Thursday 15 November 2018

The best books for your Book Advent calendar!

When my girls were little they got a basic chocolate advent calendar and that was it. Now the advent calendars are fancier with bath bombs, toys and stationery. There is of course the book Advent calendars too which I think is a lovely idea. You simply wrap up 24 books about Christmas so your little one can open one every morning in the run up to the big day.

If my girls were younger this would be a fab idea. All the best Christmas books are aimed at younger children. Hmmf.

Here's my favourite Christmas books perfect for your Book Advent.


Dear Santa by Rod Campbell.
Lift the flaps to unwrap a Christmas present on every page of Dear Santa, a festive book by Rod Campbell, creator of the preschool classic Dear Zoo.

The Christmas Bear by Ian Whybrow & Axel Scheffler.
When Father Christmas sets off to deliver the presents, poor Bear is left behind in the workshop! How will he make it to Tom's house in time for Christmas morning? Lift the flaps to find out, as he chases Santa's sleigh through icy seas and snowy forests, all the way from the North Pole to Tom's cosy bedroom.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs.
One winter's night, a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure begins. Raymond Briggs' classic is a true piece of Christmas magic - narrated entirely through pictures, it captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is recognised throughout the world.


Meg's Christmas by David Walser. 
Oh no! A flood means that Christmas is looking doomed! Enter a spell, a surprise stay in a castle and a party to plan for - will Meg, Mog and Owl make it home for a very special Christmas Day? 

The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg. 
It's Christmas Eve and the JOLLY POSTMAN is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters - there's a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called 'Beware' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise envelopes containing letters, cards, etc. Everyone's favourite postman keeps on peddling his bicycle up hill and down dale and into everybody's hearts.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. It’s Christmas Eve and the whole house is sleeping – all except one little boy, woken up by the jingle of bells and the clatter of reindeer hooves on the roof. As he tiptoes downstairs, who will he find?


Ten Little Elves by Mike Brownlow.
Ten little elves set off on a mission to rescue Christmas. But what will the little elves do when they meet a growling polar bear, a yowling yeti and a scary Ice Queen? Will the little elves save the day?

How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss.
With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big surprise!

The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy.
When the ugly little fir tree is taken to the city, no one wants to buy him; they prefer the big tall trees. But a homeless boy asks the shopkeeper if he can take the tree, and down by the river in a cardboard box, decorated with a few candles, the tree finds itself at the centre of a magical Christmas Eve it will never forget. With a stunning pop-up of a snowy city skyline, this is a Christmas tale with a classic feel but a modern theme at its heart.


Alfie's Christmas by Shirley Hughes.
Join Alfie and Annie Rose for Christmas! Alfie opens his advent calendar and makes cards and presents. He sings carols and decorates the tree. And he writes a special letter to Father Christmas... But what will Father Christmas bring on Christmas Day? It's going to be such an exciting day!

The Empty Stocking by Richard Curtis.
It's Christmas Eve and there's one very important question on everyone's mind - have YOU been good this year? For twins Sam and Charlie this is a big worry. Charlie has been especially naughty and everyone is sure that she won't get any presents AT ALL. But when Santa makes a mistake, it's up to Charlie to put things right.

Little Miss Christmas by Roger Hargreaves.
Little Miss Christmas lives in an igloo at the North Pole, next door to her uncle, Father Christmas, a long, long way from her brother, Mr Christmas. Little Miss Christmas works for Father Christmas. There are an awful lot of presents to wrap. Who will finish the wrapping when Little Miss Christmas decides she needs a holiday?


Father Christmas Needs a Wee.
At each different house that he visits Father Christmas drinks and eats all the goodies left out for him. Before long he really, really, really needs a wee. So much so that he even forgets to leave the presents behind. But he dashes back, delivers all the pressies and flies home at high speed to avoid an embarassing accident there's just one tiny problem he's lost his house key!

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Late one Christmas Eve, a boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the reindeer's harness. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring.

The Christmas Story by Ian Beck.
High above the stables the night sky was filled with angels, who gave thanks to God and welcomed the new baby with their beautiful music. A perfect first book of the Nativity; simply told and beautifully illustrated.


Geronimo by David Walliams. 
Meet Geronimo – the baby penguin who has one dream and one dream only and that is to fly! But everyone knows penguins can’t fly or can they? With a little help from his dad and friends, baby Geronimo discovers that even the wildest of dreams can come true.

Mog's Christmas by Judith Kerr.
The classic story of everyone’s favourite forgetful cat at Christmas - now as a board book for the first time! It’s Christmas, and Mog’s house is full of strange noises and peculiar smells. Everyone is busy hanging holly and blowing up balloons, and where is that tree going? Mog is not happy. So she escapes to the roof, and there she stays…until, unexpectedly, she returns with a bump!

Stick Man Paperback by Julia Donaldson.
"Stick Man lives in the family tree With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." But it's dangerous being a Stick Man. A dog wants to play with him, a swan builds her nest with him. He even ends up on a fire! Will he ever get back to the family tree?


That's Not My Snowman by Fiona Watt.
A touchy-feely board book with simple, repetitive text, tactile patches and bold illustrations suitable for babies and toddlers. A little, white mouse appears on every page, for children to spot.

Rudey’s Windy Christmas Paperback by Helen Baugh.
“Oh, dearie me!” said Rudey. Now I’ve done a windy pop!
This is a bit embarrassing. I’ll do my best to stop.” 
Rudey has eaten too many sprouts and the explosive effect is smelt all around the world as he Santa delivery presents on Christmas Eve… The other reindeer have laughed so much, they’re out of puff. How ever will they get the sleigh back home?

Katie's London Christmas by James Mayhew.
When Katie and Jack are woken up late on Christmas Eve by a loud sneeze, little do they realise that they are about to embark on the most amazing evening! Soon they are flying high across London, over snow-dusted landmarks, through the star-scattered sky with the one and only Father Christmas, in his sleigh, with his magical reindeer! But can they help Father Christmas to deliver all his presents and be back in time for Christmas morning?


Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs.
Father Christmas awoke from his dream of summer in the sun, and there is was on the calendar, December 24th, Christmas Eve - the start of his longest night's work of the year! 

The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas! by Tom Fletcher.
Danny wants everything for Christmas. But what he gets is a dinosaur, a very hungry dinosaur. Danny's new dino eats up all of Christmas, but as we all know, what goes in must come out.

Is It Christmas Yet? Paperback by Jane Chapman. 
Christmas is coming and Ted is so excited. “Is it Christmas yet?” he cries. Poor Ted - will it EVER be Christmas?

Are any of your or your children's favourite here?

4 comments :

  1. Yes, so many favourites are there! I think Stick Man is my favourite x

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  2. I love the idea of a book advent, but my kids rarely read with me now. Apart from the little man and his favourite is 'Santa is coming to Birmingham'

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  3. I love kids' Christmas story books. Mine are grown up now but at least I get to read them at school.

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  4. There are many wonderful Christmas books listed here. We've a few of them but would love more. #mmbc

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