Our Favorite Christmas Books
This year, I figured it was time that I share our favorite Christmas books. After spending 5 years teaching, I came across many books and saved a few favorites to add to our home library. Also, having many family and friends that love reading has been a great thing, because I’m always getting great recommendations too.
Our Favorite Christmas Books
Red & Lulu
Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree…one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Luckily, it’s just the season for miracles. . . .
I Believe in Santa Claus
Finally, a book that says it’s OK to believe in Santa Claus, yet shows how this time honored symbol is meant to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.
*I can’t find this book anywhere to buy, so check your local library.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. They set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. And that’s just the start! When the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked.
It’s obvious that they’re up to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdmans, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way.
Pick a Pine Tree
Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and taking home the Christmas tree.
Olive the Other Reindeer
Olive is merrily preparing for Christmas when suddenly she realizes “Olive… the other Reindeer… I thought I was a dog. Hmmm, I must be a Reindeer!” So she quickly hops aboard the polar express and heads to the North Pole. And while Santa and the other reindeer are a bit surprised that a dog wants to join the their team, in the end Olive and her unusual reindeer skills are just what Santa and his veteran reindeer team need.
When Santa was a Baby
Santa’s parents think their little one is absolutely wonderful, even though he has a booming voice instead of a baby’s gurgle, loves to stand in front of the refrigerator, gives his birthday presents away, trains his hamsters to pull a matchbox sleigh … and has an unusual interest in chimneys. The adorably funny portrait of an oddball kid who fulfills his destiny – and two very proud parents.
A Christmas Wish
Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa’s elves.So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa.
Little Red Sleigh
The Little Red Sleigh has one big dream―to one day become Santa’s big red sleigh! But all her life, she’s been told she’s too small, she’s too young, she can’t fly, and she certainly can’t meet Santa. Well, this Christmas, with the help of some friends, she’s determined to do the impossible.
The Snowflake
The Snowflake tells the separate stories of one snowflake and one little girl—both longing for their own special place in the world—that spin together into a magical ending. The snowflake and Noelle discover that wherever we go, and however we fall, in the end, we all find a way to shine.
The Animals Santa
When Big Snowshoe tells Little Snow that the animals’ Santa is coming with presents for everyone, Little Snow wants to know who he is. The animals say they have never seen him. Maybe he’s a badger, a moose, a polar bear, or a wolf, they tell him. But this spunky little rabbit thinks they are just fooling him.
Now, for a fun one for the mamas out there. This book was suggested over and over again as I was looking for a new Christmas book to read this year. It’s easy to say that I understand why everyone loves it, because it’s fabulous! I love it and I’m only half way through right now.
Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents host, carols play on repeat, her mother pretends she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors come ’round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch – unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados – and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?
Her sister demands a vegan turkey, her husband insists that he just wants aftershave – again, and little Minnie demands a very specific picnic hamper: Surely Becky can manage all this…
It’s so good! Grab the book so you can cuddle up and enjoy it this Christmas season.
