We’ve put together a list of unforgettable characters, moving stories, and beautifully illustrated books to help you reconnect with the classics. If you haven’t read any of the stories below, Christmas is the perfect time to create new happy memories with these beloved books. As all Puffins know, a good book has the power to stay with you forever.
Based on real events and people, this story of a small girl’s Christm
as holiday in a large Edwardian country house is effortlessly funny. At Tamerlane Hall, Evelyn finds a horde of children: the gentle Glens, the plaintive Howliboos, and above all, the uninhibited Savages. They are controlled – or not – by a host of parents, supernumerary Uncles and Aunts, Nannies and nurserymaids. Evelyn survives the Christmas festivities – just – returning home none too soon! Seen through the eyes of a prim little eight-year-old, this is an amusing and touching account of a childhood a hundred years ago. Add Christmas with the Savages by Mary Clive to your list!
Ev
eryone’s favourite snowman is back with a sparkly glitter cover and introduction by Raymond Briggs! One winter’s night, a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure begins. This favourite classic is a true piece of Christmas magic – narrated entirely through pictures, it captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is now recognised throughout the world. Add the 35th anniversary edition of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs to your list!
Katy’s life changes in dramatic and unexpected ways after a serious accident. Inspired by the much-loved classic, What Katy Did, bestselling children’s favourite Jacqueline Wilson creates an irresistible modern version for the twenty-first-century. Fans of Hetty Feather and Tracy Beaker will fall in love with Katy and her family too. Add Katy by Jacqueline Wilson to your list!
Beatrix P
otter’s classic tale of mischievous little Peter Rabbit is produced in a lovely new board book format. The text and illustrations of the classic Tale of Peter Rabbit, loved by children around the world for generations, appear in full. This new format is perfect for a bedtime story, just right for little hands to hold and the board pages will withstand even the toughest toddlers. Add The Tale of Peter Rabbit Board Book by Beatrix Potter to your list!
Grammy Award winner Pharrell Williams’s super-hit song “Happy” is now a picture book! Pharrell brings his beloved song to the youngest of readers in photographs of children across cultures celebrating 
what it means to be happy. All the exuberance of the song pulses from these vibrant photographs of excited, happy kids. This is a picture book full of memorable, precious childhood moments that will move readers in the same way they were moved by the song. “Happy” has had the world dancing ever since it first hit the airwaves, and now the irresistibly cheerful tune will come to life on the page with Pharrell Williams’s very first picture book! Add Happy! by Pharrell Williams, a keepsake and true classic in the making, to your list!
Raymond Briggs, creator of The Snowman introduces us to a rather grumpy Father Christmas. In this hilariously irreverent Christmas book, Father Christmas
has awoken from a dream of summer sun to discover it is December 24th, Christmas Eve – the start of his longest night’s work of the year! Much merriment ensues as Father Christmas travels the world, with a few issues along the way, to bring joy to children everywhere. Published 40 years ago and awarded The Library Association’s Kate Greenaway Medal, this delightful anniversary edition has lost none of its charm. Add Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs to your list!
In Eric Hill’s classic Where’s Spot? lift the flaps to find Spot! In Spot
‘s first adventure children can join in the search for the mischievous puppy by lifting the flaps on every page to see where he is hiding. The simple text and colourful pictures will engage a whole new generation of pre-readers as they lift the picture flaps in search of Spot. A No.1 bestseller since it was first published in 1980, this interactive favourite has stayed in the charts ever since. This is a sturdy board book edition of the first ever Spot book – perfect for little hands to hold! Add Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill to your list!
It’s Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters – there’s a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called ‘Be
ware’ for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise envelopes. Children can take each colourful gift out of its envelope and discover for themselves what well-known fairy-tale characters are sending to one another for Christmas! Add The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg to your list!
Now’s your chance to own a bundle of books guaranteed to create happy memories!* Enter our competition to be in with the chance of winning the following:
*This competition is now closed.
Do you have a favourite story that brings back happy memories? Let us know using #SeasonsReadings on the @PuffinBooks Twitter.
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