i've been semi-obsessed with children's christmas books for about 5 years now. they bring me peace and happiness and joy when i purchase them, and all is right with the world.
look- alikes christmas is OFF THE HOOK. these geniuses have created 3-d christmas scenes with every day found objects and their creativity is mucho impressive. this is a much-loved book at our house and very seriously in demand.
click to enlarge & find the bra! (yes, it's THAT kind of blog.)
books that make you cry:
the little match girl--an oldie but a goodie. so sad and bittersweet. my girls like to ask me to read this one as they know it will induce tears. then i'm horrified because i realize they are waiting for the ugly cry, just like i did every week with sister willie in junior sunday school, 1976. it's ALWAYS GONNA HAPPEN. ("wait for it.")
the selfish giant--speaking of tears, this is the one that will do it to me every time, without fail. it's not really classified a christmas book in the traditional sense, but i feel it has the most beautiful story of love and sacrifice and the resurrection that you could find.
christmas oranges --i'm a sucker for this one. and i can't ever read it out loud because i never make it through, so russ has had to read this the past couple of years. when i first heard about it i almost didn't buy it as i thought it would be predictable and formulaic (orphanage? christmas? CHECK. CHECK.) but it surprised me.
but i figure you can only have so many "legends of the candy cane" before you overdose on christmas saccharine. (and YES, i have it. and NO, i'm not a hater.)
some of my favorites are--
books where you find things:
click to enlarge & find the bra! (yes, it's THAT kind of blog.)
can you see what i see? the night before christmas--another book to test your skillz. each page gives you a list of items to find and i must confess that there are a few that i've NEVER LOCATED. i think they are just an urban legend.
books that make you cry:
the little match girl--an oldie but a goodie. so sad and bittersweet. my girls like to ask me to read this one as they know it will induce tears. then i'm horrified because i realize they are waiting for the ugly cry, just like i did every week with sister willie in junior sunday school, 1976. it's ALWAYS GONNA HAPPEN. ("wait for it.")
the selfish giant--speaking of tears, this is the one that will do it to me every time, without fail. it's not really classified a christmas book in the traditional sense, but i feel it has the most beautiful story of love and sacrifice and the resurrection that you could find.
christmas oranges --i'm a sucker for this one. and i can't ever read it out loud because i never make it through, so russ has had to read this the past couple of years. when i first heard about it i almost didn't buy it as i thought it would be predictable and formulaic (orphanage? christmas? CHECK. CHECK.) but it surprised me.
books that are fun for little ones:
merry un-christmas --what if every day was christmas, and the only day you looked forward to was "unchristmas day"?? this is a totally unique take on the subject and so smartly written.
books that have awesome illustrations:
merry un-christmas --what if every day was christmas, and the only day you looked forward to was "unchristmas day"?? this is a totally unique take on the subject and so smartly written.
are you grumpy, santa?--this is mia's current favorite.
books that have awesome illustrations:
snowmen at night --easy to read and a fun idea--what DO snowmen do at night? read this book and you'll have the inside scoop.
santa claus the world's number one toy expert --detailed, intricate illustrations about the process that santa goes through when picking out a toy for you.
santa claus the world's number one toy expert --detailed, intricate illustrations about the process that santa goes through when picking out a toy for you.
13 comments:
I've been wracking my brain, what with all the Christmas quizzies going around, to figure out a favorite Christmas book of mine. And I finally thought of one today! I figured it was too late to tell it to anyone thought, so thanks for giving me a forum! It's not for kids...well, it could be, but it's a chapter book so older kids. Two From Galilee. SO good. Fictional story of Mary and Joseph and the Christmas story. Beautiful. If you need to get a spiritual boost at Christmas time, read it!!!
Thanks Mind! I will have to add these to my list. I too love Christmas books. ONe of my favorites is Christmas Day in the morning - by: Pearl S. Buck. I always cry.
The Christmas Orange is my favorite book too, although I don't own it. Go figure! Every year I say I'm going to buy it and I never do!
Our favorites are the snowman books - my kids even want to read them in July. The love the stories, and love looking for the hidden objects. The illustrations are amazing too!
I will go check these out asap! I love childrens books. One of our all time favorites I think I have mentioned to you before is:
You Are My Miracle by Maryann Cusimano Love is is priceless! The wording makes me cry! la-la-love it!
I will need to add a few of those to our collection. One of my faves is Coutnry Angel Christmas by Tomie dePaola. I love his artwork, kind of mary englebrite-ish. I love her art too...but I don't have any of her christmas books...will have to get me, I mean the kids, some of those :)
I can't even make it through the first page of the Match Stick Girl. SOB.
My fav: I Believe in Santa Claus.
oh, big fat DITTO on the snowmen at night books. so cute and wonderfully illustrated.
thanks for the great suggestions.
The Tale of The Three Trees is my personal favorite. for kids and adults.
It has occured to me, that this is what I have done wrong with my boys. I didn't read them Christmas books! Do you think I can start now? I mean, their just only adults now, but really, they would snuggle in bed with me and read wouldn't they?
Love the list!
You have an amazing list of Christmas books! I did find the bra by the way, so fun.
Must have the lookalikes book. Love it. And what a great way to get my kids to shut up during church.
I don't think I have any of these books. How sad am I?
You missed the best book of all! FARTSY CLAUS. Its the story of what happens when kids leave beans instead of milk and cookies. It is the perfect book to send with your child to school to read in front of the class---and to take to grandmas house. A new holiday classic.
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