40 Books for Christmas
40 Books for Christmas (presented in no particular order)
Tough Cookie: A Christmas story
Author: Edward Hemingway
This is an excellent book, it has a heartwarming message about finding your place and self acceptance. It begins in a classic gingerbread man way… However, when Fox easily catches him and takes a bite discovering the cookie is super hard and tastes terrible. The cookie it’s pretty offended and surprised to find out that he’s not delicious. Distressed by all this, the cookie embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Fox’s help. They try to improve his flavor, they try entering a race to work on his running, they try building a house for him, but nothing works out. At first the cookie is upset but when he’s greeted by a group of decorative ornaments, they all welcome him. Eventually the cookie realizes that he was never meant to be eaten. Embracing his true purpose, the cookie happily takes his place on the town’s Christmas tree, celebrating his unique identity. Love this book, the illustrations are great, the message is good, it’s a refreshing twist on a classic story… I highly recommend it for anytime of year! Also for the teachers, I found some excellent teaching resources related to this book on Pinterest.
Peaches the Winter Bee
Author: Carl Reason
Illustrator: Andrew Whitehead
About a curious bumblebee named Peaches who doesn’t like to stay indoors when it’s winter time, she’s out exploring the snowy landscape while other bees stay hidden. On her biggest adventure yet, Peaches flies really far from home, eventually getting lost in a thick fog. When the fog lifts, she spots a small cottage and meets Santa Claus, who invites her into his workshop. Inside, Peaches joins the elves to create a special honey scented slime just for her. After falling asleep, Peaches awakens back in her soil home, wondering if it was all a dream…until she finds her own tiny pot of slime and a letter from Santa inviting her back next Christmas. I like this Christmas story and I like the character of Peaches the Winter Bee. I would love to see Peaches in more books in the future. The illustrations are absolutely fantastic, they really bring the story to life. Also, in the back of the book there is a recipe for making our own slime, and also some facts about bees. Having additional activities and information like that, really help us turn story time into a complete lesson. I wish more authors out there would consider this. If you’re looking for some new Christmas books, this is a heartwarming blend of magic, friendship, and definitely a great choice.
Instagram: @carlreasonauthor
Elf Games
Author: Chad and Mary Scott
Illustrator: Vitalii Muryn
I really enjoyed this book! Really cool idea and something I’ve never seen in a Christmas book. Santa leaves a small gift for some kids that are on the “nice list”, it’s a magic little globe along with an invitation to play against the “toy makers” in the North Pole’s Elf Games. They face off in ice hockey, baseball and football 🏈... Santa’s their coach and magic is permitted. Only problem is these kids aren’t magic, so they need to use their brains and work together if they’re going to stand a chance. After some action packed Christmas sports fun the kids eek out a victory and take home the cup leaving each kid with a special Christmas memory better than any gift🎄
Jammie Claus: The Christmas Tradition of Unconditional Giving
This book offers such a refreshing and heartwarming take on the classic Christmas story by focusing on Mrs. Claus and her backstory. The concept of expanding her character beyond being “just Santa’s wife” is brilliant, giving her a unique identity filled with magic, charm, and her own traditions. Growing up on a farm with reindeer and taking on the delightful role of delivering Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve adds so much depth to her character. The inclusion of her creating a gingerbread cookie sleigh is such a creative and magical touch—it’s details like this that make the story stand out. You can tell a lot of care and thought went into crafting this book, and it’s wonderful to see Mrs. Claus in a leading role with so much potential for future stories. This book is perfect for anyone looking to add something unique to their Christmas collection. It’s imaginative, beautifully told, and a must-read for the holiday season.
The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish
Author: Deborah Diesen
Illustrator: Dan Hanna
Here's a great book that emphasizes the value of thoughtfulness over materialism.
Mr. Fish is feeling the holiday pressure to find perfect gifts for his friends but time is running out. Despite his best efforts he couldn't find what he was looking for in any of the shops, he ends up empty-handed and disheartened. His friend Miss Shimmer gently reminds him that the most meaningful gifts come from the heart. With her encouragement, Mr. Fish creates handmade presents for everyone, discovering the joy of giving personal, heartfelt gifts.
The Gingerbread Pirates
Author: Kristin Kladstrup
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
The only thing I like more than Pirates are Gingerbread Christmas Pirates!!
