Christmas reading

Christmas is celebrated differently all around the world. Many children in the Northern Hemisphere have a cold Christmas, snuggled inside with roaring fires and snow outside. Children in the Southern Hemisphere have a very different, very warm Christmas — often with BBQs! These books show the different ways children all over the world celebrate this special day of peace and goodwill.

Picture books

The Christmas caravan Jennifer Beck
When Simon sees a competition in the newspaper for the best-decorated Christmas house, he is keen to enter. When his mother says she can’t afford expensive lights and decorations, Simon decides to decorate their caravan in his own way. A New Zealand story.
A Bad Kitty Christmas Nick Bruel
A greedy Bad Kitty didn’t get all the presents she wanted for Christmas, but after she goes on a Christmas caper across town and through multiple alphabets, she makes a new friend, finds an old friend, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Or not.
Cover Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas present John Burningham
On discovering late Christmas Eve that he has forgotten to deliver one present, Santa Claus wearily makes his way in a variety of conveyances to the top of the Roly Poly Mountains to deliver it.
Cover Dear Santa Rod Campbell
A letter to Santa starts off a merry chain of gift-wrapping, but none of the presents received is quite right. Lift the flaps of the book to unwrap each present.
Melrose and Croc : together at Christmas Emma Chichester Clark
A chance meeting turns to friendship for a lonely crocodile and a companionless golden retriever who both arrive in the city at Christmas time.
Cowshed Christmas Joy Cowley
A retelling of the Christmas story with a New Zealand twist. Farmyard animals including a cow, sheep and kune kune come with gifts such as a rugby ball, pavlova and jandals for the baby Jesus by the cowshed door. Illustrated by Gavin Bishop.
Cover Mrs Wishy-Washy’s Christmas Joy Cowley
Mrs Wishy-Washy has told her animals they must have a good scrub in the bath or they won’t get their Christmas presents, but it’s so cold in the old barn. Duck knows where there is a much better bath, with warm water and bubbles.
Cover Slinky Malinki’s Christmas crackers written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd
The family have dressed the Christmas tree and it is looking perfect. Then Slinky Malinki arrives and enjoys himself playing with all the decorations.
The little reindeer Michael Foreman
A little boy discovers a strange present on Christmas Eve. He unwraps it to find a very special little reindeer and a unique friendship develops between them.
Wombat divine Mem Fox
For a long time Wombat wanted to take a part in the Nativity play, but somehow it was very difficult.
A Kiwi Christmas Carol Chris Gurney
Miserly old Jerry from the Kai Corner Dairy is the New Zealand equivalent of Scrooge. Children will love spotting the odd kiwi icon in Philip Webb’s humorous illustrations.
Toot & Puddle : I’ll be home for Christmas Holly Hobbie
It’s almost time for Christmas at Woodcock Pocket, and Puddle is getting everything ready. Toot is stranded in a winter storm in Edinburgh, but he promises he’ll be home in time for Christmas Day — and so he is, with the unexpected help of another traveller!
Cover Two cans of corned beef and a manulele in a mango tree: a Pacific Christmas Sarona Aiono–Iosefa
A Pacific version of the popular Christmas song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", with such gifts as four rolls of tapa, three frangipanis, two cans of corned beef and a manulele in a mango tree.
The night before Christmas Tony Mitton
Young children will love to join in the excitement of waiting for Santa to visit on Christmas Eve, as seen through the eyes of two little mice.
Cover A message for Santa Hiawyn Oram
Emily loves Christmas but is not too fond of Santa. Emily wants to block up the chimney to prevent Santa entering the house. But her mum inspires her to find another solution.
Merry Christmas, Splat Rob Scotton
Splat the cat is worried that he has not been good enough to deserve a visit and a present from Santa Claus.
Cover How the Grinch stole Christmas Dr. Seuss
The Grinch tries to stop Christmas from arriving by stealing all the presents and food from the village, but much to his surprise it comes anyway. Could Christmas be more than presents?
How Santa really works Alan Snow
How Santa Really Works is the true scoop on how Santa does what he does so well.
Room for a little one Martin Waddell
Kind Ox welcomes Old Dog, Stray Cat, Small Mouse, Tired Donkey, and finally the baby Jesus into his stable on the first Christmas night.
The road to Bethlehem Brian Wildsmith
A group of animals set out on a journey to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus, making friends and helping each other out along the way.
Cover A Christmas story Brian Wildsmith
An original account of the events of Christmas. A little girl called Rebecca and a little donkey go in search of the donkey’s mother, which Mary and Joseph have taken with them to Bethlehem. As Rebecca travels on, the Christmas story is revealed.
The Christmas miracle of Jonathan Toomey Susan Wojciechowski; illustrated by P.J. Lynch
The widow McDowell and her seven-year-old son Thomas ask the gruff Jonathan Toomey, the best wood-carver in the valley, to carve the figures for a Christmas creche.

