Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Best books for kids

Wondering what to buy the younger ones this Christmas? We’re breaking down our must-haves for under the tree – there’s something to keep every child entertained!

Perfect picture books

Brighten up your little one’s Christmas with picture books from celebrated authors, plus an all-new offering from Bluey!

Bluey: Verandah Santa

Don’t deny it – your kid wants Bluey books. It’s inevitable, so you might as well embrace your destiny with Bluey: Verandah Santa! Celebrate Christmas with the whole gang as they ponder how Santa could possibly bring presents when their house doesn’t have a chimney.

Back to Sleep by Zoë Foster Blake and Mike Jacobsen

Bring the laughs this Chrissy with the latest from Zoë Foster Blake! Packed full of humour, Back to Sleep flips the script on traditional bedtime routines and imagines what would happen if the PARENTS needed to be put to bed! From the author of bestselling No One Likes a Fart comes another witty picture book that hits the nail on the head.

I’m a Hero Too by Jamila Rizvi and Peter Cheong

COVID-19 confusion is no match for this timely, informative picture book by journalist and podcast host Jamila Rizvi. Arty is so disappointed when they can’t do their favourite things during the pandemic – so Arty decides to step up and help fight the virus like mum does! This is a heart-warming story you’ll want to keep for years to come and a gorgeous gift for the festive season.

Old Man Emu by John Williamson and Simon McLean

The classic song Old Man Emu, by true-blue Aussie icon John Williamson, is reimagined alongside vibrant illustrations by Simon McLean. Sing along with the littlies on Christmas Day, or read this aloud as a hilarious bedtime story. Perfect for the child who loves a giggle, and the parent who thinks themselves a comedian!

New in series

Continue a much-loved series such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Trials of Apollo or Ranger’s Apprentice by picking up the latest instalment this festive season. They’re sure to be a hit amongst dedicated fans!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 15: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney

It’s a laugh a minute with the #1 internationally bestselling Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. The Deep End is the fifteenth book, and this series has no signs of slowing down – it’s just as laugh-out-loud funny as before! Go on an adventure with Greg and his family as camping descends into total madness. Illustrations on most pages make this great for reluctant readers and budding comedians alike.

Ranger’s Apprentice The Royal Ranger 4: The Missing Prince by John Flanagan

Join Will, Maddie and other captivating characters for another adventure! The fourth instalment in The Royal Ranger series, The Missing Prince, has our protagonists set off to rescue a prince from the clutches of a power-hungry baron. Suspense, mystery, excitement . . . this series has it all. Kids ages 10+ will be positively enraptured.

The Trials of Apollo 5: The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan’s books are so beloved, they’ve inspired multiple movies and an upcoming series on Disney+. Bringing various mythologies into the modern-day, Riordan books are a must-read for kids who love history or epic series like The Lord of the Rings. In The Trials of Apollo: The Tower of Nero, the team must face their final challenge – defeating the terrifying emperor Nero.

Things to learn and do

Do you have an inquisitive kid on your hands? Sate their appetite for knowledge or keep their hands busy with one of these incredible non-fiction offerings.

Terry Denton’s Really Truly Amazing Guide to Everything by Terry Denton

Ultimate funnyman Terry Denton turns his talents to non-fiction with this bumper guide to the weirdest and wackiest things in the universe. Engaging for ages 8 to 80 (and beyond!), readers will learn fascinating tidbits about a whole host of topics from geography to geology, chemistry to biology and more! A must-have when your child won’t stop asking, ‘But why?’

The Human Body Survival Guide by George Ivanoff

Get gross and grisly with George Ivanoff’s guide to all things the body! Another go-to for the curious child, this one takes readers through organs, blood, guts and more, with all the gory details DEFINITELY included! Let’s hope they keep all their newfound poo facts to themselves, though . . .

The LEGO Games Book by DK

Some kids are always busy – building, making, destroying, inventing and more! The LEGO Games Book by DK is a great offering for these kinds of kids, combining LEGO pieces with an array of challenges and brainteasers sure to stump them, even if it’s just for a second.

Top picks for teens

A romantic tale of first love set on a remote island and a thrilling mystery at an elite boarding school are our top picks for teens this December.

The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow by Zoë Sugg and Amy McCulloch

Secrets run deep and the tension is thick in the opener to an all-new series by YouTuber Zoë Sugg and co-writer Amy McCulloch. The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow follows two girls attending a prestigious boarding school, as they race to unravel the mysterious death of one of their classmates. With all the appeal of Karen McManus and E. Lockhart, it’s the perfect gift for the teen who loves a bit of suspense in their reads.

Breathless by Jennifer Niven

First love, family tension and first heartbreak – this book chronicles it all. YA darling Jennifer Niven is back on the scene with a book that’s just as brilliant as her past offerings. Coast off to a remote Georgia island and follow Claude as she falls in love for the first time, experiencing all the ups and downs that brings. Ideal for the hopeless romantic!