A book advent calendar gives you a story to discover during the December countdown. Choosing one is easier when you start with the reader: the characters they talk about, the subjects they follow and whether they enjoy listening, reading aloud or reading by themselves.
Numberblocks, Bluey and Football Stars each offer a collection of 24 books, but their subjects are different. This guide looks at the contents of these three calendars and the practical questions that can help you choose a gift your reader will want to open.
Numberblocks: a countdown built around numbers
The Numberblocks Advent Calendar contains 24 miniature picture books. A pocket reveals a book for each day of the countdown, with stories featuring Numberblocks characters from One to One Hundred.
The stories are based on episodes of the television programme and include counting, addition and subtraction. That makes this an option to consider for a child who already enjoys Numberblocks or likes spotting numbers in everyday life. The familiar subject gives you something specific to talk about while reading together.
You could keep the opened books in a small basket and let your child choose an earlier favourite to revisit. There is no need to turn the calendar into a daily maths test: follow the story and the questions your child wants to ask. Choose it for their interest in the characters and number adventures.
Bluey: familiar characters in 24 mini books
The Bluey Awesome Advent Book Bundle includes 24 mini books featuring Bluey, Bingo and their friends. The collection combines stories, activities and illustrations, with a book revealed behind a door each day.
For a reader who regularly asks for Bluey stories, the main attraction is straightforward: the calendar gives them more time with familiar characters. Before buying, think about whether they would enjoy sharing the books with someone or choosing them for their own reading time.
The mini-book format also matters. If you are comparing this calendar with an ordinary Bluey book collection, check the product contents rather than assuming the books are the same editions or size. For someone who already owns Bluey books, looking through the product images and description is a useful step before choosing.
Football Stars: player stories with an audio option
The Football Stars Advent Calendar by Luke Paton and Harry Meredith contains 24 player books. The line-up includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Braut Haaland, Alessia Russo, Aitana Bonmati and many more names from the men’s and women’s game.
Each book comes with a free audiobook of the player’s full story, according to the product description. That gives the recipient an additional way to explore the stories. Check the instructions supplied with the calendar for how to access the audio.
This is worth considering for a reader whose interest starts with players and football. You might choose a favourite player’s story to revisit after opening it, or talk about which names are already familiar. For reading beyond the countdown, our guide to football books for children explores other collections.
Three questions to ask before choosing
- Which subject will they choose for themselves? Number adventures, Bluey characters and football players offer three clear starting points. Their existing interests are more useful than choosing only by the size of the box.
- How will they enjoy the books? Plan for shared reading, independent reading or, with Football Stars, the included audio option. A reading routine should fit the family.
- What exactly is included? These three products contain books. Always check the individual description when comparing other advent calendars, as calendar contents and formats vary.
Make room for the books after December
The countdown provides a way to introduce the collection; the books can then join the reader’s shelf. Set aside somewhere to keep them together as they are opened. That makes it easier to find favourites without keeping every book in its original pocket or behind its door.
Start with the subject your reader enjoys, then follow the product link to check the full details and images. Numberblocks, Bluey and Football Stars offer different routes into a December reading routine, so the most useful choice is the one that suits the person receiving it.
