The problem with books about Christmas is that it always feels weird reading them at any other time of year. By New Year’s day, the magic is gone.
That said, I've read John Masefield's superb The Box of Delights every Christmas since 1984, so if you find the right seasonal classic, it can stay with you for life. So will today's children be reading this year's batch of Christmas delights in 30 years? They probably won't be as devoted to The First Christmas (Macmillan, £5.99), a strangely prosaic account of the nativity by Rod Campbell, author of the deservedly beloved Dear Zoo.
Alas this book doesn't capture any of the ancient story's mystery or magic. For a true sense of Christmas magic, you're better off picking up The Nights Before Christmas (Andersen Press, £19.99), a beautifully presented collection of seasonal classics chosen and illustrated by Tony Ross. The 24 tales, designed to be read in the days leading up to Christmas, include everything from Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus to the account of the nativity in the King James Bible. Some are funny, some heartbreaking; all are worth reading.
Christmas Poems (Macmillan, £5.99) is another book that captures the spirit of the season. Gaby Morgan has chosen a wonderful selection of poems old and new, from John Betjeman to Jackie Kay, illustrated with typical charm by Axel Scheffler. Entertaining in a very different way is Rudey's Windy Christmas by Helen Baugh and Ben Mantle (Harper Collins, £6.99). When Rudolph eats too many sprouts on Christmas Eve, Santa's journey is punctuated by a lot of whiffy parps. There are so many fart euphemisms the book starts feeling like Viz magazine for the under-10s, but it's funny and sweet.
There’s less flatulence in Nick Butterworth’s One Snowy Night (Harper Collins, £12.99), reissued to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The story of how Percy the Park Keeper ends up sharing his cosy hut with an array of animals who call at his door is warm and witty.
As is Richard Scarry’s Best Christmas Book Ever (Harper Collins, £6.99), in which Scarry’s beloved animal characters celebrate the festive season in their own busy way. There are more animals in Emily Gravett’s wonderful Bear and Hare: Snow! (Macmillan, £10.99). In this almost wordless story, the eponymous beasts venture out in the snow, but Hare is enjoying it more than bear – until they discover a snowy game they both enjoy.
There’s interactive fun in Hello! Christmas (Campbell, £9.99) by Angie Rozelaar. Full of tags to pull, push and spin, the book offers a series of festive tableaux from tree decoration to a nativity play, all of which are fun to play with. As is Marion Billet’s Whizzy Santa (Campbell £6.99). Not only is this chunky little cardboard volume a delightful story of how Santa has to use a flying scooter when the reindeer fall ill, but it has cardboard wheels that go around, turning the book itself into a wheeled toy.
