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Our Family’s Favourite Christmas Books










The Lighthouse Keeper’s Christmas
Ronald & David Armitage

When poor Mr Grinling gets stuck in the lighthouse over Christmas there is panic that Father Christmas won’t get to them. But the story has a comforting end with the presents and Christmas dinner getting through. We like the cheeky seagulls in this story who try to snatch the food from the basket as it is winched out to the lighthouse. This story is part of a series of Lighthouse Keeper’s adventures but is far away our favourite.











The Very Greatest Journey
Dai Woolridge & Hannah Bunting


This is a bang up to date retelling of the Christmas story for children. It’s also the book that you can get for free. Click on this link to down load a copy of the accompanying video or order a copy of the book in the UK:
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/get-involved/christmas/
The story reminds me of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ with a similar rhyme and repeated parts that children can join in with. It’s beautifully illustrated and I’m sure that children will want to make up their own actions particularly to the smelly sheep poo page. It’s produced by The Bible Society so is distinctly Christian linking the Christmas story to other parts in the bible at the end. We really enjoyed this story. It’s great for telling in assembly too!






 Christmas with Princess Mirror-Belle
Julia Donaldson

We are massive Julia Donaldson fans in our house. We adore her clever writing and getting to know her characters. Stick Man is a favourite book with a Christmas ending but as Little Lady gets older her love of picture books is sadly diminishing. She likes chapter books that look and feel more grown up and this ticks those boxes whilst still having an accessible story about mischievous Princess Mirror-Belle.  It also has lots of funny parts that we all enjoy when reading this book together. The book is split into two stories - one with a ballet theme and one with a ‘Sleepwalking Beauty’ theme - both of which were a hit. If you enjoy this book, there are more Princess Mirror-Belle books to be read. Some of the stories are picture books and others are chapter books, which are great stepping stones as your child grows as a reader.










Jesus’ Christmas Party
Nicholas Allen

This is another book that I have used in school for assemblies. There is a grumpy innkeeper and the children like to join in shouting ‘Round the back!’ It’s written by Nicholas Allen who also wrote ‘Father Christmas Needs a Wee’.  This book is very funny yet cleverly ties in the nativity story. First of all Mary and Joseph get sent to the stable round the back.  After that the grumpy innkeeper is woken up time and time again by special guests arriving. The ending is the best part when the innkeeper finally goes round the back to see what all the fuss is about. I recommend this book if you like getting into role as a character and making your child laugh out loud.

Enjoy x
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