Ranging from boxsets that will blow them away to the sweetest little stocking fillers, here’s a list of Christmas gifts to suit all budgets.
Under $100
The Star Wars: Book of Sith Secrets by Daniel Wallace is a treat for the Star Wars fan in your life. With the press of a button, the pyramid opens to reveal the Sith Secrets including a battle map, a scientific journal, a lightsaber crystal and a scrap of Sith burial shroud. Last year’s equivalent, The Jedi Path, is no longer available but that page contains a video link that will give you an idea of what to expect from Sith Secrets.
Under $60
by Penny Matthews & illustrated by Martin McKenna is a heartbreaker of a book: an ordinary bear sits on a shelf and watches as one by one the more ‘exciting’ Christmas toys are chosen, and then he makes his own gift to his friend the plush crocodile. The gorgeous
shown here is just an idea for how to make this an even more special gift.
on its own is $24.99.
Another picture book and toy idea is the sweet and slightly eccentric Ruby Red Shoes from Kate Knapp. We’re expecting Kate’s plush hare to arrive any day now and together with the book, they make a wonderful present. The book on its own is $19.99.
Under $50
Keri Smith’s version of creative therapy is wonderfully rebellious. The
contains
,
and
, and will appeal to over 12s.
For those less prone-to-destruction, there’s the Puffin Classics Deluxe Collection which contains eight beautifully-designed, clothbound classics in a slipcase.
And for animal lovers, you can’t go past Safari, A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen and Carol Kaufmann which uses incredible technology to create moving pictures. It’s better than TV. It’s TV in a book! Great accompanying text ensures that this isn’t just a novelty item.
Watch the video of what to expect here!
Under $40
by Bernadette Gervais and Francesco Pittau is another excellent choice for animal lovers.
Wildlife fans ages 4 and up will love this huge, vibrant book with 40 lift-the-flaps and lots of information about birds.
Three Tales of Magic and Mischief by Road Dahl & illustrated by Quentin Blake is a gorgeous hardback containing George’s Marvellous Medicine, Matilda and The Witches. Ideal fodder for 8-12s (and if they’ve read all the Roald Dahls, try the very funny collection from comedian David Walliams).
Under $30
luxury editions are stunning with their stark white covers and metallic detail on the front and page edges.
Or for younger readers, the linen-bound Utterly Me Clarice Bean slipcase is a beauty. Girls from 7 and up love these longer, more sophisticated stories by Lauren Child (following on from the Clarice Bean picture books).
And for younger again, it’s the 10-year anniversary of Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whately, celebrated with a gorgeous slipcase edition. French studied wombats for 40 years and the inspiration for the wombat in this story was one she hand-reared, named Mothball.
Also, Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith and Katz Cowley is a brilliantly daft picture book that really appeals to ages 3-6. You can now buy a book and plush donkey set but for some more creative play I love The House That Wonky Built, which comes with a fold-out house to decorate as well as play pieces, stickers, a small version of the original book and a CD.
Keen young artists who have moved on from drawing the classic house with four windows and a door will love From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers: Architecture For Children by Christine Paxmann, with its chronologically arranged buildings and plenty of detail. NB. limited stock!
Under $20
For new parents, diligently reading to their newborns through bleary eyes, these board books are really fun. The
Little Miss Austen: Pride and Prejudice
counting book tops this elegant set (1 English village; 2 rich gentlemen… 10 thousand pounds a year!). Also available are:
Little Master Carroll
,
Little Master Shakespeare
,
Little Miss Bronte
and the very festive
Little Master Dickens
.
Illustrated by Lauren Child (Charlie and Lola) the Pippi Longstocking (Small Gift Edition) makes a great read-aloud. So too does the Audrey series by Christine Harris, set in the Australian outback in the 1920s.
Some children ask for the world - now you can give it to them for only $14.95. This brilliant inflatable globe is from Tiger Tribe, a Melbourne company with a great range for children. Also see their Timmy Junior Flying Bird - a smaller version of the popular Original Flying Bird which will be completely sold out any day now.
501 Things for the Quick Draw Kid is a very well-priced gift for budding young artists from about 7 years old. It comes as a large folder full of simple, step-by-step instructions.
Small stocking fillers from $5 to $25
My Vest Is White by Dick Bruna
is a lovely bit of nostalgia for us seventies kids but hasn’t lost any of its charm.
Wimpy Kid fans who have already torn through the latest book, The Third Wheel, can start writing their own in these great notebooks.
We’ve got a great range of mini board books in slipcases for tiny hands, like this Hairy Maclary one, a great introduction to a character they’ll still be enjoying years down the line.
The ABC Stamp Set contains wooden stamps and an ink pad, great for kids of 3 or 4 who are learning their letters, or for older children who enjoy craft activities.
For more gift ideas visit one of our stores and ask to speak to a Children’s Specialist.
