We love gifting books at Christmas. Is there anything more wonderful than sitting on the sofa one minute, only to be swept up the magical Faraway tree with Moonface and Silky the next? Stories are often little treasures, to be read, kept, and re-read again and again. They never seem to wear out.
Any book that brings joy and feeling is a winner. But I especially love picture books with heart and meaning. Here are 10 picture book Christmas gift ideas from Owlet Press that give this, and more.
Where Bjorn belongs by Samuel Langley-Swain and Mirna Imamovic
After losing his favourite toy polar bear, Arctic-enthusiast Arthur finds a REAL polar bear in his garden on Christmas morning. They quickly form a special connection, but despite his efforts to keep Björn safe, cold and happy, Arthur knows that to fulfil his promise to Father Christmas, he must find a way to get Björn back where he belongs.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
An interview with Samuel Langley-Swain.
The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince by Ian Eagleton and Davide Ortu
Every Christmas Eve, a lonely woodcutter named Kai carves statues for anyone who might pass by. But one magical night his loneliness is soothed by a visit from the snow prince. Feared by many, Kai sees hope in the prince’s eyes, but as the prince freezes once more, imprisoned in his ice-palace, can Kai break the curse?
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
10 questions with Ian Eagleton.
The Blanket Bears by Samuel Langley-Swain and Ashlee Spink
A book for every parent who wants their children to understand adoption. Endorsed by Adoption UK, recommended by clinical psychologists.
Told through the eyes of two little bears who go on a ‘typical’ adoption journey, their happy ending is important for children going through their own journeys to have hope and also for friends, families and schools to understand their journeys better.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
Me, in the Middle by Annette Demetriou and Angela Mayers
As her class explore their family trees, Georgie learns to be proud of her far-reaching roots.
Miss Clark has an exciting project for the class to work on – exploring their family trees!
But when each child is asked to point to the place their parents come from on a map, Georgie doesn’t know which parent to choose – her dad is from Africa, but her mum is from the UK. Where does she fit in?
Georgie dreads having to draw her family tree as homework but once she starts working on it, with the help of her parents she realises how special it is that the branches stretch so far and wide! And as the class all share their own family trees, the children begin to explore and celebrate each other’s heritage, and realise that all of their roots dig down into the same rich earth – so they’re not that different after all. A wonderfully life affirming picture book that celebrates diversity in all its forms.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
A Q & A with Annette Demetriou.
Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra and Michaela Dias-Hayes
‘Sunflower Sisters’ is the first in a new, uplifting picture book series by Monika Singh Gangotra, which centres around best friends Amrita and Kiki. While the story offers a window into the lived experiences of those affected by colourism, it also celebrates the joy of the two girls experiencing each other’s South Asian and Nigerian communities and traditions, in this case weddings. With the protection and empowerment from their mums, the sunflower sisters grow into strong independent young women who embrace and celebrate the colour of their dark brown skin and empower other women to do the same.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
Just like Grandpa Jazz by Tarah L. Gear and Mirna Imamovic
A suitcase of stories from Grandpa Jazz connects Frank to his rich Mauritian heritage and is also the start of an epic adventure.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
Colour and Me by Michaela Dias-Hayes
Colour and Me is a joyful book of colour mixing that empowers very young children and shows them that brown skin is beautiful. Created by Michaela Dias-Hayes, the illustrator of Sunflower Sisters.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
A Q and A with Michaela Dias-Hayes.
Wild by Annette Demetriou, Dawn White and Ryan Sonderegger
Wild gives a gentle glimpse into gang mentality through the eyes of two young brothers Wolfie and Wilfie. Carefully crafted for younger readers, it deals with themes of peer pressure to follow and join in with unruly behaviour or be shunned by the popular kids. The book aims to open up conversations and help children realise that they don’t have to follow the pack, give them the confidence to do the right thing and ultimately, stay true to who they really are.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
RoboBabies by Laura Gallagher and Nicci Martin
The next time you look up the night sky, if you stare really hard; you might be lucky enough to see the sparkling metal planet with all its robots and all their robo-babies. A story about the many ways in which babies arrive into their families, including IVF, donor conception, surrogacy and adoption.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
Inspiration for RoboBabies with Laura Gallagher.
Little Glow by Katie Sahota and Harry Woodgate
An important story which amplifies the importance of introverts, while showcasing the amazing celebrations of light across our diverse communities.
Buy me now from Owlet Press, Waterstones and many other bookstores.
What a great selection of children’s books you have here, Annette#dreamteam
The selection is amazing, super like!!! The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince by Ian Eagleton and Davide Ortu seems great, I will check it out.
These are such wonderful books! The artwork is absolutely fantastic.
The artwork always blows me away from Owlet Press books. I can’t help by smile, and feel so lucky to have worked with 2 of the illustrators.
I agree. I used to love giving my children a book with beautiful illustrations that we could sit down and enjoy together.
It’s always the endings that did it for me. Where you can finish a whole book for bedtime storytime, and think, yes… this ending is everything.
So many adorable Christmas books. I’ve been buying some Christmas books for friends kids this year and these are great ones to look out for x
They really are so adorable. X
Reading books like these with my kids was one of my favorite things to do when they were a little younger.
That’s so lovely to hear. Mine used to have a core set of picture books she’d reach for every night.
I have to pick up the woodcutter and the snowprince! That would be a great gift for a little kid I know, so cute!
It really would make a fantastic gift for a little one – the illustrations are stunning.
Lots of cute little picture books for the holidays. I think books are always such a nice gift. I’d get one every year from my aunt and I always looked forward to seeing what she picked out for me 🙂
I love getting books for Christmas too 🙂
I have to say yours look the best! But what a lovely collection! #Dreamteam
Awww thanks so much Lydia 🙂
I have a granddaughter named Kai. The perfect age for that book!
Such a beautiful name!
What gorgeous books with lovely themes. Nice to see some different titles and concepts here.
I love how touching there books are… even for slightly older children too.
These all sound like amazing books for kids. I am sure my kids would have enjoyed reading them when they were younger.
#DreamTeam
Picture books will always be amazing gifts for kids. I know I plan on gifting a few this Christmas.
These all look like wonderful selections. I was not familiar with any of these titles, and I’m sure my kids would enjoy them.