12 Special Keepsake Books For Christmas

Space, Jan van der Veken

Journey to the moon and beyond in this beautifully illustrated and entertainingly informative history of space travel.

Certain to fuel young readers’ curiosity about all things related to space, this gorgeous and information-packed book chronicles human exploits beyond Earth. After introducing readers to the basics of every rocket, regardless of size or purpose, it delves into a wide variety of significant moments and concepts around the history of space exploration: the stories of Sputnik, the X-15 and the race to space; how we measure distance in the universe; what makes up an astronaut’s suit; the Saturn V launch vehicle; the Apollo 11 moon landing; space shuttles and international space stations; Mars exploration; and the possibilities of extraterrestrial life—myth and fact. Filled with full-page spreads featuring the author’s signature retro-futurist drawings, this colourful and enlightening book will keep readers fascinated for hours on end while igniting a lifelong passion for the endless possibilities of our cosmos.

The World of Minecraft is the definitive account of the game’s history, combining exclusive interviews from the Mojang studio and recollections from long-standing members of the gaming community. Read the stories behind the growth of community-defining servers like Hypixel, mods like Feed The Beast, and YouTube channels like The Yogscast, plus a personal account from Lydia Winters on the creation of Alex, the impact of Minecraft charity Block by Block, the origin of the phantom, and many more insights.

This must-have collector’s item includes a foreword and afterword from chief creative officer Jens “Jeb” Bergensten and vanilla Minecraft game director Agnes Larsson, plus original concept art, beautifully detailed renders, and previously unseen archive materials that illustrate how the game has developed over its first fifteen years. Journey back into past eras of the game and look to the future in this comprehensive chronicle of Minecraft’s story.

Gorgeous gold-foiled hardback facsimile edition of When We Were Very Young presented in a gold-foiled slipcase

Curl up with this special facsimile edition of A.A.Milne’s classic book of poetry for children, When We Were Very Young. This gold-foiled hardback edition has been reproduced with all the printer marks and irregularities that were present in the edition first printed in 1924. It is presented in a stylish gold-foiled slipcase with a beautiful paper bellyband wrapped around it.

When We Were Very Young is Milne’s first volume of rhymes written especially for children. It’s as popular now as when it was first written. This collection offers the same sense of humour, imagination and whimsy that we’ve come to expect from Milne’s books about Winnie-the-Pooh, that Bear of Very Little Brain.

Mr Stamp, the Happyland postman, is very busy delivering Mr Tickle lots of post! Join Mr Tickle in this fun, interactive adventure with six envelopes to open, including letters, postcards and pictures of Mr Men Little Miss friends to enjoy!

Mr Tickle’s extraordinarily long arms are put to good use in this interactive novelty book, which sees him being invited to Nonsenseland to tickle a friend and having fun at the Happyland Fair! Open the envelopes to discover a letter from Mr Silly, a map of Nonsenseland, a postcard and recipe from Little Miss Sunshine, a leaflet and vouchers for the Happyland Fair, a photobooth strip of pictures of his friends and a very special birthday card!

Featuring more than 35 stunning pop-ups and fascinating, up-to-the-minute information about popular dinosaurs as well as many lesser-known varieties, this is an awe-inspiring tribute to the world’s most celebrated extinct animals and their 180-million-year reign of our planet.

Traditional nursery rhymes… with a twist! Transform a child into the hero of over 30 classic songs and stories in this charming personalised keepsake book.

This timeless collection of nursery rhymes is a beautiful gift to pass on to a child, and will fill their early years with magical memories. Whether you’re buying for a christening gift, celebrating a first birthday or just want to treat a special little someone, it’s a treasury to be cherished for years to come.

This special, small collector’s edition of the much-loved modern classic, The Gruffalo, is adapted from the miniature Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House edition at Windsor Castle. Beautifully packaged in a pocket-sized gift edition, with gold foil cover decoration.

Take a stroll through the deep dark wood as you’ve never seen it before . . . Handwritten by author Julia Donaldson and illustrated with sixty never-before-seen illustrations from Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo: Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House Edition has been reworked to create a special miniature gift book – perfect for fans of all ages.

A beautiful edition of a very special Paddington book: first-class correspondence from everyone’s favourite bear – now a major movie star!

In the Home for Retired Bears in Peru, Aunt Lucy is thinking of her nephew – when a letter arrives bearing an extraordinary tale…

Dear Aunt Lucy,

I expect this will come as a great surprise to you, but not only have I arrived in England, but I have an address! I’m staying at number 32 Windsor Gardens and it isn’t at all like the Home for Retired Bears…

This delightfully engaging and hilarious series of letters from Paddington to his Aunt Lucy follows his new experiences in London while showcasing his uniquely charming and hilarious take on the world. From stowing away on a ship, to working as a barber, there’s never a dull moment!

The Little Women (Masterpiece Library Edition) is a beautifully curated version of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic.

This special edition combines the beloved story of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—with elegant design and high-quality craftsmanship, making it a treasured keepsake for readers of all ages.

The novel, set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, explores themes of family, love, ambition, and self-discovery, as each sister navigates her unique path in life. Enhanced by thoughtful annotations or illustrations (depending on the edition), this masterpiece library edition appeals to both first-time readers and devoted fans, offering a nostalgic and enriching experience.

Expanding on the joyous occasion of Harry Potter’s first Christmas at Hogwarts, this beautifully illustrated gift book makes the perfect festive present for all fans of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series.

‘Christmas was coming. One morning in mid December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.’

So begins Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the story of Harry Potter’s magical first Christmas at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. From the wonder of the Great Hall decked with sparkling, decorated fir trees to cosy evenings by the fire in the Gryffindor common room and the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning, it’s a school holiday filled with warmth, friendship, treats and magical surprises that Harry will never forget.

This book gives every child a unique adventure in Willy Wonka’s factory. In Roald Dahl’s original, there were only five Golden Tickets in the whole world. Now every young reader can have one.

In the story, each child stumbles across different flavours, textures and ‘fizzical effects’ inspired by the letters of their name. Thanks to some Wonka magic, these all come together to create a glorious, personal candy bar. It is only a picture though, so please don’t try to eat it.

Perhaps the most mind-boggling moment of all. At the end of their adventure, each child’s experiences are remarkably retold in rhyme. It’s the special moment they realise that everything that’s happened in the story has been inspired by their name.

This authoritative encyclopedia is perfect for visual learners: it reveals astonishing information about space, Earth, animals, humans and technology through 200 infographics, including maps, charts, timelines and more!

Grasp facts at a glance as you turn every page: discover the size of our Sun in comparison to the largest star in the universe; find out which animal can leap 200 times its body length; learn how many cups of snot your body makes a day; compare the sizes of the biggest beasts that have ever lived; witness what happens in a single second across the world. With stunning infographics by internationally renowned data designer Valentina D’Efilippo, along with beautiful colour photography, as well as interviews with leading expert consultants for every chapter, this ravishing book from Britannica offers an exhilarating visual way to understand the world around us.