Christmas is my favourite time of year for buying children’s books. I love finding stories that we can bring out every December, particularly now that Cyrus is four and beginning to have very firm opinions about what makes a good book. He knows which characters he likes, which stories deserve another reading and, unfortunately for me, which books must be read several times before he’ll go to sleep.
Christmas 2020 is going to be a bit different from anything we’ve experienced before. With the pandemic still affecting family life, we’re spending more time at home, and books have become an important part of keeping Cyrus entertained. They’ve also given us something else to talk about besides handwashing, restrictions and why we can’t see everyone we’d like to see.
We’ve been working our way through a collection of Christmas picture books, including some kindly sent to us by authors and publishers. Some are funny, some have lovely messages about kindness and confidence, and one has managed to convince Cyrus that he might actually be a Christmas elf.
Here are five children’s Christmas books that we’ve enjoyed reading together, along with where you can buy them if you’re looking for a festive gift.
It’s a Long Night for Santa by Chris Tetreault-Blay
Gifted by the author.I wouldn’t have thought a little brown moth would make a particularly useful assistant to Father Christmas, but Chris Tetreault-Blay has managed to convince us otherwise. We’ve become fond of his Little Brown Moth character, having first met him in It’s a Long Way to the Moon, so we were pleased to discover he’d returned for another adventure.
This time, the story begins on Christmas Eve when the moth finds himself lost in thick fog. Unable to see where he’s going, he spots a distant red light and decides to follow it. Before long, he discovers that the light belongs to Rudolph, who is busy pulling Santa’s sleigh with the other reindeer. The little moth stops for a rest on the sleigh, where he’s eventually discovered by Father Christmas himself.
Rather than sending his unexpected passenger on his way, Santa asks the moth to help deliver the remaining presents. It’s quite a responsibility for such a tiny creature, but his efforts eventually help make a little boy’s Christmas wish come true.
The story is told in rhyme, which makes it enjoyable to read aloud. Cyrus likes the rhythm of the words, while I find the illustrations especially appealing. The scenes of the moth struggling through the fog are beautifully drawn, and there’s a real sense of relief when he finally reaches the safety of Santa’s sleigh.
What we love about the book
There’s a lovely message about kindness and helping others, but it doesn’t feel forced. Cyrus enjoys the idea that someone as small as a moth can help Father Christmas, while I like the way the story shows that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of their size. It’s also a reassuring book for children who might occasionally feel frightened or uncertain, because the little moth discovers that help can arrive when he least expects it.
The illustrations are worth taking time over, especially the expressions on the moth’s face as his adventure unfolds. It’s a gentle Christmas story that works especially well at bedtime, when we’re trying to encourage a little calm before the inevitable request for another book.
It’s a Long Night for Santa is published by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers.
The North Pole Lockdown by Danielle Corrigan
Gifted by the author.If someone had told me last Christmas that we’d spend much of 2020 discussing lockdowns, social distancing and the importance of washing our hands, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Yet here we are, and even Father Christmas has apparently had to make a few adjustments.
Danielle Corrigan’s The North Pole Lockdown takes the events of 2020 and imagines how Santa, his elves and the reindeer might cope with a pandemic of their own. It’s a subject that could easily become rather gloomy, particularly for young children, but Corrigan approaches it with humour and plenty of Christmas mischief.
The book follows the inhabitants of the North Pole as they deal with the disruption caused by lockdown while trying to keep the festive spirit alive. There are familiar worries about hygiene and keeping everyone safe, although the North Pole has its own rather unusual ways of handling the situation.
Corrigan is a mum who enjoys writing poems and stories for her children. Like many parents, she’s spent the year trying to explain an extraordinary situation to little ones who don’t necessarily understand why their normal routines have changed. She wanted to capture something of this strange period in a story that children could enjoy, rather than giving them another reason to worry.
I think that’s what makes this book particularly relevant to Christmas 2020. It’s difficult to explain a pandemic to a four-year-old without making everything sound terribly serious. Sometimes a little humour is a better starting point, especially when it involves Father Christmas.
What we love about the book
Cyrus is particularly amused by the idea of sprouty kebabs, which has led to a few conversations about whether Brussels sprouts are really suitable Christmas food. Personally, I’m not convinced, although I admire the North Pole’s enthusiasm for vegetables.
I like the fact that the story gives us an opportunity to talk about what has happened this year without frightening him. It touches on hygiene, feelings and looking after one another, but there’s enough silliness to keep the whole thing entertaining. Children have had to accept an awful lot of changes in 2020, and it’s nice to find a book that acknowledges this without making them feel that Christmas itself has been cancelled.
It will also be an interesting book to look back on in years to come. I wonder whether Cyrus will remember much about lockdown when he’s older, or whether he’ll simply remember a Christmas story involving Santa and some rather questionable vegetable kebabs.
