'A book that uses the total number of bottom burps in our lifetime to show how small actions add up over time, is a winner.'

Charlotte Haines Lyon offers her choices of books to give to children

Click on the title of the book to buy a copy from amazon.co.uk and part of the sale will go to Christian Aid

If you want a present that lasts longer than many toys, why not consider a book or too for the children and young people in your lives?

Remember if you buy via the links to Amazon.co.uk you will raise money for Christian Aid. And the prices may even be lower than those quoted!

God's Dream
Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams, illustrated by LeUeyn Pham, Walker Books, £10.99
A stunning picture book explaining with Tutu's charming simplicity, how God wants us to be. “God dreams that we reach out and hold one another's hands and play one another's games and laugh with one another's hearts.”

This and other such axioms are beautifully illustrated in a way that avoids being twee. It transcends beliefs and cultures and will offend only the most militant of atheists.

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World
Melanie Walsh, Walker Books, £9.99
Made from recycled materials this simple picture book explains easy ways to help the world. The usual suspects are all present: recycling, turning the tap off during teeth brushing, draw on both sides of the paper etc.

Then are more fun ideas such as – play with all boxes before throwing them out. A must for all eco-teenies.

Teach Your Granny to Text and Other Ways to Change the World
4,386 children, www.wearewhatwedo.org, £10.99
My thirteen year old nephew officially doesn't like books but can on occasion be found reading. A book that uses the total number of bottom burps in our lifetime to show how small actions add up over time, is a winner. For your information it is “421,575 – not to be sniffed at.”

There are 30 actions that were suggested by school children from around the country, including teaching your granny to text and go to more parties (party ideas provided). There are great anti junk mail stickers, and free basil seeds. The offspring of Change the World for a Fiver is imaginative and inspiring and will attract all but the very young.

Toby Alone
Timothee de Fombelle, Walker Books, £9.99
For the fans of the erstwhile Harry Potter, His Dark Materials et al, Toby Alone provides an action packed allegorical tale. Toby, a young boy one and a half millimetres tall, is being hunted down by the tree people after his father was imprisoned for stating that the tree was in danger thanks to over drilling for sap and other such polluting activities.

Will he escape alive or will he be eaten by Weevils? Will the tree survive? Where are his parents? A rip-roaring environmental tale. As film ratings warn there are scenes of peril, although there is plenty of hope. Whoever you buy it for, just be prepared to buy the forthcoming sequel next year.

Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons
Ann Rinaldi, Walker Books, £5.99
A masterful account of Phyllis Wheatley, the first published African American poet in America, will engage teenagers who are literary connoisseurs. Rinaldi, a historical novelist has brilliantly captured Boston during the fight for American independence.

Phyllis a slave, brought over from Senegal, is tutored by her master’s family who see themselves as benefactors rather than owners. However she yearns for true freedom, whatever that may mean. The questions of humanity, freedom, ownership, celebrity and the place of women are all tackled head on via the means of beautiful prose.

Annuals

It’s good to know that annuals are still popular presents, and now have their own television adverts! There are so many annuals available that from January to September (when the following year’s versions are published), they still make great presents, and the huge choice means that your little one won’t have got them all. Here are a few favourites:

Ben 10
Egmont Books, £6.99
When a mysterious device clamped on to Ben's wrist, he was given the powers to turn into any one of ten alien heroes. Although Ben saves the world he is still capable of fun and mischief. This annual provides more comic strip capers alongside fact files and plenty of puzzles.

It's not all for boys: Gwen, Ben's cousin, has a talent for magic and martial arts as well as a penchant for machines. Brilliant superhero action all round.

Disney Pixar Wall E Annual
Egmont Books, £6.99
The favourite film character of the year provides much entertainment in this annual. Wall E features in a board game, DIY door hangers, brain teasers etc.

He is also accompanied by other popular Disney Pixar characters from Nemo, Ratatouille, The Incredibles, The World of Cars, Toy story and Monsters Inc. With plenty of things to make, colour, read and puzzle over, the phrase “I'm bored” should not feature this Christmas.

The Rupert Annual
Egmont Books, £7.99
Rupert is on his 73 rd outing which makes me feel very old as I look at my old annuals dating from the seventies and eighties. Whilst there are brand new stories the magical format is as good as ever.

Rhyming couplets are there alongside great depictions of Nutwood. Best of all, the requisite origami challenge remains too. Every year my dad and I set about following the instructions for a paper frog, kite, bird etc. Every year we failed and argued!

Christmas Books

For those brave enough to consider Christmas before December 1st, Lion have published a variety of Christmas stories.

The Angel and the Lamb, sees a lamb wander off to find Mary and Joseph, whilst the baby's board book Sleepy Jesus brings home just how tiny Jesus was.

The Christmas Cat has the inn's moggy on a ribbon to fit into a shaped hole at each scene of the Christmas story and is my one year old's favourite.

Then there is My Nativity Jigsaw Book with a simple pop out puzzle on each page.

Finally, My Very First Christmas Playtime will delight pre-school children who are just getting to grips with stickers, simple matching puzzles, baking and board games.

White Christmas, Lucky Wish Mouse
Claudia Vulliany, Orchard Books £7.99
White Christmas is perfect for the young child who is just too excited about presents to sleep or eat this Christmas. A delightful tale of tiny mice who are desperate to have their stockings filled, only to discover that bravery and natural beauty are far more important.

A special lucky wish mouse is hidden in the back of the book as a starter present.

Click on the title of the book to buy a copy from amazon.co.uk and part of the sale will go to Christian Aid

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