Children’s Book Gift Guide for Christmas 2026
If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas that aren’t more plastic, you can’t go wrong with a good book. This Christmas book guide rounds up brand-new releases from Penguin plus a couple of recent favourites and classics still going strong.
Christmas Books & Books for Younger Kids
Bluey: Let’s Play Verandah Santa!
Bluey fans will love this festive lift-the-flap board book inspired by the much-loved Christmas episode. Bluey and her family are playing Verandah Santa, but will everyone remember the most important part of Christmas?
With familiar characters, colourful illustrations and interactive flaps to lift, this is a fun Christmas read for younger Bluey fans and an easy stocking filler.
Recommended for: Preschool and early primary aged children.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Jolly Christmas: A Pull-the-Tab Book
Celebrate Christmas with The Very Hungry Caterpillar in this interactive festive board book from Eric Carle.
Little ones can pull the tabs as they explore the colourful Christmas scenes alongside The Very Hungry Caterpillar and his friends. The chunky format is designed for little hands, making it a lovely first Christmas book for toddlers and preschoolers.
Recommended for: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Spot’s Christmas Tree
Another gorgeous Christmas adventure featuring everyone’s favourite puppy, Spot.
Join Spot for some festive fun as he gets ready for Christmas. With the simple storytelling and bright illustrations the Spot books are known for, this is a sweet addition to the Christmas book collection for younger children.
Recommended for: Toddlers and preschoolers.
Hairy Maclary and Friends Christmas Fun
Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki and the rest of the gang are getting into the Christmas spirit!
Rather than a traditional storybook, Hairy Maclary and Friends Christmas Fun is a festive colouring and activity book with 32 pages of Christmas themed fun and more than 50 puffy stickers. It’s a great little gift for keeping kids entertained over the Christmas holidays.
Recommended for: Preschool and younger primary school children.
Animalia Board Book by Graeme Base
A true Australian classic has been given a new format for its 40th anniversary.
Graeme Base’s Animalia takes children on an incredible alphabet adventure filled with detailed illustrations, animals and hidden objects to discover on every page. The new 2026 board book edition has sturdy pages and rounded corners, making this much-loved book accessible to an even younger generation.
It’s one of those books children can return to again and again and always spot something new.
Recommended for: Toddlers, preschoolers and younger children.
Books for Older Kids & Teens
Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery by Li Chen
Detective Beans is back with another mystery to solve, and this time there’s treasure involved!
When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans and Biscuits set off across Cat Town following the clues. Their search takes them to some unexpected places as they try to uncover the treasure and still make it home in time to clean Beans’ room.
The graphic novel format makes this a particularly fun choice for kids who enjoy comics, humour and mysteries.
Recommended for: Primary school aged readers and graphic novel fans.
From the World of Percy Jackson: The Wild Zone
Percy Jackson fans have a brand new adventure to get stuck into with The Wild Zone, the first book in the new Camp Half-Blood series by Rick Riordan and Annabelle Oh.
Set at Camp Half-Blood during the autumn off-season, the story follows a new group of young demigods who venture into the forbidden Wild Zone and accidentally awaken ancient threats. With campers disappearing and monsters and curses emerging, the group must work together to survive.
A great Christmas gift for kids who already love Percy Jackson, or readers who enjoy mythology, monsters and fast paced adventure.
Recommended for: Middle grade readers, around 9+.
Nightmare League by Reece Carter
For kids who like their adventures with a slightly spooky twist, Nightmare League combines monsters, mystery and plenty of action.
Maxwell Pidgeon thinks monsters only exist in nightmares until he is invited to join the Nightmare League, a top secret organisation protecting the world from creatures lurking in the dark. As an agent in training, Max needs to prove he belongs while also uncovering the truth about his missing dad.
It’s a fun, fast paced read for kids who enjoy adventure stories such as Alex Rider with a supernatural twist.
Recommended for: Middle grade readers, around 9–13 years.
Protector of Beyond by Shara Curlett
Protector of Beyond is the first book in an exciting new fantasy series filled with magical creatures, dangerous trials and plenty of adventure.
Twelve year old Elder Triss produces an incredibly rare and dangerous spark and is transported into the mysterious world of Beyond. Here she must train for battle, face magical creatures and survive a series of trials for the chance to earn a place at the Academy of Protectors.
A great pick for kids who love immersive fantasy series and books such as Nevermoor and Skandar.
Recommended for: Middle grade readers, around 9–13 years.
Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni
For older fantasy readers, Shadow Reaper is the first book in a new fantasy duology from Australian bestselling author Lynette Noni.
Seventeen year old Viridia Solace lives in the city of Aravell, where a deadly blackmist and dangerous reapers threaten its people. Viri has spent years training to hunt the reapers responsible for stealing magic from children, but an unexpected offer from a captured enemy sends her deep into the blackmist on a dangerous mission.
With magic, action, secrets, enemies to lovers romance and plenty of twists, this is one for teens who love darker fantasy adventures.
Recommended for: Teen and YA readers.
Our Dark Unravelling by Margot McGovern
Our Dark Unravelling is a gripping Australian YA gothic thriller blending mystery, grief, dark academia and horror.
After Jude Sinclair dies in a hunting accident, Lyssa and George are left dealing with the aftermath. But when Lyssa begins disappearing at night and insists she is spending time with Jude, rumours spread that he may somehow have returned.
George sets out to discover what is really happening and uncovers something far more disturbing and dangerous than she expected.
This one is definitely for older readers who enjoy darker stories, mysteries and supernatural thrillers.
Recommended for: Older teens and YA readers.
Children’s Books for Christmas
Whether you’re shopping for a toddler, an independent reader or a book loving teen, there are some fantastic new children’s books to put under the Christmas tree this year.
A new book is such a great way to encourage a little downtime and reading over the long summer holidays.
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