Book Bites: Christmas Crackers and Picture Book Pressies


Over a slew of silly seasons aka Christmases, I’ve reviewed some truly stunning Christmas inspired books. You’ll find many of them here and as curated booklists at DIM’S re VIEWS. This year, like my intake of dried fruit treats and sugar, I’ve reduced the selection to this humble handful. Droll wit, Aussie flavoured, and spirit-filled are the themes of the day or rather season so, enjoy! Happy Christmas!

How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney? by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Good question lads. This, my non-Shakespearean friends, is the real question, one exasperatingly left incompletely answered. This book is a magical, maddening meandering through the various ways our St. Nickolas aka Santa, is able to silently and stealthily enter the number of dwellings he does in the time that he has. As we follow SC across the rooftops (and under the front doors) seeking answers, other enigmatic quandaries are raised like whether or not he pauses to do laundry between houses given his suit may pick up a bit of sooty soiling as he descends down said chimneys. As ever, this comic creative pairing keeps us teetering on the edge of reason and reality with their consummate narrative and illustrative style whilst firmly engaging our funny bones to maximum level. Pure Christmas delight. Worth asking SC for because who cares how he gets it there, as long as he does.

Title:  How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney?
Author:  Mac Barnett
Illustrator:  Jon Klassen
Publisher:  Candlewick Press, Walker Books Australia imprint, $27.99
Publication Date:  October 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781529512779
For ages:  3+
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: Walker Books Australia, Boomerang Books


How The Grinch Lost Christmas! Dr Seuss inspired text and illustrations by Alastair Heim and Aristides Ruiz

Most of us know how the Grinch stole Christmas and how his relationship with one Cindy-Lu Who helped him turn a new holly leaf as it were. Well, he’s back with renewed determination to demonstrate to Who-ville just how pro-Christmas he is. When the Whos run a Christmas Tree contest, Grinch labours over the biggest and brightest tree to enter. His tree outshines and out-towers every other including Cindy-Lu’s entry, the smallest, least spectacular of them all. Breaths are held and heartbeats freeze as the mayor announces Grinch’s placing … shared second! Grinch’s exit is immediate and indignant. It’s not until Cindy-Lu Who, the winner of the best made tree, invites him back that Grinch’s heart receives a Christmas reboot and appreciation of the true meaning of Christmas spirit. Delightful in rhyme and reasoning, this is a pleasure to read aloud and share with fellow lovers of Christmas any time of the year.

Title:  How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Author:  Alastair Heim
Illustrator:  Aristides Ruiz
Publisher:  HarperCollins Australia, $24.99
Publication Date:  September 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780008626013
For ages:  5+
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: HarperCollins, Boomerang Books


A Christmas Present For Roo by Sophie Sayle and Daron Parton

Christmas in Australia is uniquely different just like our endemic wildlife so it wouldn’t be the festive season without a tale originating in the bushlands of Australia and featuring a selection of our best-known fauna. Bush babies, Wombat, Bandicoot and Kangaroo are putting the finishing touches on their nature inspired Christmas tree but Echidna is dozing. She’s left the presenting far too late and has nothing for Roo. With gentle persuasion from wise old Kookaburra, Echidna embarks on an arts and crafts quest to make Roo a singularly unique and beautiful gift. But is it the perfect gift for Roo? Gay abundantly ornate and Christmas-bauble-bold illustrations personify our bushland babies’ emotions and the novelty and beauty of hand crafting gifts from nature.

Title:  A Christmas Present For Roo
Author:  Sophie Sayle
Illustrator:  Daron Parton
Publisher:  Hachette, Lothian Children’s Books imprint, $19.99
Publication Date:  August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734422248
For ages:  3+
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: Hachette Australia, Boomerang Books


Christmas Days In The Sunshine by Byll and Beth Stephen and Simon Howe

For us Aussies, Christmas is summer and summer is days of sunshine and so many other sublime things. Like: trapsing around the neighbourhood on hot sultry nights in search of the best lit-up house; slurping mangoes or stone fruits over the sink, splashing around in the pool or under the sprinkler; icy poles on the couch under the air con (if you’re lucky); walking barefoot over scorching tarmac or sand or bindies; camping trip adventures; the scent of sunscreen smeared everywhere on everything; the sound of friendship. This book is less of a story and more of a collection of truths, memories and moments neatly surmising the best bits of summers that all begin with the last school bell and immediate countdown to Christmas. Many of us will relate to this imagery. Young readers already forming memories from these simple traditions and celebrations. Howe’s illustrations reverberate with summer scents and sounds burnished in beautiful golden hues that reflect the essence of days in the sunshine.

Title:  Christmas Days In The Sunshine
Authors: Byll & Beth Stephen
Illustrator:  Simon Howe
Publisher:  HarperCollins Australia, $22.99
Publication Date:  September 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733342745
For ages:  3+
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: HarperCollins, Boomerang Books

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