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.

The Role of Books in Supporting Teenagers’ Mental Health

Bev Humphrey
Literacy & Digital Media Consultant
www.bevhumphrey.com
Social media – https://linktr.ee/BevHumphrey

In recent years, concerns about teenagers’ mental health have been on the rise, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns. Research from the UK has shown a notable increase in anxiety and depression among teens, worsened by prolonged isolation and disruptions to their daily routines. Similar trends have been noted worldwide, with experts highlighting the deep psychological effects of extended social distancing and school closures on young people. Indeed, the World Health Organization states that “Globally, one in seven 10-to-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability amongst adolescents. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15-29 years old.” (https://tinyurl.com/readingmentalhealth)

In the midst of these challenges, books stand out as a wonderful means of relief and healing. Reading not only offers an escape from reality but also brings a comforting sense of companionship and understanding, helping to build resilience and emotional well-being as well as helping us to understand what we are going through inside our heads. Author Nicola Morgan coined the term “readaxation” to describe the strategy of using reading for pleasure as a way of lowering stress levels, and she shares my own belief that relaxation is an essential part of physical and mental health. (https://tinyurl.com/redaxation)

Here are some book recommendations to help young people cope with their mental health challenges and tap into the soothing power of literature.

The Anxiety Club
This title follows three people as they learn to cope with different forms of anxiety using evidence-based strategies instead of unhealthy habits. Written by Dr. Frédéric Fanget and Catherine Meyer, with illustrations by Pauline Aubry, this guide helps readers recognise, understand, and overcome anxiety. It is highly illustrated, making good use of comic strips, so it is great for visual learners.

Astral Panic
This YA graphic novel by Katie Hicks follows Gale, a young man wrestling with anxiety and self-doubt, whose life changes when he moves in with the outgoing Aiden. Drawn into Aiden’s world and his band, Astral Panic, Gale starts to confront his fears and find his voice, both onstage and off. It tackles anxiety, wellness culture (the Simply Pear app and lifestyle products), digital overload, and the pressure to appear in control.

No Worries
Be Resilient, Positively Teenage, Body Brilliant, etc. – All of these titles from Nicola Morgan offer no-nonsense, practical advice and are worth their weight in gold in a school library. Their matter of fact, sympathetic style is just perfectly pitched, and I learnt a lot from these books as an adult, which made me wish they were about when I was a misunderstood teenager.

Blackout
A YA anthology that follows multiple Black teens across New York City during a power outage. Each story explores friendship, love, and self-discovery, capturing the energy and creativity of urban teen life. The collection celebrates connection, hope, and the magic found in ordinary moments. Short stories can be very helpful if depression means you have a low attention span, and these stories are very good for the soul and uplifting.

King of Nothing
Nathanael Lessore is gifted at dealing with serious issues with wit and humour, and books that make you laugh can be so cathartic. Anton is the self-proclaimed King of Year 9, confident in his social dominance, until his mother forces him to join the local Happy Campers club, where he’s stuck alongside Matthew, the school’s underdog. The story explores themes of masculinity, social hierarchy, and empathy, showing how unexpected experiences can reshape identity and relationships.

I hope these suggestions help you support vulnerable young people in your library. Even if it’s just one we reach, it makes it all worthwhile.

Young Adult Reads to Give You the Shivers

The best books for Halloween 2025

Bev Humphrey
Literacy & Digital Media Consultant
www.bevhumphrey.com
Social media – https://linktr.ee/BevHumphrey

It’s the spooky season once again, when the contrast of reading a scary book in a cozy nook just feels right. In the spirit of the season, here are my top 10 disquieting reads of this year and one classic that I just couldn’t leave out:

House of Salt and Sorrows, Erin A. Craig
Based on the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, this book is suspenseful and spooky with an ever-building sense of menace.

Moonsick, Tom O’Donnell
Set in the aftermath of a pandemic that turns people into werewolves, this story has its fair share of jump scares and an interesting moral dilemma.

Burying Jericho, William Hussey
This is the second in the series about a showman turned private detective, raw, shocking with serial killers and some graphic scenes, older YA and so good.

A Grave Inheritance, Felicity Epps
A story with Ghosts, found family, and crime set in Victorian times with all of the society ‘rules’ that applied then, hampering our heroine in getting to the bottom of why she’s being haunted.

The Wintermoor Lights, Dan Smith
This is the second in a series of scary short read stories, has a great sense of impending doom, and is fine for readers that only want a frisson of fear.

Not Quite Dead Yet, Holly Jackson
This book is a great thriller with a very novel plot, has a fair bit of colourful language but nothing that would shock most YA readers.

