The Snowman Sound Book by Raymond Briggs (Puffin, £6.99)So powerful were Briggs’ illustrations and so evocative was the music in the animated film that it is easy to forget that this classic children’s story is told only in pictures. Here, Briggs

That's Not My Snowman by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells (Usborne, £5.99)A festive take on the excellent “touchy feely” series, each picture in this book has textured details – a soft hat, bumpy buttons – that help little hands to learn how to compare

. See more Horrid Henry in our top 100 children's books, voted by Junior readersBuy Horrid Henry’s Christmas Play

Rabbits In The Snow by Natalie Russell (Macmillan, £10.99) from 12 monthsWhen six fluffy rabbits play in the snow, they discover a world of opposites. Rose Rabbit skates fast, while Grey Rabbit is slow, Honey Rabbit has a full basket, while Rust Rabbit’s sledge is empty. An impor...

and poignancy (a young boy is mourning the passing of his beloved pet dog, when lo and behold, a new snowy white version is magically conjured up in his dreams), The Snowman And The Snowdog looks set to become a brand-new festive favourite. Only one thing

SILVER-GREY HAIR, twinkling azure eyes and a penchant for red coats? Mmmm, there’s something vaguely reminiscent of a certain festive fellow in the amiable demeanour of award-winning writer, director and father-of-four, Richard Curtis. Not that he

to be on duty over Christmas. I felt a deep sense of gratitude and wanted to share this feeling with everybody. I wanted to remind everybody about these people.2) Are you a parent yourself? What do your children think about the book? I have a daughter called

for an illustrator and asked me. It’s great working with Julia, she’s a brilliant writer. She puts together the words first and then I come along and do the pictures.Which of your books are your favourites? I always find it easier to do the quirkier and more