Christmas down under: 5 Aussie picture book songs and rhymes

Christmas is all about spending times with loved ones and finding fun ways to end the year. One of our favourite things to do is creating a playlist with all the classic must-have Christmas tunes and the latest renditions. Sync that up to a speaker, blast the music, and you’re ready for a festive atmosphere to wrap presents and set up the tree.

We’ve curated a list of 5 picture book Aussie spins on popular songs for the whole family to enjoy.

Aussie Jingle Bells (10th Anniversary Edition) + CD by Colin Buchanan and Nick Bland 

Becoming a staple at end-of-year school concerts, this hilarious Australian take on Jingle Bells is sure to get you singing your heart out. Complementary humorous Aussie-Christmas illustrations by Nick Bland are a sight for the whole family to look at while putting on your own karaoke session. 4+ years

Christmas at Grandma’s Beach House by Claire Saxby and Janine Dawson

Christmas travels to Grandma’s beach house with an Aussie sing-along twist to Twelve Days of Christmas. Through Saxby’s storytelling and Dawson’s illustrations, this book depicts all the activities kids and families enjoy on trips to the sea.  3+ years

John Williamson’s Christmas in Australia by John Williamson and Mitch Vane

A book-version of John Williamson’s popular song about a family trying to snap the ultimate photo. Have a listen to the song (available on YouTube) while you enjoy Mitch Vane’s very detailed, comical illustrations.

Twelve Days of Christmas Island by Teresa Lagrange 

Home to hundreds of species of wildlife, birds, and native plants not found anywhere else in the world is Australia’s Christmas Island. This tale counts down to Christmas, celebrating the unique birds who occupt this wild and remote island. 2+ years

Aussie Night Before Christmas (10th Anniversary Edition) by Kilmeny Niland and Yvonne Morrison

When Australia’s Summer falls in December, Santa has to find new ways to deliver his presents. See Santa don a sunhat and ditch the sleigh and reindeers for a ute and some kangaroos through Morrison’s gentle illustrations that create the warm, comforting, family atmosphere that Christmas is all about.