Christmas

My children, even the teenagers, re-read these books every year.  We put them away at the beginning of Epiphany and only pull them out at the beginning of Advent, and the family is always overjoyed to see them again.  On St. Nicholas' Day every year, I give them a new Christmas book. For those of you in the United States, you should be able to find these at your local libraries.  For those overseas, it may be hard to access as easily.  I would be glad to give you my top recommendations based on your ages of children if you can only purchase a couple. 

HAPPY READING!

A

  • Anno, Mitsumasa

    • Anno’s Journey
      There are several Anno books. Most are wordless and the reader has to find Anno in various landscapes—very fun even for young children.
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

B

  • Beskow, Elsa
     All I’ve read of hers are great

    • Children of the Forest
      all I’ve read of hers are great
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Peter's Old House
      all I’ve read of hers are great
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Pelle’s New Suit
      all I’ve read of hers are great
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Brett, Jan

    • A Christmas Treasury
      This includes most of her great stories with their gorgeous, lush illustrations; you can easily find many of her individual books.
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Brown, Margaret Wise

    • The Little Fur Family
      A house favorite
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Brumbeau, Jeff

    • The Quiltmaker’s Gift
      Phenomenal illustrations
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

C

  • Cannon, Janell

    • Verdi
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Stellaluna
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Caseley, Judith

    • Mama Coming and Going
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Collington, Peter

    • A Small Miracle
      Wordless Christmas story—a family favorite
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Cooney, Barbara

    • Basket Moon
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

D

  • DePaola, Tomie

    • The Clown of God
      Great illustrator; many Christian themes and saints’ stories
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Pascual and the Kitchen Angels
      Great illustrator
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • The Holy Twins
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland
      Great illustrator
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • The Night of Las Posadas
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • DeRico, Ul

    • The Rainbow Goblins
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

G

  • Gilman, Phoebe

    • Something From Nothing
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

H

  • Haas, Irene

    • The Maggie B
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Hall, Donald

    • The Ox-Cart Man
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Hissey, Jane

    • Little Bear’s Trousers
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Hoban, Russell
    • The Frances Books

      • Bedtime for Frances
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

      • A Birthday for Frances
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

      • A Baby Sister for Frances
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1
  • Hobbie, Holly

    • Toot & Puddle
      The Toot and Puddle series is good, but these are our favorites
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Wish You Were You Here
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Hughes, Shirley
      A house favorite—author and illustrator

    • All About Alfie
      This is a compilation of Alfie stories. They also are published individually as Alfie Gets in First, Alfie’s Feet, Alfie Gives a Hand, and An Evening With Alfie or individual stories.
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Dogger
      Had to read this one every night for weeks.
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Alfie Wins a Prize
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • The Big Alfie and Annie Rose Storybook
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Tales of Trotter Street
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Alfie and the Birthday Surprise
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

I

  • Iwamura, Kazuo
     For young children—cozy family stories and illustrations

    • The 14 Forest Mice and the Summer Laundry Day
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

    • The 14 Forest Mice and the Winter Sledding Day
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

    • The 14 Forest Mice and the Spring Meadow Picnic
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

J

  • Johnson, Crockett

    • Harold and the Purple Crayon
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Johnston, Tony

    • Yonder
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

K

  • Krauss, Ruth

    • A Hole is to Dig
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

L

  • Lasker, Joe

    • A Tournament of Knights
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Lewis, C.S.
     All of his books as soon as children can read them, esp. The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce (L4)

    • The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Lindvall, Ella K.
    • Read Aloud Bible Stories

      • Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 1
        These are great for young children, ages 2-5
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

      • Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 2
        These are great for young children, ages 2-5
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

      • Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 3
        These are great for young children, ages 2-5
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

      • Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 4
        These are great for young children, ages 2-5
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

      • Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 5
        These are great for young children, ages 2-5
        Gender: Both
        Level: 1

M

  • McCloskey, Robert

    • Lentil
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Make Way for Ducklings
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • One Morning in Maine
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Blueberries for Sal
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Milne, A.A.

    • Pooh's Library: Winnie-The-Pooh
      Certainly this is one of the best children’s books of all time. Make sure to read the real version, not just all the picture book selections. The whole family can enjoy the different levels of humor.
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

O

  • Oram, Hiawyn

    • Badger’s Bring Something Party
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

P

  • Pearl S. Buck

    • Christmas Day in the Morning
      A boy gives his father a gift of service--beautiful
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Peet, Bill

    • Chester, the Worldly Pig
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Philbrick, Margaret

    • Back to the Manger
      Lovely Christmas story with great local (Chicago) references & illus.
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

R

  • Robinson, Joan

    • Teddy Robinson
      An easy chapter book—a house favorite
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2
  • Rylant, Cynthia

    • Let's Go Home
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

S

  • Steig, William

    • Dr. DeSoto
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • The Library
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

    • Brave Irene
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2

T

  • Thayer, Jane

    • The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy
      Precious story
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Tudor, Tasha
     Mostly known for her lovely illustrations

    • A Time to Keep
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

    • A Doll's Christmas
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

    • Wings from the Wind
      An anthology of poems
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

    • Pumpkin Moonshine
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1, 2, 3, 4

W

  • Wells, Rosemary

    • My Very First Mother Goose
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Wheeler, Lisa

    • Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Wildsmith, Brian

    • Joseph
      A beautifully illus. retelling of the story of Joseph and his brothers
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1
  • Wood, Audrey and Don

    • Elbert’s Bad Word
      Great story, and they never tell you the bad word—yea!
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1

    • King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub
      Gender: Both
      Level: 1