Friday Library Recommendations: Christmas Countdown
It’s December and the Countdown to Christmas is well on it’s way, so I’ve picked books that will see us from now until Christmas Day.
My first choice is Countdown To Christmas: 24 Magical Stories by Alexandra Stewart, illustrated by Freya Hartas – a beautiful gift treasury of twenty-four of the most beloved classic stories, poems and songs from all around the world that love to be shared in the countdown to Christmas.
Ride on the Snow Queen’s sleigh, discover the elves secretly making shoes in the night, learn about the first ever Christmas in space and enjoy a new Christmas story every night as you count your way down to the big day. With stories beautifully retold by Alexandra Stewart and gloriously illustrated by Freya Hartas, Countdown to Christmas is the perfect early stocking filler to help little ones feel the magic of Christmas.
For older readers, I’ve picked the brilliant sequel to Stepfather Christmas – The Biggest Christmas Secret Ever by LD Lapinski – a heart-warming and hilarious Christmas countdown advent story told in 25 chapters.
OK so your mum’s partner, Nick, has a big bushy beard, a thick red coat, a team of reindeer and just happens to be really busy around Christmas Eve… what could that mean?!
Harper and Will’s lives are already full of festive wonder, but baby sister Yula is about to bring a whole new meaning to the magic of Christmas. Indoor snowflakes, naughty gingerbread biscuits and reindeer running wild spell Christmas chaos! And with the Elf and Safety Department on the lookout for any unexplained festive magic, it’s up to their family keep the biggest Christmas secret ever…
And finally, the last date to post your letters to Father Christmas is December 13th, so I’ve picked Letters From The North Pole by Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing – a charming read aloud, perfect for curling up with at Christmas time.
Five children from all around the world write to Santa Claus with ideas for Christmas gifts and are amazed when he writes back! Discover five letters from Santa that children can pull out and read, each accompanied by a blueprint for their gift made by the elves in Santa’s Workshop. In each letter the hidden world of the North Pole is revealed, from how reindeer can sleep standing up to what snacks Santa would like left out on Christmas Eve and how he gets round the world so quickly. But will the gifts the children have requested be made in time?
Happy reading!
Friday Library Recommendations: Making Memories
It’s our last week celebrating National Non Fiction November, and I’ve picked books that encourage us to enjoy nature together and make memories.
My first choice is Sunday Fun Day: A Nature Activity for Every Weekend of the Year by Katherine Halligan, illustrated by Jesus Verona.
Published in collaboration with the National Trust, this is a beautifully designed guide to spending quality time with loved ones through seasonal activities. With 52 diverse ideas—one for each Sunday of the year—this book offers a wonderful mix of outdoor adventures, creative crafts, and family-friendly recipes that are perfect for making every weekend feel special, whatever the weather. I can personally vouch for the carrot cake recipe!
The book is split into four seasonal sections making it easy to choose activities based on the natural resources to be found in local parks and gardens, so no matter the weather, you’re bound to find something to suit your mood and environment.
Easy to follow instructions are accompanied by vibrant illustrations for every activity so you can direct your grown up if you need an extra pair of hands. At the end of the book, you can find helpful kit lists for the kitchen and garden, and for crafting and adventuring, as well as a useful set of safety tips.
Packed with super seasonal activities for children (and adults!) of all ages, this book will make every family weekend a fantastic one.
I have also chosen Hike It: A complete guide to camping, hiking and backpacking in the great outdoors by Iron Tazz.
This fully-illustrated book is the perfect introduction to enjoying the great outdoors. Explore 30 diverse terrains, from snow-capped mountains to coastal trails to ancient forests, and discover the majesty of nature with glorious artwork throughout.
What I love about Hike It is its unique blend of informative content and vibrant artwork. Each of the 30 terrains featured in the book—ranging from snow-capped peaks to ancient forests and coastal trails—is brought to life through glorious illustrations that transport readers into the heart of nature. This visual richness, combined with straightforward explanations, makes the book appealing to children, sparking curiosity while offering valuable knowledge about the natural world.
Young adventurers will learn about navigating the trails and what to do if they get lost, which is a crucial skill for anyone venturing into the wilderness. There are also chapters on essential hiking gear, including the importance of packing the right equipment and how to stay safe in various weather conditions, such as heat, snow, and rain.
