In these hard times it is gratifying to find one Christmas present which has remained virtually unchanged in price for the last seven or eight years — the children’s book. Most of the illustrated books for the very young and the increasingly elaborate pop-ups and stories incorporating various pockets, inserts and DVDs are produced in the Far East. They are well made and extremely good value. Christmas represents the last stand for the hardback, with the opportunity for children to enjoy a book as an object, not just for its contents. There are two new titles in Sarah Garland’s series for pre-school children, Going Shopping and Doing Christmas, both £6.99 from Frances Lincoln. Their lively illustrations and minimal text, allowing for plenty of improvisation by the adult raconteur, map the chaotic day-to-day life of a harassed single mother, her two toddlers and lugubrious dog.
Children from as young as two will also love being read Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Alison Green Books, £10.99.)
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