Best new children’s books for Christmas, toddlers to teens

Whether you’re hunting for a tiny treasure to slip into a stocking or a holiday read to keep young minds busy between mince pies, we’ve rounded up some brilliant new books for every age. 

For your toddler…

To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here by Antoinette Portis

If your little one is already fascinated by the stars, or just loves a good game of peekaboo, this playful interactive book is a festive must-have. Lift the cover and suddenly you’re face-to-face with Zrk and Blrg, two friendly aliens who are just as surprised to see you as you are to see them. Expect giggles as they compare planets, teeth, and maybe even hatch a cheeky prank or two.

Say Zoop by Hervé Tullet

Tullet’s back with another imaginative masterpiece, and this time he wants your toddler to make some noise. Bursts of colour and shapes whirl into life at every shout, whisper and “Zoop!”, turning reading time into an energetic game of call-and-response. It’s wonderfully simple, brilliantly clever and guaranteed to have the whole family ooh-ing and ahh-ing along. Ideal for wriggly toddlers who love to get involved.

For your younglings…

Which Way to the Future by Cressida Cowell

Cowell brings her trademark humour and heart to book three of her adventurous new series. Five children on a damp little corner of Earth discover they’ve been gifted extraordinary Magic, though two of them are still in the dark about what theirs might be. With bounty hunters, witches and three rather perilous tasks ahead, Mabel and Izzabird must discover whether they’re heroes… or at least capable of not blowing up the universe. 

Frankie D Vegan Vampire by Sally Dutra

Meet Frankie, a vegan vampire fresh off the bat from Transylvania and about to take on the ultimate challenge: surviving primary school. From swapping moonlit lessons for daytime classes to hiding fangs from classmates, Frankie’s trying his best to fit in, despite having a three-legged wolf as a pet. This early chapter book is packed with humour, heart and just a touch of spooky fun. 

For your tween…

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is back, and this time, he just wants a birthday party that doesn’t turn into a disaster. Naturally, everything goes spectacularly wrong. When his one birthday wish, a rare trading card, becomes the hottest item in town, chaos follows. Funny, fast-paced and delightfully disastrous, it’s everything fans of the series love. A guaranteed hit for stocking fillers.

Santa & Son by David Walliams

Christmas Eve. A toy shop. A robbery. And only Santa and his son to stop it—with nothing but toys at their disposal. Think pogo sticks, slime, remote-controlled helicopters and an avalanche of silliness. This is festive chaos at its finest: heart-warming, hilarious and perfect for reading aloud by the fairy lights.

For your teen…

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Dani and Alec were inseparable as children – until life moved them apart. Now Dani’s back, and Alec has transformed from adorable nerd to local hockey star. When the pair are thrown into a fake-dating situation, things get complicated fast.

Painter offers romance, nostalgia, and plenty of teen drama in this cosy winter read. Great for fans of heartfelt friendships and slow-burning feelings.

Owl King by Bex Hogan

A lush, magical fantasy perfect for teens who love high stakes and rich world-building. When sisters Ilsette and Lyla are summoned to the faery court, the dangerous Owl King sets his sights on Lyla, leaving Ilsette to embark on a perilous quest to save her. With enchanted realms, tricky bargains and a looming moral dilemma, this is a gripping tale about loyalty, sacrifice and the strength of sisterhood.