The North Pole Lockdown is published by Book Bubble Press.
Toggs the Christmas Elf with a Fitting Gift by Keith McDuffee
I’ve read plenty of Christmas stories about elves making toys, wrapping presents and helping Father Christmas prepare for his busiest night of the year. What I haven’t given much thought to is who makes all their clothes. Somebody must be responsible for keeping those little green suits in good condition, particularly when the elves are working around the clock.Keith McDuffee has come up with the answer in Toggs the Christmas Elf with a Fitting Gift, which introduces a rather talented elf who has a passion for fashion.
Toggs is a skilled tailor with a talent for cutting, sewing and creating clothes. He’s good at what he does and genuinely enjoys his work, but he sometimes feels that the other elves don’t appreciate his contribution. After all, the toy-makers receive plenty of attention, while the elf responsible for making everyone look presentable seems to be overlooked.
As his confidence begins to suffer, Toggs starts questioning whether his work is important. It’s a feeling many of us will recognise, although most of us don’t have to worry about dressing an entire workforce of Christmas elves.
The story follows Toggs as he learns to appreciate his own abilities and discovers that his particular talents are every bit as valuable as those of his fellow elves.
What we love about the book
I like the fact that this story celebrates a character who isn’t especially interested in making toys or doing what everyone else is doing. Toggs has his own skills, and the important lesson is that he doesn’t need to become somebody different to be useful.
At four, Cyrus is beginning to discover what he’s good at and what he enjoys. Some things come easily to him, while others require a little more encouragement. I think books like this are useful because they help children understand that everyone has different abilities and that there’s no need to compare themselves with others.
It’s also a nice change from the usual Christmas adventure. There are no missing presents or runaway reindeer to worry about, just a hardworking elf who needs a little confidence in himself.
The e-book is available on Amazon, with a printed edition planned for the following Christmas season.
Cyrus the Elf Who Saved Christmas by Wonderbly
Gifted by Wonderbly.There are plenty of ways to get Cyrus interested in a story, but putting his name on the front cover is proving particularly effective. When our personalised copy of Cyrus the Elf Who Saved Christmas arrived from Wonderbly, he was delighted to discover that he wasn’t simply reading about somebody else’s Christmas adventure. This time, he was the one saving the day.
I’ve seen personalised books before, and some are little more than ordinary stories with a child’s name inserted into the text. Wonderbly has gone further by allowing families to create a character who actually resembles their child. You can choose details including hair colour, skin tone and gender, which makes the whole experience feel much more personal.
You can also add a dedication inside the book. We chose a message from maman va baba, which means mum and dad in Persian. With Cyrus growing up in a British-Iranian family, I wanted to include something that reflected both sides of his heritage. It’s a small detail, but one that makes the book feel particularly special to us.
Written by David Cadji-Newby and illustrated by Josh Cleland, the story follows a child who discovers that elves are actually children and becomes involved in saving Christmas. Cyrus was fascinated by this idea. He’s already quite interested in Father Christmas and the North Pole, so discovering that children might be recruited as elves has given him plenty to think about.
The illustrations are colourful and beautifully presented, with enough detail to keep little readers interested. The personalisation also works well within the story. Rather than feeling like an afterthought, Cyrus’s character is part of the adventure from the beginning.
We chose the softcover edition, which is sturdy and nicely finished. Wonderbly also offers hardcover options and gift packaging, making the books suitable for Christmas presents and other special occasions.
At £21.99, it’s certainly not the cheapest children’s book we’ve bought, but I think the quality and personalisation make it good value for a keepsake. And judging by Cyrus’s reaction, it’s money well spent. I read the book four times at bedtime on the day it arrived. By the fourth reading, I was beginning to feel as though I’d personally helped save Christmas.
What we love about the book
Cyrus absolutely loves being the main character. He follows the story closely, points out his personalised illustrations and seems genuinely pleased with the idea that he’s capable of helping Father Christmas. It’s lovely watching him become so involved in a book, particularly when the story encourages children to believe in themselves.
For me, the personal dedication is what makes it worth keeping. I can imagine finding this book in a cupboard years from now, when Cyrus is far too old to believe that he might be a Christmas elf, and remembering how excited he was when we first read it together.
It’s also a rather nice alternative to another toy, especially when you’re buying for a child who already seems to have enough plastic in the house to open a small toy shop.
The Elf Who Saved Christmas is written by David Cadji-Newby and illustrated by Josh Cleland.
Price at the time of review: £21.99
Personalise and buy The Elf Who Saved Christmas from Wonderbly
Special Christmas discount for Saffron & Cyrus readers
Wonderbly has a range of personalised children’s books, with around 30 titles to choose from at the time of writing. They also offer worldwide delivery, which is useful if you’re buying Christmas presents for family members living overseas.
