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, Christmas Eve...

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It's Christmas Eve, everyone! If you've read any or all our festive book recommendations, thank you, I hope you've enjoyed and found some new books to share at Christmas time.

Our final recommendation is an oldie but a goodie: Clement C. Moore's classic poem from 1822 originally titled 'A Visit from St. Nicholas'.

As the introduction to this edition states 'One reason Moore's poem has endured is that it is a joy to read aloud.

Beginning in hushed suspense, the poem builds to a dramatic crescendo as the rollicking verses usher in

the mysterious midnight visitor', truly I could not put it better myself.

This poem and this edition with unbelievably atmospheric illustrations is THE Christmas book.

The only danger of sharing this story with your smalls before bed on Christmas Eve is that they might not sleep with excitement and anticipation.

Despite the situation we find ourselves this year, all of us at Hitchin Library wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

For festive cheer over the Christmas period, please visit us on Facebook/Twitter @hitchinlibrary

We hope to see you in 2021.

Book featured The Night Before Christmas written by Clement C. Moore and illustrated by Christian Birmingham (Harper Collins Children's Books)

This book can be reserved for free from Hertfordshire Libraries here