The Twelve Days of Christmas Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

In this board book, using two enchanting elf characters and her trademark die-cut collage style illustrations, Britta Teckentrup presents a favourite seasonal song aimed at the very youngest listeners.

As the song progresses, one verse per spread, the gift is revealed through the cut out.

Then on the fourth day additional die-cuts are left out to accommodate the four calling birds and so on until the eleventh day.

On day twelve all the gifts are revealed around the tree on the recto while in the bottom corner on the verso the elves give each other a Christmas kiss.

Just right for tiny hands and there’s plenty of counting fun to be had too.

The Tree That’s Meant To Be Yuval Zommer

Both his wonderful sense of humour and his love of nature and its beauty, shine forth from Yuval Zommer’s festive story of a little tree.

The tale is told by the tree itself. It speaks of its perceived imperfections right from the start – its asymmetry and lack of rapid growth; “Looking wonky. Feeling small”.

The seasons come and go. People search the forest looking for the perfect tree to cut and take inside for Christmas. One by one the trees are felled until one winter’s night the little tree finds itself alone, seemingly forgotten and unloved.

It’s not so though, for the forest animals have heard its cry and it turns out that the little tree is to have a very special Christmas after all.

Such important themes for all, children especially – unconditional love, enduring companionship and support – are woven into this tale. And what a wonderful way to end, which ensures that this is a story to share beyond Christmas.

Yuval’s rich illustrations are a joy to behold. Breaking into rhyme from time to time, the narration really gives a sense of what it feels like to think you’re far from perfect, but this is ultimately an uplifting book, one to keep and revisit.

Winnie and Wilbur: The Santa Surprise Laura Owen and Korky Paul

Picture book favourites Winnie the Witch and her forbearing feline Wilbur are eagerly anticipating Christmas.

The excitement mounts as the Advent calendar is opened each day, but it’s presents that occupy their thoughts in the main and especially presents for Santa himself. “Proper presents that are more than a drinkie and squince pie?” wonders Winnie.

Before you can say ‘Christmas stocking’ the two W’s are on the case. Perhaps the staff and pupils at the local primary school could help with suggestions for a perfect Santa pressie.

Then it’s off to the North Pole – brrrrrrr! Make sure you wear your fur-lined undies Winnie. But will they arrive in time to deliver his Santa-ness the gift of a lifetime and still reach home to celebrate the big day with all their friends.?

Zany madness that’s full of the joys of the festive season.

The Naughtiest Unicorn at Christmas Pip Bird, illustrated by David O’Connell

It’s time to don those festive jumpers and get ready to join Mira and her friends along with their UBFFs (Unicorn Best Friends Forever) in the week before Christmas.

Mira hopes that she and her unicorn Dave will be given the lead roles in the school play ‘The Legend of the Snow Unicorn’.

In the meantime here’s a question asked by her friend Darcy – What goes RAINBOW thump, RAINBOW thump, RAINBOW thump, RAINBOW thump?

It’s Dave rolling down a snowy hill entangled in the long rainbow scarf, teacher Miss Glitterhorn was endeavouring to wrap around him. And following this spectacle said unicorn merely snorts and produces an enormous frozen poo.

Not a very promising start when the auditions for that all important play are to be held imminently.

Inevitably things get increasingly chaotic when Dave is involved and yes the play does eventually take place, but as to who are the star performers – the best way to find out about the drama that’s performed is to get your hands on a copy of this fourth episode of high jinks Mira and Dave style.

As usual David O’Connell livens things up even more with his smashing black and white illustrations.