In a bid to encourage reading, Hitchin Library have teamed up with Nub News for a 'Countdown to Christmas' list with a daily recommendation of a festive book favourite.

Library boss Rebekah Nicolas will offer a daily book choice for the festive season.

Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a wide range of words. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read.

Learning to read is also about listening and understanding, as well as working out what's printed on the page.

So, read on for Hitchin Library's festive favourite for today, Wednesday, December 23.

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recommendation is a must read for today.

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The book is set in Santa's Grotto where Santa exclaims at how much work is still to do and hurries his very busy elves along.

Kes Gray's trademark rhymes really build up the hurried atmosphere as Santa panics that there's something he is forgetting, the elves are taking care of the gifts, the reindeers are awake and refuelling, the sleigh is in mint condition and the sat-nav is set, so what could Santa be forgetting…?

All is revealed on the final page and it is certain to make the grown-ups smile as well as the little ones too. Published this year is a follow up to this Christmas offering from the same duo: The Night After Christmas, which is just as excellent.

Book featured The Night Before the Night Before Christmas written and illustrated by Kes Gray and Claire Powell (Hodder Children's Books)

This book can be reserved for free from Hertfordshire Libraries here