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Christmas books for children and young people: festive from Bullerby to Namibia

2022-11-27T11:32:39.255Z


Christmas stories for children and young people often make adults reminisce too. Here are books old and new to get people three and up in the holiday spirit.


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For many people, good stories are part of getting into the Christmas spirit

Photo: SDI Productions/Getty Images

In picture books and children's novels there is probably no subject that arouses such strong emotions in adults as Christmas.

During the Christmas season you look back on your childhood, remember the one book that you have always associated with this time.

Some of these books are still relevant, others almost forgotten.

The following tips are a mix of old and new, where adults can reminisce or be surprised by something modern.

Five stories for a festive, funny or exciting reading experience for people aged three and over.

The classic

Oh, if only Christmas were as peaceful everywhere as it is in this village.

Reading the picture book “Christmas in Bullerbü” could be a good start.

If you want to cook a recipe from it to bring the magic of the place into your home, please don't be surprised: What is somewhat awkwardly translated as "groats" here is rice pudding.

Gladly with whipped cream and a lucky almond hidden in it.

What's going on here?

Although the children have to lend a hand in Bullerbü, they still enjoy their snowy, cozy Christmas in the lap of the extended family.

The only bad thing is the waiting on Christmas Eve, which gives you gray hair.

But then the time has finally come and Santa Claus is at the door.

After that, the partying and playing never ends.

Astrid Lindgren tells in a few words and yet with a lot of depth what moves and makes a child happy at Christmas.

But it is only through the idyllic illustrations by the artist Ilon Wikland that it becomes a special book that belongs to Christmas for many generations.

Best reading time:

with Advent coffee.

Recommended age:

from three years.

There's a horse in the hallway

If not a dog, then a horse: July lives in Paul's garden and is even allowed into the house.

Of course, the horse gets up to all sorts of mischief, but has a particularly loving look, so you can't be mad at him for long.

»Christmas with July« is a nice book for beginning readers, because the pictures and typography are so varied that it sometimes reads like a comic.

What's going on here?

Horse July can go anywhere.

Almost everywhere.

Because the new neighbor doesn't think it's funny when she comes into his garden and tramples on his turf.

But with unparalleled kindness, the family calmly softens him up until he even celebrates Christmas with them.

A nice story about the correct handling of grumpy pots and what happens when you take a horse to the Christmas market.

Best reading time:

during the break with friends.

Recommended age:

from six years.

From the dragon that smelled like Christmas

In this audio book, between the 24 chapters, delicate Christmas melodies sound that put you in the Christmas mood. Felix von Manteuffel, who has a white beard and sounds like he's Santa Claus, takes on the role of the narrator.

Internet providers erroneously recommend the audio book "Spekulatius, der Weihnachtsdrache" for children over the age of four, while the publisher sets the age limit at six years.

This is also correct in view of the complications at the end of the story.

What's going on here?

After discovering that his advent calendar only contains »contemplative sayings«, Mats goes for a walk, offended.

On the way, he is surprisingly given an egg, from which a small dragon will soon hatch.

This is of course a thousand times better than chocolate.

Together with his sister Matilda, he takes care of the baby dragon without the parents noticing.

But then people appear who want to steal the dragon called »Spekki«.

So he's really glad that he has a sister who isn't as shy as he is.

Best listening time:

with a bowl of speculoos on your lap.

Recommended age:

from six years, preferably older.

Almost like an advent calendar

This is possibly one of the most expensive books I have ever recommended.

And a particularly festive one.

This decorative edition of »Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone«, with its red embossed cover and the intricate design on the inside, has something Christmas about it.

The story itself is timeless and should be familiar - if not, the joy of this gift should be all the greater.

What's going on here?

This is the first Harry Potter volume designed by graphic artist duo MinaLima.

The pair have designed various objects for the respective films, including the Marauder's Map and the Daily Prophet.

In addition to pop-up images, this issue features fantastic paper objects that appear in the novel, such as Dumbledore's pocket watch and the first letter to Harry.

Everything to take out, finely wrapped in tissue paper.

From time to time you will be given a gift or rewarded with a pop-up picture while reading.

Best reading time:

when the candles on the tree have almost burned down.

Recommended age:

from ten years.

The confectioner from Namibia

You can't lure teenagers with stories about Santa Claus.

But maybe with a thick crime novel from the world of chocolatiers?

After all, chocolate is the candy of the Christmas season.

In »Zartbittertod«, the author Elisabeth Herrmann succeeds in weaving the problems of the cocoa world trade and the colonial era into the plot with a light hand, without it being instructive or the tension suffering as a result.

What's going on here?

19-year-old Mia wants to apply to a journalism school with a report about her family history.

While researching, she comes across astonishing material about her African ancestors, finds a dead man, finds herself in danger - and falls in love.

An exciting thriller against the background of German colonial history in Namibia.

Best reading time:

on the train ride to Grandma and Grandpa.

Recommended age:

from 14 years.

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Source: spiegel

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