Every holiday season I like to give my kids a new Christmas book. They've collected quite a few over the years and I love pulling them out after Thanksgiving and enjoying them as a family. This year my oldest was obsessed with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer after singing the song in school. (Prior she had been at a Jewish preschool so no Christmas carols.) These are some of a favorites that we've collected over the years and they do make FANTASTIC gifts. I would highly recommend the original Rudolph which has no scary bits in it but really only makes the point about the beauty of individuality.
Title: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Author: Robert L. May
Illustrator: David Wenzel
Ages: 4 and up
This is the ORIGINAL Rudolph and a classic that belongs on any bookshelf. It has a beautiful rhyme and rhythm in the reading aloud of it and the illustrations are beautiful. The original Rudolph was written as part of an advertising campaign in the 1930's for Montgomery Ward. Robert May asked for the rights back and then promoted his book. This is NOT like the movie but is the original classic about a reindeer who is different but learns to overcome adversity and shine in his own unique way. The illustrations are truly beautiful, soft and warm. It's a great gift to give to your child.
Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Author and Illustrator: Dr. Seuss
Ages: 4-8
This is a classic book where a Grinch doesn't want Christmas because he hates the happy sounds of singing and rejoicing. The Grinch attempts to eliminate Christmas by stealing all the gifts, decoration and essentially eliminating all the material goods around Christmas thinking that it is enough to stop Christmas. He fails because Christmas comes anyway and he learns the true meaning of the celebration.
Title: Olivia Saves Christmas
Author and Illustrator: Ian Falcolner
Ages: 4-8
Olivia is always so fun to read because her approach to anything is always slightly a bit unconventional, spunky, and joyful. In this book she is so eager for Christmas, for Santa, and for opening presents. It is her story of surviving the few hours before Christmas and to the actual Christmas day of opening presents and enjoying the gifts. It's a fun book for kids as Olivia so often reflects the hidden emotions of a child.
Title: God Gave Us Christmas
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Illustrator: David Hohn
Ages: 4-8
In this book, Little Cub wants to know what the meaning of Christmas is, so asks his mom to teach him. The two of them go on a little expedition to seek out the meaning of Christmas, and discover that the BEST present is Christmas is Jesus Christ.
Title: Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas
Author: Jane O'Connor
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
Age: 4-8
Fancy Nancy during this Christmas purchases the most fantastic Christmas tree topper, true to her style, one of the FANCIEST things ever. It is a beautiful piece to her and she loves it on the tree. However, due to a fluke accident, the tree comes crashing to the ground and the topper is destroyed. Through the help of her grandfather, she learns to improvise and enjoy the holidays with a special, beautiful, homemade star.
Title: Once There Was a Christmas Tree
Author: Jerry Smath
Ages: 1-6
This book is a wonderful book about sharing. When Mr. and Mrs. Bear discover that their tree is just too big for them, they begin a chain of sharing that extends throughout the animal friends. They share their tree with the foxes, the foxes share it with the next group and by the end of the book everyone has a little bit of Christmas, all through beautiful acts of sharing.
