Our Top 12 Favorite Christmas Books
It was really challenging to pick just 12 of our favorite Christmas books (actually, the list started with Top 10 but had to be extended for two extra books). Drum roll please...and the winners of our favorite Christmas Books are:
The Tale of Three Trees book is one of my personal favorites.
My personal favorite, The Tale of Three Trees. Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The years pass and the trees nearly forget their dreams. Each eventually receive their wish, but not in the way they expected - in much bigger and better ways than they could have ever dreamed. It's a great message that we may not always get what we want because there is something even better in store for us. This is one of those stories that will always stay with you.
Our favorites all tucked away in a Christmas basket until December.
Our Christmas book collection (minus a few that can't fit), reside in this little holiday basket year-round. They are stored during the off-season but get to have a prominent living arrangement during the Christmas season.
Can you still hear the bells? We can. Don't just watch this movie...make sure you read this award-winning book.
Santa Clause
Although this book doesn't necessarily read like a story, this treasured book answers all the must-know questions about Santa Claus. I think it is perfect for the 2nd - 5th grade set that start to ask a lot of questions about Jolly Old St. Nick.
This book makes my heart melt every time I read it. Just last night, we all went outside right before bed and were treasuring the cold, clear winter evening. Magically, shooting stars started to appear and we were able to experience 7 shooting stars. Later, we discovered it was the beginning of a meteor shower that would be experienced around the world.
A great telling of the Christmas Story with beautiful illustrations and simple words that speak to the natural beauty of the manger. No tinsel or ornaments yet, the light of the star with dew drops glistening like diamonds and spidery threads like ribbons of silk.
Christmas Jars
We are currently reading Christmas Jars together and it is a beautiful story of hope and spreading the joy of the season. Rising newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the secret behind the "Christmas Jars" - filled with coins and bills anonymously given to people in need.
Dear Santa Claus is a lovely book with letters that can be removed from envelopes in the book and read, just like Holly, the heroine of the book who writes Santa letters. Our favorite part if the pull-out reindeer guide and the mini advent calendar.
A favorite through the ages.
This holiday classic always makes an appearance during December as we learn the story of Rudolph.
My very first Christmas book purchase.
The Starlight Bride was the very first Christmas book that I bought for my future family when I was freshly graduated from college. I was a long way off from having the family of my own that I have today but I knew that I wanted to share this special story someday. The romantic that I am fell in love with this book as I read through it amongst the shelves of the bookstore. It has a lovely message about marrying the person who shares your values and helps you become a better person.
Owl Moon
'It was late one winter night, long past my bedtime, when Pa and I went owling...and the moon was so bright the sky seemed to shine. When you go owling you don't need words or warm or anything but hope...the kind of hope that flies on silent wings under a shining Owl Moon.' Owl Moon was awarded the 1988 Caldecott Medal.
How Santa Got His Job
How Santa Got His Job is a fun little humorous read that explains how Santa acquired all the skills that have made him the success he is today. The message in this book can be a great discussion prompt for career education and finding rewarding and satisfying work. This is a perfect read-aloud for the children who don't believe that Santa is real.
One last honorable mention is The Last Straw by Frederick H. Thury that follows the adventures and misadventures of the camel named Hoshmakaka as he reluctantly journeys to Bethlehem to deliver the gifts to the new baby king. Taking the notion, "the last straw that broke the camel's back" figuratively and literally, portrays both an uplifting and humorous look at carrying what the camel believes to be the "largest burden" of the last, yet, best straw.
