Books to make you Feel Festive
Tales by Mail |Reading Recommendations
☃️ We hope you're all feeling suitably festive and enjoying some wintery children's books in the run up to the big day! Should you need more Christmas reads– and let’s face it, we always need more books – we've put together a list of some of our recent faves.
1 | THE SNOWMAN BY MICHAEL MORPURGO :
An enchanting reimagining of the classic picture book by Raymond Briggs, now put into words by Michael Morpurgo with illustrations by Robin Shaw. After a snowfall, James spends his day recreating the snowman from his favourite book, which is a Christmas gift in itself. But when, that night, the Snowman is brought to life, he knows that magic is real. The Snowman and James then embark on an adventure across the skies…
2 | THE VERY MERRY MURDER CLUB EDITED BY SERENA PATEL AND ROBIN STEVENS :
Thirteen Christmassy mysteries by beloved middle grade authors jam-packed into one brilliant volume! Featuring contributions by Abiola Bello, Annabelle Sami, Benjamin Dean, E.L. Norry, Elle McNicoll, Dominique Valente, Joanna Williams, Maisie Chan, Nizrana Farook, Patrice Lawrence, Roopa Farooki, Serena Patel and Sharna Jackson, and edited by Serena Patel (Anisha: Accidental Detective) and Robins Stevens (Murder Most Unladylike), this anthology is guaranteed to make the festive season a lot more dramatic!
3 | THE MIRACLE ON EBENEZER STREET BY CATHERINE DOYLE :
A refreshing take on A Christmas Carol perfect for middle grade readers! Christmas hasn’t been the same for George since his mother died, and it doesn’t help that his Dad is too busy with work to care about Christmas at all. But when George discovers Marley’s Curiosity Shop, and an enchanted snow globe on the shelves, everything changes – because George and his dad are transported on a time travelling journey to Christmasses of the past, present and future.
4 | A CHRISTMAS IN TIME BY SALLY NICHOLLS :
Alex and Ruby have discovered something magical in their aunt’s house: a mirror that can transport them to different places in the past! This time, they have fallen into a beautiful Victorian Christmas, and met Edith, a poor young girl whose father plans on sending her away from home on Boxing Day. Alex and Ruby must save Edith from the wicked boarding school before they can return to the present in this wonderfully festive illustrated story.
5 | WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH BY CORNELIA FUNKE :
Ben and Charlotte are surprised when the strange person who crashes into their neighbourhood turns out to be Niklas Goodfellow. With the Great Christmas Council under the control of Gerold Goblynch, magic has been banned and so many dissenting Santas have been turned into chocolate so that now only Niklas remains! Together with Charlotte’s dog, an invisible reindeer, angels and a group of elves, the two children do all they can to save the last Santa from a chocolatey doom.
6 | HOW WINSTON DELIVERED CHRISTMAS :
The chapter book adaptation of Alex T Smith’s cherished Christmas book. Winston the mouse has made a shocking discovery: one of the letters to Father Christmas has been left behind, meaning someone is at risk of going without Christmas presents! Winston makes it his mission to deliver the lost letter to Father Christmas, befriending many as he travels on his adventure – but will he get there before it’s too late?
7 | SANTA GETS A SECOND JOB BY MICHELE D'IGNAZIO :
Even Santa himself has money troubles – and delivering presents to every child on Christmas Eve doesn’t pay enough anymore. To boost his income, he finds another calling in life as a bin man! When he discovers he can make new toys from the recycled materials he comes across, the two jobs work perfectly together, but then he discovers years old letters in the bins addressed to him. Resolving to find their author, he plans to grant their long-awaited Christmas wish.
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