A boy and his mother make gingerbread pirates and leave them out for Santa. The Captain worries about the fate of his cookie pirate crew. What will happen when Santa arrives? Will he be able to save his crew?
This was recommended to me by a friend, their students loved it and so did mine. The illustrations are excellent and really keep the children entertained. I love the concept too, such a fun idea for a Christmas book. Totally worth checking out 🎄
Novo the Space Robot: How to find the Christmas spirit
Author: Charly Froh
Illustrator: Zuzana Svobodova
All about the Christmas spirit and such a fun idea. We had a great time reading it in class!
Novo hears on the NEWS that the Christmas spirit has come to planet Earth. He doesn’t understand what they mean by “the Christmas spirit” and assumes Earth is being haunted by a ghost. He jumps into action and flies his space ship to earth to save the Earthlings and Christmas from a scary ghost. Novo gallantly searches for the Christmas spirit but instead, hilariously causes chaos everywhere he goes. In the end Novo is happy to discover that the Christmas spirit wasn’t what he originally thought.
I love the Novo Character and the writing. He has the perfect combination of determined altruism and an oblivious disregard for the consequences of his actions. It’s absolutely adorable and really had the kids laughing. Loved everything about this book 🤖 Loaded with humor and excellent illustrations and features a wonderful message about the spirit of Christmas. You couldn’t ask for anything more ❄️ This book will definitely be added to my growing list annual Christmas “Must Reads”.
Go check it out, you won’t be disappointed 🤖🎄
Instagram: @charlyfroh_author
A Gift for Santa
Written and illustrated by: Zuzana Svobodova
This is such a great idea and it’s based on a true story!
I was really impressed by this book, the illustrations are amazing and the whole concept is really cute. A little boy is preparing for Christmas and wonders what Santa gets for Christmas. He thinks it’s only fair that everyone receive something on Christmas including Santa. So after some thinking the boy decides he’s going to give Santa his favorite a Teddy Bear 🧸. The bear has been his best friend for years and will certainly be a great friend for Santa as well. So he leaves out the bear, along with a snack... and to his delight Santa accepted the gift. For years after that, every Christmas the boy receives a letter with photos of Teddy and Santa from throughout the year.
I really enjoyed this book and I love the tradition of giving Santa a gift 🎁 it’s very sweet and the emphasis on giving is really great. A Gift For Santa is definitely worth picking up!
Instagram: @zuzana_svobodova_illustration
Calvin The Christmas Tree
Author: Stephen G. Bowling
Hands down one of the best Christmas books I’ve ever read. Everything about it is perfect 🎄
The main character is an adorable underdog you can’t help but cheer for the whole way through. The illustrations are very professional and exactly the right style to achieve that Christmas/wintertime feeling. The writing is great and presented as if it’s a story all the trees in the forest want to hear every Christmas and at the end it even leaves you wondering if it’s just a story or perhaps based on real events adding that little hint of magic that comes with some Christmas stories 🥰
All around excellent book, it even incorporates Santa sneakily into the story. And Santa is the mysterious, magical character he’s supposed to be, not the silly sometimes ridiculous guy he’s often portrayed as in books for comic relief. Absolutely loved it, this one has potential to become a classic down the road... two thumbs up from me👍👍
Calvin is a little tree growing up on a tree farm. He’s small and the other bigger trees keep telling him he’s too little and still needs to grow before anyone will want him, some of the trees are even kind of mean about it. Calvin puffs himself out and tries super hard to get picked and to his surprise he’s noticed by the farmer’s wife. So off he goes to the city with the other trees destined to become Christmas trees 🎄 unfortunately little Calvin is overlooked all day and is the last tree left and covered in snow. When all hope is lost a young boy notices him and begs his father to have a heart and let him take home the little tree because no tree should be alone on Christmas. His father is touched by his son’s Christmas spirit and agrees, planting little Calvin in the front of the house. The boy adds a few ornaments and goes to bed. Calvin is as happy as can be and falls asleep content in the knowledge that he’s finally become the Christmas tree he knew he could be. In the middle of the night Santa pays him a little visit and adds a beautiful golden ornament to Calvin with his name on it. As the years go by Calvin grows super tall and becomes the most famous Christmas tree in the whole wide world 🎄
Instagram: @stephengbowling
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad
By Mercer Mayer
Little Critter tries his best to help out in preparation for Christmas but although he has good intentions he’s only little and can sometimes make mistakes. This one always gets the kids laughing as he comes up with an excuse every time things don’t work out as planned. I’ve always been a huge Mercer Mayer fan. When I was young, I loved these Little Critter books and now I jump at the chance to read them to my kids.
