Children's books that they will treasure for years to come

The Hatchards Children's Book Subscription

Our first pick isn't a specific book, but rather an essential service all parents, aunties and uncles and godparents should know about: Hatchards, London booksellers since 1797, have a dedicated children's book department with everything from new titles (The Crayons' Christmas, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, is top of our wish-list) to beautiful editions of classics (Roald Dahl's Boy and Going Solo).

The Children's Subscription (£150 per year) includes fiction and non-fiction books from newborn to young adult, and the lucky recipient gets a gorgeously wrapped book from Hatchards every month for a year. You can also tailor the subscription however you like, to focus on new releases or classics, hardbacks or picture books. If you're feeling envious of your five-year-old's post, sign up for a non-fiction, fiction, travel, artist or mixed bag subscription for yourself.

The Velveteen Rabbit, or How Toys Become Real, by Margery Williams (illustrated by William Nicholson)

The Folio Society's beautifully bound classics will be firm favourites with your children.

The Velveteen Rabbit is pure magic: written in 1922, it tells the tale of a cloth rabbit's longing to become "real."

As the Skin Horse explains: "Real isn’t how you are made... It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

Beautifully written with a wonderful message about love and life, this book is as gorgeous on the outside as it is within. Bound in blocked cloth, the book features seven colour illustrations and a hand-drawn dedication page, with an introduction by Shirley Hughes and an afterword by Marilynn Strasser Olson. The attention to detail is precise, with a rose-gold blocked slipcase based on illustrator Nicholson's endpaper rabbit pattern.

Mythologica: An encyclopedia of gods, monsters and mortals from ancient Greek, Dr. Stephen P. Kershaw (illustrated by Victoria Topping)

Greek myths continue to captivate children and adults alike (Circe, anyone?) and Mythologica is a stunningly illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology, covering gods, goddesses, monsters and mortals (in alphabetical order). Packed with fun facts. like each character's name in Greek, and their signature accessories, the book is written by esteemed classicist, Dr. Stephen Kershaw. Need-to-know tales, like the Odyssey and story of the Argonauts, are also included.

Victoria Topping's pictures jump off the page: she combines photography, painting and cut-paper collage in her electrifying imagery.

Claris, The Chicest Mouse in Paris, Megan Hess

A must for any fashion-lover, Megan Hess' foray into children's literature is just as delightful as you'd hope: she's created a chic and industrious mouse called Claris, who makes couture-like clothes out of bin bags and dreams of a life in the City of Lights. Part of the fun lies in guessing which designer Claris is wearing in her designs - from Chanel to Dior, Hess has worked with all of the greats.

The second book in the series, Claris: Fashion Show Fiasco, sees Claris embarking on her most exciting journey yet: to the front row of Paris Fashion Week.

How the Stars Came to Be, Poonam Mistry

For those who love a good folk tale, Tate Publishing's stunningly illustrated work from graphic designer Poonam Mistry is sure to captivate: each page is a kaleidoscopic, painstakingly detailed mosaic-style work of art, which takes inspiration from Hindu gods and goddesses. A lovely gift for any child who looks up at the sun, moon or stars and wonders how we're all connected.

We Are Artists: Women who made their mark on the world, Kari Herbert

The appetite for gorgeously illustrated autobiographical works is still strong for kids (and enjoyed by parents), but some of the compilations can feel a bit slapdash. Which is why We Are Artists: Women who made their mark on the world, by Kari Herbert, is such a gorgeous choice. Featuring 15 women artists from around the globe, there is plenty to discover: female painters, sculptors, printmakers, illustrators, designers and craftswomen. While the kids will recognise some - e.g. Frida Kahlo - they will delight in being exposed to new names and faces. Take Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak, for a start.

Anything by Charlie Mackesy

Vicky Cowie's rhyming books for animal-loving tots will become instant classics in your home, brought to life by Charlie Mackesy's irresistible illustrations (be sure to pick up Mackesy's bestseller, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, for your bookshelf). The rhymes will ignite the imagination but also have educational value: kids will learn about kelpies, gnomes and fairies, burrowing moles and blooming beetles. Mackesy's The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse is the kind of book you can read daily - and it will warm the heart time and time again.

Cloth Monkey, Alex Mannion

Cloth Monkey ticks every box in a children's book to treasure: it's filled with artist Alex Mannion's captivating illustrations, it tells a story of love and kindness and it touches on a real phenomenon of how sanctuary workers make cloth monkeys to help baby monkeys feel that parental bond, even in the absence of their mothers. Add in a dedication to a loved one at no extra cost.

Madame Badobedah, Sophie Dahl (illustrated by Lauren O'Hara)

Sophie Dahl's debut children's book, illustrated by Lauren O'Hara, is just bursting with creativity and wit: Madame Badobedah - rhymes with "Ooh La La" - has hair that's "red and crunchy; a toffee apple without the stickiness." With her massive trunks and beady-eyed tortoise, protagonist Mabel decides she must be a villain - a bad one - when Madame Badobedah arrives to stay at The Mermaid Hotel. Get ready to embark on an exciting imaginative journey with your little one.