Christmas books for age 7+
Help independent readers discover the joy of getting lost in a book and send them on an unforgettable festive adventure.
Kevin vs the Unicorn
Philip Reeve, Sarah McIntyre
Max and his roly-poly flying pony Kevin enter the exclusive Magical Pony Club Steeplechase, where they will have to compete against a group of snooty unicorns and their super-snooty owners. During the race, they uncover a secret plan to steal the precious Periwinkle Cup and have to step in to stop this from happening.
Tom’s Midnight Garden 65th Anniversary Edition
Philippa Pearce
When Tom is sent to stay at his aunt and uncle’s house for the summer, he resigns himself to endless weeks of boredom. Lying awake at night, he hears the old grandfather clock downstairs strike . . . eleven . . . twelve . . . thirteen . . . Thirteen! How strange! When Tom gets up to investigate, he discovers a magical garden. A garden that everyone told him doesn’t exist. A garden that only he can enter . . .
The Accidental Father Christmas
Tom McLaughlin
Ben’s starting to get a bit sceptical about Father Christmas’s existence, he needs proof. So, on Christmas Eve, he sets up an elaborate booby trap to capture the jolly bearded fella as he comes sliding down the chimney. Kicking off a sequence of hilarious events that makes this Christmas the most bonkers ever!
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Sky Hawk (Anniversary Edition)
Gill Lewis
Something lives deep within the forest . . . something that has not been seen on Callum’s farm for over a hundred years. Callum and Iona make a promise to keep their amazing discovery secret, but can they keep it safe from harm? The pact they make will change lives forever.
Victoria Stitch: Bad and Glittering
Harriet Muncaster
Twins, Victoria Stitch and Celestine, are denied their royal birth-right. Celestine accepts the decision with good grace, but Victoria Stitch is consumed with her obsession for power.
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See also: Reading notes [PDF]
Pugs of the Frozen North
Philip Reeve, Sarah McIntyre
The Race to the Top of the World! It comes around once in a lifetime, and the prize? Your heart’s desire. Shen and Sika can’t resist the chance to win. Who will win the Race to the Top of the World? Helga Hammerfest and her polar bears; bounder and cheat Sir Basil Sprout-Dumpling or Shackleton Jones with his robot-powered sled? Or two kids riding a sled pulled by 66 pugs wearing jumpers?
The underdogs are coming …
Pippi Longstocking Gift Edition
Astrid Lindgren, Lauren Child
This flagship gift edition illustrated by Lauren Child is a glorious celebratory tribute to the strongest girl in the world.
Pippi Longstocking is nine years old. She has just moved into Villa Villekulla where she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. The grown-ups in the village try to make Pippi behave in ways that they think a little girl should, but Pippi has other ideas.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens
Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. It’s all humbug to him. But will he change his ways after a series of ghostly visits one Christmas Eve?
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Leo’s Map of Monsters: The Frightmare
Kris Humphrey, Pete Williamson
Leo Wilder must protect his village from the monsters that lurk in the surrounding forest. His job is top secret, but that secret has come under threat. To protect his world, Leo must battle with the ghostly Frightmare-a powerful monster that haunts the abandoned ruins, breathing deadly blue fire at any intruder.
Roald Dahl: Beastly and Bewildering Words
Roald Dahl, Kay Woodward, Quentin Blake
A little book full of words and phrases inspired by Roald Dahl’s stories of fantabulous animals, frightswiping creatures and beastliness! Packed with bewildering words and fun ideas, it is the perfect inspiration gift to help children get writing creatively and build their confidence with words.
Roald Dahl: Scrumptious and Delumptious Words
Roald Dahl, Kay Woodward, Quentin Blake
A little book full of words and phrases all about food from the delunctuous to the yucksome! Packed with toothsome wordy snippets and fun ideas from Roald Dahl’s brilliant stories and characters, it is the perfect inspiration gift to help children get writing creatively and build their confidence with words.