The Wise Men Journey Searching for the King
This is more than just a Christmas story it’s an interactive treasure box. I really like this idea, it’s a fantastic way to get in the holiday spirit with your family. The book is presented to the reader in 25 sections, to offer activities and prayers over 25 nights leading up to Christmas🎄
Breaking it down into bite sized portions like that, makes it so much easier to follow and the activities make for memorable family times. Here’s a quote from the book that sums it up well: Together as a family, you’ll discover the gift that each day brings - filled with the truth!
Visit WiseMenJOURNEY.com to order the interactive game: A fun and exciting TREASURE BOX that will complete your family’s new Christmas tradition! After hiding the three wooden Wise Men and treasure bag, the kids will have endless fun searching for them and discovering the TREASURE WORD for the evening. Then as a family, read the devotional together for that evening and enjoy making lasting memories. I included photos of the treasure box and contents along with the first few days to check out.
Instagram: @wise.men.journey
The Mitten
By: Jan Brett
A charming retelling of a Ukrainian folktale.
A young boy named Nicki convinces his grandmother, Baba, to knit him a pair of snow-white mittens. Baba, ever the realist, warns him that white mittens are destined to get lost in the snow. True to her prediction, Nicki loses one of the mittens during his outdoor adventures.
What follows is a hilariously improbable chain of events. A curious mole discovers the mitten first, crawling in to escape the cold. Soon after, a rabbit, a hedgehog, and an owl each decide there's room for one more. The mitten becomes an unlikely refuge for an entire parade of woodland animals, including a badger, a fox, a bear, and finally a tiny but audacious mouse. Just when the mitten couldn't stretch any further...the bear sneezes and all the animals tumble out.
The illustrations are wonderful and highly detailed, bordered with intricate side panels that give readers a sneak peek of what's coming next. This has been a favorite of mine for a long time!
Sometimes, the best stories come from the smallest of mishaps.
Dasher
By: Matt Tavares
A heartwarming origin story of Santa's reindeer.
It centers on Dasher, a young and adventurous doe living with her family in a traveling circus, yearning for the snowy landscapes her mother often describes.
One night, seizing an unexpected opportunity, Dasher escapes. She follows the North Star, leading her to a chance encounter with Santa Claus, who is struggling to deliver gifts with his tired horse, Silverbell.
Offering her assistance, Dasher's unique abilities prove invaluable, inspiring Santa to enlist the help of her entire family, thereby establishing the iconic team of reindeer that guide his sleigh each Christmas Eve.
This book really is something special. I love the tone and the illustrations are captivating. No respectable Christmas book collection is complete without "Dasher", it's a must have!
Santa Fell Asleep in My House
Author: ME Johansson
Excellent Christmas book, about a girl who spotted Santa taking a nap in her house on Christmas Eve.
It’s a poem about a girl telling her friends what happened, of course one of her friends is skeptical about the whole thing. She tries hard to convince him she’s telling the truth and brings them back to chair and even finds a button as proof.
I love the concept and think the illustrations are wonderful. The poem flows nicely and captures the magical feeling of Christmas that children often feel. I read it with my students and they really enjoyed it.
A Christmas Love Story
Author: Maureen McCabe
Illustrator: Anastasiia Khmelevska
This is a cute Christmas story about finding love ❤️
It starts at the end of American thanksgiving and the time has come to get the Christmas tree and ornaments together. Nicholas Nutcracker and Brittany Ballerina are both wonderful Christmas ornaments that love being on the tree. The thing is they both are both a bit lonely and as fate would have it, for the first time they’ve been placed next to each other on the tree. The two quickly fall in love and as fortune would have it or maybe it was fate they were both placed in the same box after Christmas and remained there until the following year. The two looked perfect together and were placed next to each other every Christmas after.
This is warm and positive Christmas story🎄 I think it’s a perfect bedtime read aloud to get the kids in the Christmas spirit. Lovely watercolor illustrations really bring the whole thing to life. After reading this book, your children might be taking a little extra care when decorating the tree 😉
Instagram: @xmaslovestory2020forkids
The Deep and Snowy Wood
By: Elwyn Tate
The story unfolds through the eyes of woodland creatures as they prepare for the arrival of someone very special. A curious deer, a playful squirrel, and a busy mole all share a wonderful secret about a yearly visitor who brings joy and magic to their quiet, snow-covered world.
