Twelve Feasts of Christmas is one of the many great Christmas books carefully selected by our editors and experts.
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Twelve Feasts of Christmas is a humorous children’s picture book that makes an ideal Christmas Eve present.
Mrs Claus reading Twelve Feasts of Christmas to a room full of children on Christmas Eve
Inspired by the classic song ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ and Eric Carle’s wonderful ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’ this book is perfect to read aloud with your children or grandchildren.
Told through the eyes of Santa Claus, Santa relives his experience of being too busy making toys all year to eat anything. When Christmas Eve finally arrives, Santa is ready to deliver his gifts and enjoy the feasts left out for him on his journey. But will his eyes prove too big for his belly?
This story has strong alliteration, keeping much faith to the original 12 Days of Christmas text. Combined with traditional Christmas menu items, this book is visually fun and appealing to children, their parents and grandparents alike.
Santa along with his trusted partner Rudolph have been digitally created to add a unique texture and feel to our book.
Sam Perry writes books for younger children and is best known for Twelve Feasts of Christmas.
Why was Christmas banned in England is answered in the excellent Making of Oliver Cromwell. Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a small commission.
The Making of Oliver Cromwell is the first volume in a pioneering account of Oliver Cromwell—providing a major new interpretation of one of England’s most complex and fascinating historical figures.
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), the only English commoner to become the overall head of state, is one of history’s great figures, but he wasn’t loved by all. He was both brave and devout, as well as cunning and self-serving.
The 25th of December was a public holiday in the first half of the 17th century, and all businesses were closed. People flocked to special church services, and public spaces were decked out in holly, rosemary, and ivy. Dancing, singing, drinking, and gift-giving were all part of the festivities. Roast beef and mince pies were popular holiday fare. But in 1647 Christmas was banned in England, a ban that lasted for nearly 20 years, and sparked a Civil War.
The Puritan government imposed the ban in 1647 because they believed Christmas was being used as an excuse for drunkenness, promiscuity, gambling, and other forms of excess. They also saw such celebrations as being too closely associated with Catholicism at a time when Catholics were viewed with suspicion at best, and hated and persecuted at worst. Whilst the 1647 Christmas ban was one of the longest, it wasn’t the first Christmas ban.
In 1640, Presbyterians in Scotland made Christmas illegal.
In January 1642, Parliament passed and King Charles signed legislation establishing a monthly day of prayer, repentance, and fasting. Such days were not uncommon in the Early Modern World; when times were tough, communities and even nations were frequently asked to spend such days fasting and praying in the hope of Divine intervention to end their troubles. The last Wednesday of each month in England and Wales was set aside for this purpose by law in 1642.
The first Christmas ban was enacted in 1644. It coincided with Parliament’s monthly day of prayer and fasting in the hope of bringing the war to an end, and a specific ordinance was passed to emphasise this. Church services were cancelled for that day. Given that the ordinance was issued only a few days before Christmas, the country was torn apart by Civil War, and Parliament had little control over much of the country, it was unclear how many people carried it out.
In 1645, Parliament passed a new ‘Directory of Public Worship,’ intended to replace the Book of Common Prayer and lay out a new form of worship for the Anglican church. It stated that special services or celebrations for Christmas, Easter, and other such festivals were no longer to be held.
No, not really. There was a ban, but it was imposed by Parliament. Cromwell’s role was minimal at best. In fact, Cromwell was crucially absent from Parliament when the key ban was passed; He was under threat of arrest at the time for supporting the army in their pay protests.
The outright prohibition came in June 1647, when Parliament passed an ordinance prohibiting Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun festivities, services, and celebrations, including domestic festivities, with fines for noncompliance – though they also instituted a monthly secular public holiday (the equivalent of a modern bank holiday) instead.
Puritans regarded Christmas as a Pagan festival and claimed that the 25th of December was not mentioned in the Bible. They enforced the Christmas ban, requiring all shops and markets to remain open and many churches to remain closed in order to hold a Christmas service.
