Photo / Thinkstock
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...
My parents read us The Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve, and I've carried on this tradition with my own children. Books are important in our house, and they make great gifts.
Here are Whitcoulls book manager, Joan Mackenzie's top 10 Christmas books for kids:
by Eric Carle
Join the Very Hungry Caterpillar for some Christmas counting fun, from 1 to 10. This board book is a perfect size for little hands.
The combination of Thomas and Christmas is irresistible to many young fans. This book is fun, right into the spirit of the season, and sturdy!
by Clement C Moore & Niroot Puttapipat
The classic Christmas poem gets the pop up treatment in a truly gorgeous book which captures all the excitement and wonder of Christmas. We love this one!
by Lynette Evans and Myles Lawford
The great Christmas song gets a totally Kiwi makeover - and includes a CD for a great old family sing-along.
by Myles Lawford
Another Kiwi take on a classic tale - with meat pies, boogie boards, and rugby balls! - plus CD!
by Chris Gurney and Philip Webb
The classic Dickens story gets a local makeover, with miserly old Jerry from the Corner Dairy as the Kiwi equivalent of Scrooge.
A wonderful hardback collection of 6 traditional Christmas stories and 12 seasonal rhymes.
by Jacqueline Wilson
Packed with brilliant Christmas stories, including a brand-new one, and classic favourites starring Jacqui Wilson's much loved character Tracy Beaker. Plus festive puzzles, tasty Christmas recipes, perfect present tips, and fun Christmas facts!
by Kingi M Ihaka & Dick Frizzell
A wonderful New Zealand adaptation of The Twelve Days of Christmas - with an audio CD for a great singalong!
by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
A collaboration between one of the year's bestselling authors and two others - set on a snowy Christmas Eve, as the three stories collide. Touching, hilarious, and full of alternative Christmas cheer.
Telegraph: Desire for physical intimacy while grieving is common but little discussed.