Top Festive Book Picks for Kids – Your 2025 Bookmas Guide
Bev Humphrey
Literacy & Digital Media Consultant
www.bevhumphrey.com
Social media – https://linktr.ee/BevHumphrey
It’s beginning to look a lot like bookmas… well it is in our home anyway! There have been so many absolutely amazing festive titles for children released this year that it has been hard to choose some favourites to share with you but here goes:
You’re My Deerest, Harriet Evans
This charming, cute but sturdy board book would be a perfect gift for any baby or toddler on your list. It has raised up elements on each page making it wonderfully tactile and the words are loving and sure to strike a chord with any parent.
I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas, Lauren Child
With such a well-established author I kind of knew I’d enjoy this, but enjoyment isn’t strong enough a reaction, I loved it! Featuring well beloved characters Charlie and Lola the story perfectly encapsulated that ‘just can’t wait’ anticipatory feeling that young children get around the festive season.
A Christmas Delivery, Andy Shepherd
This is the first picture book from the author of popular middle grade series The Boy Who Grew Dragons and it has all of the craziness and warmth of her previous stories. And there’s a snow dragon, need I say more?!
Dave Pigeon (Turkey Dinner), Swapna Haddow
Dave Pigeon is traumatised when he realises that the humans eat… birds!!! for Christmas lunch so with his trusty sidekick Skipper he sets out to save the turkey – not realising that it’s already much too late for this particular bird. Very funny with an ecological message delivered with a very light touch.
An Anthology of Christmas, Auriol Bishop
With its sumptuously foiled cover and fully illustrated throughout, this factual anthology of Christmas facts is one to treasure and pore over for years. I was fascinated to read of the Icelandic tale of a fierce Yule cat, and the attached ribbon bookmark has been in constant use.
A Crongton Christmas Party, Alex Wheatle
Final adventure set in our favourite London community, with strong themes of friendship and bullying. Alex Wheatle sadly passed away this year, so I read this with a lump in my throat even as I enjoyed his usual excellent storytelling.
Mint to Be, Katie Cicatelli-Kuc
A vanilla, charming love story perfect for young teens and up, Mint to Be reads like the best type of Christmas rom com and should be enjoyed with a mug of hot chocolate.
Christmas Origami, Clover Robin
if you’re looking for something to keep the kids occupied in the days up until the big day this book has got your back. Containing step by step instructions to make 13 festive themed animals and 50 sheets of origami paper, you can also scan a handy qr code which leads to video help on each project.
Where’s Wally? The Search for Santa and Where’s Wally? The Perfect Present Hunt
These two pocket sized activity books featuring our favourite lost character are great for mindful calm down moments away from the frantic excitement of the season.
I wish you a very happy bookmas, I hope Santa makes your bookish dreams come true!
For more from Bev Humphrey, sign up for her Lit Link-up webinars or watch the previous session here.
