Children's book reviews: Books to keep children enthralled in the most magical time of the year

A book is a timeless gift that brings young readers comfort beyond the holiday season.

This year, through the ‘Gift a Book’ appeal, Children’s Books Ireland is bringing the magic of Christmas to children who need it most across Ireland. 

By gifting books to children experiencing homelessness, living in direct provision and in healthcare settings, we are working to ensure every child has a gift to open and a brilliant book to call their own at Christmas.

If you would like to give the gift of a book this Christmas, visit www.childrensbooksireland.ie to learn how you can support our ‘Gift a Book’ appeal.

Twelve Days of Kindness by Sophie Beer (Little Tiger)

‘Tis the season to be jolly and kindness towards others should definitely be on your Santa list. Beer’s Twelve Days of Kindness shows a family share their love of Christmas through good deeds and helping others. 

Without being preachy, this story is joyful in spreading festive cheer, with a particularly lovely focus on doctors, retail, restaurant workers, refuse collectors, and postal workers, who may be stretched to capacity during this time of year — definitely one for the ‘nice’ list! (2+)

An Nollaig le Teidí by Sadhbh Rosenstock, illustrated by Ciara Ní Dhuinn (Picnic Press)

Teidí, Tríona, and Tomás are preparing for Christmas when a magical gingerbread house and a bit of imagination leads them on a festive treasure hunt with a big surprise at the end. 

A sweet story for cosy bedtimes, that ultimately reminds us that Christmas is best spent with those we love most. A perfect approachable read-along for parents who wish to encourage little ones to speak or read as Gaeilge. (3+)

Saintí sa Bhaile by Áine Ní Ghlinn illustrated by Mr Ando (An tSnatháid Mhór)

Have you ever wondered what happens when Saintí finishes up his busy night of delivering presents? 

Readers are granted a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes action of the post-Christmas Eve celebrations at the North Pole as Saintí, Mamaí na Nollag, the elves, and polar creatures all celebrate another successful year of gift-giving. A fun, festive tale with Mr Ando’s illustrations bringing a retro feel to this cracker of a story. (4+)

The Muttcracker by Anna Kemp, illustrated by Sarah Ogilvie (Simon & Schuster)

The creators of Dogs don’t do Ballet are back with a story as sweet as a sugar plum fairy. When Miss Polly assigns Biff and his owner the parts of bonbons in The Nutcracker ballet, Biff is devastated to not have a starring role. 

However, the two friends soon learn that some things are more important than having your name in lights. With show-stopping illustrations, these faithful friends might just inspire you to do a jingle bell rock of your own. (4+)

’Twas the Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald (The O’Brien Press)

What should be a silent night at Croke Park for security guard Jenny is interrupted when Santa, his reindeer, and the elves invade the pitch for the first ever Great North Pole Football Derby — but no spoilers here, you’ll have to read on to find out who the winning team is. 

McKeigue’s retelling of a much-loved Christmas classic fused with a well-known landmark in Irish sport is a winning formula for debut success. (5+)

Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins and illustrated by Fia Tobing (Magic Cat Publishing)

The most enchanting interactive book, Letters from the North Pole follows five children who are writing their letters to Santa in the days before Christmas and magically — Santa writes back. 

Expertly designed by Annie Atkins and illustrated by Fia Tobing, this book includes five letters and elf inventions to pull out and read. The perfect book for preserving the magic of Christmas, no matter your age. (6+)

A World Full of Christmas Crafts: 24 Ways to Celebrate the Festive Season by Helen Mortimer and Joy Laforme (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

From making German ‘fensterbilder’, to baking a French ‘galette des rois’, this is an insightful trip around the world looking at different cultural traditions celebrated in December and in the build-up to Christmas.

With 24 traditions and crafts to choose from, this activity book has something that will appeal to all ages and abilities, helping readers to get crafty and build anticipation for the most wonderful time of the year. (7+)

Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time by Sheena Dempsey (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

When a visit to Professor O’Brain reveals she has found herself lost in time after an argument with the Timbender, it’s up to Pablo and Splash to venture 68,000 years into the past to the Ice Age of Northern Europe to save the professor before she is frozen in time. 

If you’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas, this chilly instalment of Dempsey’s popular graphic novel series is the time travelling adventure for you. (8+)

Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte (Gill Books)

Magnet for mayhem Milly is delighted to be selected as the host for the Scoil Eoin talent show, but she can’t stop herself from formulating a plan that will surely be a nice surprise for Múinteoir Eimear, right? 

Lovable, if hairbrained, Milly is a joy to read, with plenty of all too relatable moments in this quintessentially Irish festive instalment of Milly’s adventures. 

If you haven’t read this genuinely hilarious series, now is your chance to add it to your stocking for Christmas. (8+)

Lola and Larch Make a Winter Wish by Sinéad O’Hart, illustrated by Rachel Seago (Nosy Crow)

It’s wintertime in the woods with the fairies marking Turningtide, the shortest day of the year. But when Larch’s wish to the Snow Witch goes awry, the friends find themselves accidentally swapping bodies. 

O’Hart’s 10th book brings a mix of magical chaos, hilarity, adventure, and peril — all wrapped up with the warmth and friendship that dynamic duo Lola and Larch bring to this series. A winter heart-warmer for even the frostiest of snowmen. (8+)

Sprouts by Sibéal Pounder (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Should you really wish it could be Christmas every day? The year is 4029 and mandatory daily celebration of Christmas festivities are enforced by the terrifying Krampuses. 

When young witch Gryla’s path collides with Merrilee Claus, daughter of Santa, she soon learns that the festive world is not so merry and bright. 

For anyone who hates to see Christmas decorations creeping into shops before Halloween — this one is for you. A hilarious and magical romp with storytelling that sparkles like tinsel. (9+)

Cluedle: The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge by Hartigan Browne (Macmillan)

Perfect for mystery lovers, codebreakers, and busy brains, this festive edition of Cluedle includes 80 puzzles to get to the bottom of the late Lord Rudolph Hollygrove-Winterton’s Christmas treasure hunt, and maybe even figure out the cause of his mysterious death. 

A detective story with a twist, putting you, the reader, at the centre of the action, actively solving clues in order to move the story forward. The perfect brainteaser to see you through the twixmas period. (11+)

• Ruth Concannon is the publications officer for Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading.
• Through their ‘Gift a Book’ appeal this year, Children’s Books Ireland is on a Christmas mission to share the joy of reading and ensure that children in need have the gift of a book to open and call their own. They are gifting over 2,000 books to children experiencing homelessness, living in direct provision and in healthcare settings.
• Children’s Books Ireland is calling on the public to donate €12 and give the gift that will last for a lifetime.
• Gift a book today — visit childrensbooksireland.ie