In this morning’s edition of Reading Corner, I mention that one of my favorite holiday picture books ever is Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day. And of course, I will always love my family’s (now nearly fallen-apart) pop-up version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas!
What are your favorite holiday children’s books? Let us know in the comments section of this post.
My favorite children’s Christmas book is Tasha Tudor’s The Night Before Christmas. This book was read to my children every Christmas Eve and they’ve continued the tradition with their children.
I have so many favorites! I love The Last Straw by Thury and the Cobweb Christmas and Why Christmas trees aren’t perfect. All are stories about giving and sharing and reaching out to others, yet are light with a touch of whimsy.
One of my favorite books to read at Christmas is William Joyce’s Santa Calls. I get goose bumps every time I read the part when Art feels something inside of him and decides to save Esther. I get them again when I read Esther’s letter to Santa and his letter of reply.
My children always loved The Sweet Smell of Christmas (a scented storybook) by Patricia M. Scarry best. I am fond of the more serious, The Christmas Candle, and I love the new, Christmas is Here adapted from the King James Bible. Of course, Clement C. Moore’s, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” is the ultimate classic, secular Christmas tale.
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and Barbara Cooney.
I concur with LuAnne. She beat me to it.
I also have several favorites but two come to mind right away, The Small Miracle by Peter Collington (now out of print) and Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble (recently reprinted).
Favorite is Cynthia Rylant’s Children of Christmas which is a group of short stories. I so enjoyed reading them to my 5th grade class and the thoughtful silence that followed the reading of “For Being Good”. Often they made ‘little books’ illustrating each story and condensing.
Christmas is Here by Lauren Castillo
The Story of Holly and Ivy (already mentioned–made my second graders cry this year)
Julie Vivas’s The Nativity
Lisbeth Zwerger’s The Night Before Christmas
Silver Packages Rylant/Soentpiet
A Christmas Like Helen’s Kinsey-Warnock/Azarian
Under the Christmas Angel Grimes/Nelson
Elijah’s Angel Rosen/Robinson (LOVE LOVE)
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree Houston/Cooney
The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry (already mentioned) can always take you right there to that Christmas feeling. In addition to the wonderful Tasha Tudor christmas books I love The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
This may seem corny but my all time Christmas favorite is the Dr Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Whether you read it to children or you read it as an adult it will move you every time
My kids love Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera–it’s especially fun to read out loud.
“The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” by Gloria Houston.
From Publishers Weekly
The Armistice has been declared, but still there is no sign of Ruthie’s father in their little Appalachian town. So, in accordance with the traditions of Pine Grove, it falls to Ruthie and her mother to bring home the perfect Christmas tree to donate to the town. Ruthie had accompanied her father to the rocky cliff where he marked a tree in the spring, so she and her mother set out to find it again, and haul it home. Their trip becomes the basis overnight of a new town legend; Ruthie, chosen for the role of the heavenly angel in the the church Christmas play, finds herself outfitted in a madeover wedding dress of the finest silkanother “miracle” wrought by her hardworking mother. An accomplished, fluid telling garnishes this simple story, as do Cooney’s moonlit paintings of wintry evenings and the welcoming glow of fire and lanterns. Ruthie is more or less an observer; her mother is the real heroine. But the way they work together to keep their family’s duty is rendered in a harmonious blending of text and pictures. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
the review says ages 4-8 but I think it is appealing to all ages. I cannot read it outloud without getting teary-eyed.
My all time favorite will always be How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.
I’m a big fan of Santa Cows by Cooper Edens. Read my review here:
http://thecathinthehat.blogspot.com/2010/12/santa-cow-cheer.html
Carl’s Christmas is on my list, too!! Here are the rest of my Top Ten Christmas books:
http://greatbooksforkidsandteens.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-ten-childrens-christmas-books.html
Sue
My favorite is The Thanksgiving Coat by Elizabeth A. Hoadley. It’s a great book in teaching values and lessons for giving to others, especially in the holiday season!
My favorite is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. I haved loved this book since I was a child, and now as a teacher, I like to use it with my students. It is humorous, yet teaches children a valuable lesson.
I have many favorite Christmas stories, including the above-mentioned ” The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree,” with its beautiful Barbara Cooney illustrations.
“A Child Is Born”,adapted from the New Testament by Elizabeth Winthrop and
illus.by Charles Micolaycak, Holiday House, 1983, is my favorite version of the
nativity. It was the first to show shepherds and holy family who truly looked
like they could have come from Judea 2000 years ago.
Patricia Polacco’s “The Trees of the Dancing Goats” copyright 1996, Simon &
Schuster and “Uncle Vova’s Tree” copyright 1989, Philomel Books, both also in paperback, reflect her grandparents’ Russian and Ukranian, Jewish and
Orthodox Christian heritage in their colorful clothing, customs and traditions.
Read well to yourself before reading aloud to others; “Uncle Vova’s Tree ” chokes me up every time.
“Christmas in Noisy Village” by Astrid Lindgren and Ilon Wickland, is short, colorful, and fun to share with young children. Set in three neighboring farms in Sweden, it was a Picture Puffin paperback,first published in the U.K., in 1961.
my school library in Michigan once had a hardcover.
Another old treasure is Helen Hoover’s “Great Wolf and the Good Woodsman”.
I love reading Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki. While it’s not a new one An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco was a new read for me this year and is now on my favorites list.
I grew up with “The Christ Child” illustrated by Maud and Miska Petersham, with the Bible story told in text from the King James Bible. The illustrations are beautiful and the book was a favorite. A much more modern favorite is “The Polar Express” by Chris VanAllsburg which captures the spirit of Christmas but not on the religious level.
Eloise At Christmastime: Kay Thompson & Hillary Knight!
My all time favorite Christmas book is the one that has been literally handed down through the generations
in our family. It is The Night Before Christmas and even though the book itself is old and tattered, it is
still being read to my grandchildren every Christmas Eve.
My all time favorite Christmas book is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Ebeneezer Scrooge regained the joy and love of Christmas time after three spirits visited him and showed him the error of his ways. This timeless story serves as a reminder to everyone the true purpose of this most festive holiday season.
The Christmas Croc. illustated by David Small.
We have been reading this book as a family for years. we keep a stuffed croc around to go with the book which is charming funny smart beautiful joyful and a party within its pages.
Most beautiful Christmas book This is the Star. The pictures take your breath away.
Wow! I am amazed at so many titles of books I’m unaware of, but will put them on my list for next year’s Christmas readings. I have a few favorites of my own: The Gift of the Magi, The House without a Christmas Tree, The Animals’ Christmas Eve, The Mole Family’s Christmas, Welcome Comfort and so many more…Happy New Year and happy reading to all!
my two favorite christmas stories are:
mortimer’s christmas manger
mr willowbys christmas tree
both remind us of the reason for the season without hitting us over the head with a hammer.
i LOVE them!