braxton
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa's stolen sleigh by Tracey Corderoy. Illus. by Steven Lenton
Nosy Crow, 2021. ISBN: 9781788007764. (Age:3+)
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are two dogs who used to be robbers, but, having seen the error of their ways, now bake delicious treats and solve mysteries and sniff out crimes! In this new adventure, they are off to Lapland to bake a festive feast for Santa and his elves. But there's a Christmas crisis - the elves are unwell and can't finish the toys! Does mysterious stranger and gadget queen, Flo Frost, really want to help? Or could she have her eyes on the most magical gadget of all . . . Santa's flying sleigh?! It's up to Shifty and Sam to race across the snowy slopes and save Christmas for everyone!
Written in rhyme, this is a story that will delight young readers with its sense of fun made even better because they can scan a QR code and have it read to them if they can't manage it for themselves yet. It is one of the latest in this series which has endured for 10 years, and so, those who are already familiar with Shifty and Sam will delight in seeing them again and putting all they know about them already into continuing their friendship.
Themes Santa Claus.
Barbara Braxton
Christmas Days in the sunshine by Byll and Beth Stephen. Illus. by Simon Howe
This lovely inviting book will gain many fans as it reeks of summer holidays and Christmas in Australia, presenting a family going off for a camping holiday near the beach. Hats, mosquito bites, cicadas, and sunburn cream all figure prominently reminding all readers of what to expect at Christmas. School has finished for the year, with a film on the last day.
Father has put up the Christmas lights and the children play in the wading pool. The family goes window shopping to have a look at things they would like for Christmas, and make a pavlova, the children covering it with fruit.
Then they are off in the car, bush fire alerts on the ABC, eyes peeled for signs of smoke above the trees.
At the beach they wake with the sun on Christmas Day unwrapping their presents.Then outside to greet their friends, and off to the beach, where suncream and hats are the order of the day. The seagulls must be watched especially when food comes out, but everything is good because they are a family together enjoying their Christmas in the summer.
This delightful book will warm hearts as they recall lazy days at the beach with their families and friends. The sunny illustrations take the reader to many familiar places, full of laughter and good humour, smiles all round for their families and friends.
This book is another in the series by the Stephens as they add to the stable of stories, books and songs. Their TV show, Teeny Tiny Stevies, is well known, and their song, Christmas in the summer can be found here.
Fran Knight
How does Santa go down the chimney? by Mac Barnett. Illus. by Jon Klassen
Spatial awareness will be encouraged as readers think about how Santa fits down the chimney. Does he need to make himself small, or stretch or slim down by pulling in his belt? All attempts are before our eyes as the book is read, but the problem remains. The inscrutable reindeer watch on, offering to carry his jacket or giving him a cup of coffee. Should he turn himself into fire, perhaps not? Does he go head first, or feet first, perhaps he goes sideways? But he may get stuck half way down needing the reindeer to give him a kick to move him on.
Then what happens when finally gets down the chimney? A very sooty Santa peers out and goes to the laundry where he sits while his clothes are washed. And what if there is no chimney? Suggestions about how he can work without a chimney are now asked for.
More questions come up. How does Santa deal with dogs he finds in the house, how does he see in the dark, find the spare key.
Solutions are offered which invite readers to think of their own solutions to the problems raised. Should they leave out carrots not biscuits to help Santa with his weight. Many solutions are suggested leading the author to ask a final question, how does Santa get back onto the roof?
A very funny look at something we all know about, supported by hilarious illustrations showing a quizzical Santa and bemused reindeer pondering the questions raised in the story. Klassen presents an unfussy set of illustrations, often turning expected ideas on their head: Santa in the laundry, or reindeer that stand up on their back legs, drinking coffee, Klassen always makes me laugh out loud at his surprising images and I am always susceptible to his minimalist use of colour and background.
Kids will love thinking about how Santa can do this activity and brainstorm possible solutions with others in the group. The illustrations show a range of Christmas images, those things associated with Christmas: snow, Christmas tree, leaving food out for Santa, Christmas lights and so on. A great introduction to that time of the year and a funny book to ponder and discuss, How does Santa go down the chimney? is a book to be savoured, a real stand out amongst all the banal Christmas book offerings.
Themes Santa Claus, Christmas, Chimneys, Snow, Humour.
