Christmas Books 2009

Rosemary Stones chooses books with a Christmas theme.

Lulu’s Christmas

Camilla Reid, ill. Ailie Busby, Bloomsbury, 978 0 7475 9991 3, £6.99 novelty hbk

Novelty features are used to good effect in this friendly book about a little girl getting ready for Christmas. Pull the tab and the Christmas tree is covered with decorations; feel the snowman’s icy body and the soft wool of Lulu’s Christmas stocking; look behind the curtains and see Father Christmas and his reindeer peeping in as Lulu sleeps. There is a pop-up surprise at the end when we discover Lulu’s favourite present! Ailie Busby’s charming collage and line and wash illustrations encourage the young reader to identify with Lulu and the excitement of Christmas preparations. Age 2+

The First Christmas

The National Gallery, London, Frances Lincoln, 978 1 84780 001 5, £6.99 pbk

The Christmas story is told using the words of the Authorized King James Version of the Bible and pictures from 15th-17th century artists in the National Gallery collection. From Fra Filippo Lippi’s ‘The Annunciation’ to Botticelli’s ‘Mystic Nativity’ to Gerard David’s ‘The Adoration of the Kings’ to the Master of 1518’s ‘The Flight into Egypt’, the story unfolds with breathtaking beauty. Notes at the end of the book give information about the paintings. A wonderful way to introduce children to great art and to one of the most culturally important and poetic texts of the English language. Age 4+

The Best of Times

Michael Morpurgo, ill. Emma Chichester Clark, Egmont, 978 1 4052 3255 5, £4.99 hbk

When the Prince and Princess marry, everyone in the kingdom expects them to be happy but a great sorrow comes over the Princess. The Prince tries to cheer her up but she gradually declines until it is feared that she may die. In desperation, the Prince rides out into the snow and confides his troubles to a band of Travellers. Will they help the Princess with their recreation of the Nativity story? Chichester Clark’s jewel-like illustrations create a delightful fairy tale world in this well produced small format book – a perfect stocking filler. Age 5+

The Polar Express

Chris van Allsburg, Andersen Press, 978 1 84270 949 8, £6.99 pbk

Narrated in the first person, this Caledecott Medal winning picture book tells how a small boy boards a mysterious train that has stopped outside his house on Christmas Eve. The train is the Polar Express and its destination the North Pole where Father Christmas and his elves are waiting to give the first gift of Christmas. Van Allsburg’s painterly illustrations with their play of dark and light convey the drama of this night journey through the snow in the great steam train past forests and over mountains. A powerfully atmospheric story with a dreamlike quality that will remain with young readers. Age 5+

The Lion, the Unicorn and Me: The Donkey’s Christmas Story

Jeanette Winterson, ill. Rosalind MacCurrach, Scholastic, 978 1 407109 06 0, £12.99 hbk

Told by the donkey, this witty and original retelling of the Christmas story is wonderfully non-reverential. It starts with an angel interviewing various animals, him included, for the job of carrying the new born Jesus and his mother out of Bethlehem to safety. The donkey is, of course, chosen and thereby witnesses the arrival of the three kings and the shepherds and hears of Herod’s intentions towards the newborn King. The escape is made. The book is beautifully designed with its large, clear typeface printed in grey, harmonising with Rosalind MacCurrach’s muted palette and decorative illustrations with their strong sense of pattern. It is also very well produced with a cloth binding, ribbon marker and head and tail bands. It will make a stylish and enjoyable Christmas gift. Age 5+

The Thirteen Days of Christmas

Jenny Overton, ill. Shirley Hughes, Oxford, 978 0 19 272957 6, £12.99 hbk

First published in 1972, this novel is a family tale with a difference as the younger Kitson children try to bring about the marriage of their older sister Annaple to a wealthy young merchant, Francis. Persuaded to woo her with a different gift for each of the twelve days of Christmas, Francis’s presents create chaos and it is not certain he will win Annaple’s heart… For this new edition of a well loved book, Shirley Hughes’s black and white line illustrations have been reoriginated. Age 7+

Rosemary Stones is Editor of Books for Keeps.