An Angel Came to Nazareth: A Story of the First Christmas
Author: Anthony Knott and Maggie Kneen
Illustrator: Anthony Knott and Maggie Kneen
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
An Angel Came to Nazareth is a beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of Jesus’ birth through poetry. A true work of art.
Christmas
Author: The King James Version
Illustrator: Jan Pienkowski
Publisher: Dragonfly Books/Alfred A. Knopf (Pbk.)
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons
Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Publisher: HarperCollins
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber
Author: Tom Brokaw
Illustrator: Robert T. Barrett
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
This is the true account about a pilot who began dropping candy to the children of West Berlin following WWII. His generosity not only helped heal the wounds of war, it started a “candy campaign” throughout the U.S. military. This story captures one of the reasons I love children’s books – they brilliantly depict the “hidden history” of our nation, and its unsung heroes, in ways that are both understandable and inspirational to children.
Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein
Author: Amanda Peet & Andrea Troyer
Illustrator: Christine Darenier
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Recommended Age Range: 3 to 7
Fa La La
Author: Leslie Patricelli
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Recommended Age Range: 1 to 3
Great Joy
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Website
Great Joy is a beautiful picture book that shows the power of compassion and joy. When a young girl sees a homeless man and his monkey she can’t help but wonder where he goes at night. When she discovers that he sleeps outside, she invites him to her Christmas concert that evening. While on stage, remembering the man’s sadness, she forgets her lines, but all is not lost, for when the church door opens, Great Joy is shared. A holiday treasure.
Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert
Author: Marla Frazee
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Website
Santa, apparently, is quite the hard worker and not just in December; the reason: To bring the “perfect” present to each child. A light-hearted story with wonderful illustrations.
Awards: A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year; An IRA Children’s Choice; An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner; A Nick Jr. Magazine Best Book of the Year; The Miami Herald – Best Books of the Year; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Best Holiday Books; Newsday – Best Holiday Books; USA Today – Best Holiday Books; Montreal Gazette – Best Gift Books; San Francisco Chronicle – Best Gift Books; Houston Chronicle – Best Holiday Books
Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole
Author: Bob Raczka
Illustrator: Bob Raczka
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 9
Website
Santa writes poetry? He does in this book! Not only that, but who knew that Santa counts down to Christmas just like the rest of us? ☺ In these wonderful poems, we watch Santa get ready for this holiday – we even get a peek at the elves!
Awards: NCTE Notable Poetry List 2015; Junior Library Guild Selection
Santa’s Book of Names
Author: David McPhail
Illustrator: David McPhail
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
This story has a wonderful message about kindness, perseverance, friendship, and the power of reading.
Santa’s Favorite Story
Author: Hisako Aoki
Illustrator: Ivan Gantschev
Publisher: Scholastic (Pbk.)
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Awards: A Blue Ribbon Book
The Care and Feeding of a Grinch
Author: Bonnie Worth
Illustrator: Christopher Moroney
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
The Grinch, while not the greatest guy, is also a bit misunderstood – at least according to his dog Max. A fun read that rhymes its way through Whoville. If you loved the original, you’ll love this one too.
The Christmas Magic
Author: Lauren Thompson
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Through poetic language, Laura Thompson’s beautiful work shows Santa as he feeds his reindeer, cleans his sleigh, and readies himself for the magic of Christmas. It is a story told and illustrated with the perfect blend of hope and joy; magic and wonder. A book to be treasured and shared every Christmas Eve.
Awards: Oppenheim Toy and Book Portfolio Platinum Award Winner – Best Book
The First Noel: A Holiday Pop-Up Book
Illustrator: Pat Paris
Publisher: Broadman & Holman Publishers
Recommended Age Range: All Ages
The Great PJ Elf Chase: A Christmas Eve Tradition
Author: Judy Voigt and Karen LoBello
Illustrator: Loreno Soriano
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
A fun-filled story about some very sneaky elves, that like to leave PJs on Christmas Eve, and some even sneakier kids determined to catch them. This book is a wonderful read-aloud and a great holiday tradition.
Awards: 2014 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree; Five-Star Review Recipient, Readers’ Favorite
The 12 Days of Christmas: A Pop-Up Celebration
Author: Robert Sabuda
Illustrator: Robert Sabuda
Publisher: Little Simon
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
A true work of art that celebrates this classic song through pristine images.
When It Snows
Author: Richard Collingridge
Illustrator: Richard Collingridge
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, an Imprint of Macmillan
Recommended Age Range: 3 to 6
Richard Collingridge’s When It Snows is a beautiful book that captures a boy’s magical, snowy adventure. With fairies, elves, reindeer and, of course, Santa, this story shows what happens when a child follows his imagination through this wondrous time of year.