Each year in the last week of November, you’ll find me maniacally wrapping up 24 picture books to make our Book Advent Calendar.
We open a book a day in the 24 days leading up to The Big Day.
Truth be told, we don’t own 24 Christmas-themed books. To make up the numbers, I just add in a few everyday favourites from our home collection.
I’ve also heard of people wrapping up library books. Such a great idea- exposing children to new books at no cost.
Here are a few of our favourite Christmas picture books that we’ve unwrapped so far.

Santa’s Aussie Holiday by Maria Farrer and Anna Walker // Scholastic
How much annual leave does Santa get?
Where does he go when he needs some well-deserved rest and relaxation after delivering all the presents on Christmas Eve?
“Each year he likes to have some fun,
a chance to get some rest and sun;”
Australia is the perfect holiday destination!
We follow Santa as he traverses this Great Southern Land of ours.
From scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef to the desert sands of Uluru to climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Santa is one active traveler!
The rhyming text is glorious to read aloud and exquisite double page spreads showcase our stunning landscape.

My Little Stocking by Sara Gilingham // Chronicle
I’m a huge fan of Sara Gilingham’s books and designs and this is a lovely board book for babies and toddlers.
Short and sweet filled with simple rhyming text.
What treats and surprises are in this little stocking?
The detailed illustrations were rendered using cut and stitched felt and are just adorable.
Little ones will love using the finger puppet that is attached to the book.

Princess and Fairy A Very Sparkly Christmas by Anna Pignataro // Scholastic
Princess and Fairy receive a letter from the Keepers of Christmas asking them to decorate the tree in Evergreen Moor.
They write a list detailing all the spectacular decorations they wish to put on the tree.
This delightful Look and Find book is filled with detailed, intricate illustrations.
Children in the 5-8 age bracket could spend ages looking through the illustrations for the various items on the decoration list.

Dear Santa by Rod Campbell // Pan Macmillan
By the author of the classic lift-the-flap book, Dear Zoo, this is a Christmas book based on a similar premise.
Santa receives a letter but he struggles to send off the right gift choice.
Lift the flaps to reveal each present.
What present will be the perfect gift from Santa?
I’ve yet to meet a young person who doesn’t like lift-the-flap books!

We don’t own the following two books, so consider them to be “Wishlist Items.”
I’m waiting (impatiently) for my kids to be a bit older before I invest in them.

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R Tolkien // Houghton Miffin
This exquisite tome contains copies of letters that Tolkien penned for his children, pretending to be Father Christmas.
Each December, a letter would arrive from the North Pole.
Each letter would contain the same, spidery handwriting and a drawing or painting.
The letters would detail the escapades of the North Pole. From the reindeer getting loose and causing mayhem, to the goblin wars taking place beneath the Claus residence.
This book truly epitomises the magic of Christmas.

The 12 Days of Christmas: A Pop-Up Celebration by Robert Sabuda // Simon & Schuster
Have you ever laid eyes on a Sabuda pop-up book?
Oh my, they are masterpieces. He is a legendary paper engineer.
Set to the lyrics of the 12 Days of Christmas, each verse is illustrated with a different pop-up creation.
This book is magical.

What Christmas books are enjoyed at your place?

When I purchase my books, I use Booktopia. Their prices are competitive and their delivery is prompt. The titles and images of each book will take you to the Australian based online bookstore Booktopia. If you are an International reader, try Amazon or Book Depository.
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