A curious and enchanting celebration of the wonder and the anticipation that comes with the holiday season. Beautifully illustrated and featuring soothing rhyming verses make it a perfect bedtime read.
The book subtly teaches children the value of keeping surprises, the joy of sharing in a community, and the beauty of nature during the most magical time of year. The gentle suspense builds excitement, and the heartwarming reveal at the end leaves little ones feeling comforted and happy, much like the joy of Christmas morning. This is high on my list of Christmas favorites.
Santa's Lost Reindeer
By: Rachel Hilz and Remesh Ram
Here’s a fun Christmas book with a very original idea!
Santa’s reindeer have seen better days, they’re getting older and it’s about time to get some fresh reindeer to take over. The new reindeer are great and Christmas Eve is going well. Until the leader named Bucky gets spooked by a plane and the group loses him.
Now Santa needs to find him in time to save Christmas 😃 with the help of a surprised family, Santa is able to borrow their four-wheel drive to search for Bucky... But will Santa find him in time? 🎄
Fun book, very professional illustrations and filled with humor. A great one to add to your Christmas collection!
A Christmas Kitten for Max
Author: Lindsay DeRollo
Illustrator: Denny Poliquit
Anyone who’s had a cat will be able to relate to this book.
If you already have a cat and then try to introduce a new cat into the house there’s always an adjustment period. These fur babies can get a little moody until they come to an understanding.
This is about a cat named Max who has the house all to himself and likes it that way. But this Christmas there’s a new addition to the family... A new kitten named Abby!! Max is not happy about this and decides to make a plan to get rid of her. After causing some trouble he’s ultimately unsuccessful and finally decides Abby can stay. Just when things are starting to get back to normal... a dog arrives LOL
Would love to see a part two, with both cats trying to get rid of the dog.
The Christmas Blanket
Author: Ed Damiano
Illustrator: Jeff Vernon
What a wonderful story about empathy, helping out those in need and ultimately this book is about the true meaning of Christmas.
A boy wakes up in the morning excited to go see the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center. Mom tells him that she used to believe that tree could make wishes come true. Intrigued by this the boy starts thinking about he would wish for. As the day goes on they see the different sights around town and come across a homeless man shivering on the street. Later they watch the lighting of the tree and Mom asks what his Christmas wish is. He says he wishes for that homeless man to be warm again. So Mom helps his wish come true and they go and buy the man a warm blanket and give it to him. Grateful of their generosity the man thanks them and helps the boy see that this is really the true meaning of Christmas.
I read this with my students and they really got into it. I think it's great to showcase generosity and empathy in books. Helping people and giving, really does feel good and make the world a better place. The world needs more stories like this and I am most certainly happy to have this one on my Children’s Bookshelf.
The Polar Bear Who Saved Christmas
By: Thomas Nelson
Here’s a Christmas book the kids will like!
About a cute little bear, who wanders away from the den to follow the tracks of Santa’s sleigh. Pretty soon the little bear is lost wandering the forest. He walks towards lights and comes across Santa’s village.
He looks in a window and sees that unfortunately dancer’s leg is broken and they need someone to fill in. The elves notice the bear and suggest he join them. He points out that he can’t fly but the elves have that covered. Before long the little bear is flying across the sky, helping Santa deliver all the Christmas gifts on time.
We really enjoyed this story. The illustrations are excellent, they really help take the reader on an adventure. Keep your eyes peeled for this one!
Santa's Trip
By: Barry Rouse
Read this book with my students and it sparked the funniest conversation 🤣
It’s a simple storyline (which I love) about how Santa needs to clean his suit before Christmas. So he flies into town and accidentally puts yellow dye instead of soap in the machine. Now his suit is yellow which simply won’t do. So he goes to get a new suit and a man offers him a Santa suit. Before he knows it he’s talking to all the kids at the mall and they’re telling him about all the things they want for Christmas. After the mall closes he asks if he can borrow the suit and fortunately the man agrees. Christmas miracles come in many forms and thankfully this one allowed Santa to deliver his toys while looking his best.
Ok, sooo this book basically convinced my whole class that they’ve met Santa at some point 🤣 they proceeded to tell me one by one about that time they met Santa in the mall or some other place, it was adorable...
