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The Great Christmas Tree Race by Naomi Jones, illustrated by James Jones, Ladybird, £7.99
Star always goes on top of the Christmas tree – until new decoration Sparkle kicks off a race. Who will win: Lights, Bauble, Snowflake or Reindeer? A festive picture-book caper with a child-pleasing twist.
The Boy Who Grew Dragons: A Christmas Delivery by Andy Shepherd, illustrated by Sarah Warburton, Templar, £12.99
Tomas, Lolli and the dragons in Grandad’s garden all love Christmas, but when a baby snow dragon hatches, her icy flurries make present-delivering impossible. Children and dragons team up to find a solution in this charming, funny picture-book introduction to the bestselling 5+ series.
Joy to the Whole World! by Lucy Brownridge, illustrated by Sang Miao, Wide Eyed, £14.99
With 144 hidden illustrations, this big, resplendent 5+ lift-the-flap book chronicles the Christmas traditions of 10 different countries, including Ethiopia, India, Norway and the Philippines.
This is Not a Small Voice by Traci N Todd, illustrated by Jade Orlando, Nosy Crow, £20
Featuring poems from Langston Hughes, Amanda Gorman, Maya Angelou and other superlative Black poets, this tender, passionate, uplifting anthology is devoted to celebrating Black experience and writing, from shared struggle to domestic happiness – in James Weldon Johnson’s words, “Let our rejoicing rise/ High as the listening skies,/ Let it resound loud as the rolling sea”. Orlando’s delicate, joyous illustrations complement the poems perfectly; a wonderful collection to share with children of 6+.
The Other Father Christmas by Serena Holly, illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz, Storymix, £14.99
Mikey’s Gramps used to be a brilliant Father Christmas at the community centre, but since Gran died, he’s lost his festive zest. When the real Santa retires and announces a competition to decide his successor, though, Mikey can’t think of anyone better qualified than Gramps … This sweet, inclusive 7+ yuletide treat has a lively Wonka-esque feel.
The Roots We Share by Susie Dent, illustrated by Harriet Hobday, Puffin, £16.99
Focused on togetherness and connection, this gorgeous illustrated book of words and phrases ranges from the abstruse to the well-known, from “sobremesa” and “antipelargy” to “friend”, “serenity” and “cherish”. Sure to delight word-lovers of 7+.
Snow by Meera Trehan, Walker, £14.99
Every day Princess Karina digs through enchanted snow, searching for something that might undo the terrible wish that has stranded her alone in the kingdom of Mistmir. When a girl called Ela breaks through from the real world, can she and Karina face Mistmir’s dangers and join forces to put things right? An absorbing, intriguing wintry modern fairytale for 8+.
Robin by Sarah Ann Juckes, illustrated by Linde Faas, Simon & Schuster, £12.99
Eddie’s sister Scarlet has been ill for a long time and sometimes he feels as if he’s invisible. In the icy forest near his uncle’s house, a monster is growing, fuelled by Eddie’s suppressed anger. But when a robin guides him to a strange, wild girl called Mari, he gradually remembers how to be loud and take up space, making peace with his monster in this poignant, evocative 9+ story.
Tomorrow’s Ghost by Tanya Landman, Walker, £7.99
In the heatwave summer of 1976, 12-year-old Anna is packed off to stay with Aunt Em and her boisterous dog, only to find connection with another orphan girl through her dreams. As the visions intensify, Anna realises she is being called through time – will she be able to save Etty’s life? This 9+ timeslip novel boasts vivid detail and assured, gripping storytelling.
The Lone Husky by Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold, HarperCollins, £14.99
Returning to the Arctic landscape of her bestselling The Lost Bear, Gold’s thrilling new story follows her dauntless heroine April on a long-distance race across the tundra, kitted out with only basic supplies, a brave team of huskies and Blaze, a rescued dog with a traumatic past who may be April’s best hope. An instantly compelling delight for 9+ readers who love animal adventures.
Phoenix Brothers by Sita Brahmachari, Oxford, £8.99
Amir has weathered extraordinary suffering to survive his journey from Iraq to Britain; now he and Mo, another unaccompanied child refugee, are trying to rebuild their lives. But when Amir enters a prestigious public speaking competition, not everyone wants to hear the story he has to tell. A spare, moving story for 11+, of courage, resilience and the bonds forged by adversity.
Moth Dark by Kika Hatzopoulou, Penguin, £9.99
Six years ago, Darkworld creatures started invading ordinary reality, and Sascia became fascinated, obsessively studying Dark moths and other phenomena. Now the unthinkable has happened and she’s pulled a person out of the Dark: the princely Nugae, who wants Sascia dead … This complex, imaginative, romantic YA fantasy is filled with interwoven timelines and star-crossed lovers, ideal for Laini Taylor fans.
Frankenstein (MinaLima Edition) by Mary Shelley, illustrated by MinaLima, HarperCollins, £35
This sumptuous, thoughtfully designed gift edition of Shelley’s classic novel features paper engineering elements such as intricate maps and opening lockets, as well as haunting illustrations in shades of crepuscular blue and smouldering orange.
All the Way Around the Sun by Xixi Tian, Penguin, £9.99
Stella doesn’t want to tour potential colleges with golden boy Alan Zhao, her former best friend, who now ignores her at school. But when they set out on their enforced road trip, Stella finds herself beginning to make sense of her family’s hidden grief – and discovers she has more in common with Alan than she thought. A touching, expressive, gentle YA romance about heritage, identity and coming to terms with the past.
