Any one who knows me knows that I am a big one to give books for Christmas. I believe that books can become our friends and that a well loved book is a happy book. So in the spirit of Christmas I give you 25 days of Christmas books.
Now some are for younger children and some are for old children. All of these can be checked out at your local library or can be bought from Amazon. Com. I have tried to give you a synopsis of each book so you can see which ones you and your children will like. So snuggle up next to your Christmas tree and read to your children or have your children read to you.
My Christmas Scratch and Sniff Book
By Editors of Kingfisher
This is a board book that has five festive fragrances to scratch and sniff: gingerbread, pine, orange, chocolate, and peppermint. This delightful book introduces very young children to Christmas traditions. From delicious treats to eat, such as gingerbread houses, candy canes, and Christmas cookies, to presents under the Christmas tree and in a stocking, this book will help children learn holiday vocabulary, recognize festive symbols, and develop their sense of smell.
Carl's Christmas
By Alexandra Day
This book is great for the dog lovers in your family, "Carl the big black dog is babysitting once again, this time on Christmas Eve while his owners go to church. The canine and his charge have a wonderful time. Let the adventures begin.
The Christmas Bears
By Chris Conover
Christmas is coming, and there's a lot to be done, from baking cookies to sending out cards to decorating the tree. Ma, Pa, and their seven cubs take their preparations most seriously, for on Christmas Eve, Pa has a very important job to do. He loads the toys from his workshop into a sleigh and takes off to deliver them all over the world!.
The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.
The Nutcracker
by John Cech
Cech bases his version on E.T.A. Hoffman's original, which features not only the story familiar to all ballet lovers, but other wondrous adventures'including the tale of Princess Pirlipat and an explanation of the origins of the Nutcracker himself.
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
By Clement C. Moore
Clement Clarke Moore's popular ode to Christmas Eve comes to life.
The Little Drummer Boy Board Book
By Ezra Jack Keats
This is the story of the Christmas Song and the little drummer boy.
Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star
Written and illustrated by Petr Horacek
Suzy Goose is one brave and determined goose, but as she learns in this gentle adventure story set on Christmas Eve, not everything is as it seems. Suzy and her feathered and furry friends have a beautifully decorated tree, but it's missing a star on top, "just like that bright one in the sky," Suzy says. "I will get it." So begins a lesson in trial and error, as well as in perspective ' something Petr Horacek, a precise writer and lovely painter, knows all about.
The Christmas Magic
By Lauren Thompson, Illustrated by Jon J. Muth
It's that time of year when "Santa feels a tingling in his whiskers." The only characters are Santa and his reindeer, though equal billing should go to his impressive set of whiskers that seem to stand at attention. No department store Santa could look as magical.
Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting
By Jim Murphy
One of the most fascinating slices of World War I history is that of the unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914. Opposing armies in trenches so close that British soldiers could hear the singing of German Christmas carols defied orders, stopped fighting for one day and exchanged gifts in No Man's Land after the bodies were cleared away. Jim Murphy's illustrated history describes a "Christmas miracle," avoids any sugar-coating in the larger context about a "deadly" and "senseless" war and ends with tantalizing "what if" questions.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
By L. Frank Baum
A wonderful fantasy novel that describes the origins of Santa Claus, written by the author of the children's classic The Wizard of Oz. The novel follows Santa from an abandoned baby taken in and raised by fairies to the jolly old St. Nick we know today. This book is a perfect Christmas gift for the avid reader on your list.
The Little Match Girl
By Hans Christian Andersen
The tragic story of a little girl all alone at Christmas time and the visions she has a better world beyond this one. The ending of Andersen's Christmas classic may be too harsh for younger children but can teach a valuable lesson to older ones and adults too, when the commercialism of Christmas seems to be taking over.
Christmas in the Big Woods
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
This short tale from the famed "Little House" series focuses on Laura's winter in Wisconsin and how she helps her family get ready for Christmas. This version, illustrated by Renée Graef, is an adaptation for the original series aimed for younger children, but it will be loved and enjoyed by all.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
By Dr. Seuss
This tale of a hard-hearted Grinch, who learns the true meaning of Christmas, had been a holiday favorite since it was first published in 1957. Written in Dr. Seuss's unmistakable style, this classic is one to be enjoyed over and over!
