7-8 YEAR OLDS

Jim’s Spectacular Christmas by Emma Thomson and Axel Scheffler

Jim is a small, rather whiffy mongrel with a rheumy eye, who lives at the Victoria and Albert Museum and loves to read. When his beloved owner, Sir Henry Cole, asks Jim to deliver the first Christmas card to Queen Victoria, something goes terribly wrong… can Jim put things right by Christmas day?     

This will be a Christmas classic.  The story is ideal for slightly older readers who still enjoy picture books.  Based on the true story of Jim, Sir Henry Cole’s beloved dog, Emma Thomson’s story is full of warmth and wit, and Axel Sheffler’s illustrations are more than a match for the text. It’s a gem! £14.99

Humbug The Elf Who Saved Christmas by Steven Butler

The Humbug’s are not your usual elf family – they, along with the La Trines, are responsible for reindeer poo disposal! After a disastrous mince pie incident causes the family to be banished, the Humbugs go on a hilarious adventure and create a little Christmas magic here on Earth.  

From the sparkly snowflakes on the front, to the candy cane sprayed edge; from Nana Pilchard’s hilarious Dahlesque musings, to the message that the world is a little bit better with you in it, this is a terrific middle grade book for younger readers. It’s perfect for 7-9 year olds who are able read independently, although it’s such a fun story, you’ll want to read it with them! £7.99

The Grumpus: And His Dastardly Dreadful Christmas Plan by Alex T Smith

In spite of his festive jumper, the Grumpus hates Christmas.  Following a disastrous shopping trip for Brussels sprouts (his favourite food), the Grumpus hatches a plan to go to the North Pole and stop Christmas once and for all. Will he succeed? Or will he learn the true magic of Christmas?

Christmas in the bookshop just wouldn’t be Christmas without a new offering from Alex T Smith. How Winston Delivered Christmas and How Winston Came Home for Christmas are firm favourites, and the Grumpus is a welcome addition to Alex’s Christmas oeuvre. £14.99

8 -12 YEAR OLDS 

The Very Merry Murder Club, edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens and illustrated by Harry Woodgate

The Very Merry Murder Club was first published in hardback last Christmas and is now available in paperback for those who missed it first time around. Thirteen fiendish wintry mysteries, written by a host of well-known authors including Elle McNicoll, Patrice Lawrence, Sharna Jackson and Dominique Valente. The perfect present for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Highland Falcon Thief.  

This is ideal for children who love mysteries, but may have just come to the end of their favourite series, as short story anthologies are a super way to find your next favourite author.  £7.99

The Miraculous Sweetmakers by Natasha Hastings, illustrated by Alex T Smith  

A magical adventure set during the great frost of 1683. Thomasina and Anne are best friends who sell sweets at the Frost Fair on the frozen River Thames. After a family tragedy, Thomasina becomes drawn to Inigo, a curious stranger. But is Inigo all he appears? Does he really want to help her, or does he have a more sinister agenda…? 

This is Natasha Hasting’s debut and we think she’s one to watch. She seamlessly weaves historical details through a magical story that is darker than the cover suggests. Suitable for 9 and up.  £12.99

Midwinter Burning by Tanya Landman 

Set during WW2, this is a timeslip mystery perfect for dark, wintry nights. When Alfie is evacuated to Devon to stay with Auntie Bell on her farm, he feels happier than ever before. He even makes a friend, Smidge. But Smidge is not all he appears. What is his connection to the legend of the Midwinter Burning and the ancient clifftop stones? When Smidge suddenly disappears, Alfie discovers the true horror of the legend – can he save his friend in time?  

Reminiscent of Stig of the Dump and The Dark is Rising, this is a compelling read for 10 years and up but may be a little dark in places for younger readers.  £7.99

12 – 14 YEAR OLDS 

All the Jingle Ladies by Beth Garrod 

Molly Bell hates Christmas. Her mum and dad wrote the most successful Christmas single ever when she was a child, and she starred in the video as a little green elf. Consequently, she’s spent her life trying to live it down. Now the single is being used in a blockbuster Christmas film, and Molly is desperately trying to hide her true identity. When she meets a cute boy at the film premier, things become even more complicated. But Molly isn’t the only person with something to hide… 

A sweet festive romcom with a fabulous friendship at its core, we think this is perfect for younger teens who love Alice Oseman and John Green. £8.99 

What If 2 by Randall Munrow 

For those teens who prefer facts to fiction, What If? 2 answers more absurd hypothetical questions using serious science. So, if you’ve ever wondered how many snowflakes it would take to cover the entire world in 6 feet of snow, or how many toasters would be needed to heat a house, then this is the book for you! 

What If? Has long been one of our favourite go-to recommendations for STEM focussed teens, and so we were thrilled when John Murray Press told us What If? 2 would be out for Christmas. We think this is one of those times when the sequel is even better than the first book. £20 

Good Enough To Eat by Gina Blaxill 

A twisty take on the classic Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. There’s a witch in the woods and no one who enters her house gets out alive. So, when Hansel and Gretel return to the village of Westerleen unharmed, the locals laud Hansel for being a hero even though both Hansel and Gretel know it was Gretel who pushed the witch into the fire. Gretel is determined to be recognised in her own right, but to what lengths will she go to change her fate… 

Suitable for 12 and up, this is a feminist fantasy perfect for those who love Disney’s Twisted Tales or Jamila Gavin’s Blackberry Blue. We think it’s one to read on Christmas Day whilst polishing off a gingerbread house! £8.99

The Wallingford Bookshop Wild Card: What Feelings Do When No-One’s Looking by Tina Oziewicz and Aleksandra Zajac 

What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking has a simple premise that is brilliantly executed. A wide range of feelings are expressed incredibly effectively through most beautiful illustrations and a few perfectly chosen words. Curiosity climbs to the highest branch of a tree… gratitude warms you like a woolly jumper…Courage takes a nap in the middle of a dark forest… 

Ostensibly a picture book for little ones, our booksellers all agree that this is a charming gift for all ages. It deserves to become a classic. 

Need to know

You can get all these titles are 1,000s more at The Wallingford Bookshop. Pop in to get expert get advice on book gifting from Helen and her team.