As the festive season approaches, books continue to be one of the most cherished and enduring presents for children. While they might not fit into a stocking, a great story offers a gift that lasts long after the decorations come down. This year's selection of standout titles promises to captivate young minds with magical adventures, heartfelt lessons, and riotous humour.
Magical Adventures and Thoughtful Tales
Leading the charge is Anna James, the author behind the Pages & Co series, with her poignant standalone novel, Alice With A Why. Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books for £9.99, this story transports readers to 1919. It follows Alyce, the granddaughter of the original Alice, who is drawn into a magical conflict that mirrors the aftermath of the First World War. Familiar characters like the Cheshire Cat guide her in this thoughtful companion to Lewis Carroll's classic.
For teens seeking a gripping new series, Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue is a perfect pick. Priced at £16.99 from Walker Books, this dystopian adventure sees protagonist Margot fall asleep on a train and wake in a parallel world where time moves at wildly different speeds. Described as haunting and inventive, it is an ideal next read for fans of The Hunger Games.
The fantasy continues with Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell. This second book in her acclaimed series, available for £7.46 from Bloomsbury, draws Christopher back into the hidden Archipelago of magical creatures for a fast-paced adventure full of daring rescues.
Laughter, Friendship, and Bedtime Fun
Younger readers will be delighted by Kim Hillyard's warm and funny picture book, Bert And The Bubble. Published by Ladybird for £6.49, it tells the story of Bert and a giant bubble that causes chaos, offering a joyful lesson about sharing and friendship through vibrant illustrations.
Humour takes centre stage in Donut Squad: Take Over The World! by Neill Cameron. This energetic comic, shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2025 and costing £7.49, follows a team of doughnuts battling villainous bagels and includes tips for aspiring artists.
Bedtime gets a monstrously funny twist in Huw Aaron's Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob (Puffin, £6.49). This witty picture book flips the script, showing the bedtime routines of classic creatures, from Dracula brushing his teeth to a sentient meteor, resulting in a clever and tender storytime hit.
Celebrating Nature, Words, and Resilience
For nature-loving children, Secrets Of The Stars: 15 Bedtime Stories Inspired by Nature by Alicia Klepeis is a beautifully designed, cloth-bound anthology. Published by Neon Squid for £14.99, its silver-accented pages feature five-minute tales exploring nocturnal wonders like snowy owls.
Following his global phenomenon, Charlie Mackesy returns with Always Remember: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse And The Storm (Ebury Press, £10.98). In the same distinctive sketch style, this heartfelt book sees the Boy learning to weather both emotional and literal storms, offering an uplifting message for all ages.
Language itself is celebrated in Susie Dent's The Roots We Share: 100 Words That Bring Us Together (Puffin, £14.99). Exploring wonderful words from 'conjobble' to 'goodwilly', it charmingly highlights the power of language and togetherness.
Rounding out the list is the playful, rhyming sequel The Cave Downwind Of The Café by Mikey Please (HarperCollins, £11.97), where creature Glumfoot must find courage to save his favourite café from a ravenous ogre.
All prices were correct at the time of publication, offering a diverse range of children's books to become treasured Christmas gifts this festive season.