The public reacted violently to the ban, causing disruptions across the country. Canterbury was one of the worst hotspots, with violent looting and rioting breaking out the first Christmas after the ban was imposed.
He was devoted to his cause as a legislator, and ruthless as a soldier. Cromwell’s speeches and writings outnumber those of any other English ruler before Victoria, and those seeking to understand him have usually taken him at his word.
Ronald Hutton separates fact from fiction in his remarkable new work. Cromwell quickly rose from obscure provincial to military victor as he pursued his devotion to God and solidified his Puritan support base. Hutton reveals a man who was both sincere in his faith and purposeful in his dishonesty—and reveals the inner workings of the man who has baffled biographers for centuries.
The Christmas ban, like most Commonwealth/Protectorate legislation, was repealed with the Restoration in 1660. Over the last 350 years, the ban, its effectiveness, and Cromwell’s association with it have all become part of popular mythology.
Every one of these 12 Great Christmas Books for Kids has been carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
From literary classics like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to contemporary works you may not yet know. We’ve compiled our list of 12 great Christmas books for kids we know they’ll love.
1. First on our list is a story that we’ve all loved as a family. Our kids love it and we’ve no doubt your kids will enjoy it just as much.
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet Ahlberg & Allan Ahlberg (1991)
It’s Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman has the very important job of delivering festive greetings to all the fairy-tale characters. Join him on his rounds and take a peek at the cards and presents he delivers. There’s a get-well-soon gift for Humpty Dumpty, a special note from Mr Wolf to Red Riding Hood, and four more surprise envelopes. The fun rhyming verses and charming illustrations will delight all ages.
Recommended reading age: 3-5 years old
2. Second up is Clement C Moore’s Twas the Night Before Christmas. Clement Clarke Moore (July 15, 1779 – July 10, 1863) was an American writer and Professor credited and widely considered the author of the Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas“, first published anonymously in 1823. Since then this well loved poem has been printed many times over and has often been in the New York Times Best Sellers lists.
The Night Before Christmas – the classic edition, by Clement C Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
This absolute classic is responsible for many of our modern ideas of Santa and was a considerable influence on the writting of Twelve Feasts of Christmas.
Recommended reading age: 3-5 years old
3. Third is one for slightly older kids. The Christmas Pig by J K Rowling. This is a heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one boy’s love for his most treasured possession, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers.
The Christmas Pig by J K Rowling.
One boy and his toy are about to change everything…
Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve, something terrible happens – DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life… even toys.
Recommended reading age: 7-11 years old
4. Number four, despite all of the close contenders, is my all time favourite Christmas book for kids, and adults for that matter. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, he created an everlasting gift to the world, capturing the essence of the Christmas season’s love, kindness, and generosity. It is a timeless classic, and the uplifting magic of the story is as powerful today as it was when it was first published.
Recommended reading age: 9+ years old
5. Fifth is a new Christmas book that is from the #1 New York Times best-selling duo Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. This hilarious interactive book has letters, games, ornaments, a poster and even a pop-up Christmas tree – perfect for the festive season!
The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt (Author), Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)
‘Tis the season for all of us to write our Christmas wish lists. But everyone knows – even the Crayons – that the best presents are the ones that you give. In this unique book, readers join in as Duncan, the Crayons and their families celebrate the festive season. With real, folded letters to pull from their envelopes and read, games, press-out ornaments, a poster and a pop-up tree, this book is the perfect gift
Recommended reading age: 3+ years old
6. Six makes our list as much for the beautiful illustrations as the story. Dasher is a wonderful story about a young doe who dreamed of freedom. She escapes her pen and follows the North Star far away from J.P. Finnegan’s Traveling Circus and Menagerie, but can she save her family?
Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares
Discover the magical story of Dasher, Santa’s very first reindeer, in a Christmas gift-book to treasure year after year.
Dasher is a little doe with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a travelling circus, but she longs for a different life.
Matt Tavares’ beautifully illustrated and evocatively told story bristles with all the magic of the festive season.
