Do you have a list of your most beloved Christmas books?
If you are still collecting some favorites, Jessica has some wonderful stories to share with us today!
During the Christmas season, there is nothing I love more than snuggling down with my girls under a down comforter in front of the fireplace and reading some wonderful books. The following are my favorite picks for the holiday season. They are books that delight the senses: the ears and the eyes, not to mention the fact that many of them will make your mouth water. Some of them are books that remind me so much of my own childhood that I sometimes find it painful to reopen their pages, as they reopen my soul to memories that, though long lost, are still so vivid and bright they blind me for a few moments.
Reading with your kids creates just such memories for them. God willing, their childhood memories will sparkle and shine in their future minds. Like glittery snow falling slowly through the sky in a snowglobe. – This post contains affiliate links
- The Night Before Christmas: When I think of Christmases past, I often recall my mom reading from one lovely book, The Night before Christmas illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa. One of my most treasured books, it looks out over my Christmases past and future. You must share it with your children. It will color their imaginations forever more.
- Snow: A book as fun as coasting downhill on some well-packed snow, without the effort of having to walk back up the hill.
- Welcome, Winter, Welcome!: My oldest absolutely adored this book, produced exclusively for the Gap around 2005. It was the first book that she learned to pretend read:). The pages are very welcoming for little hands (each page is covered with one illustrated word or phrase; i.e. “Sparkly trees.” The glittering trees, rising up off the page, just ask to be touched). Some copies are still available on ebay.
- Merry Christmas, Curious George: “Monka George” is a huge favorite in our house. This Christmas book is especially fun. And what child doesn’t identify with George and his sense of mischief?
- Splendiferous Christmas (Fancy Nancy): “Hancy Fancy” is another favorite in our house. She has such a sense of vim and vigor that her books are hard to put down. And this book teaches the lesson that sometimes the things we make, rather than buy, can have the most meaning, an important lesson in this season of giving and getting.
- My Christmas Treasury (A little golden book): This one’s an oldie. But you can find it on Amazon and eBay. It is so lovely. It blends the secular and the spiritual (for those interested in books targeted more toward the religious tenor of the holiday). I actually created an entire play around this book one year when I was a kid, with each of my cousins and my brother forced to play a particular role. They loved it (tongue firmly in cheek). Now to find pictures;)…
- A Christmas Carol: For older children, Charles Dickens’ classic is a win. He manages to seamlessly blend a ghost story with a message of giving and living in the moment that still resonates today.
- A Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film: Jean Shepherd is a masterful storyteller and this collection of short stories will make older kids – and you – laugh. Uproariously.
- The Polar Express: My kids love this book, and the movie. I have to admit that I find the movie a little strange and unsettling, but they adore it. The book is also beautifully done. The illustrations alone are worth the price of admission.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! : This book has to be last. Because it is so beautifully illustrated and its message so poignant, it deserves that position. Share the book with your kids. It is so much better than the Jim Carrey debacle that made the big screen. This Grinch will make their hearts melt.
Bio: Jessica writes over at The Owl’s Skull! She always loves seeing new faces and hearing from new visitors!
Lauren Tamm says
We have essentially no Christmas books in our home. My personal favorite on this list is a Christmas Story. We love watching that movie around here, so the book would be a perfect fit. Have a great thanksgiving, Jessica and Paula too ;)
Lauren
Jessica says
Thanks for having me, Paula!! Also, Lauren, I hope you like the books. Have a great holiday season! Jess
Donella Crigger says
One of our favorites is The Animals’ Christmas Eve. It tells the story of Jesus’s birth through the eyes of the animals that were in the stables where He lay…as passed down through generations to the other animals. It’s super cute.
Jennifer says
We love The a Sweet Smelks of Christmas by Patricia Scarry. A very sweet book my Mom read to me as a little girl and I now read to my children. It has scratch and sniff pages…so fun!
Jennifer says
Oops…Sweet Smells
Jessica says
These are great suggestions guys! I will definitely add them to our list:). Jess