A Cozy Christmas Countdown: Unwrap the Magic of Reading
One of my favorite things to do as a mom and as an elementary teacher was reading to my little ones. I loved to watch their eyes and see them completely mesmerized by a story. This was especially true at Christmastime. There are so many great children’s books that will bring the magic of the season into your home. A fun tradition to begin is to count down to Christmas by reading one book a night during December. You can even wrap the books and have the kids open one each night and then read that book.
Additional Ways to Enjoy Books at Christmastime
Here are a few other ways to enjoy books during the Christmas season;
- Keep books themed for winter or the holidays in a basket put away separately and bring them out just for the holiday season. The new book basket will be a favorite for choosing books for a storytime or for bedtime. Since they haven’t seen the books in a long while they will be excited to have this new addition to their library.
- Choose a few holiday books and come up with a simple activity to go along with a book to do with your child(ren). It might be a recipe, an ornament or decoration to make, a coloring page, an art activity, etc. For example: Read a book about snowmen and then make snowcones and add some flavored syrup. Or make a snow scene on blue construction paper using chalk.
- As you read the books spend time talking about the lessons taught in the book and ways that everyone can use the lessons in their own daily lives.
- Keep the basket of books handy and have a quiet time each day to choose a book to relax with and enjoy. Older children can read for themselves, younger ones can look at pictures and browse through the books in the basket.
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Winter or Christmas Themed Books that Everyone Will Enjoy
If you want to do a countdown this year, or start (or add to) a collection of Christmas/Winter books, then this list will give you lots of great ideas. It is also a great list if you want to buy books for the children in your life as a gift.
Disney – Mickey Mouse I Can Play Christmas Songs Sound Book With Built-in Keyboard – I put this one first because my grandchildren have had this book for 8 years and all of them LOVE it! It is definitely their favorite. It has tradtional songs with a Mickey Mouse theme and children will love playing the keyboard and singing along with Mickey and friends to all the songs.
Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki – I love this book. It’s a sweet story about Santa telling the story of the birth of Jesus to the forest animals. He helps them understand the true meaning of Christmas.
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup – This is another favorite of my grandchildren. It’s a fun and sweet story. Jim is in for a surprise when he makes gingerbread pirates for Santa.
Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick – This book is not Christmas themed but it such a beautiful book that I love to include it for the holidays. The forest animals find a stranger in the woods and they are in for a great surprise.
The Crippled Lamb: A Christmas Story About Finding Your Purpose by Max Lucado – This one is a favorite for me. A little crippled lamb named Joshua finds out that everyone has a purpose on a very special night.
The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt – This one is sure to be a favorite! There are so many cute activities. There are envelopes in the book containing letters, games, ornaments, and more. It will be one that will keep the little ones busy!
Green is for Christmas by Drew Daywalt – This is another book about the crayons. In this cute book, Green Crayon claims to be the only color of Christmas but the other crayons let him know that they are needed as well.
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Bruehner – This is a follow up to Snowmen at Night. What do snowmen do at Christmastime? Now you and your children can find out!
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg – This book is great fun because it has real Christmas letters to different storybook characters. The Jolly Postman is equally fun, including letters that characters have written to each other.
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden – this sweet book is a bit longer so it’s more suited to school-age children. Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a home. Holly, a doll, wishes for a child. The Jones’s wish for a son or daughter. Will they all get their Christmas wish?
Once Upon a North Pole Christmas by Noel Manning – This one is another favorite of my grandchildren. It is a sweet, funny story that focuses on Santa’s elves and the lessons they learn on Christmas.
Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares – Dasher is a beautifully written and illustrated book that will warm your heart with the story of how Santa got his reindeer.
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren – This is a book from the “God Gave Us” series of books by this author. In this beautiful book, Mama takes Little Cub to different places to see God at work in the world and to explain who Jesus is and why he came to be with us.
Santa’s Sleigh is on the Way to Georgia by Eric James – This story shows Santa riding past lots of famous Georgia landmarks, and it’s a must read for anyone from there. There are many books in this series with most of the United States available.
5 More Sleeps Till Christmas by Jimmy Fallon – Every child can relate to the excitement that builds during the last few days before Christmas. This book captures it perfectly. Children will have fun reading this book.
All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night by Clay Anderson – This beautiful book, told in rhyme, tells the story of Jesus’ birth. It captures the beauty, joy, and wonder of that holy, silent night.
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt – This book can be read at Christmas or Easter. It tells the story of three trees who have dreams and how their story weaves into the story of Christ’s life. It is a great story for a discussion about, not only Jesus’ birth, but also his life and death.
The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by Jane Thayer – This was a favorite for my children when they were young. A puppy wishes for a boy for Christmas and he gets a big Christmas surprise!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson – This one is a little longer but will be enjoyed by school-age children. It is a fun one to read together.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore – This is one of the most beautiful editions of this classic Christmas story.
These sweet books are all for younger children. They are board books or pop up books. Little ones will love listening to and interacting with these books.
The First Christmas Pop Up Nativity Book by Holly Berry-Byrd
Santa’s Workshop: A Christmas Lift a Flap Board Book by Holly Berry-Byrd
Babies Love Christmas by Holly Berry-Byrd
Dear Santa by Rod Campbell
So there you have 24 Christmas book suggestions for you and the children in your life to enjoy together. Get your Christmas books together, get started at the beginning of December, and possibly start a brand new tradition. I do hope that this list will at least help you add a few new books to your collection and that you will experience the magic of this special holiday season with your family.
Merry Christmas!
Karen
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