In addition to these basics, Hike It also emphasizes responsible hiking with tips on how to “leave no trace” and protect the environment, teaching all of us the importance of sustainability. The section on fire safety and setting up camp is particularly helpful, offering step-by-step guidance for creating a safe campsite and cooking in the wild.
My favourite section on the night sky, where we can learn how to find the North Star and navigate by the stars. This hands-on knowledge adds an extra layer of adventure, helping us feel more connected to the natural world in a meaningful way.
With its engaging illustrations, practical advice, and empowering message, this book is sure to inspire the next generation of hikers to lace up their boots and hit the trails.
Happy reading!
Friday Library Recommendations: The Extraordinary Book That
We’re staying with National Non Fiction November this week, and I’ve chosen two books from an extraordinary series…
The Extraordinary Book That Invents Itself by Alison Buxton, Helen Bell, and Pintachan, sparks the imagination of young readers and budding engineers. Aimed at children who are curious about the world of science and technology, this book introduces them to the exciting field of invention in a fun, interactive way. From rockets to bionic hands, this book shows children how to build real-world inventions using simple materials and clever engineering principles.
What makes this book so engaging is the way it brings complex STEM concepts to life through hands-on activities. Each activity focuses on a different invention, explaining the scientific ideas behind it in easy-to-understand terms. Whether it’s the principles of gravity, aerodynamics, or coding, kids learn how these concepts work as they build rockets, code-breaking machines, and even balancing acrobats. The instructions are clear and straightforward, making even tricky projects feel achievable for young inventors. This book is more than just a guide to making cool things—it’s a tool for building confidence in problem-solving, creative thinking, and perseverance. It shows young inventors that, with a little curiosity and a lot of imagination, they can create anything.
My next choice, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You An Artist by Mary Richards and Go Suga, isn’t just a book; it’s an art adventure that will inspire you to see the world in a new, colorful way. If you want to encourage anyone to explore their artistic potential, this book is an absolute must-have.
This interactive masterpiece doesn’t just tell a story—it becomes a story that you create. With every page you turn, you’ll uncover new ways to make art, explore different artistic styles, and even learn about famous art movements like Pop Art, Cubism, and Surrealism. It’s educational but not in the traditional sense; instead of simply explaining concepts, it allows readers to experience art. It’s an invitation to explore, imagine, and get their hands dirty with paint, scissors, and markers. Perfect for building a budding artist’s confidence in their creative abilities and for sparking their imagination, they might start by folding a page into a 3D sculpture, using another page to design a colour wheel, or turning a spread into a pop art masterpiece. And that’s not all: the book’s cover doubles as an art portfolio where creations can be stored, turning the book into an ongoing personal gallery that can be visited again and again.
If you love these two books, there are two more Extraordinary books in the series to explore; The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy (to feel positive, confident, focused, calm, relaxed, inclusive and included), and The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself (every page turns into an eco project that helps you save the planet and recycles the book).
Happy reading and creating!
Friday Library Recommendations: There’s No Such Thing As A Silly Question
November celebrates all books non-fiction whether they cover history, geography, science, religion, philosophy or any of the other 19 genres. The theme for National Non-Fiction November 2024 is ‘Why Don’t You?’ which aims to stimulate discussion about hobbies and leisure activities and to encourage children to try something new.
This week, my book choice celebrates trivia, curiosity, and is a must for quizzers. There’s No Such Thing As A Silly Question by Mike Rampton, illustrated by Guilherme Karsten is the perfect book for anyone who has sat and wondered but been to shy to ask the question.
A brilliantly silly question-and-answer book, fact-checked by world-leading experts from across the University of Cambridge.
Did you know that there’s no set number of bones in the human body? Most babies are born with around 300 bones, but by the time they’ve grown up, they usually have between 206 and 213.
The vibrant double page spreads draw readers in and encourage shared enjoyment and astonishment at the myriad of facts covered throughout the book on every subject imaginable.
Covering a range of subjects from science, technology, engineering and mathematics to evolution, zoology, social history and more, this hilarious yet clever book expertly answers 213 of the most unusual and interesting questions you never thought to ask about the world – one for at least every bone in your body!
Perfect for non-fiction fans to dip in and out of or get stuck in from cover to cover to increase your general knowledge and top your local quiz league.
You can read an exclusive extract over on the Nosy Crow Website!
