Christmas Picture Books 2021

Christmas time is here again, and as always, I am delighted to recommend two books to read over the holidays. One is a sequel to a book I previously reviewed and one has recently been reissued.

Title: How Winston Came Home For Christmas.
Author/Illustrator: Alex T. Smith.
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books.
Published: 2021.
Format: Hardback.
Source: Own copy.

I adored the previous book in the Winston series, and so I was very excited when the sequel was released this year. Like Winston's first adventure, this comes in the same format of 24 and a half chapters to read each day, along with some new festive activities to keep you busy.

It's getting closer to Christmas, and Winston is already enjoying time with his new friend Oliver. However, he cannot help but have strange flashbacks to a Christmas long ago, and he cannot help but feel that somebody else is missing from his life. And so he sets off on another adventure to find this somebody, this time around Europe. All of the characters you loved from the previous book make their return, but there are some new companions there to help Winston on his journey of self-discovery, ranging from the pampered yet adventure-seeking poodle Gaspard to the shy and nervous fox Heinz.

The story is incredibly heartwarming and the activities just as fun as the first book's set. If you had read and enjoyed the first Winston book, this is definitely worth getting.

Title: Jingle Bells.
Author/Illustrator: Nick Butterworth.
Publisher: HarperCollins.
Published: 1998.
Format: Hardback.
Source: Own copy.

I have always been a fan of the Percy the Park Keeper books and I was extra lucky to see their creator Nick Butterworth discuss his work at the 2019 Wimbledon Book Festival. This is another one of his books I greatly enjoyed, and it has been re-published in paperback this year.

The book concerns two mice with a problem - they want to enjoy Christmas but are constantly being terrorised by the mean cat Angus. Luckily, they have a plan which involves...well, I won't spoil it, but there's a reason for the title. I greatly enjoyed this story when I was younger and I still enjoy it now, both for the humour and the memorable characters. Whether you are a Percy fan like me or are new to Butterworth's books, this is one Christmas story you shouldn't miss out on.

That does it for another year of reviewing wonderful Christmas books. I hope you all have a happy Christmas and find a good read for the holidays, whether it be one of the books I recommended or maybe even something different.

Raymond Briggs Winter Graphic Novels

Raymond Briggs is one of my favourite writers and illustrators of all time. A master of the graphic novel format, he has written several iconic stories, some of which have even been adapted for TV. These are two of his best, perfect for enjoying throughout the cold winter days.

Title: The Snowman.
Author/Illustrator: Raymond Briggs.
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton.
Published: 1978.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

This is no doubt Briggs' most iconic work, made particularly famous by the numerous animated TV specials and stage shows. It tells the magical yet bittersweet story of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life one night. Whilst a fantastical tale on the surface, it also delves into the idea of making the most of the time you have. What makes the book especially charming is that it is left ambiguous as to when the events occur, so you don't have to only read it at Christmas time.

The best aspect of the book though is that it is told without any words. Instead, it relies on the actions and emotions of the characters as well as the setting itself in order to communicate its message, making plenty of its scenes more powerful in the process - in particular the final panel. There is a version of the book that comes with words, but you will not find any need to read it as the pictures already tell you so much about what is happening.

Title: The Complete Father Christmas.
Author/Illustrator: Raymond Briggs.
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton.
Published: 1978.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

Father Christmas is a real character - rather than the kindly, wise figure we see in most media, he's a comical curmudgeon who finds it hard to get into the same Christmas spirit that he spreads to other people, complete with his "blooming" catchphrase. Instead of living in a fantasy wonderland and having a whole team of elves at his disposal, he has to get on with the work by himself in a house that looks like one you'd find on your average suburban street. In a way, he takes on a life of his own in these tales and has arguably become just as iconic as the traditional portrayal.

There are two stories in this omnibus to enjoy. The first one, Father Christmas, focuses on the titular character delivering all of the presents around the world, sometimes to some famous places like Buckingham Palace, before celebrating Christmas himself. The second one, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday, consists of him struggling to find the perfect place to spend the summer and the mishaps he has along the way. These stories are incredibly funny with plenty of moments to make you laugh, and they will present a whole new side to everyone's favourite holiday spirit that we rarely see captured in other works.

Christmas Picture Book Reviews 2020

2020 has certainly been a chaotic year for many, with this Christmas season in particularly having to be done differently to usual. I have found that having a good book to read always helps during these stressful times and these Christmas books will certainly help to make your Christmas a little brighter. This time I will be reviewing one classic, one brand new book and one that features a character beloved by many.

Title: The Polar Express.
Author/Illustrator: Chris van Allsburg.
Publisher: Anderson Press.
Published: 1985.
Format: Paperback.
Source: My own copy.

I was very lucky to be able to watch Chris van Allsburg talk recently, as well as receive a signed copy of the 35th anniversary version of The Polar Express, one of his most famous books. The story tells of a young boy who boards a train one night to the North Pole, with other children joining him and a breathtaking view of the sights around. When the children arrive at Santa's place, one of them will receive the first gift of the year.

