The Best Kids Presents for 2024: 12 Days of Christmas

This holiday season, we’re turning the classic carol into a literary celebration. Over the last 12 days, we’ve shared a new kids book recommendation on our socials. Whether you’re a fan of timeless classics, thrilling adventures, or heartwarming tales, there’s a story waiting to make your Christmas celebrations even brighter. Let the countdown to Christmas begin, one page at a time!

Day 1: Game On! by Dylan Alcott and Fiona Regan, Illustrated by Nahum Ziersch…

My life so far has been pretty awesome. At home I’ve got a great family (sure, even my big brother, Jacob, when he’s not being a total pain) and my pet legless lizard, Pogo (she can lick her own eyeballs, really). Then there are my friends Yusuf and Gemma, and my best mate, Hannah. In between there’s coding, shooting hoops and mixing tracks. Now it’s time for something new — high school. When old and new friends collide, a teacher called Grumps is on his tail, and the school talent show looks like turning into a real-life drama, twelve-year-old Dylan discovers his family motto has never been more true — it’s not all about you.

Age: 9+

Buy a copy of Game On! here.

Day 2: 31-and-a-half things to know … as you grow by Meg McKinlay, Illustrated by Nicky Johnston

From how to make a friend – and be one – standing up for yourself, the importance of looking up, award-winning author Meg McKinlay provides the seeds of good advice, and Nicky Johnston’s illustrations prove to be the perfect examples, all wrapped up in a luxury hardback gift edition. There are so many wonderful things to know, as you grow… From award-winning creators Meg McKinlay and Nicky Johnston, a gentle, generous and surprising guide to growing up.

Age: 3+

Buy a copy of 31-and-a-half things to know … as you grow here.

Day 3: Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey, Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey

Antarctic penguins Pablo and Splash are polar opposites and besties for life. Pablo is a home-bird and a careful planner. Splash is easily bored and hungry for adventure. Sick to her flippers of the harsh, freezing weather, Splash persuades Pablo to go on a holiday with her. But far from the luxury beach destination that Splash has in mind, the pair end up in a time-travel machine that takes them back to the age of the dinosaurs! Suddenly their icy homeland doesn’t seem so dull…

Age: 6+

Buy a copy of Pablo and Splash here.

Day 4: Howzat Pat #1: Dare to Bowl by Pat Cummins and Dave Hartley, Illustrated by Serena Geddes

I’m Pat Cummins and I love playing cricket. I love it so much that I sleep with my bat! There’s BIG NEWS in my family – we’re moving from the coast all the way to the mountains and I’m NOT HAPPY about it. I have LOTS of questions, like: Will I FIT IN at my new school? How will I make new FRIENDS? What’s there to DO in the MOUNTAINS?! MOST importantly – WHERE WILL I PLAY CRICKET?!!! If you want to know the answers to these questions, too – READ THIS BOOK!

Age: 8+

Buy a copy of Howzat Pat #1: Dare to Bowl here.

Day 5: Be the Bus! The Lost and Profound Wisdom of The Pigeon (as told to Mo Willems) by Mo Willems

#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems shares wit and wisdom from The Pigeon in this one-of-a-kind humour book for adults. Discover important tips, thoughts, opinions, quotes, complaints, and basic philosophical misunderstandings in this profound collection of Pigeon-isms. This 80-page, gift-sized collector’s title features all-new original art along with big (and little) Pigeon-y tidbits to ponder, such as: Let me be the first to say that everything has already been said. Surprises happen when you least expect them. If I could change just ONE thing about myself, I’d be perfect.

Age: 12+

Buy a copy of Be the Bus! The Lost and Profound Wisdom of The Pigeon (as told to Mo Willems) here.

Day 6: Hooray! It’s Our First Day by Martha Mumford, Illustrated by Cherie Zamazing

We’re going to a new school. Come and join the fun! Get ready to start school with the bunnies, as our four favourite friends set off on an exciting lift-the-flap adventure to get to their first day of school. With lunchboxes, fresh pencils, school bags and treats to find hidden under the flaps, it’s an action-packed treasure hunt! Can you find everything you need to get ready for your first day – and get the bunnies there on time? Reassuring and full of fun, this is the perfect gift for any little one starting or returning to school or nursery, from the bestselling author of We’re Going on an Egg Hunt and We’re Going on a Sleigh Ride.

