Stuff your Christmas stockings with these spectacular children’s books

Pack your stockings full of knowledge this year – after all, books are the gift that keep on giving! 2020 has been an incredible year for children’s books in particular, and although it’s difficult, we’ve narrowed down a very large list to a few of our favourites. Here are our top books for Christmas gifts in 2020, listed from youngest readers to oldest.

Bluey: Verandah Santa

Based on the Bluey episode of the same name, this gorgeous picture book explores the importance of being kind to one another and playing fair. Bluey and the Heeler family play ‘Verandah Santa’ on Christmas Eve, hiding household objects under pillows as presents. When it’s Bluey’s turn to be Santa, she doesn’t want to give any presents to her cousin Socks as punishment for not saying sorry. But is that really a kind way to play? Kids aged 3–5 will adore this gorgeous, glittery hardback book.

Plus, keep little hands busy with the latest activity book, Bluey: Hooray, It’s Christmas! Filled with silver stickers, word searches, dot-to-dot activities, drawing challenges and more, this book will provide parents with many moments of peace – a true Christmas miracle.

What Zola Did on Wednesday by Melina Marchetta and Deb Hudson

There’s nothing quite like the joy of accomplishment when you finish a chapter all by yourself – and that’s exactly what the Zola series can give beginner readers. Large print, simple language, gorgeous illustrations and funny characters combine to help kids get hooked on reading. On Wednesday, mischievous Zola is on a mission to help her friend Sophia find a missing turtle. No matter her intentions, somehow Zola always ends up getting into trouble! Perfect for kids aged 6–8.

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

The hit series continues! Greg Heffley heads off on a road trip with his family, only to discover they have made a big mistake! Now stranded at a caravan park with floodwaters rising, the Heffleys wonder if they can save their vacation . . . or if they’re already in too deep. There’s a reason this series is a worldwide mega-hit – comical illustrations and a diary-style format, imbued with Jeff Kinney’s trademark silly humour, Wimpy Kid is irresistible, especially amongst those in upper primary. Wimpy Kid is a winning series for readers aged 8–11.

The Boy, the Wolf and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza

Travel to the fantastical world of Ulv, a land cloaked in total darkness each and every night. 12-year-old Bo, our unsuspecting hero, has been charged with completing a colossal quest – breaking the land’s curse and returning Ulv to order by returning the stars to the sky. It’s not as simple as it sounds, though! What ensues is an epic middle-grade adventure that’s just as captivating as it is heartfelt and introspective. Readers aged 11–13 will love getting lost in this new classic.

The Cousins by Karen McManus

From the bestselling author of One of Us is Lying comes a brilliant new YA thriller you won’t be able to put down (until you throw it across the room when you get to the twist, that is!). Over twenty years ago, the Story children were disinherited by their mother with just one sentence: You know what you did. Matriarch Mildred has never been heard from again – that is, until decades later, when her 18-year-old grandchildren, cousins Aubrey, Jonah and Milly, are contacted out of the blue with an unmissable invitation. YA fans aged 14+ will be rapt by The Cousins.