This is a magical yet poignant tale of the power of belief, and is vastly superior to the film adaptation of it. It comes complete with the beautiful photorealistic illustrations that Allsburg is renowned for, all mixed with a magical adventure. The descriptions of the sights that the children see, as well as the fact that they receive hot chocolate and get to sing Christmas carols, really made me want to ride the Polar Express itself! Definitely a classic worth checking out.

Title: The Twelve Days Of Christmas or Grandma is Overly Generous.

Author/Illustrator: Alex T. Smith.
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books.
Published: 2020.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

A very humorous take on The Twelve Days Of Christmas. Eloise's grandma is very generous...a little too generous. As the days go by, her gifts for Eloise keep on increasing and, whilst the book starts off in the same way as the original poem, it takes an entirely original turn once it gets to the seventh day. Eloise's reactions are mixed - sometimes she's delighted and sometimes she's unsure whether these gifts are what she really wants. And the twelfth provides the biggest surprise of them all...

I got a good chuckle from the humorous and often surprising situations that Eloise finds herself in, with the trademark illustrations of Alex T. Smith really adding to them. I also loved the Edwardian touch to Eloise and her grandmother's outfits as a reference to when the original was first published. Like Smith's other Christmas book I reviewed last year, How Winston Delivered Christmas, this is a perfect read for Christmas time and a particularly funny one at that too.

Title: Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa.Author: Valerie Thomas.
Illustrator: Korky Paul.
Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Published: 2016.
Format: Hardback.
Source: My own copy.

I've always enjoyed the antics of Winnie the Witch and her cat Wilbur. This time, her adventures see her having to help out Santa after he got stuck in her chimney. Now he needs her help in delivering the presents to the children in time. As always with Winnie and Wilbur, things don't go so smoothly...

For those who know about this series, you will be pleased to know that this book is complete with the same slapstick and zany antics that Winnie and Wilbur are known and loved for, topped off with the irreverent and humorous illustrations of Korky Paul. But it's the added bonuses exclusive to this book that really make it stand out. From the endpages featuring drawings of the characters from children who love these stories to the pop-up features at the end of the book, this is definitely a Christmas treat worth having.

How Winston Delivered Christmas

Title: How Winston Delivered Christmas.

Author/Illustrator: Alex T. Smith.

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books.

Published: 2018.

Format: Hardback.

Source: Own copy.

For my Christmas blog post this year, I review How Winston Delivered Christmas, a book that I received just after Christmas last year but have enjoyed reading in full this year. It is an entertaining and heartwarming story that demonstrates the importance of helping others and showing acts of kindness, no matter how small.

The story follows Winston, a young mouse who has always been looking for a place to call home. One Christmas Eve, he discovers a mislaid Christmas letter addressed to Father Christmas, and he makes it his job to get the letter delivered in time before Christmas Day. Along the way, he meets up with a variety of different characters who become his new friends and help him in his quest in many different ways. 

There are twenty-five chapters overall, each accompanying a different day of Advent. Each chapter is short and easy to read, yet enjoyable and fun at the same time. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations that perfectly add to the mood of each different chapter.

What makes this book stand out from other Christmas stories is that after each chapter, there are activities to try out at home, such as baking Christmas food and making decorations. Some of them are tied into the theme of the chapter that they accompany. Though I wasn't able to do all of them this year, I was able to complete many and had a lot of fun in the process! One other feature that I love is a list at the end of traditions that other countries have in celebrating Christmas.

This is a story with a well-written and diverse cast of characters along with plenty of humour and warmth (and a bit of suspense as well!). You will be rooting for the lovable Winston to succeed in his quest. I highly recommend this to people of all ages, and I promise that grown-ups will not be considered too old to join in with some of the activities too!

New Christmas Picture Books

The twelve days of Christmas are over so I thought that I would recommend some books for next year! I was lucky enough to receive some brilliant new Christmas-themed picture books and I would like to review three that particularly stood out to me.

 

Title: The Mouse That Cancelled Christmas

Author: Madeleine Cook

Illustrator: Samara Hardy

Publisher:  Oxford University Press

Published: 2016

Format: Paperback

Source: My own copy

 

In this lively tale, the forest animals are getting ready to celebrate Christmas and get into the spirit of it. However, the mouse is so obsessed with safety that he worries that the festivities will be too dangerous for them all and tries to cancel them. Eventually however, the animals work together to find a way to help the mouse loosen up and the Christmas festivities to continue. This is a very funny story with endearing pictures that helps to teach the message about the importance of the Christmas spirit and celebrating with your loved ones. The cast of animals, including the eponymous mouse himself, are memorable and funny like the story itself.

 

 

Title: Ollie’s Christmas Reindeer

Author: Nicola Killen

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster

Published: 2016

Format: Paperback

Source: My own copy

 

This heart-warming picture book tells the story of a little girl named Ollie who hears the jingle of bells one night and sets off into the snow in order to investigate. Upon finding a belt with silver bells on it and the reindeer that it belongs to, both a magical journey and a long-lasting friendship begin. I found this to be a very sweet story with endearing pictures to match, and the cut-outs that lead to the next page serve as an excellent bonus. The red and silver highlights add just the right level of festivity to the lovely monochrome illustrations. In the same way that Ollie will always remember her newfound friend once the tale has ended, this story will also remain with the audience with its charm and lovable cast.