The Teacher's Night before Christmas
By Stephen Lane
This entertaining story is a story that will become a favorite of harried teachers as they prepare for this holiday. It is a teacher-oriented adaptation for Moore's tale and is sure to be a read-aloud favorite in those last few days of school before the holidays.
A Wish for Wings That Work
By Berkeley Breathed
A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story tells a delightful tale of a penguin whose one wish is that he can fly. Through a series of misadventures on Christmas Eve, Santa grants him that wish and this little guy not only gets his wish, he gets to save Christmas as well. This story is a refreshing take on the traditional Christmas story and will give readers and listeners a new "must-read" favorite to add to a long list of books holiday books.
Baboushka and the Three Kings
By Ruth Robbins
The Russian folktale about an old woman's endless search for the Christ child.
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
Written and Illustrated by Robert Barry
"Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree came by special delivery. Full and fresh and glistening green. The biggest tree he'd ever seen." That was the trouble. The tree was so tall, it couldn't stand up straight in his parlor. Mr. Willowby asked his butler to chop off the top of the tree. What happens to the treetop? Where will it be for Christmas? Snuggle up with this story and follow along through a forest full of friendly creatures who get to share in a bit of Christmas joy.
The Christmas Candle
By Richard Evans
On a snowy Christmas Eve, a young man named Thomas on his way home for a family celebration realizes that the candle in his lantern is about to expire. He stops in a chandler's shop filled with fantastic wax creations, but instead of admiring them Thomas scorns the chandler for wasting his time on sculptures that will only melt. The mysterious old chandler sells him a special Christmas candle. Back on the bitterly cold street, the young man is accosted by an old beggar woman. When he lifts his lantern to get a better look, the candlelight reveals that she is his mother. He gives her his cloak and only then sees the truth: She is not his mother after all, but a stranger. The candle tricks him again before he reaches home, cold and penniless, but richer for his newfound realization that we are all part of one family.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Jonathan, the best woodcarver in the valley, keeps to himself and never smiles or laughs. Then one day he has visitors, and the quiet request of one of them, a small boy, changes everything. Where Is Christmas, Jesse Bear? Jesse Bear is looking for Christmas. And he finds it everywhere--when trimming the tree, baking cookies, and going ice-skating in the park. But Jesse Bear feels Christmas most of all when he's with his family on Christmas Eve, and tucked in his bed waiting for Santa! Merry Christmas, Jesse Bear! The Legend of the Poinsettia Tomie dePaola retells the Mexican legend of how the poinsettia came to be. It's a beautiful tale certain to please, with beautiful full-color illustrations. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story Dream Snow In this musical and sound effects book, a farmer celebrates Christmas after the first snowfall. When he awakens from a Christmas Eve dream about a snowstorm, the farmer discovers that it has really snowed. Putting on his red suit, he goes outside, puts gifts under the Christmas tree for his animals, and presses a button near the tree, creating a most surprising musical treat for children everywhere. Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner? This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family over for Christmas dinner. There's Uncle Alfred, the inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga the opera singer; eight young children, including Baby Willie; even a polar bear named Oscar. With a family like this, mayhem is bound to follow, From a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant to the meal itself, it's a wild affair. But in the spirit of the season, everyone has a wonderful time, even the frazzled hosts.
By Nancy White Carlstrom
By Tomie dePaola
By Houston, Gloria McLendonOn the night before Christmas, Ruthie and her mama climbed the rocky craigs of Pine Grove to keep the promise Ruthie's papa had made before he was called to war, to give the town its traditional Christmas tree.
By Eric Carle
By Tomie dePaola
Editor's Note: Is one of your favorite Christmas books missing? Post it here!
About The Author: Debra Frick is a mother of 5 and a grandmother to 8 grandsons and one granddaughter. She is a published author and poetress. Recycling and saving money are her passions. She also loves crocheting and cooking. She is also a pet rescue volunteer and has many pets of her own.
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Book, audio book, or any of the many movie versions or TV versions is a must! :-)
I just want to add two to your list:
December by Eve Bunting (about a boy and his mother who live in cardboard box on a city street. They prove themselves worthy of a better future when they share the little they have with an old woman).
The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills: I share this touching story with my student each year. It never mentions Christmas but it illustrates what sharing and tolerance really mean.
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