It’s THAT time of year again! Parents often call into Better Tuition and ask for advice about what to buy for Christmas that will support children’s learning. Whenever I’m stuck for gift ideas I make a beeline for my local bookshop. Why? Because books are quality gifts that can give endless hours of happiness, they are (usually) plastic-free so are a environmentally friendly choice and they are great value for money.
Here are our recommended winter reads for all ages:
From pre-school to six:
Miki by Stephen Mackey
Join Miki on a journey through frozen landscapes with an adventurous penguin and a scuba-diving polar bear. Beautiful illustrations and an engaging story make this a book to treasure.
Tracks in the Snow by Wong Yee
An adorably illustrated book in which a little girl follows the tracks in the snow only to discover they are hers from before and they lead her home. Perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire on a snowy day.
Ages 4 to 8
Brave Irene by William Steig
Brave Irene battles through a snowstorm to deliver a beautiful ballgown. A heartwarming tale.
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson
The Snow Queen is the perfect, classic fairy tale. Accompany Gerda through enchanted gardens, thieves’ forests, and out into the frozen wastes of Lapland and Finland. This is a great gift for all ages.
Teenagers/ Young Adults
Dash and Lily’s book of dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Told in the alternating voices of Dash and Lily, two sixteen-year-olds carry on a wintry scavenger hunt at Christmas-time in New York, neither knowing quite what–or who–they will find.
The Trap by John Smelcer
The Trap is a thrilling page-turner, set in the Arctic region of Alaska.
Adults
Winter Book by Tove Jansson
Tove Jansson is the creator of the Moomins, but writes for adults in this collection of short stories. If you know a Moomin-fan, why not buy them this together with Moomin and the Winter Snow?
You can find your nearest independent bookshop here, or if you live in the US find it here.
