We’ve scoured the bookshelves to bring you a list of truly wonderful Christmas books including pop-ups, paper-cuts and incredibly cute and funny books. Enjoy :)

You might also be interested in our Christmas lists of board books and Aussie Christmas stories.

The Christmas Book

Author/Illustrator: Dick Bruna

Imprint:  Hardie Grant Books

ISBN:  9781921288814

Age suitability: 2+

Price:     $19.95

Beautifully illustrated, this book tells the timeless story of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS: A time for love, families, co-operation and friendship

Christmas Giant

Author/Illustrator: Steven Light

Imprint: Candlewick Press/Walker Books, September 1, 2010

ISBN: 9780763646929

Format: Hardback

RRP: $27.95

This is a book that instils the notion that Christmas is more about community than material objects. It is beautiful too, from its embossed jacket flap to its variety of illustrations printed upon matte paper.

The story is about a giant and an elf who enjoy creating the wrapping paper for Santa’s gift each year. One particular year they are asked to also grow the Christmas tree for the town, and when it goes missing they use their wrapping paper and work together to create a beautiful, new tree.

Suitable for ages 2.5+ (★★★★★)

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK, YOU’LL LOVE OUR PERSONALISED CHRISTMAS PAPER ACTIVITY

Just Right

By Birdie Black and Rosalind Beardshaw

ISBN:978-0857630308

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Nosy Crow (Allen & Unwin), October 2011

RRP: A$22.99

The underlying message in Just Right is that joy can be found in giving and that Christmas is a time to give to those less fortunate.

The story is about a soft, red and Christmassy roll of fabric, which has a life that keeps giving. Each new character who stumbles across the fabric remnants (from a king to a mouse)  creates a handmade gift for someone special until every last bit of the fabric has been used. No matter whether big or small, each hand-made gift is just right and received with love.

Suitable for ages 2+ (★★★★★)

Lily’s Wish

By Barbara Pyett and Serena Geddes

EAN:978-1921042829

Format: Paperback

Publisher: New Frontier Publishing, November 2011

RRP: A$9.95

Publisher’s Description:A magical Christmas tale about a selfless young girl and her inspirational wish.

Lily has a special Christmas wish, but only one person can make her wish come true.
She writes him a letter and another and another. He writes back, but will he grant her wish?
Do you believe he can?

Suitable for ages 3+

When I Love You at Christmas

David Bedford and Tamsin Ainslie

ISBN:978-1921541261

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Little Hare Books (Hardie Grant Egmont), October 2010

RRP: A$14.95

This could easily be a story of a parent as they watch the joy Christmas brings their child, but this is the story of a beloved toy.  A toy sheep watches his owner closely as she gets ready for Christmas: wrapping presents, making Christmas cookies, decorating the tree, acting the nativity play, making cards, trying to sleep on Christmas eve, opening presents, sharing gifts, and saying ‘I love you’.

As usual, Tamsin Ainslie has created endearing illustrations to match this delightful story that captures the anticipation and joy of Christmas traditions.

Suitable for ages 2+ (★★★★)

The Little Drummer Boy

Author/Illustrator: Bruce Whatley

Publisher: Random House Australia, October 2010

ISBN: 9781864719901

Format: Hardback

Age Suitability: 3+

RRP: $24.95

Annie’s grandfather carves the Little Drummer Boy from the leg of an old oak table as a Christmas gift for his small granddaughter. And throughout her life Annie’s favourite decoration travels the world with her and always hangs on the Christmas tree

I Love Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Anna Walker

Publisher: Scholastic Press, October 2010

ISBN : 9781741693317

Format:  Hardback

Age Suitability: 2+

RRP: $12.99

Ollie loves wrapping presents, making decorations and listening for Santa’s sleigh bells! The magic and excitement of Christmas are brought to life by Anna Walker’s whimsical rhyming texts and gorgeous illustrations.

Silent Night

Author/Illustrator:  Juliet Groom/ Tim Warnes

Publisher: Koala Books , October 2010

ISBN: 9780864619334

Format: Paperback

Age Suitability: 4+

RRP: $14.99

Based on famous Christmas Carol Tim Warnes: ‘Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright. All the animals gather together, Silent, harmonious, happy forever. Sleep in heavenly peace.All together in peace.’

Suzy Goose and the Christmas star

Author/Illustrator: Petr Horacek

Publisher: Walker Books, October 2010

ISBN: 9781406326215

Format: Paperback

Age Suitability: 1 +

RRP: $15.95

When Suzy Goose decides that the Christmas tree is missing a star, she sets off on a journey to fetch the shiny star in the sky. No matter how far she travels, she never reaches it. But when she finds herself back at the tree, everyone has a beautiful Christmas surprise!

Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle

By Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King

ISBN:978-0733322495

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: ABC Books (HarperCollins), November 2008

RRP: A$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+ (★★★★★)

CHRISTMAS: Pop-up and Paper-cut books

Christmas: A Pop-Up Stocking Filler

Author/Illustrator: Robert Sabuda

Publisher: Walker Books

ISBN: 9781406306675

Format: Hardback

RRP: $14.95

Robert Sabuda’s paper engineering is breathtaking. Each page of this mini book features one letter from the word C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. The letters are symbolised by objects synonymous with Christmas. Toy, manger, Santa are just a few. Although delicate this is a beautiful book to share with young children to help them learn their first Christmas words.

