BACK TO NEWS

Festive reads for primary schools

November 10th 2020

We love sharing our favourite festive reads amongst the team at Peters, and like many this year we’re already looking ahead to December and the Christmas break.

So to spread a bit of early Christmas cheer, our librarians have created these seasonal book lists for each year group from Nursery through to Year 6. Ideal for reading aloud to or with your classes, or to recommend to parents.

Click here to view the full list or scroll down to read the reviews written by our librarians.

Nursery

Reception

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

 

Nursery

There's an elf in your book by Tom Fletcher

"A lovely, funny and interactive story. Elf is cheeky but lovable and the test elements are amusing. Young children who are excited about Christmas will enjoy this. Great for sharing."

Peas on Earth by Jonny Marx

"Simple, effective counting-down tale with cute pea characters works well for board readers. Great for festive collections."

'Twas the night before Christmas by Clement C Moore

"Does the opposite of what this series usually offers and here a LOT of text is crammed onto these busy board pages. It's attractive, sturdy and Christmassy though so fine for festive collections."

Little Owl and the Christmas star by Mary Murphy

"Delightful new approach to use with young children. Bright & accessible"

Ketchup on your reindeer by Nick Sharratt

"After the events of summer 2020 I wanted to do some reading around race and racism in Britain, and Afua's book combines history with her own personal account of growing up as a mixed-race girl in Britain, and searching for her identity."

Reception

Merry Christmas Gus by Chris Chatterton

"Gus is a great killjoy that ultimately comes good. Amusing tale with a warm festive message, and a great grumpy ending! Well worth having."

Dinosaur Christmas! by Penny Dale

"Rhythmic text trundles along nicely, and combination of dinos, vehicles and Christmas should be a sure-fire winner. Appealing seasonal fare."

Oh, Christmas tree! by Sue Hendra 

"It's very silly and the rhyme drives the plot a bit sometimes but it has oodles of shelf appeal and it's great fun. Perfect for every festive collection!"

The After Christmas Tree by Bethan Welby

"Very sweet and heartwarming festive tale with some nice humorous touches too. Lovely for Christmas collections."

Santa post by Emma Yarlett

"Predictable but in the best way, and the illustrations are lovely. Large flaps are reasonably secure and the letters are fun. Huge appeal for Xmas collections."

Year 1

The Night before Christmas in Wonderland by Carys Bexington

"The Wonderland elements don't feel quite fully used, but the story is sweet, the illustrations charming and the text well worded and amusing. Well worth adding to festive collections."

The Empty Stocking by Richard Curtis

"Illustrations are an absolute delight and the heart warming story has lots of humorous details. Sure to bring a bit of festive joy to children (and parents) everywhere!"

Meerkat Christmas by Emily Gravett 

"Delightful illustrations and a sweet message about enjoyment of traditions and the value of loved ones. Lovely festive read to pore over."

Owl or pussycat? by Michael Morpurgo

"Funny, sweet tale that has great appeal for modern children, with beautifully expressive illustrations. Lovely seasonal read that can be enjoyed year-round."

Dasher by Matt Tavares

"A slightly different take on the story of Santa's Reindeer. With delightful, atmospheric illustrations to add to the appeal. Worth having for Christmas collections. Could be good to start discussions about animals in circuses."

Year 2

12 days of Christmas by Lara Hawthorne

"The traditional song given a modern touch with contemporary, inclusive illustrations. Spotting all the elements on each page add an interactive touch. Often asked for, worth adding to seasonal collections."

The snowflake by Benji Davies

"A truly sweet little tale with loads of warmth and feel-good factor. Illustrations beautifully reflect the mood. A seasonal tale with a difference to add to collections."

Santa's wonderful workshop by Elys Dolan

"Perfect match of understated text and hilarious, detailed illustrations. The ballet-obsessed reindeer are a hoot. Guaranteed to have you chuckling. A must for all festive collections."

The night after Christmas by Kes Gray

"A rollicking story which will fire children's imaginations on what Santa does after Christmas day. Should be fun to read aloud for festive storytimes. Great!"

Secret Santa by Pip Jones

"Very sweet with lots of silliness, lovely rhyming text and cute illustrations. Absolutely delightful and a must for Christmas collections."

Year 3

Daisy and the trouble with Christmas by Kes Gray

"Hugely amusing character goes all out for the festive season. Appealing addition to Christmas collections and the new cover is jolly."

The snowman by Michael Morpurgo

"Very well written and accompanied perfectly by beautiful illustrations. A really lovely retelling of this popular festive story. Well worth adding to collections."

Magnificent Mabel and the Christmas elf

Trouble on planet Christmas by Kate Saunders

"A seasonal story with magic, baddies and a good resolution that will appeal to lovers of all things Christmas. Fine to add to seasonal collections."

Santa Claude

"As hilarious and endearing as ever with a lovely festive feel and illustrations only enhance appeal. A must for festive collections!"

Year 4

Santa gets a second job by Michele D'Ignazio

"A wry poke at present day jobs market, gig economy, privatisation and consumerism. The message might go over the heads of children, but parents would appreciate humour."

The Christmasaurus and the winter witch

"An imaginative Christmas tale, with a good dollop of humour and lively storytelling. Buy lots."

The accidental Father Christmas by Tom McLauglin 

"Delightful illustrations and a sweet message about enjoyment of traditions and the value of loved ones. Lovely festive read to pore over."

The night I met Father Christmas by Ben Miller

"Loses momentum slightly at times but it's a cosy festive read with some good messages and a happy ending. Nice to add to seasonal collections."

A donkey called Mistletoe by Helen Peters

"Very sweet Christmas adventure with cute donkey and nice, warm ending. It's not great literature but still a good junior read and should issue well."

Year 5

Christmas wishes by Enid Blyton

"Very much the feel of Christmas past in content and language, but the collection is well packaged and the nostalgic aura will appeal for shaharing or reading aloud. Blyton continues to issue."

The miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle

"An assured update of a classic, this seasonal adventure is sprinkled with sly humour, moments of heartbreak and a little bit of magic. Gorgeous."

Father Christmas and me by Matt Haig

"Plucky orphan gains courage and wisdom in a magical tale with many twists and turns before a pleasing, seasonal ending. Well produced with Mould's distinctive illus. It's a winner!"

The good bear by Sarah Lean

"A thought provoking story, with characters that you get to know and admire, about blended families, animal cruelty and relationships. Worth having for KS2 empathy collections."

The mighty mince pie massacre by Mark Lowery

"A hilarious adventure, if only school Christmas plays had been this much fun to do. Plenty of yuck and good fun. Stands alone well. Well worth buying."

Year 6

Stories to share at Christmas

"Quite appealing anthology with accessible snippets of varied classics possibly inspiring further reading. Fine as seasonal leisure read/potential English uses."

Horrible Christmas by Terry Deary

"Some interesting trivia, but layout could be friendlier. Should issue well though & new cover for stock replacement."

Christmas dinner of souls by Ross Montgomery

"Gleefully macabre stories which should delight any child who enjoys a thrill of fear. A good, alternative Christmas read, but not for sensitive souls."

Tinsel by Sibeal Pounder

"Lively, energetic read with stacks of festive flavour and some good humorous set pieces. Even manages a few touches of feminism. Lovely festive story with good shelf appeal."

Hetty Feather's Christmas by Jacqueline Wilson

"Another well-written story from this popular author. Likeable main character and festive theme are sure to appeal. Previous character knowledge may be useful but stands alone well."