A List of Our Favorite Christmas Books
Sharing a Christmas story with a child is one of the most precious holiday gifts you can give!
It creates a holiday memory that can be cherished always. A classic Christmas story given as a gift can start a new tradition for an entire family to enjoy for years to come or remind an adult of their own childhood Christmas'. Here are some of my favorite Children's Classic Christmas books that make wonderful gifts for the holiday season.
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.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Anniversary edition: A 50th Anniversary Retrospective By Dr. Suess and Charles D. CohenAnyone who grew up loving the tale of how the Grinch's heart grew three sizes on Christmas Day will be thrilled to receive this edition containing both Dr. Suess's Classic story and an in-depth essay by Cohen on all things grinchy. Fans of who-ville can read how the character of the Grinch was developed and details of the Chuck Jones animated version. A classic Christmas story for children of all ages.
A Christmas Treasury By Louisa May Alcott's Christmas Treasury
A lovely, feel-good book that should be read around the fire on Christmas Eve, with children
tucked in around you, and hot chocolate aplenty.
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.
The Nutcracker By ETA Hoffman Illustrated by Maurice Sendak
The original story behind the classic Christmas ballet is beautifully illustrated by Sendak
The book tells the tale of Marie and her nutcracker prince who is transformed by love and bravery. The Nutcracker is a gift that will hold an honored place in any Christmas library.
A Christmas Carol The Heirloom Edition By Charles Dickens
I hope you take time to read A CHRISTMAS CAROL in the original language Dickens used in the 1840's. Dickens' language remains humorous, descriptive and insightful and not inaccessible to most modern readers especially with the use of a good glossary. This is a great read aloud for families at Christmas time and also a great introduction to Dickens and other Victorian writers. Don't settle for an abridged version. Read this masterpiece the way it was intended.
A beautiful picture book for the wee little one in your life to grow up with. The book conjures visions of the perfect Christmas. This particular one had the best pictures. They are large and realistic, with beautiful with candy colors. You can imagine yourself in the scene and feel the soft fluffy snow on the ground and taste the sugar plums.
This is the type of Christmas story that makes you remember what Christmas is suppose to be all about. Very nicely done, smooth text, sure to be a Christmas regular once you have read it. The illustrations in this book are exquisite! The illustrations alone would make this book a wonderful edition to ow
An Old Fashioned Christmas Story By by James Weidman
This wonderful picture book is the perfect gift for families that can very easily become a part of your Christmas tradition.
“Author James Weidman didn't create An Old-Fashioned Christmas Story overnight...in fact, this heartwarming book took many years, rewrites, hard work and dedication. His delightful tale and amazing illustrations (yes, he did both!) are a must for anyone who wishes to capture the youthfulness of the holiday. An Old-Fashioned Christmas will be sure to delight both young and old for centuries to come.” ~Amazon Review
Christmas In the Big Woods By Laura Ingalls WilderWhat would the holidays be without a visit to the Little House series?! We spent many a holiday over the years reading this favorite story. If you are looking for the real meaning of
the holiday this wonderful story is beautifully illustrated, and focuses on many non-material aspects of the holiday. A very good message for today's kids---that there are alot of wonderful things about Christmas besides the presents. The children in my life are enchanted with this book and request it again and again!
Christmas Jars By Jason F. Wright
The review says, “you don’t have to be a Christian to love this book” and it is so true! This is a little book with a BIG message… turns the act of receiving on Christmas to one of giving back! Our savings in our “Christmas Jar” this December went towards bringing troops home to their families for the holidays.
“This is a fantastic little book with a tremendously moving story. We have bought and distributed at least a dozen copies to friends, family and strangers. The story inspires each reader to perform a specific random act of kindness (remember that term?) in the form of a Christmas Jar. Immediately after everyone in our family had read the book and checked out the true Christmas Jar stories on the Internet (don't do so until you read the book), we set up our first Christmas Jar (Chanukah Jar). Imagine, Christian or Jew, it is still a "CJ." Our CJ will be one of our "Mitzvahs" or good deeds for the 2007 holiday season. Every night when we empty our change into the jar, we contemplate who we might give it to this December. Our book gifts have sprouted other CJs and hopefully when the movie hits the theaters this fall there will be a tremendous response and many more CJs for deserving souls.” ~~Amazon Review
God Gave Us Christmas By by Lisa Tawn Bergren
“This is one of my new favorite reads for the Christmas season (or anytime, really)! IT has a sweet, warm message. I love finding books with a true Christian theme. Santa Clause and Frosty are great, and have a place in our traditions, but it's also very important to keep a focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I have read this book to 4 and 5-year-olds, who enjoyed it very much. We read it two or three times in one week! They loved it each time, and I loved reinforcing the wonderful spirit of the book. I HIGHLY recommend this for children ages 3-12 (and the adults who love them)!” ~~Amazon Review
The Gift of Magi By O. Henry, P.J. Lynch, Illustrator
The classic hardbound version is the one you want. P.J. Lynch's illustrations are exactly how my mind's eye has pictured this story for many years. It is beautiful. The story of love & selfless giving illustrated with lush style and imagination makes this book a pleasure each time I pick it up and journey into the story.
Winters Gift By Jane Monroe Donovan, also the Illustrator
“This book really deals with issues involving feeling needed, feeling abandoned, having hope, self-worth, feeling loved and significant in the world. I bought this as a "Christmastime book" even though it basically is just set in wintertime. Especially at this time of year we think of those who are alone, who feel forgotten and it is a wonderful story sharing hope and companionship. Really heartfelt. Brought a tear to my eye and my daughter really appreciated it, she is 13.” ~~flwergrl
The Polar Express By Chris Van Allsburg
This beloved story has become a holiday classic. The book, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, became a Caldecott Medal Winner soon after it was published. After the movie version came out, this beautiful tale achieved even higher status in our culture. The book is a feast for the eyes and the imagination, and the story has many wonderful themes that run through it. The themes include kindness, tolerance, friendship, determination, and acceptance of those who are different or less fortunate than ourselves.
Stranger In The Woods By Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
A beautiful photography book who’s pictures go a long way in the telling of this story. Page by page we follow the creatures as we are transported in to the woods where there is a stranger waiting. Not necessarily a Christmas book, but perfect for this time of year!
Stranger in the Woods is a beautifully photographed, captivating book that will appeal to three- ten year olds. The book was written and illustrated by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick, who are professional wildlife photographers. Younger children will enjoy their book Winter Friends, a board book, which also includes exceptional nature photography.
A Treasury of African-American Christmas Stories
by Bettye Collier-Thomas (Editor), and James Reynolds (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Company.
From the publisher: "First published in literary journals and black-owned newspapers, these stories are written by political leaders, activists, and visionaries, among them Ida B. Wells Barnett, T. Thomas Fortune, and Fannie Barrier Williams."
The Roads from Bethlehem : Christmas Literature from Writers
by Pegram Johnson (Editor) and Edna M. Troiano Editor. Westminster John Knox Press.
This book offers 100 pieces of literary writings, including Scripture, prose, and poetry from China, Syria, Great Britain, and the United States.
My Christmas Scratch and Sniff Book By Editors of Kingfisher
Our little people love this book! 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.
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