What is Christmas? Who is Father Christmas and where does he come from? And what of gifts, decorations, food and, less often, the story of the birth of Jesus? Any or all of these make up these Christmas-book themes.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr Seuss (Collins, £12.99/£4.99, 6+ yrs)
In his inimitable rhyming couplets, Dr Seuss tells how the Grinch steals Christmas from the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. A brilliantly inventive story of how on old curmudgeon's heart is turned when he realises Christmas is about more than gifts and wrapping. This cuts to the core of what Christmas should be.
Happy Christmas, Maisy, by Lucy Cousins (Walker, £9.99, 2+ yrs)
In this simple pull-the-tab book, you can help Maisy to shop and wrap presents for her friends, decorate a tree, empty her stocking and greet her visitors in a cheerful, mousy version of Christmas.
Dream Snow, by Eric Carle, (Hamish Hamilton, £14.99, 2+ yrs)
Father Christmas is styled as a benign old farmer who, after a hard day's work, falls asleep dreaming of snow. As the pages turn, clever opaque acetates shroud the farmer and the animals in thick, white blankets. On waking, he discovers it was no dream: snow has fallen and now he must quickly set about his task of delivering the gifts. This simple story grounds Father Christmas firmly in reality and then adds a touch of magic. The push- button tune at the end sparkles, too.
Zelda and Ivy One Christmas, by Laura McGee Kvasnosky (Walker, £9.99, 4+ yrs)
Naked materialism is tempered with some warm-hearted sentiment around thinking of others in three interlinked stories. Zelda and Ivy choose their ideal Christmas presents dream Christmas dreams and show genuine warmth towards a friend, as well as collecting up their own Christmas goodies. These foxy sisters have a convincing, affectionate relationship, making this a Christmas story of nice domestic detail.
How the Reindeer Got Their Antlers, by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Heather Holland (Orchard, £9.99, 3+ yrs)
This is an original add-on to the mythology about why reindeer pull Father Christmas's sledge, highlighting their role in the Christmas story. The practical yet magical explanation is uncovered in a beautifully written, warmly illustrated fantasy.
My First Christmas Story (Nicola Smee, Orchard, £3.99, 3+ yrs)
A cosy, family drama with a contemporary feel. A very floaty angel tells a slightly hippy, barefoot Mary she has been chosen by God to be the mother of his son. Everything goes well from then on with a sunburst birth and three undistinguished-looking wise men.
Jesus, by Brian Wildsmith (Oxford University Press, £10.99, 4+ yrs)
This brightly illustrated book covers more of Jesus's life than just his birth, conveying the Bible story with great dignity and impact. The angels are pleasingly unethereal; the three wise men delightfully magisterial.
2000 Nestlé Smarties winners
Gold
(5 yrs and under) Bob Graham: Max (Walker);
(6-8) Jacqueline Wilson: Lizzie Zipmouth (Corgi);
(9-11) William Nicholson: The Wind Singer (Mammoth).
Silver
(5 and under) Satoshi Kitamura: Me and My Cat (Andersen);
(6-8) Tony Mitton: The Red and White Spotted Handkerchief (Scholastic);
(9-11) Beverley Naidoo: The Other Side of Truth (Puffin).
Bronze
(5 and under)
John Burningham: Husherbye (Cape);
(6-8) Lauren Child: Beware of the Storybook Wolves (Hodder);
(9-11) Kevin Crossley-Holland: The Seeing Stone (Orion).
Kid's Club Network Special Award: Jacqueline Wilson for Lizzie Zipmouth.
