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Books are one of the best presents, but it can be really difficult wading through all of the lists and browsing all the books to find one that you think your recipient will love. I’ve put together a list of some our favourite new books for Christmas 2019.

Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year – Allie Esiri 

William Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays, 154 sonnets and a handful of longer poems and you can discover them all here. Each page of this unique collection contains an extract, which might be a famous poem, quote or scene, matched to the date. Allie Esiri’s introductions give her readers a new window into the work, time and life of probably the greatest writer in the English language.

Buy it now: Amazon £13.29

Great Goddesses: Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters – Nikita Gill

Wonder at Medusa’s potent venom, Circe’s fierce sorcery, and Athena rising up over Olympus, as Nikita Gill majestically explores the untold stories of the life bringers, warriors, creators, survivors and destroyers that shook the world – the great Greek Goddesses.

Buy it now: Amazon £9.17

Extinct: An Illustrated Exploration of Animals That Have Disappeared – Lucas Riera

This is a gorgeously illustrated tribute to animals that no longer live on our planet, paired with information on how we can save future species. This exploration of animals that we have lost over the past century, from the California grizzly to the Persian tiger, aims to create awareness and inspire children to act responsibly toward their environment. Each animal’s story of how it came to extinction is told through graphically stunning illustrations and information-packed spreads. 

Buy it now: Amazon £16.51

The Wonkey Donkey – Craig Smith

Based on the popular song, THE WONKY DONKEY has sold over one million copies worldwide. Who ever heard of a spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey? This hilarious picture book will have children – and adults – braying with laughter!

Buy it now: Amazon £4.00

Art This Way – Tamara Shopsin & Jason Fulford

Unfold pages, lift flaps, gaze into mirrors, and interact with art like never before. Inspired by the many ways that art can be viewed and experienced, this book encourages children to spend time with a curated selection of fine art from the Whitney collection – and to dig deeper and consider all angles. Each artwork is showcased with a novelty mechanism and caption, for curious hands and wondering eyes.

Buy it now: Amazon £15.95

Lenny the Lobster Can’t Stay for Dinner – Michael Buckley

When invited to a fancy dinner party, Lenny brings thoughtful gifts for the hosts and enthusiasm for whatever’s in store. But when he’s greeted with a pot of boiling water and lobster bibs, Lenny [and readers] must quickly decide: should he stay or go? This laugh-out-loud text by bestselling author Michael Buckley and his 10-year-old son Finn is stunningly accompanied by illustrations that demonstrate Catherine Meurisse’s flare for the dramatic.

Buy it now: Amazon £9.32

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles – Thomas Lennon

Fourteen-year-old Ronan Boyle is the youngest and lowliest recruit to the secret Garda, an Irish police force that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures. Ronan’s parents are in jail, but Ronan is convinced that they were framed by the wee people. So, despite his small size, poor eyesight, and social awkwardness, he’s determined to learn all he can in the Garda in order to prove his parents’ innocence. To show he’s got what it takes, he’ll have to confront a fiery leprechaun, a sinister harpy, and a whole world of monsters hidden in plain sight next to real-life Ireland.

Buy it now: Amazon £5.20

Yves Klein Painted Everything Blue and Wasn’t Sorry – Fausto Gilberti

Artist Yves Klein always thought about how he could surprise his audience. One day, he decided that he would only paint in one color – blue. He painted canvases, globes, branches, gallery floors, and even covered people in blue paint. Klein’s story is told here with wit and eccentricity, perfectly paired with black-line illustrations and blue splashes galore. Fausto Gilberti brings movement, life, and whimsy to the true-life story of one of the most important modern French artists of our time.

Buy it now: Amazon £9.32

DC Brave and Bold! Female DC Super Heroes Take On the Universe – Sam Maggs

Who granted Wonder Woman her mighty superpowers? How does teenager Supergirl disguise her identity in public? And why can Vixen channel the power of any animal in the world? Discover the empowering stories of Batgirl, Bumblebee, Mera, Hawkgirl and many more. You’ll be inspired to be brave and bold, just like them.

Buy it now: Amazon £9.35

Hey Grandude – Paul McCartney

Grandude is a one-of-a-kind adventurer – a Mary Poppins for the modern day! With his magic compass, he whisks his four grandkids off on whirlwind adventures, taking them all around the globe. Join them as they ride flying fish, dodge stampedes in the Wild West, and escape snowy avalanches! Brought to life in a riot of colour, it’s the perfect story for little explorers.

Buy it now: Amazon £6.49

Explanatorium of Science – Robert Winston

Open up this book to reveal how science really works! Watch as mixtures merge and matter changes state. Discover how some chemical changes can be reversed, yet others can’t, and why some reactions produce a bang! See bacteria at work in the world around us, and even inside the human digestive system. Understand the tricks that light plays and unlock the secrets of electricity to find out how it powers your home. Whether it’s elements, evolution, or energy, the world of science is brought to life by stunning photographic explanations that answer the biggest and smallest questions about our Universe. Packed full of astounding close-up images, Explanatorium of Science is the ultimate guide to how the world works, explaining every aspect of science from gigantic galaxies to tiny cells and minuscule atoms.

Buy it now: Amazon £14

The Impossible Boy – Ben Brooks

When Oleg and Emma invent a new classmate called Sebastian, they are amazed when he appears – very much real – in their secret den. Sebastian isn’t like the rest of their classmates. He’s never eaten pizza, he’s not sure what goosebumps are, and he has a satchel that seems to hold an endless supply of hot ice cream. But as the trio begin their adventures, more impossible things keep happening, from a runaway goat appearing at school to a sighting of some snowwomen walking down the road. Things soon take a turn for the dangerous when the three friends are pursued by the mysterious Institute of Unreality, who want to capture and erase Sebastian, restoring order to the world. With the help of a cowboy gardener, an imprisoned scientist, and the rest of their class, can Emma and Oleg protect their new friend and keep the magic of the impossible alive, just in time for Christmas?

Buy it now: Amazon £7.19