Suitable for all ages. (★★★★★)

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK, YOU MIGHT LIKE OUR POP-UP AND PAPER CUT CHRISTMAS DECORATION ACTIVITY

First Noel

By Jan Pienkowski

Publisher: Walker Books, September 1, 2010

ISBN: 9780744557800

Format: Hardback

RRP: $24.95

This magical Christmas carousel tells the story of the Nativity through five exquisite cut-out silhouettes with words from the King James Bible.

Suitable for ages 4+ (★★★★)

The Night Before Christmas: A Magical Cut-Paper Edition

Author/Illustrator: Niroot Puttapipat

Imprint: Walker Books

ISBN: 9781406302004

Format: Hardback

Age suitability: All ages

RRP: $29.95

Exquisite silhouettes and a spectacular pop-up finale bring this popular Christmas poem to life!

HUMOROUS/NOVELTY Christmas Books

Christmas Wombat

By Jackie French and Bruce Whately

ISBN:978-0732291716

Format: Hardback

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia), September 2011

RRP A$24.99

This is a Christmas book that will make all family members giggle. Everybody loves Christmas time, but for Mothball it’s still all about scratching, sleeping and carrots.

Only Mothball the Wombat could ignore all the Christmas festivities in favour of carrots. She finds a cosy place to nap aboard Santa’s sleigh and finds herself travelling the world on Christmas Eve.

She battles reindeers, pigeons, toucans and polar bears for carrots but arrives home feeling completely satisfied and looking forward to the reindeer’s next visit.

Suitable for ages 2+ (★★★★★)

Snowed Under and Other Christmas Confusions

Serge Bloch

ISBN:978-0864619761

Format: Small Format Hardback

Publisher: Koala Books (Scholastic), October 2011

RRP: A$15.99

Worried about the snow storm and whether Santa will make it, our young narrator is only puzzled by the funny thing his family are saying.

He has mum telling him that “we’re going to have to work our tails off to get ready for Christmas tomorrow.” His sister whispers to him that “Santa will probably get stuck at the North Pole.” Grandpa tells him that “time moves at a snail’s pace when you’re waiting for something.” Thankfully his Dad re-assures him that “Santa will go to the ends of the earth to find you”.

This is a funny Christmas tale full of amusing idioms.  Serge Bloch’s illustrations amusingly highlight the absurdity of these commonly used phrases.

Suitable for ages 4+ (★★★★)

Where’s Santa?

Louis Shea

ISBN:978-1741697650

Format: Hardback

Publisher: Scholastic Australia, 2011

A great book for lovers of I Spy and Where’s Wally? Elvy the elf has lost all of Santa’s Christmas essentials including the sleigh, toy sack, milk and cookies. And it’s the readers’ job to find them in each of the ten scenes in the book.

For fast little spotters, there’s a whole lot more to look for on each page  too. It is a perfect book for the holiday season too, keeping the kids entertained for hours.

Suitable for ages 5+ (★★★)

Where Are Santa’s Pants?

Richard Merritt

ISBN:978-1921541506

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Little Hare Publishing (Hardie Grant Egmont), October 2011

RRP: A$12.95

Another great book for kids that love to play I spy.  Santa’s been on a diet and his baggy, old pants have fallen off. Starting at The North Pole, there are 12 scenes in the book, and you need to find a different pair of Santa’s pants in each one plus all of Santa’s reindeer.

I think I lack the patience to successfully complete these types of tasks, so I’m thankful to find answers at the back of the book.

Suitable for ages 6+ (★★★)

Can You See What I See?: Toyland Express: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve

Walter Wick

ISBN:978-0545244831

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Cartwheel Books (Scholastic Books), October 2011

RRP: A$19.99

This is a lovely I Spy book for younger children.

Starting in the Toy Maker’s Workshop there are 12 photographs and a checklist of items to search for in each photograph.

Not only is there fun to be had in searching for the objects but children get to learn the process of toy making. After the workshop, the toys get a lick of paint before being displayed in the window. Once purchase they’re given as a gift, left in the attic, sold at a yard sale and sent in for repairs.

Suitable for ages 4+ (★★★)

Can You See What I see? Night Before Christmas is also available.

Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig and the Christmas Baby

Diana Neild and Phillip Webb

ISBN:978-1775430384

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Scholastic,  2011

RRP: A$15.99

The Jigs, a family of Pigs, put on a nativity play for some important relations who come to stay. It doesn’t all go according to Emma’s (the eldest child) plan, but Granny and Grandad are impressed nevertheless.

Suitable for ages 4+ (★★★)

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas

Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser

ISBN: 9780007363650

Format: Paperback

Publisher: HarperCollins, November 2010

RRP: A$14.95

Publisher’s Description: There′s so much she has to do leading up to the big day! Decorating the house from top to toe, baking Christmas cookies, wrapping all her presents in fancy paper and making Christmas cards for all her family…

Choosing and decorating the Christmas tree is top of Fancy Nancy′s list and it has to look just perfect! But in all the excitement disaster strikes and Fancy Nancy′s most special decoration gets broken! What will go on the top of the tree now?

