Tales to Treasure Forever: Beautiful Books for Children this Christmas

Penned for a theatrical production and fizzing with Cooper’s characteristic lyrical panache, The Shortest Day takes inspiration from ancient yuletide rituals to create a magical tale of celebration and rebirth. Adorned with stunning illustrations from Carson Ellis, this beautiful volume is a heart-warming reminder of traditional custom and the wonders of the universe.

For all fans of The Jolly Postman, Paddington’s Post is an interactive delight and the perfect present for all children crazy about the lovable bear from deepest, darkest Peru. Featuring half a dozen letters that reveal all about Paddington’s new life in London, this is a beautifully produced book that should definitely not be perused at the same time as scoffing marmalade sandwiches.

Boiling down the essence of Tim Marshall’s mighty Prisoners of Georgraphy into a series of geopolitical maps for children is a genius idea. Learn how geographical borders, natural phenomena and national resources shape countries’ relationships with each other, with the aid of stylish cartographical illustration.

The official children’s book to accompany David Attenborough’s stunning and cautionary Netflix documentary series, Our Planet is adorned not just with fascinating facts and trivia about our world but vivid and evocative illustrations by Richard Jones. A beautiful book that also serves as a warning against continued neglect of the global environment.

From the dream-team behind The Atlas of Dinosaur Adventures comes a sumptuous swim through the awesome spectacle of underwater life. A selection of stunningly illustrated spreads recreate the journeys and life cycles of all manner of marine animals whilst clear, concise captions delight and inform throughout.

Returning to the anarchic spirit of Kipling’s original Jungle Book, Rundell spins a new tale of friendship, courage and joyful wildness for Baloo, Shere Khan, Kaa, Bagheera and Mowgli. Thrillingly handled by one of contemporary children’s literature’s most accomplished voices, Into the Jungle is a fantastically realised reimagining.

The rich detail and exquisite draftsmanship of Jim Kay’s pictures have made the illustrated versions of the Harry Potter novels as essential as the original editions. For the fourth installment of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy masterwork Kay has pulled out all the stops, rendering the Tri-Wizard Tournament in stunning verve and colour.

Geraldine McCaughrean’s elegant retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale resounds with wintry charm, beautifully enhanced by Laura Barnett’s meticulous design work and intricate silhouette illustrations. A truly exquisite volume, The Snow Queen is a dazzling piece of work to treasure forever.

Compiled from Enid Blyton’s quartet of seasonal publications, this sumptuous treasury contains a year’s worth of top-drawer storytelling and warm, nostalgic fun. From spring lambs to autumnal elves, these beautifully told stories are a timely reminder of the immense narrative skill and charm of Blyton’s work.

A truly breath-taking reference guide to the lives, behaviours and characteristics of a wide variety of our planet’s wildlife, Hidden Planet makes stunning use of Rothery’s phenomenally detailed illustrative work to bring some awesome creatures to life.

Sophie Dahl’s first foray into children’s writing is a charming confection, as winningly eccentric as her grandfather’s work was gleefully grotesque. With typically stylish illustrations from Lauren O’Hara, this tale of gently suspicious characters at a coastal resort is a beautifully judged debut.

The kind of magical Christmas story that you thought they didn’t write any more, Angel on the Roof is another instant classic from the peerless pen of the great Shirley Hughes. Blessed with the distinctive illustrations that only Hughes can produce, this heart-warming tale of friendship and adventure makes the perfect festive gift for young and old alike.

The Story Orchestra series just gets better and better, and this vibrant interactive version of Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet is a kaleidoscopic mixture of colour and music that really brings classical music to life. Through beautifully composed illustrations and simplified text, the magic and music of Swan Lake trills off every page.

Imaginatively arranged by body part, The Science of Animals takes full advantage of piercingly sharp and intricately detailed photography to analyse the unique anatomy of a diverse range of creatures. With a typically captivating foreword by Chris Packham, this authoritative natural history guide is as gorgeously presented as it is endlessly fascinating.

To mark the 300th anniversary of Robinson Crusoe, Archipelago shipwrecks a ‘who’s who’ of international illustrators in an island of imagination. Complete with beautifully crafted cartography and enchanting prose description, this bravura collection of fictitious islands is a volume to treasure forever.

From Botanicum and Planetarium to Dinosaurium, the Welcome to the Museum series has raised the bar for ravishingly beautiful artwork and design in the arena of children’s reference books. Anatomicum is no exception, combining a vivid facsimile of academic drawing with concise and illuminating text to create something truly awe-inspiring.

The ever-inventive Oliver Jeffers departs from his trademark style to embrace traditional lithography and hand set type in this powerful fable about ownership and humility. Sending its entitled protagonist off on a voyage of both geographical and self-discovery, The Fate of Fausto entertains and enlightens as only Jeffers can.

Never before published in a standalone volume, Beatrix Potters’ delightfully dark adaptation of the original fairy tale is perfectly complemented by the light and shade of Helen Oxenbury’s magical pictures. A rediscovered gem from the illustrious Potter archive.

Six iconic figures from global myth and folktale are recast in dynamic colour artwork and action packed text, as a collection of authors and illustrators from around the world reinvigorate the stories from their cultural heritage. From Anansi and Loki to Shahrazad, these superbly abridged tales make for ideal bedtime reading.

A fascinating and immersive trip through the social and domestic settings of the past, Step Inside Homes through History provides a detailed, interactive glance at how our ancestors lived and what they lived in. Beautifully produced and highly informative, this is a wonderfully well-realised volume.

From the author of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World comes a handsome volume of subversive fairy tales where the female lead calls the shots. Largely neglected or forgotten through the centuries, these stories, fully and vibrantly illustrated, feature inspirational women taking charge of their own destinies and proving that you don’t have to male to win the day.

A master storyteller tackles one of the great folktales and succeeds effortlessly in recasting it in his own image. Boasting all-new artwork from Chris Wormell, Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp adds layers of complexity and wonder to the traditional tale.

Peering through the undergrowth to uncover the quirky, unusual and just plain weird about flora, fauna and wildlife, The Wonders of Nature reveals all manner of bizarre trivia about everything from jaguars to orchids via tapirs and the occasional radiolarian. Sumptuously designed and utterly addictive, this is a book that will bless your bookshelves forever.

Sabina Radeva has recast On the Origin of Species in the light of subsequent scientific discoveries, providing an enlightening commentary alongside ingeniously simplified explanations of Darwin’s theories and choice quotes from the great man himself. Awash with stunning illustrations Radeva’s On the Origin of Species is a gateway into a world of scientific wonder.

A magical story of self-discovery and the lure of the great outdoors, Follett's lost classic carries echoes of The Secret Garden and The Little Prince, whilst casting its own, very singular spell over its readers. Now republished in a stunning new edition illustrated and signed by the award-winning artist behind The Lost Words, Jackie Morris, The House Without Windows is available for a whole new