BookBairn's Christmas Gift Guide - Mums

I have finished all my baby and toddler Christmas shopping - whooo hoooo! Just a couple of orders still to arrive and then the elves can get wrapping! But I still have the grown-ups to buy for. And I always find this really difficult! Kids somehow are so much easier to please. So I've put together a list of the five best grown-up books I've read this year, but don't forget grown ups love picture books too. I've called this blog post 'for mums' but really these would be great for many grown-ups. Without further ado...

Here I Stand: Stories that Speak to Freedom - Various collated by Amnesty International

Nobody Told Me - Hollie McNish

I actually listened to this on audiobook as I like to hear poetry and biographies read aloud. But I already had a copy of the book and I have looked back over the poems several times. 'Reading to you' is a personal favourite. Hollie sums up early parenthood in a beautiful but simple way. She hits the nail on the head every time and says what I am thinking. It's witty, amusing and downright hilarious! But it doesn't shame children, it doesn't demean parenthood like some of the similar parenting books at the moment do. I highly recommend this book for new parents - and perhaps share a voucher so they can download the audiobook for themselves too - it's so much better to listen to Hollie reading it aloud! Brilliant!

The Worm and the Bird - Coralie Bickford-Smith

Now, this is a picture book. It tells the story of a worm toiling away to make it's way to the surface - it's life's dream/mission to see the sky. And waiting above is a crow. Waiting. Patiently. For a worm. The worm bursts through the surface and gets it's first glimpse of the sky. And then the bird strikes and takes to the air. This book doesn't have a happy ending but yet it reminds us to appreciate the beauty in the simple things. And the illustration is beautiful. If you liked 'The Fox and the Star' (Coralie's first picture book) you will love this. And if this sounds a little too sad for your liking - check out 'The Fox and the Star' instead as it is equally as magical!

The One Hundred Nights of Hero - Isabel Greenberg

The Invisible Child - Tove Jansson

I love the Moomins and find the characters and the world created by Tove Jansson to be magical and mystifying! This book makes a great Christmas gift because it tells the story of the Moomins's only Christmas (they normally hibernate through winter) and the story of an invisible child which is so poignant it will make you stop and think. Another book that gives a little back, the fundraising from this goes to the 'Invisible Children Campaign'. A must for Moomin fans. Magic!

I hope you have found a gift that will suit the mama in your life. Or just have introduced you to a new book for your to-read list! I have one more gift guide for you still to come - for children older than BookBairn.