Christmas 2012

The Snow Womble

Written by Elisabeth Beresford

Illustrated by Nick Price

Bloomsbury   £6.99

ISBN: 978-1408834244

The much-loved Wombles return in this edition of a familiar story reinvigorated by Nick Price’s new lively and colourful illustrations. Snow falls during the night and Wimbledon Common looks clean and tidy, so several young Wombles decide to stop work and enjoy the snow. But Uncle Bulgaria decides to join in the fun and teach the young Wombles a lesson. Great fun, and free Womble stickers too!

Sinead and Martin Kromer

Jolly Snowman

Written by Emma Goldhawk

Illustrated by Jonathan Lambert

Templar   £12.99

ISBN: 978-1848772236

An appealing glove puppet peeps through the cover to interact with young readers and rhyming couplets invite them to talk about having fun in the snow. Great fun!

Jenny Blanch

The Fox’s Tale

Written by Nick Butterworth

Illustrated by Mick Inkpen

Candle Books (R)   £5.99

ISBN: 978-1859858288

“Hello, I’m a fox. I live out on the hills ... Here’s my story. It’ll make your tail bristle. Listen.” These are the words which begin an enchanting version of the story of the first Christmas. Fox is amazed and overawed by the sight of angels appearing on the hillside and a tiny baby being born in a stable in Bethlehem. Large, bold print, simple vocabulary and clear, merry illustrations will captivate any child, whilst retelling the Christmas story.

Sinead and Martin Kromer

Diary of a Christmas Wombat

Written by Jackie French

Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

HarperCollins (eB)   £6.99

ISBN: 978-0007490714

Subtle and witty, each word in this story has been carefully chosen and placed imaginatively on the page alongside big, colourful pictures. It is a simple, but clever, Australian tale. Mothball the Wombat does very little except eat carrots but he manages to enjoy a marvellous world-wide adventure.

Jenny Blanch

Christmas Surprise

Written by Hilary Robinson

Illustrated by Mandy Stanley

Strauss House   £6.99

ISBN: 978-0957124516

This is a thoughtful story about a class of young children who are invited to a local care home to help the elderly residents get ready for Christmas. Vibrant and colourful pictures are in tune with the words and the children experience that there is much more to this celebration than money can buy.

Jenny Blanch

The Empty Stocking

Written by Richard Curtis

Illustrated by Rebecca Cob

Puffin   £6.99

ISBN: 978-0141336251

Every Christmas children wonder whether they have been good enough to receive lots of presents from Santa. Charlie has definitely not been good enough, but when Santa muddles up her stocking with that of her twin sister she decides that she has to be the best she has ever been. Her kindness is rewarded and everyone is happy on Christmas morning. A delightful Christmas story brought to life by Rebecca Cobb’s quirky, zany illustrations.

Sinead and Martin Kromer