This year I have had my eyes firmly stuck in a great many kids books. And I’ll fully admit that this list may be titled for kids, but I would indeed, love them all for myself!
Reading to your kids can be the calm of the day. Amongst the chaos of lunchboxes, clubs and 3 zillion snacks, this is your time to come together. Books to inspire their imaginations, send them off on fantastical adventures or to help them see things from a new perspective. Books just rock.
So let’s get stuck in to the magical world of kids publishing and find some truly beautiful gifts for your kids (and maybe you) this Christmas.
Every Christmas Eve my husband reads ‘The Night Before Christmas’ to us. I love this special evening, filled with excitement and dreamy anticipation of what is to come.
Children’s author and illustrator Ella Beech has illustrated this festive classic for The Folio Society and holy moly, it is a real beauty.
This book is a real family heirloom. One to be enjoyed, treasured and passed down through generations. These joyful and intricate illustrations are filled with warm nostalgia, perfect for this family Christmas favourite.
The front cover and slipcase feature a glow in the dark design. Imagine it glowing as those eager little faces drift off to sleep.
One not to be missed if you’re on the hunt for something truly special
The Artist
Written & illustrated by Ed Vere
I have started to teach at my son’s school art club and one thing I tell the students is not to worry about perfection. “It doesn’t have to be perfect” we chant. I banned rubbers and told them to embrace their mistakes.
Ed Vere brings this chant to life in his lastest book.
This is a tale of a brave little artist on her adventure to share her art with the world. Wonderfully demonstrating that nothing has to be perfect to be beautiful. We are free to make mistakes along our way.
An inspirational book, helping to give confidence to any young artist. I think I should read this to myself every day.
The Skull
Written & illustrated byJon Klassen
This book is at the top of my on Christmas list and I purposefully haven’t read the whole thing whilst lusting after it in the book shop, so I don’t spoil it for myself.
Klassen reimagines this traditional Tyrolean folktale in his trademark simple and charming style, pared with his stunning monochromatic illustrations.
Earlier this year Jon posted some photos on his instagram showing how he figured out the perspective and light in these illustrations. And how did he do it? Lego! I used this technique myself when working out positions of characters in my dummy book.
The Skull is perfect for 7-9 year olds who love a bit of a spooky (yet heart warming) story or grown ups who just can’t resist a truly stunning picture book.
Butterfly Child
Written & illustrated by Marc Majewski
I attended an Orange Beak talk with Marc Majewski this week and it was truly inspiring. Marc spoke about his process and breaking through his own creative barriers, something I struggle with quite frequently. He showed me not to give up and to keep striving for happiness in my own art process.
Butterfly Child is about a boy who loves patterns and colours on butterfly wings and makes himself his very own pair. He loves his new creation but other children don’t understand. It takes the help of his supportive Dad to gently encourage him to not give up his wings and stay true to himself.
Marc is insanely talented and this book will delight small children in its beauty and detail, while helping them to embrace their true selves.
Wreck This Picture Book
Written & illustrated by Keri Smith
From the creator of Wreck This Journal Keri Smith has one for a younger audience. Encouraging the reader to smell and feel the pages, to fold, to shake them. Smith banishes traditional rules of how you treat a book and gets her young readers to make the book part of them.
This is a book I would have adored as a child (and let’s face it, I still would!)
This is a real delight for the eyes and a great way for kids to get fully immersed in this fun filled book. A great one to have during school holidays for some creative play.
If you’re looking for a special card to go with these awesome books, you can check out my Personalised Telegrams from Santa available until to order until 12th Dec 2023