Gift Joy with Exclusive Books’ Top Picks for Young Readers this Festive Season

Gift the love of reading to the children in your life this festive season with top picks from Exclusive Books. Children and teenagers of all ages can enjoy a curated book selection in this guide, with the full Exclusive Books festive catalogue available here.

Children Aged 0 – 6

It’s a Wandaful World by Sihle Nontshokweni and Mathabo Tlali

Meet Wanda, a girl with a glorious crown of hair and a brave, tender heart. Armed with the gentle guidance of her mother and grandmother, Wanda learns to face teasing and obstacles head-on, discovering that true beauty begins with loving who she is.

This story celebrates cultural heritage, the strength of family, and the friendships that help children find their courage and shine in their own unique way.

How Many Ways Can You Say Thank You? by Refiloe Moahloli

In the earlier books, Sara explored South Africa in a hot air balloon, discovering different ways to say hello and goodbye while making friends along the way.

Now she’s back in the balloon, setting off to visit those friends once more. As they share meals and moments together, Sara learns how to say thank you and express gratitude in all of South Africa’s official languages, including sign language. Told in lively rhyming verse and brought to life with beautiful illustrations, this joyful adventure invites young readers to come along for the ride.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

A charming book and soft toy gift set from the award-winning creators of Guess How Much I Love You, perfect for sharing with someone special. “I love you right up to the moon – and back.”

This beloved story follows Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare as they play a tender game to show just how much they love one another, only to discover that love can’t easily be measured. Now a new generation can enjoy this timeless classic, beautifully paired with an adorable cuddly hare.

Children Aged 6 – 9

Ruben Namibia and Cindy by Pieter van Zyl

Namibian Ruben Lambrechts is renowned for caring for orphaned wild animals and giving them a second chance at life on his family farm. These animals are not pets, don’t live in cages, and are free to roam as nature intended.

In this collection of six children’s stories, meet Cindy the baboon, Minki and Jerry the meerkats, Betsie and Bennie the warthogs, Zoey and Neelsie the mongooses, and many more. Brought to life through photographs and illustrations, their adventures are full of warmth and wonder.

Available in both Afrikaans and English.

Thokozani the Eland by Gcina Mhlophe

Thokozani the Eland is a moving story set in the dramatic landscapes of the Drakensberg. During a time of drought and danger, young Thokozani joins other animals as a wise Giant Eagle Owl calls them together to face a growing threat.

Blending folklore, environmental themes and African spirituality, this tale celebrates unity, understanding and the power of community to restore balance.

You and Me and the Peanut-Butter Beast by Andy Griffiths

You and Me and the Peanut-Butter Beast is the second book in the action-packed, laugh-out-loud illustrated series Adventures Unlimited, from multi-million bestselling author Andy Griffiths, creator of the Treehouse series, with illustrations by Bill Hope.

In this wild adventure, a simple discovery turns into something far more dangerous when a deep hole leads to a mysterious cave and the legendary Peanut-Butter Beast. What follows is one of the duo’s most daring escapades yet, filled with chaos, surprises and plenty of laughs, as the story dives deeper and deeper into trouble.

Children Aged 9 – 12

Duistermaan by Jaco Jacobs

Dennis moves with his parents to a remote stall in the Drakensberg, owned by his Aunt Freek, who keeps a curious collection of animals – none stranger than a gray wolf named Bruno. When the neighbour’s alpacas are found dead, rumours of a “Wolfman” begin to spread. Then Dennis finds an old cell phone in his room with a chilling message, and he must uncover the truth before whatever lurks in the dark strikes again.

Santa & Son by David Walliams

From the number one king of comedy, David Walliams, comes his first festive caper, bursting with laugh-out-loud action set in the world’s most famous toy shop.

On Christmas Eve, a daring robbery is underway, with the shop’s Santa and his son trapped inside with the villains. Armed with nothing but the toys around them, the pair must think fast and fight back using pogo sticks, bouncy balls, remote-controlled helicopters, bubble guns, slime, slinkies and stink bombs.

Santa & Son is a fast-paced, funny and heartwarming Christmas adventure for the whole family, and a story destined to become a festive favourite.

Which Way to the Future by Cressida Cowell

From the bestselling author of How to Train Your Dragon comes the thrilling conclusion to a spectacular new trilogy, packed with adventure, space travel, and forbidden magic.

On the small, green planet Earth, long thought to be free of magic, five children secretly possess extraordinary Magical Gifts – powers the universe has never seen before. Two of them, however, have yet to discover their true potential.

As Mabel and Izzabird uncover their Gifts, they must face bounty hunters, a cunning witch, and three perilous tasks. Along the way, they will discover what it truly means to be a hero in an adventure that spans the stars.

Teens and Young Adults

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

A gripping new YA thriller from the bestselling, award-winning author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Eighteen-year-old Bel has spent her life in the shadow of her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished, and Bel was the only witness. Rachel was presumed dead—until now.

When the Price family agrees to a true crime documentary, Bel hopes filming will be over quickly so she can return to normal life. But everything changes when Rachel Price suddenly reappears, turning Bel’s world upside down forever.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

From the bestselling author of All the Bright Places comes a dark academia thriller about the monsters who walk among us, even in the glittering heights of society.

At an elite New England boarding school, a dead teacher sets off a chain of suspicion. Four students had every reason to want her gone – but who is truly the monster?

Eight students are chosen for an exclusive storytelling workshop with the enigmatic Meredith Graffam, held at the isolated estate of the school’s founder, surrounded by snowy woods and stormy seas. Only one will leave with a life-changing opportunity to pursue their creative dreams.

As Graffam’s unorthodox methods push the students to their limits, secrets are exposed, risks are taken, and alliances begin to crumble. But no one expected the students to turn on Graffam herself…

Every Spiral of Fate by Tahereh Mafi

The highly anticipated fourth book in Tahereh Mafi’s Woven Kingdom series is a romantasy packed with magic, danger, and heart-stopping romance.

On the day of a magical wedding, Alizeh must navigate a deadly prophecy that could see her killing the man she loves, while Cyrus struggles with a blood oath that binds him to his bride-to-be. As enemies close in, the pair, along with allies, embark on a perilous dragon-backed journey, uncovering secrets, testing loyalties, and discovering powers that could change everything.

Spiraling with impossible choices, devastating love, and breathtaking magic, Every Spiral of Fate pushes the saga to dazzling new heights.