Wednesday, December 1, 2010

For your Christmas Story Collection...

Happy December first! There are so many magical things this time of year. We're getting out twinkle lights, turning on merry tunes, telling our children how many sleeps until Santa comes... It's all so much fun.

One of the family traditions we treasure most is sharing Christmas stories with our children. We think it's imperative that we amass a great collection of books to read with our families year after year. After all, what is more cozy and perfect than snuggling up with your littles around the Christmas tree or fireplace and reading together?

So today we're sharing a list of some of our absolute favorites--titles we adore (plus some titles that are on our wish lists!) and know you would love for your collection.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
"Duh!" you're thinking. We know. But it's such a classic, it must be mentioned!


How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Again, a total classic. A must-have for everyone's Christmas library.


The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
Ohhh...such a tender story of a broken, sad man and the woman and boy that made him smile again. We loooove this one!


The Friendly Beasts by Tomie dePaola
This is a classic, traditional song (do you know it? it's wonderful!) that you can find retold by several different authors. It's such a delight to sing along!


This is the Season: Beloved of the Year illustrated by Simon Dewey
In all the Santa whirlwind, we look for every way possible to emphasize the birth of Jesus Christ this time of year. This gorgeous book helps.


Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
A darling vintage classic!


Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Such a cute explanation for why our snowmen look droopy the next morning! You will love!


The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry
A scratch and sniff classic that our kids adore as much as we did when we were young! So perfect for young children!


The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
A classic tale illustrated by many different artists. This particular illustrator is Lisbeth Zwerger. This is such a tender story--a classic in our families.


The Twelve Days of Christmas by Robert Sabuda
Robert Sabuda amazes with his pop-ups yet again!


Christmas Around the World by Chuck Fischer
Speaking of pop up books, here is the latest on our wish list. It has great reviews and we can't wait to get our hands on it!


And speaking of Christmas around the world, the following two stories are told by Tomie dePaola (how much do we love him?!). It's so wonderful (and important!) to teach our children about different Christmas traditions around the world and these are two of our favorite aids...

The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola


The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola


The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
A short (and HILARIOUS!) novel for the grade school set. Read it aloud as a family. You will love it!


And you, dear friends. What would you add to the list?

9 comments:

liz said...

Sabuda's Night Before Christmas is also amazing. One many people won't have heard of is Allen Say's Tree of Cranes. We love it, and it's a different cultural perspective for kids as well. Read it, then have your kids make a paper crane ornament for your tree :) Great list -- many ideas to add to our collection!

Joan said...

Twas the Night Before Christmas. Tis a classic :) In fact, I started to memorize it last year to recite on Christmas Eve for the annual family talent show (you are both familiar) but only got about 5 or six pages in (of 20 ish). Maybe this year?! Not likely with a newborn though...wow, my little boy was a pill last night!?!?! I forgot what sleep deprivation feels like.

chris said...

The Apple Tree Christmas by Trina Hakes Noble is a favorite from my childhood.

Rachael said...

My kiddos love Hilary Knight's Twelve Days of Christmas. We also really like Night Tree by Eve Bunting.

And I have to say, I thought Snowmen at Night was the cutest book, but it gave my 5-year-old daughter screaming nightmares for three months--just a warning! :-)

Kerry said...

All of Jan Brett's Christmas and winter themed books are favorites at my house. I also love using the Winter ones in my classroom! Her illustrations are captivating!

jeanine said...

One of my new favorites is Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson... such a sweet little story. I also love A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson.

Carrie said...

I Believe in Santa Claus. by Diane Adamson (LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. if you don't read any others that i recommend, find just this one.)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree. by Gloria Houston (about a girl in the appalacian mtns who's dad goes to fight in the war... darling and tear jerking)

Wombat Divine. by Mem Fox (darling)

The Angel with a Mouth Organ. by Christobel Mattingly (cry buckets with this one... family from Nazi occupied Poland or Germany... so great, but probably not for little kids)

amanda jane said...

The Red Ranger Came Calling, Berkley Breathed. a very hard to find book, but if you can get your hands on it you won't be dissappointed!

toddnjoelle said...

One of families favorites, that we read all year long, is Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini. It's absolutley hillarious.