Whilst our shortlist is hopefully keeping your pupils busy, there is always time to snuggle up in front of the tree with a Christmas classic. We have selected our top five awesome Christmas books from Bookshop to get children into the festive spirit this year; the perfect stocking fillers to keep imaginations running wild over the holidays. From seasonal classics to a collection of letters from Father Christmas, our varied selection is suitable for the Awesome age group.
- Letter’s from Father Christmas – J. R. R. Tolkien
This classic festive book consists of Tolkien’s enchanting Father Christmas letters written to his children between the 1920s and the 1940s.
Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R.Tolkien’s children. Inside would be a letter in strange spidery handwriting and a beautiful coloured drawing or some sketches. The letters were from Father Christmas.
The letters tell wonderful tales of life at the North Pole. No reader, young or old, can fail to be charmed by the inventiveness and ‘authenticity’ of Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas.
- A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
The most famous Christmas story in the world – Charles Dickens’ beloved book A Christmas Carol.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean, miserable, bitter old man with no friends. One cold Christmas Eve, three ghosts take him on a scary journey to show him the error of his nasty ways. By visiting his past, present and future, Scrooge learns to love Christmas and the people all around him.
- The Snowman – Michael Morpurgo
Beloved children’s author Michael Morpurgo has re-imagined Raymond Briggs’ classic The Snowman for a new generation of readers.
One December morning, James is thrilled to wake up to see snow falling. He spends the whole day making his perfect snowman; he has coal eyes, an old green hat and scarf and a tangerine nose… just like the snowman from his favourite story.That night, something magical happens- the Snowman comes to life!
He and James take to the skies on a magical adventure where they meet someone very special.
- The Jolly Christmas Postman – Allan Ahlberg & Janet Ahlberg
It’s Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to everyone’s favourite fairy-tale characters. He has a card for Baby Bear, a game for Red Riding Hood, a get-well jigsaw for poor Humpty Dumpty and lots more packages to deliver! The Jolly Postman keeps on peddling his bicycle up hill and down dale… and into everybody’s hearts.
Children will love the beautiful illustrations and seeing what’s in all the envelopes.
- The Polar Express – Chris Van Allsburg
Another truely beloved Christmas classic.
A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole. The Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. This is a story for all who believe in the spirit of Christmas and those who treasure the sound of a reindeer’s silver bell.
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