Readers of Saffron & Cyrus can get £10 off their first personalised book when they sign up through our special referral link.
Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf by Kate Wogan
Getting a four-year-old to settle down at bedtime can be difficult enough on an ordinary evening. Add Christmas into the equation, and you might as well accept that sleep is going to require some negotiation. Cyrus is already getting excited about Father Christmas, and we’re still some way from Christmas Eve.This is probably why Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf has gone down so well in our house. Its central character is supposed to help children fall asleep before Father Christmas arrives, but there’s one rather obvious problem. The elf is far too excited about Christmas to calm down himself.
The Excited Elf has an important job making sure children everywhere are tucked up in bed so that Father Christmas can deliver their presents. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm gets the better of him, and Granny must find a way to settle him down before Milo and Mary miss their chance to get to sleep.
We first discovered Kate Wogan’s Uh Oh Milo! books during the first lockdown, when we were spending a great deal of time at home and looking for new stories to keep Cyrus entertained. The series uses mythical mischief-makers and a little magic to explore manners, behaviour and the sorts of situations young children encounter every day.
What I particularly like about the books is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. The characters are wonderfully daft, the illustrations are bright and full of humorous details, and the language is entertaining enough to make reading aloud enjoyable for parents too.
The Christmas edition follows the same approach, using a familiar bedtime problem to introduce the idea of calming down and listening to others. It’s a subject that feels especially relevant in December, when children are surrounded by excitement and adults are desperately trying to maintain something resembling a routine.
What we love about the book
Cyrus loves the illustrations and the mischievous characters. He often spots things in the pictures that I’ve missed, which means we spend almost as much time discussing what’s happening on the page as we do reading the actual story.
I like the way Kate Wogan introduces good manners and sensible behaviour without making the book feel like a lesson. Children don’t necessarily want another adult telling them to calm down, but they’re quite happy to laugh at an elf who can’t manage it himself.
It’s a good choice for children around four years old, with plenty of humour and a message that’s easy to understand. We’ve enjoyed including it in our bath, book and bedtime routine, although I can’t honestly say that reading about an excitable elf has made Cyrus any more willing to go to sleep.
Which Christmas book would I buy as a gift?
If I were choosing just one book from this collection as a Christmas present, I’d probably go for the personalised Wonderbly story. Watching Cyrus discover that he was the hero of his own Christmas adventure was worth it, and I particularly like the fact that we’ll be able to keep the book long after he’s outgrown it.
For a traditional Christmas bedtime story, It’s a Long Night for Santa is a lovely choice. The illustrations are beautiful, and the little moth is such an endearing character that I suspect we’ll be seeing him again next December.
The North Pole Lockdown is perhaps the most unusual book of the five, but that’s hardly surprising given the year we’ve had. It captures something of Christmas 2020 that children might otherwise struggle to remember, while managing to make a difficult subject entertaining.
For children who need a little encouragement to believe in their abilities, Toggs the Christmas Elf has a useful message, while Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf is probably the best choice if you’re looking for something funny to read together.
Making Christmas memories, one bedtime story at a time
I sometimes wonder what Cyrus will remember about Christmas when he’s older. Will it be the presents, the decorations, the excitement of waiting for Father Christmas or the little things we do together in the weeks beforehand?
I hope some of it will be the books.
At four, he’s still young enough to believe in all the magic of Christmas, and I rather like being part of that. He asks questions about how Santa manages to deliver so many presents, whether Rudolph ever gets tired and what happens if somebody doesn’t have a chimney. I don’t always have particularly convincing answers, but that doesn’t seem to bother him.
This year has been difficult for so many families, and I know we’re fortunate to have a warm home, books to read and the opportunity to spend time together. With so much uncertainty about Christmas plans, I’m trying to concentrate on the things we can enjoy rather than worrying about everything we might miss.
Our evenings aren’t always peaceful. Sometimes Cyrus wants three stories instead of one, sometimes he interrupts every other sentence, and occasionally I find myself reading the same page twice because I’ve lost my place. But these are the moments I suspect I’ll miss when he’s older and no longer wants me sitting beside him at bedtime.
For now, I’m happy to make another cup of tea, settle down with a Christmas book and listen to Cyrus explain why he thinks he’d make an excellent elf.
Although, judging by the state of his bedroom, I’m not entirely convinced Father Christmas would employ him.
Do you have a favourite story from your own childhood that you’ve passed on, or is there a new festive book that’s become a family tradition?
Occasional stories, experiments, discoveries and questions from Saffron & Cyrus.
Discover more from Saffron & Cyrus
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Saffron & Cyrus is an independent women’s editorial publication with a recognisable voice, real-life perspective, a defined midlife audience and a commercial model built around useful, relevant partnerships.