Recommended reading age: 3-6 years old
7. Seventh on our list is a lot of fun. With a lot of similarities to Twelve Feasts of Christmas it is understable why we are such big fans.
When Granny gets a sprout stuck up her sneezer, the whole family goes ABSOLUTELY CRAZY as they try to unwedge the veg from her nose. But the more they help, the more Granny yelps and the more festive foods disappear.
Recommended reading age: 4-7 years old
8. Number eight is a great book for the youngest readers. Start to encourage reading with this fun interactive board book. Lift the flaps to find out what Santa has sent in this fun Christmas book from the bestselling creator of the preschool classic, Dear Zoo.
Dear Santa by Rod Campbell
Toddlers will love lifting the flaps to open the presents and find out what Santa has sent. Will he send the perfect present in the end? With gold foil cover, flaps to lift on every page and a touch-and-feel surprise ending, this festive favourite is the ideal Christmas gift or stocking filler for preschoolers.
With bright, bold artwork and a simple, engaging text, Dear Santa by Rod Campbell is sure to delight young children – and the chunky board book format and sturdy card flaps make it perfect for little hands.
Recommended reading age: 1-3 years old
9. There’s an Elf in Your Book (Who’s in Your Book?) makes it into our ninth spot. A festive interactive adventure from bestselling author Tom Fletcher!
There’s an Elf in Your Book (Who’s in Your Book) by Tom Fletcher
GOLLY GUMDROPS . . . A LITTLE ELF HAS FOUND THEIR WAY INTO YOUR BOOK!
What does Elf want?
Oh! Just to see if you’ve been naughty or nice this year!
Elf will ask you a few simple questions to find out. And surely there won’t be any tricks to try and get you to be naughty . . . will there?
Hmmm, this could be quite a tricksy little elf. You’d better keep your wits about you if you want to make it on to Santa’s Nice List!
A fantastically fun and uniquely interactive treat from the creators of There’s a Monster in Your Book. Discover a wonderful new Christmas tradition in a book to read again and again.
Recommended reading age: 3-5 years old
10. When talking about Christmas Books for Kids we need to include the ultimate origin story. This version of the Christmas story will help children to experience the magic of the first Christmas.
The Christmas Story by DK
Experience the magic of the first Christmas in this illustrated board book, an ideal introduction to the nativity story for young children.
The Christmas Story tells the tale of the first Christmas a long, long time ago, when the baby Jesus was born. The sky is filled with angels and a bright new star that tells the shepherds and the three wise men that someone very special has arrived. There’s no room at the inn but Mary and Joseph, and sleeping baby Jesus, are warm and cozy in the stables.
Colorful illustrations and engaging text bring this classic story to life for new readers.
Recommended reading age: Baby-5 years old
11. Where’s Wally? Santa Spotlight Search – The spotlight search is back with a fabulous festive edition! Search for Wally on every page, but good luck, he’s not always easy to find.
Where’s Wally? Santa Spotlight Search by Martin Handford
Ho-ho! Wally, his friends and hundreds of busy Santas are getting ready for the festive countdown. There’s so much to do from shopping in the department store, to helping in the toy factory, baking holiday treats and loading the sleigh – but they still find time to party! For extra sparkle as the excitement builds there are bonus searching games to complete on every page. It’s jingle bells all the way!
Use the paper spotlight-searcher as a magic torch to illuminate six scenes buzzing with busy Santas. With bonus games on every page!
Recommended reading age: 3-5 years old
12. Our final Chistmas Book for Kids is a fantasy classic from the master, C. S. Lewis’s. This version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicals of Narnia) has beautiful illustrations by Tudor Humphries. Whilst some may not consider this to be a true Christmas story, it features Santa and for us it makes the list.
A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis’s classic story The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, abridged for the youngest fans! Introduce them to the magic of Narnia with this picture book featuring illustrations by Tudor Humphries.
Now younger children can share the magical experience, entering into a world of enchantment that will forever lure them back. Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter–but never Christmas–cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.
Recommended reading age: 4-8 years old