 

Title: A Dot in the Snow

Author: Corinne Averiss

Illustrator: Fiona Woodcock

Publisher:  Oxford University Press

Published: 2016

Format: Hardback

Source: My own copy

 

This story is about a polar bear named Miki that heads out on its own one day and notices a small red dot in the distance. As they get closer to each other, the dot is revealed to be a friendly young girl and she and Miki become friends with each other. They play together in the snow and eventually, in helping the Dot, Miki is able to find the courage to dive into the chilly waters when beforehand he did not want to. It is a very sweet tale with lovely illustrations inside, complete with the red of the girl's coat and the sparkly glitter on the front cover. The characters are extremely likeable and the friendship between Miki and the Dot is something special indeed.

 

Christmas books from Mick Inkpen

In order to celebrate the Christmas holidays, I have chosen to write some reviews on three books by one of my favourite authors and illustrators Mick Inkpen. They are all ideal for the Christmas season and will appeal to both children and adults alike.

 Title: Kipper’s Christmas Eve

Author: Mick Inkpen
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 1999
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy
Paperback printed October 2014

This is one of the instalments in the much-loved “Kipper” series, which I adored as a child and still love. As Kipper goes off to find the perfect Christmas tree and invites his friends Tiger, Pig and Arnold round to his house, the book aims to answer the important question – which is best, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? This is a very funny and warm-hearted story with timeless illustrations to match, with the added bonus of a cute little mouse that follows Kipper around after he finds the perfect Christmas tree. The last page of the original hardback is particularly delightful, with a flashing red light located on the reindeer hat that Arnold wears as he looks out of the window in anticipation for Father Christmas.

Title: Kipper’s Snowy Day

Author: Mick Inkpen
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 2015 (reissue)
Format: Paperback
Source: My own copy

Another brilliant instalment in the “Kipper” series, this book involves everyone's favourite dog building a snowman with the help of his friend Tiger, who has chosen to wear some funny looking accessories for keeping warm in the cold. Many funny antics occur whilst he wears these garments, which are eventually used to decorate the snowman. This all culminates in a wonderful picture of the snowman at night time as the snow continues to fall down near the end of the story. Like the other “Kipper” book, this is also a humorous text with the same liveliness in its illustrations, with the friends taking part in snowball fights and building the snowman to look just like Kipper.

 

Title: Threadbear

Author: Mick Inkpen
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 2007
Format: Paperback
Source: My own copy

This book is themed around toys and mainly focuses on Threadbear, a teddy bear whose squeaker does not work because his toymaker filled him up with too much stuffing. In order to solve this problem, the other toys recommend that he visits Father Christmas and what follows is a magical journey. The amusing narrative and the timeless pictures pair perfectly together to create a brilliant picture book with a satisfying ending for both the audience and the characters. It is not hard to see why, like the “Kipper” series, this story has also gone on to be a picture book classic.

 

Christmas Classics

As Christmas Day approaches, we all love to read books to get ourselves into the spirit of the holidays. These three books are well-loved classics and I always like to read them during this time of year.

 

 

Title: A Christmas Carol

Author: Charles Dickens
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: Pavilion Children's Books
Published: 2008
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy

This book is already a Christmas classic, but this beautiful edition with Quentin Blake's illustrations is a definite favourite of mine. A lot of people find Dickens hard to read but this story is shorter than most of his other novels. Additionally, the lively pictures make the tale easy to follow and help to introduce children to his novels. In this story, the cynical miser Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve and learns the true meaning of Christmas: embracing the spirit of it and giving to the less fortunate. There is a wide variety of memorable characters including Scrooge himself and the innocent Tiny Tim to whom he gradually becomes closer, eventually becoming like a second father.

 

 

Title: Eloise at Christmastime

Author: Kay Thompson
Illustrator: Hilary Knight
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 1999
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy

This lively and vibrant book tells the story of Eloise, a lively young girl who lives in a hotel with her nanny and how she is getting into the spirit of the Christmas holidays. The story is told in rhyme with a recurring musical theme throughout and the pictures are full of energy, with the simplistic colour palette of red, black and white making them stand out. The cast itself is also memorable and endearing, with other characters such as the Nanny, Eloise's pets and the friends who live inside and outside the hotel celebrating with the protagonist. This has to be my favourite instalment in the classic Eloise series.

Title: The Night Before Christmas

Author: Clement C Moore
Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
Publisher: Chancellor Press
Published: 1985
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy

Originally called “A Visit From Saint Nicholas”, this classic narrative poem tells the story of a father who witnesses Father Christmas visit his family home on Christmas Eve. The event is described in full detail, with vibrant descriptions of Father Christmas himself and what he does upon arriving at the house. The rhyming makes the poem fun to read and its fast pace perfectly matches the lively mood of Christmas. I especially recommend the edition with illustrations by Arthur Rackham or the pop-up retelling by Robert Sabuda.

Title: The Night Before Christmas

Author: Clement C Moore
Illustrator: Robert Sabuda
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2002
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy