The best children's books for Christmas 2016

A Boy Called Christmas and The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Boxed Set) by Matt Haig, with illustrations by Chris Mould

Canongate, £20

If your family's yet to come across these beautifully written 'origins' tales of Christmas, you can catch up now. Author Matt Haig draws on Charles Dickens in conjuring up the horrid lives of his lead characters Nikolas (who becomes Santa) and Amelia, who believes in him. Fireside favourites.

The Cat Who Ate Christmas by Lil Chase, with illustrations by Thomas Docherty

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, £5.99

The perfect size to pop in your little reader's stocking, this is an engaging and fast-paced romp about a kitten called Jingles, who knocks down the tree and rips open the presents. With fun illustrations throughout and jokes and activities at the end, it will go down a treat.

Nuddy Ned's Christmas by Kes Gray, with illustrations by Garry Parsons

Bloomsbury, £6.99

"It's Christmas Eve! It's minus three! And can't you see it's snowing?!" In this festive sequel to 2013's cheeky, lift-the-flap book Nuddy Ned, our hero's dad tries in vain to stop him running off to find Santa in the buff. Full of giggles with a brilliant surprise ending - it's perfect for a cosy Christmas bedtime story.