New children's books we love
Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we like best in December: guaranteed to get your child reading...
Whether they're a teeny toddler or a very particular teen, this is where you can find your child's next amazing book: just scroll down to find books for a range of ages.
You can also keep track of the latest titles by looking at our past reading recommendations for:
December | November | October | September | August | July | June
We've sorted our favourite new books into rough age ranges, but this is just a guide and readers might find something they'll love in a different category.
Fancy writing a book review yourself? Read our handy guide and have a go!
Who ate the little bug? The blue fish? The black bird? Learn colours and animals as you turn the pages of this irresistible board book.
In this charming board book, a little girl takes the reader through her daily routine at home with her family in Pakistan.
Help the firefighter, paramedic, lifeguard and helicopter pilot in this interactive lift the flap book. This would be perfect for sharing with toddlers.
Marine biologist Dr Rose takes a submersible craft down into the deep ocean to search for a legendary beast. Will they find her?
Tiger has never seen snow before and is excited to go out and play. But Mei isn’t sure… at first. A funny and charming story about adventure and friendship.
Will Biff the ballerina dog be the Sugar Plum Fairy – or have to settle for a less starry part? A joyous tale of friendship and positivity.
The Beaver Who Saved Christmas
Elin and her grandad must save a family of beavers after their habitat is filled with plastic and rubbish.A heartwarming story which includes lots of information and an activity inspiration.
Funny and silly, this is a book that will entertain children for a good amount of time. With over 40 ridiculous challenges!
Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch
This brilliantly creative book takes the form of letter addressed to the children of the world from Befana, a winter witch from Italian folklore who delivers presents (or coal) to children on the 6th of January.
Read more about Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch
Eva has moved house and she doesn’t know anyone. Luckily, she has her own dragon, Spark, who usually cheers her up, but even he feels a bit flat.
This year, Hanukkah will be quiet. But Eva’s mum points out that Hanukkah is also the season for miracles, and when they meet the neighbours, Eva and Spark start to make friends with Charlie. Small steps are made…
Based on meditative walks that Johnny Flynn took with his son during lockdown, this lyrical book explores nature and evokes a sense of hope as its characters muse on the promise of a world to come.
Wales Book of the Month
Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It?
This witty and captivating debut poetry collection showcases the work of an exciting new voice in children’s literature. The beautifullycrafted poems offer insightful observations on everyday life and are sure to resonate with readers young and old.
Pet Selector! A Hilarious Guide to all the Usual and Unusual Household Pets
In this useful and amusing book, comedian Russell Kane gives prospective pet owners the low-down on the many different breeds of cats and dogs as well as reptiles, guinea pigs, hamsters and more.
Read more about Pet Selector! A Hilarious Guide to all the Usual and Unusual Household Pets
A useful and fun guide to fake news and incorrect history, keeping the tone light while investigating some serious subjects.
Mum goes to America for a week, leaving Dad in charge of Finn, Emma and Carl the dog. What could possibly go wrong? This hilarious, illustrated chapter book is full of mayhem and fun.
Jack-Jack: How to Train Your Human
This amusing illustrated chapter book provides a dog’s-eye view of the ups and downs of living with humans and confirms that canines are definitely in charge!
Easier Classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
During a storm, Dorothy is carried far away to the Land of Oz, where she meets some unusual new friends and seeks the help of a Wizard to guide her home. This simplified retelling of a classic tale is designed to be accessible to people with a range of learning disabilities and difficulties.
There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question
An engaging, illustrated non-fiction book which answers 213 unusual questions about a range of subjects with accessible, humorous and informative explanations. No question is too silly!
An incredibly engaging collection of amazing animal facts, from naturalist and cameraman Hamza Yassin.
A fabulous introduction to managing money for young people, providing fun and interactive education around finances and investment.
Jakub usually looks after his mum – and now he’s caring for an injured otter. A gentle, compelling read.
A story about a year 7 class centring on a boy who is always content and calm which totally perplexes his teachers. Full of groundbreaking philosophical ideas.
This glorious, gripping whodunnit is as immersive as the deep snow that provides the backdrop to the story and incorporates a realistic portrayal of a blended family.
Learn about an array of impossible things, from ghosts and aliens to psychic spies and time travel. Attractively designed with hilarious illustrations, this entertaining and informative chapter book will inspire readers to change the way they view the world.
This eerie mystery has all the tropes of a classic gothic ghost story with an underlying sense of threat and claustrophobia to make readers uneasy.
Irish Book of the Month
An extraordinary story based on the horror of child exploitation in Victorian times, but crammed with positivity, determination, hope and edge-of-seat drama. Anyone lucky enough to read it will not forget it for a very long time.
Damien Ike and the Fallen House of Draven
15-year-old Damien is desperate for his Mage powers to emerge– but when he uses a forbidden spell to awaken them, he discovers a host of secrets that threaten his entire world. A thrilling dystopian fantasy.
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