Grandpa steps in just in time and with his help and a LOT of glitter, ribbons and tinsel, Fancy Nancy manages to create a very fancy alternative!

Suitable for ages 4+

Santa’s Suit

Davide Cali and Eric Heliot

ISBN:978-0980416572

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Wilkins Farago Pty Ltd, July 2010

RRP: A$19.99

This is a funny comic-style picture book featuring Santa and his pet dog, Bobo. We love its different take on Santa Claus.

Each year Santa gets caught up reading letters, making toys and keeping an eye on his elves that he forgets his washing machine needs to be fixed. When Christmas Eve arrives and he can’t find his suit, Bobo reminds Santa that it’s in the laundry basket, where it’s been for a year, waiting to be cleaned.

With no time to hand clean the suit, Bobo makes him a brand new suit using curtains and Santa promised to fix his washing machine when he gets home from delivery toys on Christmas Day.

Suitable for ages 4+ (★★★★)

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

Author/Illustrator:  Kevin Whitlark

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

ISBN: 9781741694451

Format: Hardback

Age Suitability    2+

RRP:$15.99

It’s Christmas time and all the dogs are busy getting up to hilarious mischief and decorating the Christmas tree. With fresh, funny drawings, this interpretation of the classic rhyme will have kids giggling through twelve dogs digging, eight canines skating, and nine labs licking, right back down to a fat cat in a fur tree.

The Twelve Cats of Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Kevin Whitlark

Publisher: Scholastic Australia, October 2010

ISBN: 9781741696240

Format: Hardback

Age Suitability: 2+

RRP: $15.99

The purr-fect book for cat lovers. With fresh, funny drawings, this interpretation of the classic rhyme will have kids giggling through nine pussycats playing, seven Siamese sailing and two tomcats twisting, right back down to a fat mouse in a fur tree.

Olive the Other Reindeer

Author/Illustrator: J.Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

Publisher: Chronicle Books

ISBN: 9780811857192

Format: Hardcover

Age Suitability: 3+

RRP: $29.95

Olive thinks she is a reindeer, and while Santa and the other reindeer are a bit surprised that a dog wants to join the their team, in the end Olive and her unusual reindeer skills are just what Santa and his veteran reindeer team need.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The Night Before Christmas

Author/Illustrator:  Clement C Moore and Eric Puybaret

Publisher: Koala Books (Scholastic Books), October 2010

ISBN: 9780864618979

Format:  Hardback with CD

RRP:$26.99

A beautiful hardback edition of Clement C. Moore’s famous poem, ‘’Twas the Night before Christmas’, with  a musical and narrative CD featuring Peter, Paul and Mary. The illustrations are vibrant and doll like.

Suitable for ages 3+ (★★★★)

The Night Before Christmas

Author/Illustrator:  Clemence C Moore and Robert Ingpen

Publisher: Walker Books, October 2010

ISBN : 9781921720215

Format: Hardback

RRP: $29.95

There are many editions of this story and each of them is certainly beautiful, but Robert Ingpen brings splendour to the poem with his magical illustrations that fill the reader with both warmth and excitement.

Suitable for ages 4+(★★★★)

The Christmas Angels

Else Wenz-Vietor

ISBN:978-0863156625

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Floris Books, September 2008

Publisher’s description: It’s Christmas Eve, and most people are safely tucked up in their beds. But the Christmas angels know who needs their help on this holy night, and are ready to fly down to help the lost, lonely and weary.

Small children will love the row of cut-out angel heads which reveal the features of each little angel in turn. This is a beautiful and inspiring picture book which sings of the message of Christmas loving kindness from every page.

Suitable for ages 3+

Twinkle the Christmas Star

Author: Cathie Whitmore

Illustrator: Cathy McCulloch

Publisher: Atom Children’s Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9806617-0-5

Format: Hardcover

For ages: 5+

Free colouring sheets are available for this book.

‘This book is made up of two stories each narrated by Ollie the Owl. The first story, Twinkle the Christmas Star, explores the magic and significance of Christmas and the Christmas Star. The second story, Twinkle Meets Santa, follows Twinkle’s very first meeting with Santa Claus and her unforgettable adventure at the North Pole with Mrs Claus and Santa’s elves.’

This book is available for purchase from Fishpond

CLASSICS

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Jane Ray

ISBN:978-1408307038

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Orchard (Hachette Books), October 2011

RRP: A$19.99

Publisher’s Description: With a sprinkling of festive, illustrative magic, Jane Ray has created a timeless version of this traditional Christmas verse.

Suitable for ages 3+

Madeline’s Christmas

Ludwig Bemelmans

ISBN:978-1407110554

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Scholastic, November 2008

A beautiful classic in which Madeline helps Miss Clavel and her friends overcome their Christmas-time colds. A rug merchant brings magic to their old house in Paris, and the girls travel home on magic carpet rugs to surprise their parents on Christmas day.

Suitable for ages 4+ (★★★★)

What is your favourite Christmas book?