They Own the Night, Amy McCaw
This one is a Dracula retelling with a retro 1980s Edinburgh setting. Also check out the Mina and the Undead trilogy from this author, loved them.

Heart-Shaped Box, Joe Hill
Not for the fainthearted, this ghost story gave me a few nights of sleeping with the light on when it first came out, an award-winning classic.

Scuttle, Barnaby Walter
Do not read this horror story if you have arachnophobia, it gave me all of the crawly skin feelings whilst reading it!

Traumaland, Josh Silver
This book is quite probably my top read of the year so far; dark, twisty, and with a shock ending that I haven’t yet forgiven the author for.

Read with the lights on!

Books for Middle Grade

Bev Humphrey
Literacy & Digital Media Consultant
www.bevhumphrey.com
Social media – https://linktr.ee/BevHumphrey

We’re right in the middle of a proper golden age for middle grade fiction, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier about it. There’s something genuinely special about how these books can tackle big feelings and complex themes while still being great fun to read. Here’s a quick run-through of some of my favourites from the last few years.

First up, The Doughnut Club by Kristina Rahim. This one follows 12-year-old Quinn, who’s donor-conceived and lives with her two mums and younger brother. She often feels a bit like the odd one out – quieter and more creative than her sporty, loud family. On a seaside holiday, she finds out she might have 16 donor siblings. Naturally, she gets curious and starts trying to track them down, which makes her rethink what family really means. It’s a gentle, thoughtful story about identity and belonging, perfect for anyone interested in the many shapes family can take.

Then there’s Alice With a Why by Anna James, which is a lovely mix of historical and magical. Set in 1919, it follows Alyce, the granddaughter of the original Alice, who gets pulled into a magical Wonderland caught between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. She’s got to solve riddles and face challenges that mix whimsy with deeper themes like grief and belonging. Full disclosure: I’m a big Anna James fan and a bit of an Alice nerd, so I was always going to enjoy this one.

How to Roller-Skate with One Leg by Ella Dove is a brilliant, funny, and inspiring read. It tells the story of Maya Bright, who loses a leg in a car accident but refuses to let that stop her. She sets herself a list of goals, learning to roller-skate and throwing a great birthday party for example, while navigating friendship dramas and adjusting to her new life. Written by an amputee herself, it’s a genuine take on resilience and embracing change with a smile.

For something a bit darker, check out The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall. This eco-horror adventure imagines a future where bees are extinct, and zombie-raising insects are now vital to pollinating crops. When 12-year-old Merian’s scientist mum is caught up in a deadly outbreak, Merian must uncover what’s really going on. Smart, thrilling, and packed with big themes like climate change, ethics in science, and corporate secrecy.

If you’re into fantasy, Midnight Treasure by Piers Torday is a cracking fast-paced adventure. Tibor, a young werewolf, is sent on a mission to find a legendary treasure. His only companion is a talking dog who used to be a vampire, and together they face magical traps, strange creatures, and rising dangers that could change everything. Midnight Treasure is dark, witty, and full of surprises.

Tyger by SF Said is a standout for me – a powerful, beautifully written book that blends alternate history, fantasy, and serious moral questions. Set in a London where the British Empire never ended and racism is law, it follows Adam, a mixed-race boy who finds a wounded, talking Tyger hiding in the city. The story is rich in symbolism and emotional depth, easily one of the most important middle grade books I’ve read in years.

I have to mention I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery, which genuinely made me tear up. The story is told from the perspective of Rebel, a loyal dog whose human, Tom, disappears to join a rebellion. Rebel embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him home. It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of adventure and ideal for sparking conversations about loyalty, courage, and friendship. No wonder it won Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2024.

Nush and the Stolen Emerald by Jasbinder Bilan was a surprise favourite. Set in 19th-century India and Victorian England, it follows Nush, the Maharajah’s twin daughter, who disguises herself as her brother to travel to London and recover a stolen family emerald. Nush and the Stolen Emerald is full of adventure and courage, and touches on colonialism and identity. I didn’t expect to get so hooked on historical fiction, but this one’s beautifully done.

Lastly, Bird Boy by Catherine Bruton is a quietly powerful story about grief, healing, and nature’s role in our lives. After his mum dies suddenly, 11-year-old Will is sent to live with his estranged uncle in the Lake District. There, he befriends Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan, and together they care for an injured osprey chick. As Will looks after the bird, he begins to heal from his own wounds. So sensitive and moving, and a lovely exploration of friendship and recovery.

So, there you have it – a snapshot of some brilliant reads that prove middle grade fiction is thriving like never before. Happy reading!