<p>There are some books that get handed down through families and read over and over again - like those classic Christmas stories from your childhood.</p><p>You just have to see their covers and you're transported back to the time when you used to stand at your bedroom window and try to spot Santa's sleigh as he flew past on Christmas Eve.  </p><p>Just as you read them under the covers as a kid and dreamt of flying snowmen and magical wardrobes to other worlds, so too will the next generation of children and the generation after that. </p><p>Whatever your age, you're never too old to revisit some of these timeless stories and experience the fairytale all over again.</p><p>Check out our list of traditional and modern classics and see how many you've read.</p><p>And, if you missed out on any, why not treat yourself to a new book that you can read with all the family to get you feeling super festive in the run-up to the big day?</p><h2>The Snowman</h2><script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script><p><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="large" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/8233211790413019/"></a></p><p>Before it was the ultimate animated Christmas film, complete with Aled Jones' angelic rendition of Walking in the Air, it was a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/gifts-for-the-kids/the-snowman-the-book-of-the-classic-film-by-raymond-briggs/910002308787" target="_blank">children's picture book</a> by English author Raymond Briggs. </p><p>The Snowman is synonymous with Christmas - who didn't build a snowman as a child and make a little wish that it would come to life one night? </p><p>The classic tale finally got a sequel, called The Snowman and The Snowdog, in 2012 and both books are ones to treasure - and inspire! </p><h2>How the Grinch Stole Christmas!</h2><p><img alt="the-grinch" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the-grinch_GL?scl=1"></p><p><em>Available <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">in store</a>. </em></p><p>This classic Dr Seuss tale which was later turned into a film starring Jim Carrey, follows a grouchy Grinch who hates Christmas as he sets out to ruin the holidays for the happy people of Whoville. </p><p>As the book says, no one knows why he hates Christmas - "It could be his head just wasn't screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were just too tight. But I think the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small," writes Dr Seuss. </p><p>This irreverent and mischevious Christmas story is guaranteed to keep kids entertained - let's just hope they don't get any ideas! </p><h2>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</h2><p><img alt="narnia" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/narnia_GL?scl=1"></p><p><em>Available <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">in store</a>. </em></p><p>The first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series is a door into another world - literally. They may have seen the films, but if your children haven't yet encountered the books about Aslan, Narnia and the world beyond the wardrobe, which is stuck in 100 years of winter, then they're in for a treat. </p><p>You'll probably find them hunting around the back of your cupboards for portals to another world at some point - we've all done it. </p><h2>The Night Before Christmas (Disney style)</h2><p><img alt="olaf-disney-christmas" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/olaf-disney-christmas_GL?scl=1"></p><p><em>Available </em><a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank"><em>in store.</em></a></p><p>We all know the classic Christmas poem by Clement Moore which begins, "'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."</p><p>In this Disney book, featuring Olaf the snowman from Frozen, the story is brought to life for a whole new audience with magical, modern illustrations. </p><h2>A Christmas Carol</h2><p><a data-pin-do="embedPin" data-pin-width="large" data-pin-terse="true" href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/363384263655217474/"></a></p><p>For older children, there's nothing better than this spooky Dickens novel for teaching the true meaning of Christmas. Some say this 1843 classic may even have been the inspiration behind the Grinch. </p><h2>The Christmasaurus </h2><p><img alt="christmasaurus" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/christmasaurus_GL?scl=1"></p><p>If you're looking for a future festive favourite, then you might want to check out this <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/kids-book-chart/the-christmasaurus-by-tom-fletcher/910002831894" target="_blank">'rollicking read' by McFly's Tom Fletcher</a>. It's his first novel for young adults and was released in October this year. </p><p>The magical tale, which is set on Christmas Eve, features a boy named William Trundle, an elf named Snozzletrump, Santa Claus, a nasty piece of work called the Hunter, and a most unusual dinosaur. </p><p>Early reviews highlight the quality of the illustrations - "the book looks fantastic," says one mum. Another adds: "Bought for my 5-year-old son to read to him at bedtime, we are 3 chapters in and we are hooked!"</p><h2>Harry Potter series</h2><p><img alt="harry-potter-books" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/harry-potter-books_GL?scl=1"></p><p>The Harry Potter books just make us think of Christmas - Hogwarts in the snow, Ron in his festive knit and candle-lit feasts in the Great Hall. </p><p>If your older kids - and you - have already devoured the entire series, why not discover a whole new wizarding world in the <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/hardback-book-chart/hardback-fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-by-jkrowling/910002854452" target="_blank">Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them screenplay</a>? </p><h2>The Midnight Gang</h2><p><img alt="the-midnight-garden" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/the-midnight-garden_GL?scl=1"></p><p>Another surefire future Christmas classic is this latest release from David Walliams, who as well as being a comedian and TV personality, is also a hugely popular children's author. </p><p><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/kids-book-chart/hardback-the-midnight-gang-by-david-williams/910002653101" target="_blank">The Midnight Gang</a> tells the heartwarming and, of course, funny story of five children on a hospital ward who are on a quest for adventure. It's a tale about friendship and making dreams come true. Perfect festive reading! </p><p><em>If you're looking for your next good read, check out the range of bestsellers and classics online at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/aisle/music-film-games-books/books/1215188268219" target="_blank">Asda.com</a> or <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">in store</a>.</em></p>

8 classic Christmas kids' books that every generation loves

By Asda Good Living,9th December 2016

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