Our Favorite Christmas Books

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christmas booksThere seems to be an overwhelming trend of families enjoying books together this Christmas. My social media feeds are filled with photos of tree skirts lined with wrapped books waiting to be opened each night before Christmas. As a lover of books for my kids, especially holiday-themed books, I love this trend! Here is a list of Christmas favorites (compiled from a few of the Fort Worth Moms Blog team!) from simple board books to the all time classics. Even if you only pick 1 on this list, I promise it will be a great addition to your family’s collection you will enjoy year after year!

The Classics and Family Favorites

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Mary Engelbreit : This story is magical enough on its own, but the imagination and illustrations of Mary Engelbreit make this a welcome addition to your family’s collection.

Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg : The long time favorite about a boy who in the night is beckoned to join a train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa. Chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas, he asks for a bell from Santa’s sleigh. Upon returning home, he realizes only those that believe can hear the bell.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess : “Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” No holiday season is complete without the Grinch, Max, Cindy-Lou, and all the residents of Who-ville, in this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit on even the smallest and coldest of hearts.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson : The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

The Christmas Spirit by Nancy Tillman : Bells jingle, sleds dash through the snow, trees are topped with sparkling stars, and children everywhere dream of candy canes and presents. But the best gift of all is when we spend Christmas with those we love.  If you do not have this and Tillman’s On the Night You Were Born in your collection, it is a MUST.

Texas Night Before Christmas by James Rice : With a team of Longhorns, Santa arrives at a sod shanty and drops down the chimney to fill the young-uns boots with toys.

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz : Who doesn’t love to sit and watch Charlie Brown this time of year? Enjoy the same story, with fantastic illustrations in book format!

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For the Little Ones (Babies to Toddlers)

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck : A favorite board book in my house from the very beginning. A simple story that sweetly tells the story of the birth of Jesus.

Let’s Get Ready for Christmas by Salina Yoon : We love Salina Yoon in our house and this Christmas book is no exception! Lots of in-book activities make this fun for little ones and is great practice for those fine motor skills!

Christmas Peekaboo by DK Publishing : Lift the flaps and different textures means this favorite is requested again and again!

Who is Coming to our House? by Joseph Slate : As Pig makes room, Lamb cleans up, Goose stacks the hay, and Duck lines the crib with eider-down, Mary and Joseph are on their way by donkey. All the animals welcome the baby Jesus to their home.

Duck & Goose, It’s Time for Christmas! by Tad Hills : Those feathered friends are getting ready for Christmas! Only problem is Goose is distracted by all the outdoor holiday fun instead of helping Duck decorate the tree.

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner : It’s Christmas Eve and people are snug in their beds, but something is stirring outside. The snowmen are preparing to celebrate!

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For the Bigger Kids (Preschoolers to School Age)

The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan Berenstain : Brother and Sister Bear can’t wait for Christmas and all the presents they’ll open. But during the Christmas Eve pageant, something special happens! The Bear cubs learn a very valuable lesson about the joy of giving to others.

If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond : Everyone’s favorite mouse is back and filled with holiday cheer! This mouse and his silly antics will make even the biggest of kids smile.

Dream Snow by Eric Carle : Enter the world of Eric Carle where he offers readers a different twist on the awe and wonder of Christmas!

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney : It’s hard to wait for Christmas. This book gently teaches the importance of patience and recognizes some hidden joys of the holiday season!

Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer : Christmas is coming, and Olivia is incredibly busy. She has to wait for Santa, make sure Dad sets up the tree, watch Mom make the Christmas dinner, oversee the care with which the stockings are hung, and, of course, OPEN HER PRESENTS! Whew, being helpful during the holidays is exhausting!

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton : Meet Jack Skellington. He’s in charge of making Halloweenland the coolest creepy place around. But when Jack suddenly grows bored with tricks and treats, he goes searching for new ways to celebrate and he finds them in Christmas Town!

Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh : 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.

Angel Pig & the Hidden Christmas by Jan Waldron : A family of porkers thinks Christmas is ruined because they don’t have money to buy “jeans and sneakers with fancy brand names” at the mall. Then a sneaker-wearing angel appears, encouraging them to make and bake gifts instead, and teaches them what gift-giving is really about.

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren : As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…“Who invented Christmas?” and Mama’s answer only leads to more questions and an expedition to find that Jesus is the best present of all.

Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki : When the animals at the North Pole find Santa too tired to make his rounds the animals are afraid there will be not Christmas. But Santa reassures them he is not what Christmas is really about and tells them the reason for the season.

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Kwanzaa and Hanukkah

Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington : Inspired by Brer Rabbit, a trickster character from the African-American folklore tradition, the story of Li’l Rabbit captures the true meaning of Kwanzaa—coming together to help others.

Seven Spools of Thread (A Kwanzaa Story) by Daniel Minter : In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread.

Happy Hanukkah Corduroy by Don Freeman : Introduce little boys and girls to all of the Hanukkah traditions with Corduroy, one of the most beloved children’s books characters for over forty years.

The Kvetch Who Stole Hanukkah by Bill Berlin : In the town of Oyville, the children were preparing for Hanukkah. But the kvetch who lived high on the hill said what he said every year: “The latkes smell bad, the dreidels make me dizzy, and to hear children laugh puts me in a tizzy.” This year, will Hanukkah represent another great miracle, finally bringing a smile to the kvetch’s face?

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What are your favorite holiday books? 

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