Top reads from By the Book this Christmas

With shelves brimming with titles and a warm, inviting atmosphere, Virginia’s By the Book is the perfect place to pick up a personalised recommendation on the best reading material to gift and enthral a young person this festive season.

Proprietor Kim Deane recommends ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess’ by the international best-selling author Jeff Kinney, the 19th book series for children aged 9-12 years.

She says that multi-million bestseller David Walliams is “always popular” and his latest book ‘Super Sleuth’ is a hilarious historical mystery novel with a crime caper twist.

Or perhaps follow the funniest fight ever in Jamie Smart’s Bunny vs Monkey children’s book series. Written in a comic book style, it’s perfect for kids aged 7-9 years.

Sports mad boys and girls meanwhile love Ultimate Football Trivia and Ultimate Football Heroes.

Or enter the magical world of Lucy Kennedy’s ‘Friendship Fairies’ - a delightful tale for young readers.

For girls aged 9-12 years, the ever popular author Jacqueline Wilson is a safe bet. Wilson’s ‘The Girl Who Wasn’t There’ or ‘The Star’ are two more that will keep pages turning.

With seven Cheltenham wins to her name to winning her seat on the European Parliament, it will come as a surprise to some that Nina Carberry has written a heart-warming equestrian adventure with snowy escapades perfect for horse lovers and fans of friendship stories.

‘Snow Pony Express’, says Kim, is certainly one book that has piqued the interest of many of her shoppers, as has Hannah Gold’s Turtle Moon. Aimed at young readers this stunning new eco-fiction adventure novel with illustrations from Levi Pinfold is “beautiful from start to finish” assures the By the Book owner.