Also they asked some smart questions like:
Q)“Why didn’t Santa ask his elves to make him a new suit?”
A) The elves were busy making toys
🎄
Q) If Santa is magic why can’t he just make a new suit appear?”
A) His magic doesn’t work like that.
🎄
Q) I have a washing machine at my house, why doesn’t Santa have one at his house?
A) It was broken 😂
Q) Can’t the elves fix it?
A) They are too busy making toys...lol
Twas the night before Christmas: a highlights hidden pictures storybook
Author: Clement C. Moore
Illustrator: Deborah Melmon
This is a unique rendition of Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem, enhanced with engaging seek-and-find puzzles.
Explore over 120 hidden holiday-themed objects woven into the vibrant illustrations accompanying the timeless verses. This interactive approach makes the book very enguaging and repackages a classic poem in a new interesting way.
This combination of classic storytelling and interactive puzzles makes it a perfect bedtime book and creates a great opportunity for family bonding. Trust me when I say it... You'll like this book!
Bear and Tux come home for Christmas
By Carson Finken
Here’s a cute Christmas book about two puppies finding their new family. This story is based on real events
Features two adorable puppy brothers, Bear and Tux, who dream of finding a loving family. Born at the North Pole, they live an exciting life surrounded by snow but yearn for a forever home, where they can play and run.
Their wish comes true when Santa surprises them on Christmas Eve with a special mission. A brother and sister have requested puppies, and Santa decides to send both Bear and Tux to them. The pups embark on a magical journey in Santa’s toy bag, arriving at their new home on Christmas morning. Where they meet their new family and live happily ever after.
Bear and Tux capture the magic of Christmas and the excitement of welcoming new pets into a family. Perfect for families with dogs and definitely an excellent addition to your children’s bookshelf.
Instagram: @bearandtux
How to Catch an Elf
By: Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
Here’s one you’ll like!!
Told from the perspective of a clever and quick-witted elf, the story reveals how children around the world set up elaborate traps on Christmas Eve in an attempt to catch him. However, the elf is always one step ahead, evading every trap with wit and humor.
It’s a Lighthearted story and filled with amazing illustrations that really bring this book to life! If you’re looking for something funny and visually appealing for the Christmas season, this is a great choice!
Horatio and Friends: Winter Collection
By: Charlie S. Howard
This is a super cute book featuring 3 short stories following a little pig named Horatio, each story is about 15 pages long.
The first story is about how Horatio invents hot chocolate when he’s trying to come up with a way to feel cozy and warm on cold winter nights. Of course he makes a giant mess but the end results are delicious and become very popular on the farm.
The second story Horatio is feeling a bit sad on Christmas because this year his family won’t be joining them. So his mother takes him out to the forest and they pick a tree and bring it home to decorate. He really enjoys this and feels much better, especially now that he has a new family tradition to look forward to.
Third story, Horatio rescues a lost little robin in the snowy woods. He brings the robin home and they give it food and water. Horatio’s mother puts the word out and eventually word gets back the robin’s parents and they’re all reunited.
These stories are really well written, presented in lovely flowing rhymes and paired with really nice illustrations. I love the watercolor/sketch style the artist went with. Really nice book all around, highly recommend checking it out.
Instagram: @charlie_s_howard
Yuka's way home
By: Abigail Roscoe
I LOVE this one, it’s everything I look for in a book!
The heartwarming story is all about the importance of family and acceptance. Also look at these illustrations absolutely gorgeous... to top it all off there’s a bunch of wonderful information about Reindeer, Caribou and the Sámi people who are indigenous to Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
A young Caribou gets separated from his herd and floats away on an iceberg. Eventually reaching shore somewhere, he’s greeted by a herd of reindeer living with Johan the Sámi human that takes care of them during the harsh winter months. He’s accepted into the herd by everyone and learns the ways of the Sámi people and their traditions including herding reindeer and protecting them during the winter. As time goes on Yuka the Caribou is happy he found a new loving family and becomes great friends with Johan, even helps him pull his sleigh.
Instagram: @caribooks
The Big Red Giving Bag: Santa's Special Request
By: Danielle Leigh
What an amazing idea for a book and also something that can totally be converted into a family tradition in the real world. In fact I think it’s a good concept for my students and I to try out this year.
Narrated by Santa talking to the child reader, he explains that he’s sent over a Big Red Giving Bag. The bag is for children to put unwanted or unused toys in. Santa will pick up the bag when he visits on Christmas Eve. He’ll then fix them up and give them to other children.
