Christmas Picture Books

The countdown to Christmas is well underway and the festive reads continue to drop through my mailbox. These two picture books are perfect for the little ones in your lives to get them in the mood and to heighten those excitement levels just a little bit more.

Bluey: 12 Days of Christmas

Bluey, one of Australia’s most popular children’s TV characters, gets in on the festive action in a delightful rewording of the classic Christmas song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. You won’t find any leaping lords, French hens, gold rings or milking maids in this version. Instead, my true love has been replaced by Verandah Santa and the beloved pear tree has been swapped for a mango tree. Amongst other things, Santa’s gifts include buskers, frogs, grannies, yabbies, gnomes, dollarbucks and a fruit bat.

Produced as a hardback and featuring robust board pages, this delightful little package will hold up to the exploration of little fingers and it won’t take long before everyone’ll be merrily singing along to the lyrics. ‘On the first day of Christmas Verandah Santa gave to me…a fruit bat in a mango tree.’

A lovely little stocking filler that will bring smiles to the masses of young Bluey fans.

Recommended for 3+.

We're Going on a Sleigh Ride: A Lift-the-Flap Adventure; Martha Mumford, illustrated by Cherie Zamazing

Martha Mumford’s bunny squad are back. Having hunted for eggs, elves and treasure in previous titles they are now taking to the skies in a magical winter adventure in search of presents.

It’s Christmas Eve and it’s time for a sleigh ride. Hop aboard Santa’s favourite method of transport and join four dapperly dressed bunnies for a thrilling flight through the winter skies. There are presents that need to be found and counted and obstacles to dodge along the way. You must be quick though, Christmas Day is fast approaching…

This wintry, fun-filled journey makes for a fabulous lift-the-flap treasure hunt. It is bursting with festive fun and charm and is sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit as the big day draws closer and the anticipation rises. Being a passionate Maths teacher I love a book that subtly offers a bit of learning along the way and what better way to learn and to re-enforce the number system than with a bit of Christmas counting as children discover the presents numbered one through ten.

Enchanting, exciting and full of surprises, this is a festive-filled treat of vibrant artwork, merry and bubbly text, and with plenty of hidden gems and treats awaiting under the many flaps. The repetitive refrain, ‘We’re going on a sleigh ride. HO! HO! HO! Can you find the hidden gifts? Whoosh! OFF WE GO!’ will have everyone joining in and the finding of each flap will be met with squeals of excitement on this interactive Christmas journey.

The illustrations are everything I want from a Christmas picture book; full of warmth, cheer, lashings of Christmas spirt and plenty of gorgeous winter scenes. Flying through the coloured skies of the Northern lights with polar bears down below is mesmerising. My favourite though is the adorable coastal town with it’s cosily-lit, snow-topped houses and children’s faces appearing at many of the windows staring out at the wondrous sight of Santa, his reindeer and a sleigh full of presents zooming through the sky. Each scene is packed with little details and begs to be explored; look out Santa upside down in the chimney, three little mice in sailor garb aboard a little boat, and a mince pie, carrot and glass of milk left out for Santa and his reindeer.

Made of thick paper that will stand up to the demands of eager little hands it is sure to bring festive cheer to many a little life and will have eyes sparkling with wonder and awe at the magic of Christmas.

Recommended for 2+.

With huge thanks to Penguin and Bloomsbury and for the copies I received in exchange for honest reviews.