How to find the best Christmas storybook for your child

1. Know roughly what you are looking for

Before entering a book shop to choose the perfect Christmas storybook, think about things that could help your decision:

• What age is the child?
• What relation are you to them?
• Are they big readers?
• Do they have siblings?
• How much are you willing to spend?

Knowing the answers to these questions can help the book shop assistant with your request.

2. Don’t assume they will love the same books you did

There are some Christmas tales that will always be a classic such as ‘A Christmas Carol.’ However, children today might not love this book as much as you did. This could be because the world they live in today is very different. Base your decisions on what they like, not what you like.

3. Research the book before buying it

The saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ is relevant here. Don’t buy a Christmas storybook just because it looks pretty. The content may be irrelevant or not suitable for the child you’re buying it for. It’s a good idea to do some research on the book before you buy it. Find out what it’s about and the age group it is suitable for. Read some reviews and see what other people thought of the book. This will help you decide if it is the right Christmas storybook for your child.

4. Characters

Characters play a big part in what makes a great Christmas storybook. Children like characters they can relate with or characters they become attached to. Some of the most popular Christmas books feature deep and thematic character arcs. Examples of this include The Grinch. As the books you will choose are targeted at children, many of the characters in the books will be children too. Kids like this because they feel like they can be the child in the book.

5. Choose a book well in advance

If you’re struggling to choose a Christmas storybook, don’t make the struggle worse by leaving it until the last minute. Christmas is a busy time, and if you want to find the perfect book, you need to do it early. Leaving it until the last minute will cause unnecessary stress and your options may be limited. Get organised and choose a book early.

6. Choose books that are at an appropriate level for your child

When choosing a Christmas storybook, think about the age you’re buying for. Young toddlers like books with rhyme, repetition and colourful pictures. Older children prefer books with fewer pictures and that offer more complex storylines. They can use their imagination to really get into the book.

Books fall under three categories:

• Those a child can read alone
• Those a child can read with an adult
• Ones an adult must read to a child.

7. What will your child learn from the books?

Will the Christmas storybook teach them about friendship and the importance of giving? For older children, consider how the book will develop their comprehension skills and vocabulary. Think about what your child will learn from the book.

8. Take your child with you to look at books

One of the best ways to know if your child will like a book is to have them pick it themselves. If you don’t know what book is best, take your child with you when shopping for books. Let your child browse the Christmas storybook section freely. Let them choose as many books as they want. A child will know if they like the book by quickly flicking through it. Letting the child pick their own books is easier than you guessing if they will like it or not.

You could ask them why they chose that book. Perhaps it’s the author or the text isn’t too difficult for them. Bear these thoughts in mind for the next time you buy new books.

9. Choose a variety of books

When shopping for the best Christmas storybook, don’t just choose one book. Grab a variety of books featuring different themes and characters. Let your children explore the different books and see what they like best. More books will keep them entertained and will further encourage their reading. Perhaps you could choose a book you could read together.

10. Audiobooks

If your child has trouble with reading, why not introduce an audiobook? They are great for children who struggle with the concept of sitting and focusing on a book. Many children understand things better by listening to them than reading them. Just like books, audiobooks can be taken anywhere. They are great for long car journeys to keep your child entertained. Your child will still learn everything from the book, just in a different way. Audiobooks can also strengthen their listening skills.

11. What’s popular at the moment?

The last tip for choosing a Christmas storybook is to see what books are popular for the child’s age group. You can easily find this information online or at your local bookstore. Trying a new book might just the be right option for your child.

What are their friends reading? Your child will share many interests with their friends, including what books they are reading. See what books their friends are reading and enjoying and devise a list of suggestions from this. If the book is part of a series, why not buy all the books to see what your child thinks?

They may discover a new author they love. They can also discuss the books with their friends who are all reading the same thing.

Book suggestions

There are so many festive-themed books to choose from. It’s all about finding what your children enjoy and what is suitable for their reading ability. Have you checked out our Christmas books blog? It is full of Christmas stories for children of all ages. It will give you plenty of suggestions for finding the best Christmas storybook.

Why is reading important?

We know it can be hard to get kids reading. Not every child wants to pick up a book to read. Some children struggle with reading, so they don’t want to do it. Reading is important for children and should be encouraged by parents. Reading can benefit children in many ways including:

• Keeps the brain healthy
• Expands their vocabulary
• Helps build independence and self-confidence
• Enhances their imagination
• Improves their grammar and writing skills
• Helps them make sense of the world around them.

If you’re struggling to get your children to read, have you read our blog for engaging children with reading? It is full of tips to turn them into avid readers.

Do you need more ideas?

If you’re still looking for more reading ideas, you should check out our activity packs? They are filled with fun and educational activities to get the children excited for Santa’s arrival. Choose from:

• Santa Academy
• Reindeer Recruit
• Elf Ed
• Fairy Fellow.

The Santa Academy app – coming 2022!

Are you ready for more festive fun? Get ready for the Santa Academy app!

Christmas is coming and Santa needs your little one’s help. Throughout December your child can help Santa prepare for Christmas Eve. They can choose to enroll into Elf Ed, Reindeer Recruit or Fairy Fellow and immerse themselves in Santa’s world.

From December 1^st to Christmas Day, your child will unlock new areas, buildings, and characters on Lacus Island. Enter a magical island that is filled with fantastic activities for your little ones to enjoy.

Download the app from November 1^st, 2022. School starts December 1^st, 2022.

 Santa Academy – the novel!

And there’s more! Get ready to read about Christmas on Lacus Island! In 2022, the Santa Academy Novel will hit the shelves.

Our creator, chief storyteller and author, Jill Newey, will tell the story of Christmas on Lacus Island. Your little one can join their favorite characters as they help Santa prepare for Christmas Eve.

What does it take for a huge operation like Christmas to run, year on year? Find out in the Santa Academy Novel. Coming Christmas 2022!