I adore Christmas; I love the warmth of the weather, the smell of a live tree, blinking bud lights and Carols by Candlelight. My partner Brant thinks I’m silly and I do agree with him that the lead up to the day can be hectic but I still get excited every year and this year will be even better with Ned who will be 11 months and my gorgeous little niece Charlotte who will be 14 months. One thing I do guiltily enjoy is catalogues at this time of year especially book catalogues. I do promise that I recycle them all!!! I really enjoy seeing what bookshops have chosen as the best of the best in the biggest publishing months of the year, I like reading about things I haven’t seen yet and circling all the one’s I want to buy. Not only children’s there are always lot’s of beautiful things released, for example have a look at Maggie’s Harvest by chef Maggie Beer it is an absolutely amazing piece of publishing.

One thing that I remember my little brother and I doing as children was digging out all of our Christmas story books to read by the tree on stinking hot nights as the cicadas deafened us.

Top 5 CHRISTMAS BOOKS….

1. It’s Christmas (Tina Burke) – This beautiful simple Christmas story is perfect for toddlers. It invokes all the lovely feelings and senses of a hot Aussie Christmas without all the kangaroos and koalas of other books. There is a real magic in this book, Burke is the most delightful illustrator whose little characters are just full of life and joy. 3 years +

2. The Nativity (Julie Vivas) – Based on the King James version of the Bible story Vivas has created the most warm, comforting and human illustrations to accompany the text. In her paintings she brings gentleness to the story of the miracle birth of Christ which is so lovely that even if you are not religious you will appreciate. Simply divine! 4 years +

3. The Christmas Book (Dick Bruna) – This is a very simple rendition of the Christmas story by Dick Bruna the author and illustrator most famous for the Miffy books. His style of illustration is instantly recognisable and gorgeous. Perfect for toddlers because of the simplicity it even has the most beautiful little pop out nativity scene in the back of the book which I use every year. 2 years +

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Dr. Seuss) – I love the Grinch and the moral behind this Seuss story. The Grinch is like Scrooge he hates Christmas and he hates that the Who’s of Who-Ville have such a great time doing Christmassy things each year. Grinch plots to make sure that Christmas doesn’t come so he dresses up as Santa and steals all the presents from Who-Ville. But Christmas still comes doesn’t it and the Grinch learns that maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store that maybe it means a bit more! A fantastic lesson in the true meaning of Christmas, if you can make it past the crazy Seuss rhyme – it’s hard to read aloud. There is a movie of the Grinch that stars Jim Carrey that received mixed reviews but I think it’s great; the sets and costumes are incredible and Carrey suitably adds enough grossness to the Grinch character. It is even a Broadway musical. 4 years +

5. The Polar Express (Chris Van Allsburg) – Van Allsburg’s illustrations are incredible, they invoke such magnificent dreamy feelings as you read the story and are the reason why this has become a Christmas classic. Only available in hardcover in Australia it is a perfect keepsake for a family and would make a beautiful gift. The little boy in the story has doubts that Santa Claus is real. On Christmas Eve he is picked up by the steam train The Polar Express and transported with other doubtful children to the North Pole where he is introduced to the real Santa. The boy gets to choose a present, the first of Christmas and chooses a bell of Santa’s sleigh. This story is not twee or slushy it is award winning literature and a truly magical tale. This book has been made into a film animated by DreamWorks, it’s not my favourite adaptation the book and Van Allsburg’s paintings are far and away the best. 5 years +

I haven’t included Clement C. Moore’s poem, A Night Before Christmas in my list. It is a beautiful poem and is very traditionally Christmas. There are so many versions of the poem illustrated by different artists. If you are looking for a copy my favourite has to be illustrated by Christian Birmingham because his art is so soft and gentle and fits so perfectly with the poem.