Norfolk

It&#8217;s tradition in the Muddy household to find a new Christmas book to read on Christmas Eve, it&#8217;s my favourite thing on a very hectic &#8216;to do&#8217; list.
Here&#8217;s a few last minute literary stocking filler ideas!
&nbsp;
FOR YOUNG ADULTS
The Boneless Mercies, by April Tucholke
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81300" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/The-Boneless-Mercies.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1534" />
This is a rich fantasy inspired by Norse Mythology, a tale of an all-girl pack of mercy killers, who dispatch the sick and elderly. History, myth, lost goddesses, battles and a marauding beast. Excellent world building, a saga to really sink your teeth into.
Age: 14 plus
And the Ocean Was Our Sky, by Patrick Ness &amp; Rovina Cai
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81301" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/And-the-Ocean-Was-Our-Sky-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1402" />
A haunting other-worldly tale of power and obsession and whales. It turns the story of Moby Dickupside-down, and tells of a never-ending war between men and whales. Destined to be a classic; the prose is astonishing, and the illustrations are glorious.
Age 10-16
&nbsp;
CHILDREN’S POETRY
I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree, selected by Fiona Waters for The National Trust 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-80382 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/11/I-am-the-seed-that-grew-the-tree.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1111" />
This generously-sized volume is lavish and luscious, brim-full of beautiful illustrations alongside a wonderful selection of poems for the whole family to enjoy.  A family treasure.
&nbsp;
CHILDREN’S FICTION, 8-12 YEARS
This season, with its promise of Christmas sales, brings a huge rush of new publications for all ages, including all the old favourites – a new Wimpy Kid, a new Tom Gates, a new title (or two) from David Walliams – but also some new authors to excite. We recommend…
A Darkness of Dragons, by S.A. Patrick
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81302" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/A-Darkness-of-Dragons.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1524" />
S.A. Patrick brings us a world of dragons, song spells, pipers and battles, where there is magic in music.  The evil Piper of Hamelyn has returned and Patch and his friend Wren (cursed to live as a rat) find themselves cast in the unlikely role of heroes. A beguiling blend of adventure and humour.
Ages 8+
The Way Past Winter, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81303" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/The-Way-Past-Winter-by-Kiran-Millwood-Hargrave.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1545" />
Our favourite children’s author has unleashed another scorcher. In an icebound world where winter never ends, this is the thrilling tale of Mila, her sisters Sanna and Pipa, and the hunt for her lost brother. Battling monsters in a richly imagined, myth inspired world, this is a tale of sibling relationships and magic which will enchant readers.
Ages 8-12
&nbsp;
CHILDREN’S FICTION, 6-8 YEARS
The Truth Pixie, by Matt Haig
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81305" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/The-Truth-Pixie-by-Matt-Haig.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1318" />
The Truth Pixie can only say things that are true. Sometimes this causes problems, and as a result she is sad and alone. An enchanting rhyming story about friendship and being yourself that will delight all who come across it – and make parents cry a little. Loveable &amp; quirky, social media is already alive with quotes from this wondrous little book.
Age: accessible from 5+ but contains truths for all ages
Hubert Horatio – How to Raise Your Grown-ups, by Lauren Child
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81307" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/Hubert-Horatio-%E2%80%93-How-to-Raise-Your-Grown-ups-by-Lauren-Child.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1473" />
The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth – socialising, doing things, buying things and generally being more than a little bit … irresponsible. Luckily for them, their son Hubert Horatio is an exceptionally intelligent, talented and sensible child. Unluckily for Hubert, this tends to mean that a lot of his spare time is spent steering his rather unruly set of grown-ups out of trouble…. Lauren Child takes another one of her popular picture book characters and gives him his own full-length story. Unleash the fun!
&nbsp;
PICTURE BOOKS
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck &amp; Karl James Mountford 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-81308 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/Last-Stop-on-the-Reindeer-Express-by-Maudie-Powell-Tuck-Karl-James-Mountford--e1544521597547.jpg" alt="" width="992" height="1130" />
A magical story told in a magical way, as we literally follow Mia throughthe pages of this beautiful book via holes and flaps, as she endeavours to deliver her Christmas card to her father (who cannot come home for Christmas) with help from the Reindeer Express. Simply exquisite.
Ages 3+
Little Robin Red Vest, by Jan Fearnley
Back in print at last, this charming story brilliantly conveys the joy of giving at Christmasbwhilst also explaining why all robins have red breasts!  (It has something to do with a bearded man in a red coat….)
Ages 3+     
                                             
NOVELTY
Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts by Matthew Reinhart &amp; Kevin M. Wilson
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81311" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/Pop-Up-Guide-to-Hogwarts-by-Matthew-Reinhart-Kevin-M.-Wilson.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1148" />
The £50 price tag (or £40 in The Book House!) is the first sign that this pop-up is something very much out of the ordinary. Extreme paper engineering combined with an ingenious construction allows all the structures to be folded out into one huge “map mat” creating a magical 3-D world of Hogwarts to thrill even the most ardent fan. Has to be seen.
Animalphabet, by Julia Donaldson &amp; Sharon King-Chai 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81312" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/12/Animalphabet-by-Julia-Donaldson-Sharon-King-Chai-.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1354" />
Julia Donaldson leads us on a guessing game journey through the alphabet – “Who is prettier than an ant? A butterfly! Who has more legs than a butterfly? A caterpillar!” As you progress, you find your way through laser cut paper forests, undergrowth and jungles to beautiful effect.  A book to keep and treasure.

Top 10 Kids Books

You may also like