I have finished all my baby and toddler   Christmas shopping - whooo hoooo! Just a couple of orders still to arrive and then the elves c...

BookBairn's Christmas Gift Guide - Mums

Monday, November 27, 2017 BookBairn 12 Comments


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


This is a brilliant brilliant book. The best book I've read all year. This is a collection of short stories and poetry that explore the top human rights issues facing young people today written by some of the best writers today!  It is challenging - some of the stories are quite hard-hitting and emotionally difficult to read but they are so thought-provoking. They will challenge your thinking. And for the right person this is a great gift! I cannot speak passionately enough about this book. I borrowed it from the library but fully intend on buying a copy as I want to re-read some of the stories again. And the profits from the book go to Amnesty International so it does a little good for the world too when you buy this book. It's my best book of the year. You should read it. Maybe even get a copy for yourself.

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


This is one of the best books that I have ever read. It's a graphic novel of incredible proportions. It follows Cherry and her maid Hero whose secret love is threatened when Cherry’s husband’s boorish friend wagers he can seduce Cherry over the course of 100 nights. Hero tells stories to distract him, taking in dark swamps, floating greenhouses, cursed daughters and a harp that sings of murder. Danger lurks within these tales and after each dangling cliffhanger, but Hero weaves a web that has soon snared the suitor, the sentries and most of the townsfolk. Filled with new fairytales that explore the power of words and women, this book is utterly enchanting. I was completely blown away by the uplifting and witty stories and the illustration style is whimsical and beautiful. Graphic novels are a new genre to me and this has made me want to read more. I also read 'The Encyclopedia of Early Earth' by the same author/illustrator and I love it too! 

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.

And if you want any specific recommendations please feel free to get in touch! All our social media links are in the header at the top of the blog - or you can just search 'bookbairn' to find us!

Happy Christmas Shopping,
Mummy and the elves xx


Disclaimer: these are all my choices. Some were sent from publishers but they were not sent in connection with this post. Their inclusion here is my choice. Because I really do think they are great.



12 comments:

  1. Lovely books. I assume the next blog in the series is “BookBairn’s Christmas Gift Guide for Papas”. Look forward to that one.

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    1. I have one for you - it's in 'big kids' which will be up next Monday (I hope!)

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  2. ooo nice collection - I'm most intrigued by The Worm and The Bird x

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    1. It's a strange but brilliant book! Very poignant and beautiful!

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  3. Can I just say all of these front covers are quite stunning, they'd make you want to read them without knowing what they are about! #readwithme

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    1. They really do - it makes such a pretty picture!

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  4. I've got the Amnesty one in my Amazon basket after your IG recommendation :) these all are very tempting!! #readwithme

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  5. The Invisible Child is on my wishlist. Philip Ardagh's The World of Moominvalley is also a beautiful, beautiful book for Moomin lovers :o)

    #ReadWithMe

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  6. I like the sound of the Amnesty International book, even though I don't generally like short stories, but apart from that, this selection doesn't suit this mum at all! This mum likes thrillers and modern day literature - nice long books she can really get her teeth into.

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    1. I love a Thriller and General Fiction too - I just always worry about giving them as gifts because it's not everyone's cup of tea! I love your recommendations!

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