Younger fiction

Father Christmas goes on holiday Raymond Briggs
It’s summer and Father Christmas’s thoughts turn to holiday. No one needs a holiday more than he does — but where can such a well-known and easily recognizable person go?
Cover Father Christmas Raymond Briggs
A comic about a grumpy Father Christmas who loves nothing more than a cup of tea and for Christmas Eve to be over.
Judy Moody & Stink : the holly joliday Megan McDonald; illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Stink wants snow for the holidays but it hasn’t snowed on Christmas in Virginia in more than a hundred years. Will the new mailman, Mr. Jack Frost, be able to make his wish come true?
The best of times Michael Morpurgo
A story can bring love and laughter, sorrow and tears. But to save a life … That will require the greatest story of all. When the Prince and the Princess marry, joy rings out across the land. But all too soon it fades away and a shadow hangs over the royal palace.
Cover On angel wings Michael Morpurgo; illustrated by Quentin Blake
One cold Christmas night, a shepherd recounts the magical story of how he came to be the first visitor to the newborn Christ child — ahead of the other shepherds, and in complete secret.
The best Christmas present in the world Michael Morpurgo; illustrated by Michael Foreman
Echoes of Christmas 1914 in the trenches call to the present day when a letter found by chance in an antique desk brings one soldier’s experience hauntingly to life.
A Christmas tale Geronimo Stilton
It was Christmas time on Mouse Island, and I couldn’t wait to celebrate with my friends and family. Until I learned that they were all travelling out of town for the holidays, and I’d be spending Christmas alone! I was depressed, down, despondent, and starting to feel like a real grinch! But then I discovered an amazing surprise that taught me the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas chaos for the hundred-mile-an-hour dog Jeremy Strong
Streaker, the hundred-mile-an-hour dog, is brilliant at many things but most of all she’s brilliant at getting into trouble. Something mysterious has happened to Streaker’s puppies and Trevor is on a detective mission to find them. But with Streaker causing mayhem everywhere she goes, can Trevor track down the puppies before Santa comes to visit?
The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg
A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Older fiction

A Christmas carol Charles Dickens; illustrated by Quentin Blake
A Christmas Carol is a classic morality tale about Ebenezer Scrooge, an old penny-pinching man who is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve. Frightened by the visions they show him, he emerges on Christmas morning with a warm heart and good tidings for all.
Cover Nickolai’s quest Lucy Daniel-Raby
Nickolai has made his home in the Elfin Kingdom, safe at last from the wicked Magda. Now he must keep his Winter Solstice promise: to bring gifts to all the world’s children in one night. It seems an impossible mission.
I saw three ships : a magical Christmas tale Elizabeth Goudge
In spite of the fact that Polly’s two aunts will not leave the door unlocked on Christmas Eve, their cottage is still visited by three wise men, one of whom has come home to stay after a long absence.
On Christmas Eve Ann M. Martin
Eight-year-old Tess is convinced that if she believes and stays aware of the magic around her, she will meet Santa Claus on Christmas Eve of 1958. She wants to thank him for his gifts and ask him to use his magic to cure her best friend’s father of cancer.

Christmas cooking

Cover Christmas cooking Rebecca Gilpin and Catherine Atkinson
Easy step–by–step recipes for Christmas cakes, biscuits and sweets that can be given as gifts, hung on the Christmas tree or simply eaten and enjoyed.
Christmas fairy cooking Leonie Pratt and Catherine Atkinson
Sixteen simple and delicious recipes for fairy cooks and fairy tea parties. Look up some other Christmas cooking books on our catalogue.

Christmas crafts and decorations

The Christmas book Jane Bull
50 activities for a fun-packed celebration!
Christmas crafts Fay Robinson
Provides information about the origins and customs of Christmas, ideas for celebrating, and instructions for crafts like making a sock snowman, a construction paper Christmas village, and pipe cleaner candy canes.
Christmas crafts from around the world Judy Ann Sadler
Presents traditional Christmas customs, crafts, and recipes from various countries around the world.
Cover Christmas fairy things to make and do Rebecca Gilpin
An enchanting collection of projects to keep kids entertained in the run–up to Christmas and beyond.
Christmas presents kids can make Kathy Ross
Offers young crafters nearly thirty inexpensive project and gift ideas for the Christmas season
I can make things for Christmas Christina Goodings
Fun things that preschoolers can make to celebrate Christmas.
Cover Make your own Christmas ornaments Ginger Johnson
Provides instructions for making 25 ornaments.
The Merry Christmas activity book Jane Bull
Presents ideas and how–to illustrations for Christmas crafts, gifts, and seasonal food treats.
Cover Roland Harvey’s big book of Christmas
With stories about how Christmas is celebrated in Australia and all round the world, recipes for Christmas treats, and fabulous ideas for homemade gifts, this is the perfect Christmas book for the whole family, full of Roland Harvey’s lively and humorous illustrations.
Things to make and do for Christmas Fiona Watt and Ray Gibson
A selection of ideas for drawing, painting and printing cards, wrapping paper and gift tags for Christmas.
The Usborne big book of Christmas things to make and do Fiona Watt & Rebecca Gilpin
An inspiring book packed full of imaginative ideas for colourful Christmas cards, sparkling decorations and delicious recipes to make with young children.
The Usborne book of Christmas art ideas Fiona Watt
Over 100 ideas for decorations, cards, wrapping paper and gift boxes using collage, printing, paints, pastels, stencils, inks, glitter, sequins, foil, gold and silver pens. Look up some other Christmas craft books on our catalogue.

Celebrations

Cover Christmas Anita Ganeri
Outlines the story of Christmas, its significance to Christians, the traditions surrounding it, and the decorations, cards, gift-giving and food associated with it. Also briefly discusses the different ways it is celebrated throughout the world. Includes suggestions for related craft activities.
Christmas Catherine Chambers
Christmas trees and fairy lights, carols, kings and gifts. This is Christmas! Or is it? What about the mystery of mistletoe and the ancient feasts of dark December? This book explains and celebrates Christmas now, and Christmas in the past.
Celebrate Christmas Deborah Heiligman
Learn about Christmas and how it is celebrated around the world. A name-check of the gift–bearers awaited by children reflects the global nature of the celebration: Père Noel in France, Santa Claus in America, La Befana in Italy, and the Three Kings of Hispanic cultures.