The Little Wardrobe Chronicles - Christmas Picture Book Delights
This guest blog is written by Camille, an Oxford English graduate and Founder of leading London-based educational company, U2 Tuition, which has a particular expertise in primary tuition and education. Camille is also the author of the children’s book, ‘Mister Finch and the Queen’ and is delighted to share her festive list of picture book recommendations with an educational twist with Benedita this Christmas season.
As an education specialist and avid lover of children's literature, I'm thrilled to share some festive magic with The Little Wardrobe Chronicles. If you're on the lookout for heartwarming Christmas gifts with an educational twist, these enchanting picture books are sure to bring joy and imagination to the little ones in your life.
"Mister Finch and the Queen" by Camille Goodman
It brings me immense pleasure to kick off this list with my own creation. Dive into the whimsical world of "Mister Finch and the Queen," a rhyming tale about an eccentric old man and his trusty pet chick exploring London's iconic sights on a bright pink bicycle. It's a perfect addition to your little one's library, igniting their creativity and sparking laughter during the holiday season.
The book is bursting with activities meticulously crafted to ignite children's creative imagination and enhance their writing skills. I also run storytelling workshops in London linked to the book if your child would like a chance to meet the author!
Age: 3 to 8 years old
2. "The Oak Tree" by Julia Donaldson
Age: 3 to 8 years old
Julia Donaldson's "The Oak Tree" weaves history and nature together seamlessly. This captivating story, tracing the life of an oak tree through the ages, is not only a delightful read but also a perfect Christmas gift to teach children about the interconnectedness of all living things.
As an educational Christmas activity, children could be provided with materials such as large sheets of paper, markers, and craft supplies, and create a timeline showcasing the life of the oak tree across different historical periods. Each section of the timeline can represent a different era, with illustrations and brief descriptions of significant events.
3. "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Age: 6 to 12 years old
For an empowering and inspiring Christmas gift, consider "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls." Through creative nonfiction, it introduces young minds to the lives of 100 heroic women, making it a delightful read for the holiday season.
A child could be asked to imagine a new adventure or scenario for one of their favourite heroines and organise the story and illustrations into a mini storybook. They can use construction paper, bind the pages together, and create a cover for their very own unique Heroic Women Storybook!
4. "Darwin & Hooker" by Alexandra Stewart and Joe Todd-Stanton
Age: 7 to 12 years old
This is one for the budding young scientists out there. The educational and captivating picture book narrates the story of Charles Darwin and his lesser-known friend, Joseph Hooker, providing an invaluable education on evolution and biology, as well as the power of friendship, connection and curiosity. It would make an engaging and informative Christmas gift for the little explorers in your life.
As a Christmas activity, a child could be given a scrapbook or notebook and encouraged to go on a nature walk or explore their surroundings to find interesting specimens such as leaves, shells, rocks, or make sketches of animals. They can collect these items and later stick or draw them in their scrapbook like Darwin and Hooker!
5. "The Christmas Wish" by Lori Evert and Per Breiehagen
Age: 3 to 8 years old
No Christmas booklist is complete without a festive tale! "The Christmas Wish" follows the adventures of Anja, a brave little girl on a magical journey to find Santa. It's a heartwarming addition to this list for the holiday season.
These carefully selected picture books are not just gifts; they're invitations for children to explore, learn, and dream. I hope you enjoyed our Little Book Chronicles!
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