An Anthology of Christmas by Auriol Bishop – A Festive Book to Return to Year After Year
Some books are just for Christmas. Not the sort you read once and forget, but the kind that quietly wait all year until December arrives – ready to be rediscovered, talked about, and loved all over again.
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An Anthology of Christmas by Auriol Bishop, published by DK, is very much that kind of book.
Where to Buy
You can find An Anthology of Christmas here:
As someone who has always loved seasonal books, this one immediately earned its place in our Christmas collection.
A Christmas Reading Tradition in Our Home
When I was younger, receiving a new festive book at Christmas felt incredibly special. Later, when I was teaching, I built up a collection of seasonal titles to share with my classes. Now, with my daughter Floss, those books form part of our family’s rhythm of the year.
On 1st December, our Christmas books come back out for their turn to shine. It’s a much-anticipated moment – one that marks the start of a slower, cosier season of reading together.
An Anthology of Christmas fits beautifully into that tradition and being new release for 2025 one that won’t necessarily be a title families already have, so ideal for gifting.
What Is An Anthology of Christmas?
This book is part of DK’s much-loved Children’s Anthologies series, which brings together nature, folklore, history, and storytelling in a format that encourages curiosity and conversation.
Rather than following a single story, the book is made up of short, themed double-page spreads, each exploring something we commonly associate with Christmas.
Topics include:
- Seasonal plants such as holly, mistletoe, pine, and Christmas cactus
- Animals linked to winter and festive folklore, including robins, reindeer, penguins, goats, and spiders
- Food traditions like fruits and nuts
- Symbols such as the Yule log, Star of Bethlehem, and the North Pole
- Festive stories and traditions from across Europe and beyond
This structure makes it ideal for dipping in and out, rather than reading cover to cover in one sitting.
A Strong Nature Focus – Which We Loved!
For us, the strongest part of this anthology is its nature-led approach. Many of the spreads focus on flora and fauna, which makes the book especially appealing if you:
- enjoy nature study
- follow seasonal learning
- home educate
- or simply love noticing the natural world alongside festive traditions
The spreads on holly, robins, and fruits and nuts were particular favourites here. They combine clear explanations with folklore, gentle storytelling, and beautiful imagery – without overwhelming young readers. The double spread for each item/ animal make it the perfect bite-size read at breakfast or during a mid-morning snack time.
Robins and holly, in particular, are symbols that always signal Christmas to me, so it was lovely to see them explored in a way that feels both informative and magical.
Cultural Stories and Folklore
One of the things I appreciated most about this book is how it widens the lens of what Christmas looks like.
Alongside familiar British traditions, there are stories and beliefs from other countries – including one of our favourite Ukrainian Christmas stories, which was a real highlight for us.
If you haven’t heard the story of Tinsel and the Christmas Spider you really must check it out. I’ve got a free audio download of the story that you can find here.
These inclusions open the door to conversations about:
- how different cultures celebrate
- why certain symbols appear across countries
- and how stories travel and evolve over time
It’s subtle, respectful, and thoughtfully done.
Design & Presentation – A True Gift Book
As you’d expect from DK, the physical design of this book is beautiful.
Notable features include:
- a sturdy hardback cover
- rich festive colours
- elegant illustrations and photography
- decorative endpapers
- and a ribbon bookmark
It feels like a proper keepsake book – one that looks just as good displayed on a shelf or table as it does being read.
This is the sort of book that works equally well as:
- a family Christmas book
- a gift for a child aged around 7+
- or a shared read-aloud for younger children or a class with an adult
How We Use This Book
We don’t rush through this book. Instead, we:
- read a spread at a time – going off on oodles of tangents as we find out new facts or reminisce on our own experiences as we read together
- come back to favourite pages
- link topics to walks/ nature finds, crafts, or seasonal observations
- and it’s one we will revisit each and every year
Because the content isn’t tied to a single narrative, it stays fresh – even after repeated readings. I think it will act very much like the nature curriculum we follow – Exploring Nature with Children – in that it is cyclic. Each year you look at the same topic but from a different angle as your knowledge expands.
That’s what makes An Anthology of Christmas such a strong addition to a seasonal library.
Is An Anthology of Christmas Worth Buying?
If you’re looking for:
- a Christmas book that grows with your child
- a nature-rich festive read
- something to return to year after year
- or a thoughtful Christmas gift that isn’t disposable
…then yes, this is absolutely worth adding to your collection.
It’s not loud or gimmicky. Instead, it’s calm, curious, and quietly festive – the kind of book that becomes part of your family’s seasonal rhythm.
Where to Buy
You can find An Anthology of Christmas here:
Disclosure
This book was kindly sent to us for review. This post may contain affiliate links. Please always check suitability for your own family, and enjoy books together with adult support where appropriate.