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, Monday, December 7...

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Our next recommendation, Refuge, is a story about the kindness of strangers when it is most needed.

An incredibly moving and timeless retelling of the traditional Christmas story, which highlights the

ongoing refugee crisis.

This publication, which supported the charity War Child, is an important book for the festive season.

There is joy aplenty to be found in all the trimmings and trappings of Christmas, but the greatest joy of all is to be found in offering kindness, especially to strangers or those in need and this book captures the essence of this perfectly.

Book featured: Refuge by Anne Booth, illustrated by Sam Usher (Nosy Crow)

This book can be reserved for free from Hertfordshire Libraries here