by Cindy Anderson
The holiday season is upon us, with its joyful celebrations, fun activities, festive parties, and its fair share of stresses. Knowing how to slow down can be challenging as we live in an over-productive, often distracted culture. Still, Advent time is about waiting, remembering gratitude, family, friendship, the hope of birth, and the angels' song. One of the best ways I know to slow down throughout the holidays is by creating time to read Christmas stories ourselves and with our families and friends.
Books and Christmas are deeply interlinked for me. I was about ten years old when my Grandmother gave me my first Christmas novel, her 1916 edition of The Romance of the Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggins. When she placed that beautiful book into my hands, I knew my Christmas book collecting was about to begin. I bring this particular book down from my shelves every Christmas, and although it is beautiful, it is the gift of the book that is most precious to me. I remember my Grandmother handing me that book and the conversation we had. The giving of books is the loveliest of traditions.
There are many ways to celebrate books and reading throughout the Advent season. Families with young children wrap twenty-five Christmas-themed picture books and open and read one each night. Or, with older children, they read a Christmas chapter book or devotion each evening. We always gave our children a stack of books for Christmas morning next to their gifts, and I often see Christmas trees made from stacked books. Still, my favorite holiday book tradition comes from Iceland and is called Jólabókaflóðið, which translates to "Christmas book flood." It involves giving and receiving new books on Christmas Eve; Icelanders spend the rest of the night reading books, sipping hot chocolate, and eating treats. The tradition dates back to World War II when paper was one of the few items you could still find in abundance since there were strict restrictions on most other items. Icelanders made the best of the situation and started giving each other books. Every year since 1944, the Icelandic book trade has published a book catalog in mid-November and has delivered it to every household in the country. People read through the pages and choose books for friends and family. Close to 80% of Iceland's book sales occur during the holidays. Other Jólabókaflóðið celebrations include book readings at schools, bookshops, and coffee shops—lunchtime readings at workplaces, and social media events. The warmth of a hot chocolate, the comfort of a good book, and the joy of the holiday season make Jólabókaflóðið a unique and heartwarming tradition.
I hope this list of favorite Christmas books inspires you to create new Christmas reading traditions for yourself, your family, and your friends. Please consider supporting your independent bookstores and local businesses this holiday season. It's a simple way to affirm the beautiful work and community building that small businesses and non-profits do for us throughout the year. Merry Christmas, and God bless us, everyone.
Nativity Books
Nativity by Cynthia Rylant
Cynthia Rylant uses excerpts from the King James Bible to tell the Nativity story and incorporates some of Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Her illustrations are simple, textured paintings that are perfect for little ones. Recommended for ages 3-8
Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb
Readers travel through the pages of this sweet board book to answer the question, "What does joy sound like?" Leading us to the joyful sound of angels singing that Jesus has been born. Recommended for ages 2-5
Holy Night and Little Star by Mitali Perkins
Little Star likes to keep things as they are, but when Maker wants everything in the night sky to announce the savior's birth, she must decide if she is ready to shine with the other stars and planets. Recommended for ages 3-7
Wombat Divine by Mem Fox
Wombat is finally old enough to try out for the Nativity play, but everyone else seems to be getting all the parts. Will there be a role left for Wombat? The characters are Australian animals, and the story is adorable. It is a family favorite. Recommended ages 3-8
Other Nativity Recommendations
Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell
Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd Jones
Christmas Books
The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore
This picture book explains the story of Jólabókaflóðið, the Icelandic tradition of exchanging new books for Christmas Eve. This is a delightful book and a delightful celebration.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Dasher by Matt Travares
Richly colored illustrations bring this book to life. Dasher has always wished for a better life than pulling wagons for a traveling circus. One day, she escapes, meets Santa in the woods, and helps him deliver his sack of toys. She can only find complete happiness when she returns to rescue her family. The illustrations and story feel like an old-time classic story. Recommended ages 4-8
Night Tree by Eve Bunting
On a moonlit night, we watch a family decorate their favorite Christmas tree in the woods with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower seeds for the wild animals to enjoy. This is an excellent story for families or classrooms, as it may inspire ideas for children to make treats for wildlife for the winter months. Recommended for ages 3-8
Winter Story (Brambly Hedge) by Jill Barklem
I cannot recommend the Brambley Hedge books enough. They are a delight to read, and children will pause to admire the stunning illustrations over and over again. I would suggest the anniversary edition, which contains 8 lovely Brambly stories in one large volume. The Rabbit Room has added a Brambly Hedge coloring book to their store, which would be the perfect Christmas gift. Recommended ages 3-6
Snow Horses: A First Night Story by Patricia MacLachlan
Snow Horses is a celebration of New Year's Eve. I am adding it to this list because it is the perfect winter read to begin right after Christmas. Vibrant brush strokes fill the pages, and everything is awash with wintery detail. I love the celebration of family, community, youth, and long-time friends remembering their childhoods. Recommended for ages 4-9
Other Recommendations
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
The Night Before Christmas by Roger Duvoisin
The Night Before Christmas by Jan Brett
Christmas Books for Older Children
Little Christmas Carol by Joe Sutphin
I read The Christmas Carol every December, and I always find something new and beautiful that I have never noticed before. Joe Sutphin has created a Christmas Carol treasure with his ever-so-slightly edited version. This is the perfect family read-aloud since everyone will hear Dicken's original work, and young children will be enthralled with the wintry woodland world that Joe has created. Recommended ages 5-10
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Discover Narnia, where it is always winter and never Christmas until we see Aslan begin to move. This is the perfect Christmas gift or family read-aloud story. The original illustrations by Pauline Baynes are delightful. This book will always have the most special place in my heart.
Recommended ages 7-12
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
The first book in the Vandebeeker series begins 5 days before Christmas. The family has lived in their brownstone in Harlem all their lives, but the landlord is about to end their lease. The 5 Vanderbeeker children must work together to find a way to stay in their beloved home. The books in this series are a celebration of family, neighbors, and friends. Recommended ages 8-12
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Pa hasn't returned from his trip. He promised to bring back the oranges for each child's stockings. This year, terrible storms might keep Pa from being home for Christmas. Patricia Polacco's books are ideal for slightly older children as they often cover difficult subjects, sometimes have sad endings, and are lengthy for picture books. Recommended ages 5-11
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
Originally published in 1955, this classic story captures the true spirit of Christmas giving. What does a young son get for his hard-working father for Christmas? The gift creates a Christmas that no one will forget.
Recommended ages 5-10
Other Options for Older Children
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix
Cindy has been an educator for over 30 years, including work in environmental and nature education. She consistently uses stories and books, including picture books, with all of her students from elementary to high school. Most recently, she taught high school humanities, as well as creative writing and science classes for middle school. On any given Saturday, you can find her in her garden, the local farmers market, and her local library.