The concept is wonderful and really highlights how giving to others makes you feel good and that’s really the best part about Christmas. The restoring and reusing idea is also an important theme and especially relevant in this day and age.
This is definitely one to pick up and add to your Christmas book collection. 🎄
The Girl Who Found Christmas: An Advent Calendar Storybook
Author: Barbara Escher
Illustrator: Dane Sislen
“The Girl Who Found Christmas: An Advent Calendar Storybook” by Barbara Escher is a collection of 25 stories, each intended to be read daily during Advent. The book centers around six-year-old Belinda, who embarks on a quest to uncover the true essence of Christmas.
Each day, she draws a new clue, pondering what Christmas is about. Is it the tree, baking cookies, building a snowman, or something more profound? The stories are complemented by beautiful illustrations that reflect Belinda’s childlike perspective.
I love this concept, Its encourages daily reading which is a positive routine that can easily carry on into the new year.
Overall, this storybook offers a meaningful way to count down to Christmas, combining entertainment with thoughtful reflection.
Instagram: @red_mitten_books
The Snowflake Mistake
By: Lou Treleaven and Maddie Frost
Really nice story and very creative.
A snow queen and her daughter live in a palace high in the clouds ☁️ where a snowflake machine creates snow. The machine makes identical flakes that get checked by the queen before they fall. The Queen leaves the princess in charge and things take an unexpected turn when the machine breaks down.
So what will the princess do? Will she be able to fix the machine? She can’t possibly make identical snowflakes all by hand... a lovely origin story of why snowflakes are all different, this story actually includes a lot of relatable problems and lessons for both parent and child. Definitely a great choice for your Children’s Bookshelf ❄️
The Little Nurse: Christmas Plans
Author: E. Levit
About a little girl named Liana who learns her grandparents might spend Christmas alone. So she takes it upon herself to invite them and transforms the holiday into a memorable family reunion. This story is a warm reminder of how important family is and that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful connections.
This is a simple book with lovely illustrations, the emphasis on family connection makes it perfect for bedtime.
It’s part of the “little nurse” series by author E.Levit. Keep your eyes open for more from the series!
@the_little_nurse_book_series
The Great Reindeer Rebellion
Author: Lisa Trumbauer
Illustrator: Jannie Ho
This is a hilarious twist on "'Twas the Night Before Christmas".
The story begins with Santa's reindeer going on strike just before Christmas, demanding better working conditions. In response, Santa auditions a variety of animals to pull his sleigh, including dogs, cats, flamingos, kangaroos, and elephants.
Each attempt results in humorous mishaps, highlighting the unique suitability of reindeer for the job. Ultimately, Santa negotiates with the reindeer, leading to their return and the successful delivery of gifts.
This is a fun read and a good addition to the Christmas collection.
The Little Christmas Elf
Author: Nikki Shannon Smith
Illustrator: Susan Mitchell
The story follows Nina, the smallest elf in Santa's workshop. Nina works tirelessly to complete a teddy bear for Christmas. Despite her best efforts, she misses the deadline for Santa's sleigh.
Encouraged by Santa himself, Nina continues her work late into the night and finally completes the toy. Her dedication is rewarded when Santa returns to take Nina and the teddy bear to deliver it to a newborn baby!
I love how this book encourages persistence, hard work, and the satisfaction that comes with giving.
Patty the Pumpkin Meets Santa
Author: Amanda Weisz
Illustrator: Blake Taylor
This is a fun holiday cross over 🎃
It’s a simple idea and I love that it comes with a cutout at the back of the book to make your own Patty the pumpkin ornament.
Patty the pumpkin is out during fall and Halloween time but once it gets really cold out Patty it packed away into the attic. Patty loves Christmas and would love to be included more during the Christmas season. When Patty bumps into Santa his elves use their magic and turn her into a Christmas ornament. Patty is delighted by this turn of events and now she can be a part of Christmas too.
The Snowy Day
By: Anna Milbourne and Elena Temporin
This is a lovely book celebrating Winter. It has a simple concept and also some educational value.
The story invites young readers to explore the enchanting experiences of a snowy day. It follows three children as they venture into a snow-covered landscape. They observe the formation of snowflakes, discover animal tracks, and learn about the behaviors of creatures like squirrels and frogs during the cold season.
