The Singing Bones by Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan is a firm favourite amongst booksellers and customers alike, and his star has only continued to rise after The Lost Thing was turned into an Oscar-winning short film in 2010. When a new one of his books graces our shelves, it’s usually the adults lining up at the counter, clutching a copy to their chests with an enthusiastic gleam in their eyes. The Singing Bones is no exception. This collection of Tan’s exquisite sculptures inspired by retellings of Grimm’s fairy tales has been the source of many amazed gasps.

(And if you’re in Melbourne, don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the sculptures as part of an exhibition at No Vacancy Gallery.)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (illustrated edition) by J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay

Okay, you might have a hard time keeping this one away from the kids. But there’s no reason we adults can’t experience the giddy excitement of slipping into the world of Hogwarts, especially with this gorgeous new illustrated edition of the first book in the series. With rich artwork from Jim Kay, (whose illustrations have previously appeared in the equally stunning A Monster Calls) this is a book many readers will spend a long time poring over.

Paris Up, Up and Away by Hélène Druvert

The Eiffel Tower might be one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world, but that doesn’t mean it can’t grow bored of its surroundings. In Paris Up, Up and Away the tower cuts loose and floats away over the rooftops and rivers of Paris, taking in all the sights as it goes. While the story is charming in and of itself, it’s the meticulous paper cutouts that steal the show here, creating dazzling black and white scenes that look like delicate lace.

Historium by Richard Wilkinson and Jo Nelson

Holding this book in your hands is like spending a leisurely afternoon in a museum. The oversized format is the perfect way to show off these illustrated reproductions of over one hundred and sixty historical objects, from painted Greek pottery to canopic jars from Ancient Egypt. Each carefully curated colour plate is also accompanied by a wealth of information. Presented as a companion to the wildly popular Animalium and Maps, this is a book that you could get lost in for hours.

Mademoiselle Oiseau and the Letters from the Past by Andrea de La Barre de Nanteuil and Lovisa Burfitt

The eccentric Mademoiselle Oiseau lives in the Avenue des Temps Perdus, and is something of an enigma to her neighbours – all apart from young Isabella, who has struck up a friendship with the mysterious mademoiselle. The pair are back in this sequel to The Story of Mademoiselle Oiseau and this time they are joined by a long-lost sister. While the story is charming enough on its own, it really is the illustrations that complete this book: equal parts whimsy and high fashion, this is the perfect gift for any Francophile.

Holly Harper