Christmas book recommendations for primary schools
The build up to Christmas is well underway in schools: performances and end of term activities adding to children’s excitement! Amidst all this, it can be enjoyable to find some quiet time to enjoy a Christmas story or two. Here are two of my favourites which can be explored as a class, or by children during reading for pleasure sessions. They are both super texts to simply enjoy and encourage book chat, or to provide stimulus for end of term activities. I hope you enjoy these Christmas book recommendations for primary schools.
Recommended Christmas read for younger pupils
‘How Winston Delivered Christmas’ by Alex T Smith
This is a gorgeous book which would be great to share with your class in the build up to Christmas. It’s suitable for ages 5-9. The book is designed on the idea of an advent calendar with a chapter to be read a day. It tells the story of Winston, a mouse who finds a letter for Father Christmas lost by a little boy called Oliver and has many adventures trying to deliver it.
As well as the appealing and wonderfully illustrated story there is a festive activity for each day; from making your own wrapping paper to baking gingerbread mice.
These would be great to do to deepen understanding and build vocabulary. There is a clear reminder that Christmas isn’t just about receiving presents, being kind and thoughtful as Winston demonstrates is very important too. The back matter contains several well-known Christmas songs, the story of the Night before Christmas and even some tips for getting ready for Christmas the following year.
The author, Alex. T. Smith demonstrates how to write a letter to Santa, the first activity in the book here:
Recommended Christmas read for older pupils
‘Letters from Father Christmas’ by J.R.R. Tolkien
This beautiful colourful book contains a wealth of letters and illustrations which J.R.R. Tolkien created for his own children. They have been reproduced in smaller, more reader-friendly size for the first time.
Every December, an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkien's children. Inside would be a letter from Father Christmas for them to enjoy, along with a drawing or sketches. These letters told magical tales of life at the North Pole including how all the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place; and how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas's house into the dining room. A whole book of magical tales can be explored in the build up to Christmas.
Sometimes characters, such as Polar Bear and Ilbereth the Elf, would scrawl or write in elegant flowing script, adding yet more life and humour to the stories. Readers young and old will be captivated by the magical letters and stories from the North Pole.
A lovely collection of short stories to help keep the festive magic alive for older pupils.
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season, and enjoy plenty of stories throughout! Let us know if you have your own Christmas book recommendations for primary schools.