Age: 1+

Buy a copy of Hooray! It’s Our First Day here.

Day 7: Wild Australia: Marine and National Parks by Brentos

Australia’s marine and national parks are our natural treasures. Let’s take a closer look! Fly with Galahs above Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, dive with dolphins off Lord Howe Island, find Short-Beaked Echidnas in the Daintree Rainforest, spot Sunset Wrasses on the colourful Ningaloo Reef, and traipse with kangaroos through the eucalyptus of the Blue Mountains. These are Australia’s natural environments as you’ve never seen them before: a dreamy pastel-popping testimony to the importance of conservation and biodiversity protection, from award-winning artist Brentos.

Age: 3+

Buy a copy of Wild Australia: Marine and National Parks here.

Day 8: Tennis Camp Diaries #2: Superstar by Ash Barty and Jasmin McGaughey, Illustrated by Jade Goodwin…

TOP SECRET! This is the PRIVATE diary of Ash Barty, future tennis SUPERSTAR! So don’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you… Okay?! Ash is back at TENNIS CAMP and so HAPPY to see her friends again. When they all find out that they will COMPETE at the end of camp in a singles tournament and the WINNERS will get to be a ball kid at the local grown-ups tournament, they all get SUPER EXCITED! Especially when there’s a chance they’ll get to meet their tennis heroes AND go on TV! Will Ash get to meet her HEROES and be a BALL KID to the STARS

Age: 8+

Buy a copy of Tennis Camp Diaries #2: Superstar here.

Day 9: We’re Hopping Around Australia! by Martha Mumford, Illustrated by, Cherie Zamazing

We’re hopping around Australia. Come and join the fun! Get ready to explore Australia with the bunnies, as our four favourite friends set off on an exciting lift-the-flap adventure Down Under! With sun hats, surf boards, and special Aussie treats to find hidden under the flaps, it’s an action-packed treasure hunt! You’ll have to watch out for koalas, crocodiles, kangaroos – and a great white shark! Brilliantly bouncy and full of fun, this is the perfect celebration of all things Australian, from the bestselling author of We’re Going on an Egg Hunt and We’re Going on a Sleigh Ride.

Age: 1+

Buy a copy of We’re Hopping Around Australia! here.

Day 10: Kev and Trev #1 Snot Funny Sea Stories! by Kylie Howarth

Join Kev and Trev’s epic deep-sea adventure – full of kraken laughs and comic commocean! Dodge flying coconut cannonballs, outrun ghost pirates, escape big sharks, pig sharks, and a punch-throwing pelican, all while hunting for mysterious merpugs and the missing emergency boat snacks! Water you waiting for? Jump on board Kev and Trev’s popcorn powered houseboat … and cross-your-claws it doesn’t sink!
A hilarious graphic novel series by bestselling creator, Kylie Howarth.

Age: 5+

Buy a copy of Kev and Trev #1 Snot Funny Sea Stories! here.

Day 11: The Boab Tree by Helen Milroy

Little Boab is lost and far, far from home. Surrounded by tall, unfriendly trees, he feels all alone. But the friendship of some of the small forest dwellers gives him hope. With a little luck, some clever planning and the help of his new friends, Boab might just find his way back to Country.

Age: 3+

Buy a copy of The Boab Tree here.

Day 12: The Lost Book of Magic by Amelia Mellor.

It’s 1895, Melbourne is in crisis, and Pearl and Vally Cole’s father has suggested the unthinkable: it might be time to close the grandest bookshop in the world. When a ghostly visitor offers Pearl magic that could save her home, she seizes her chance. But her new friend is not what he seems, and the unstoppable magic in the palm of her hand comes at a terrible cost. Vally can see just one way to save Pearl before she is lost forever. He must call upon the sinister magician who nearly destroyed the Cole family two years ago. But the Obscurosmith only performs the impossible for a price … Reunite with old friends, solve fiendish puzzles, and find five lost treasures from across the globe in this sweeping adventure that concludes the story of The Grandest Bookshop in the World.