I remember when I was little and the Christmas boxes would come out and within them, so would the Christmas books. My Mom was more organized than I am, and would tuck those Christmas books away so that when they came out again around December 1, there was so much to be discovered in those boxes besides just Christmas ornaments and a Nativity scene. Ours are stuck between all the other everyday books all year long, so the kids are used to seeing them, though we don’t actually pull them off the shelves and read them except in December.
Some of our favorites, and surely not an exhaustive list, are as follows:
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas: a classic tale of a grumpy Grinch and Cindy Lou Who who turns his tiny heart into one that learns to love Christmas… and all the Who’s in Whoville.
Spirit of Christmas: This is a beautiful book, and one that we’ve only had for about 5 years now. Tillman’s books are all easy favorites on the shelves. The words and the pictures both will capture you.
Charlie Brown Christmas: Easily one of our favorite movies at Christmastime for so many reasons not least of which is the classic soundtrack. We can all be a little bit Charlie Brown at Christmastime. Happy there are Linus’ everywhere who remind us what Christmas is all about. Having it in book form is a nice addition to the movie.
Twas the Night Before Christmas: Would any list be complete with this one? My Mom used to read this to us every Christmas Eve before bed, even once we were all (more) grownup.
Polar Express: The copy in the picture is mine from when I was little and written in it, in my Mom’s obvious cursive handwriting, it says “To Bridget, Love Santa.” I suppose I fell for it at the time! Anyway, I much prefer this book to the movie (no offense to Tom Hanks). It’s sweet and special and the illustrations are truly gorgeous.
Sweet Smell of Christmas: This is not the most conventional one on the list but I totally loved it as a child. So much nostalgia when I open our copy. Bonus: it’s scratch ‘n sniff.
Steve would like me to add The Other Wise Man here! I haven’t read it yet–for a slightly older child–but a book he loves.
Your favorites??
Dr Suess is so wonderful. And the excitement when the one hour special would be on tv!
Merry, Merry!
Definitely anything Dr Seuss related! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Okay The other Wise Man, is on its way! xo
Small One…the sweetest book about the donkey that carries Mary to Bethlehem. Check it out. We still read it every year!
Margaret Wise Brown’s, A Pussycat’s Christmas – has the most gorgeous illustrations by Anne Mortimer…. I still read it myself every year by the Christmas tree lights….
We love the Advent Book by Jack and Cathy Stockman. It tells the Christmas story in twenty five gorgeous pages with a big flap on each one to lift up. It’s designed so you can start Dec 1st and add a page every day until you get to Christmas. The book is so well made it has lasted through my two littles handling it not-so-gently for the last six years. It’s one of our favorite holiday traditions – cuddling on the couch each night drinking hot cocoa, enjoying the story as it builds and gets longer as Christmas gets closer. Such a treasure!
This sounds like a lovely one! Thank you, Aimee.
Have you ever seen the book “A Small Miracle” by Peter Collington about how a Nativity Set comes to life and helps a very poor woman. Oh my gosh! THE best. No words, just beautiful illustrations. And if you like that, you have to get his other book The Toothfairy”. These both have to be my kids favorite books!
I haven’t! Thank you!
This past year I collected Christmas books from the thrift store. I wrapped them all up and we open one each night like an Advent calendar. My 19 month old doesn’t really get it, but I hope it can become a tradition.
We love
*The Jolly Christmas Postman
* The Wish Tree
* A Wish to be A Christmas Tree
* Pick a Pine Tree
* Little Robin’s Christmas
So many good ones!
Also – Star Bright, love that one!
We love “Red Ranger Came Calling” by Berkeley Breathed. It very amusingly addresses the cynic in each of us.
Also, “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” is a sweet one.
Night Tree, Christmas Farm, and A New Coat For Anna are a few favorites in our holiday book basket!
I love the Sweet Smell of Christmas! Was a favorite of mine as a child and had to buy for my girls when I saw it a couple years ago.
Coming out of the woodwork for a couple of reasons:
1) The Sweet Smell of Christmas!! I have not thought of that book in years but whoa, did this give me a flashback. Just ordered a copy and I am very excited.
2) (This one has no real connection to this blog post…ha!) I love your blog. Last year, on the morning I went into labor with my daughter, I decided to read through your birth stories as inspiration. That sounds really weird but it put me in a really good mindset for the whole thing! The way you speak about motherhood really resonates with me too. So keep up the good work – As a Boston local, I love seeing what you and your family are up to.
The thought of a laboring Mom reading through my birth stories makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing that!