6 of the best new Christmas books for kids

It is yet another bumper year for festive books for children. It’s one of our favourite genres – there’s nothing like a really Christmassy read to get you in the festive spirit! Of course, there are the classics that we all go back to year after year (I can still recite ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas word for word), but which new titles should you be adding to your collection this year? Here is our pick of six of the best new Christmas books for kids published in 2021:

How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T. Smith

How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T. Smith

We loved Alex T. Smith’s How Winston Delivered Christmas and are excited to read about Winston’s latest adventures in this new volume, published in hardback last month and packed full of colour illustrations and fun family activities. It’s nearly Christmas and Winston has a festive mystery to solve. With just five days to go, he sets out on a round-the-world adventure to track down a missing mouse, meeting some wonderful friends old and new along the way. But will he be home in time for Christmas? Ideal for children aged 5+.

Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas by Sibeal Pounder

Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas by Sibéal Pounder

Newly published in paperback, this fun festive adventure tells the story of Blanche Claus and her best friend Rink. It’s a tale of friendship, sleigh rides and mince pie feasts, a funny feminist and super Christmassy escapade that will have the whole family laughing out loud. Perfect for readers aged 8+.

The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent

The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent

Debut author Mel Taylor-Bessent has written a brilliant Christmassy romp, perfect for anyone who thinks we should be celebrating Christmas all year round! This is a fun, festive frolic of a book that will have you laughing out loud. The Carroll family are so keen on Christmas that they keep the fairy lights and Christmas trees up all year round. They even have a pet donkey (who thinks he’s a reindeer). But not everyone at Holly Carroll’s new school quite understands her enthusiasm for the festive season. Can she win them round? Perfect for kids aged 8+.

The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List by Tom Fletcher

The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List by Tom Fletcher

We are big fans of this fun festive series by Tom Fletcher in our house. The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List is the third instalment and promises to be just as magical as the previous two books in the series. This year the Christmasaurus is on a mission to track down the children who have ended up on the naughty list in a bid to make them nice! Perfect family reading or for independent readers aged 8+.

Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J. Dodd

Keeper of Secrets by Sarah J. Dodd

Keeper of Secrets is a moving and beautifully told story set in the week running up to Christmas. Eleven-year-old Emily and her father have just moved to Badger Cottage, but it doesn’t feel like home. Plus, she’s dreading Christmas without her late mother. Everything changes for Emily when she discovers a wild lynx living in the woodland nearby and finds herself caught in the middle of a fierce battle between a group of conservationists and local farmers. Who can she trust and can she save the baby lynx? Ideal for readers aged 8+.

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle

We love the look of The Miracle on Ebenezer Street, which promises to become a Christmas classic. Catherine Doyle is the author of the award-winning The Storm Keeper’s Island trilogy, which is packed with magic, adventure and atmosphere. This new festive story promises more of the same. When George stumbles across a mysterious and magical snow globe, little does he know that he and his Scrooge-like father are about to be swept up on a journey to Christmases past, present and future. With help from an enthusiastic elf, a rather grumpy purple reindeer and a very mischievous Nan, can George find a way to bring the joy of Christmas home once again? Ideal for kid aged 8+.

Want even more Christmas book recommendations for kids? Check out last year’s blog post here.

There’s nothing better than a book gift at Christmas! Find out all about our gifting options here, including past packs, gift sets and subscription gift vouchers – you’ll find the ideal gift for any young bookworm.

This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!


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