Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle

Author/Illustrator: Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King

Publisher: ABC Books

ISBN: 9780733322495

Format Hardback

RRP: $24.95

This is a beautiful Australian interpretation of the nativity story written with charm and superb prose. The Shepherds are a neighbouring family; the three wise men are replaced by three elderly aunties who bring plum pudding, shortbread and a crate of fruit; and the heralding angels are exchanged for a flock of cockatoos.

Applesauce, a pet pig, tries to find the true meaning of Christmas as he watches over the bushfire- ravaged land before him. As his owners welcome a new baby to their family he learns that new life, hope and joy can come at the saddest of times.

Suitable for ages 3+ (★★★★★)

Santa’s Aussie Mix-up

Colin Buchanan and Simon Swinger

ISBN:978-1742830070

Format: Hardback

Publisher: Scholastic Australia, October 2011

RRP: A$19.99

Written and sung to the tune of ‘Advance Australia Fair’, this funny story sees Santa asking for help to fill his Christmas stockings. ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ calls each Australian animal. One by one, they all fail miserably. Santa eventually gives Emu and Kangaroo the job. Together they create the biggest present mix-up Australia’s ever seen.

Suitable for ages 2+ (★★★)

The Australian Twelve Days of Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Heath McKenzie

Publisher: Black Dog Books (Walker Books)

ISBN: 9781921167317

Format: Hardback

RRP: $14.99

This is a funny Australian rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas. All starts off quite romantic with a kookaburra up a gum tree, but with penguins licking ice-creams, flies hanging around mince pies and emus playing football it all becomes a bit of a ruckus. This will be a hit with kids that like a bit of silliness.

Suitable for ages 2+ (★★★★)

Also available as a Board Book: ISBN: 9781742031118, Age suitability 1+ , RRP: $12.99

Wombat Divine

Author/Illustrator: Mem Fox and Kerry Argent

Publisher: Omnibus Books

ISBN: 9781862918412

Format: Paperback

Age suitability: 4+

RRP: $15.99

Wombat loves the Nativity Play so much that he tries out for every part, but he doesn’t seem to be right for any of them. Luckily, wise Emu knows the perfect role for a sleepy wombat, and it’s the best Nativity Play ever.

An Aussie Day Before Christmas

Author: Kilmeny Niland

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

ISBN: 9781741690972

Format: Hardback

RRP: $15.99

In this fun and colourful book children discover how Santa would prepare for Christmas Eve if he lived in Australia. He wears shorts and a singlet; eats a breakkie of snags, toast and honey; and he piles his sacks full of pressies into his old ute that is pulled by ‘roos.

Suitable for ages 2+ (★★★)

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK BE SURE TO BAKE SANTA A SPECIAL AUSSIE SNACK THIS CHRISTMAS

Also available as a Board Book, ISBN: 978-1741695090, Age suitability: 0-2, RRP: $9.99

An Aussie Night Before Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Yvonne Morrison and Kilmeny Niland

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9781865046532

Age suitability: 3+

RRP: $15.99

Christmas in the middle of an Australian summer means Santa has to find new ways to deliver his presents. Every line of this traditional verse has been remodelled with Aussie references. The gentle illustrations are packed with familiar icons cleverly woven into the visual narrative to recreate the warm, comforting, family atmosphere that Christmas is all about.

Also available as a Board Book: 9781741691122, Age suitability 1+, RRP: $9.99

Santa’s Aussie Holiday

Author/Illustrator: Maria Farrer and Anna Walker

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9781741690187

RRP: $15.99

After a night travelling the world, Santa takes a well-earned break and heads to Australia for a holiday. He has an adventrue travelling to the landmarks of the country and enjoying some iconic Aussie activities.

Suitable for ages 2.5+ (★★★★)

Also available at a Board Book, ISBN: 9781741695106, Age suitability 1+, RRP: $9.99

Aussie Jingle Bells (with CD)

Author/Illustrator: Colin Buchanan and Nick Bland

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 9781865049700

Format: Hardback with CD

Age suitability: 3+

RRP: $19.99

One of the world’s best-loved Christmas carols is given a hilarious Aussie twist. ! Nick Bland’s comical illustrations show the whole family enjoying Christmas Day: see who you can recognise!

A Bush Christmas

Author/Illustrator: C J Dennis and Dee Huxley

Publisher: Black Dog Books (Walker Books), October 2011

ISBN: 9781742032078

Format: Paperback

RRP: $16.95

Written in 1931 by C.J. Dennis and whimsically illustrated by Dee Huxley, A Bush Christmas humorously attempts to tell the story of an Australian Christmas, with mothers unable to stray from a cooked lunch despite the dry, sweltering heat and children listening to stories of white, snowy Christmases.

Suitable for ages 5+ (★★★★)

LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS BOOK FOR YOUR BABY OR TODDLER