The book seamlessly blends simple, informative text with vivid illustrations, capturing the magic and excitement of winter while providing educational insights into natural phenomena and animal habits.
It's a cute book, the illustration style is perfect. Great choice for this time of year.
How Winston Delivered Christmas
By: Alex T. Smith
This is a heartwarming advent story divided into twenty-four and a half chapters, designed to be read daily from December 1st to Christmas Day.
It's about Winston, a brave little mouse who discovers a lost letter addressed to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Determined to ensure the letter reaches Santa in time, Winston embarks on an unforgettable journey filled with adventure and new friendships.
Each chapter concludes with a festive activity, such as crafting decorations, baking treats, or learning about international Christmas traditions. I like this interactive element to the book and I think it helps get in the holiday spirit alongside the unfolding story.
Keep your eyes open for this one, it's well worth checking out.
Where would Santa go?
Author: Julia Inserro
Illustrator: Natalie Merheb
On Christmas Eve, siblings Lucy and Max leave Santa a note asking about his favorite places. To their surprise, Santa arrives and takes them on a sleigh ride around the world.
They visit places like Antarctica to see baby penguins, Argentina to enjoy tango dancing, Costa Rica’s rainforests, and Egypt’s ancient temples. Along the way, they discover unique cultural traditions and natural wonders and having a Christmas they'd never forget.
One Winter's Day
Author: M. Christina Butler
Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton
Tells the heartwarming story of Little Hedgehog, whose nest is destroyed by a fierce windstorm. Seeking refuge, he puts on his cozy red hat, scarf, and mittens and sets out for his friend Badger's house.
Along the way, he encounters various animals... A family of field mice, an otter, and a deer with her fawn, all shivering in the cold. Being the kind Little Hedgehog he is, he selflessly offers each of them his warm clothing one by one. By the time he reaches Badger's home, he's without his hat, scarf, and mittens, but his generosity is much appreciated and comes full circle when his friends come together to build him a new nest.
I like the illustrations and the story is easy to follow. It conveys a warm message about empathy and friendship.
This one's been a favorite of ours for a while now!
A wish to be a Christmas Tree
Author: Colleen Monroe
It follows an old overgrown pine tree in a forest who longs to be chosen as a family’s Christmas tree. Every year, families come to the tree farm, picking younger, smaller trees, leaving the old pine unnoticed. Feeling useless and sad, the pine begins to lose hope of ever fulfilling its dream.
One day, the forest animals see how heartbroken the tree is and decide to show their gratitude. They decorate him with pinecones, berries, and icicles, making it as beautiful as any Christmas tree. The animals remind the tree of its importance, pointing out how it provides them with shelter, food, and a safe place to live.
Through their kindness, the tree realizes his worth and understands that his role in the forest is just as meaningful as being someone’s Christmas tree. The story ends with a heartwarming message about friendship, self-acceptance, and appreciating the unique ways we make a difference in the lives of others.
This beautifully illustrated book teaches readers the value of kindness and finding purpose in unexpected ways. If you're looking for a touching story this is a great choice.
The Wish Tree
Author: Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Chris Turnham
A heartwarming children's book that follows a young boy named Charles and his toboggan, on a quest to find a mythical wish tree. Despite his siblings' skepticism, Charles embarks on a journey through snowy landscapes, assisting various animals he meets along the way. His acts of kindness are reciprocated, leading to an unexpected discovery.
The repetitive and rhythmic text makes it great for a bedtime read. The storyline encourages discussions about empathy, perseverance, and the joy found in helping others. Also the illustrations are very professional and complement the text beautifully. Defeinitely a great choice!
Olive, The Other Reindeer
By: Vivian Walsh and J.Otto Seibold
About a spirited dog named Olive who unexpectedly finds herself on an extraordinary Christmas adventure.
When Olive mishears the lyrics of the classic holiday song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," she believes the line "all of the other reindeer" is "Olive, the other reindeer," ... she concludes that she must be a reindeer and sets off to the North Pole to assist Santa and join his team.
Despite lacking typical reindeer traits, Olive uses her unique dog abilities like sniffing, chewing, and fetching to help Santa overcome challenges along the way. Her quick thinking and determination save Christmas, showing that being different can be a strength.
The story is full of humor, heart, and a sense of holiday magic, brought to life through J. Otto Seibold's vibrant and quirky illustrations. This imaginative story holds a message of self-belief, individuality, and teamwork, making it a delightful read for people of all ages.
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