Even though it IS just 4 days till Christmas, I wanted to share with you my favorite Christmas books for children. Or, for anyone who likes to read a beautiful story and look and beautiful illustrations. And maybe use up some of their extra Kleenex…
I pulled together just some of my favorites. If I listed them all, you’d click away and never come back. And, sometimes they go missing. I found 2 of these featured below in my daughter’s bed yesterday. Under her pillow. So, some are missing dust jackets, some are a bit beat up around the edges. But they are well-read and well-loved. And, I think that’s just what their authors wanted for them!
The Country Angel Christmas by Tomie dePaola
A sweet story about the little country angels in heaven who have been given the big task of preparing for Heaven’s Christmas celebration once St. Nicholas is finished delivering all his gifts to the children on earth. The smallest 3 angels are left out of the plans… until they save the day! LOVE this story, and the illustrations are fabulous.
The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel
A real-to-life story about a boy who inspires the first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City. The story spans the life of the main character from a young boy to an older man. The illustrations are lovely, and you’ll never look at that huge NYC Christmas tree the same again!
St. Francis Celebrates Christmas by Mary Caswell Walsh
Did you know that St. Francis created the first Nativity Scene? Yes, he did! My children and I LOVE this book. It’s the true story of how St. Francis of Assisi and the villagers of Greccio created a joyful celebration for Christ’s birthday, and how we still do the same today.
Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt
Yes, this is the same Frank McCourt who wrote Angela’s Ashes. And the same Angela, but when she was a little girl in Ireland. This might top the list of my all time favorite Christmas stories. Little Angela worries about Baby Jesus in the Nativity Scene in the church. He has no blanket and must be cold! She decides to help, not matter what the cost… and the rest will make you laugh out loud and maybe shed a tear or two.
An Angel Came to Nazareth: A Story of the First Christmas by Anthony Knott
This book is a work of art, with gilded and embossed pages and amazing illustrations. My children literally sit and run their hands over each page. I could frame this book! A poetic story of four travelers to Bethlehem and the four animals who carry them. An angel asks the animals to choose while traveler they would like to carry. Who carries the Greatest of Them All?
The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola
Good grief, I literally sobbed at the end of this book the first time I read it to my kids. They thought I was crazy. So, just read it to yourself first and THEN read it to your kids! :) This is a retelling of an old French legend. It tells the story of a juggler’s life… and he ultimately gives his greatest gift to the Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. An amazing book, every time.
Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
There is just something catching about the simple, poetic rhythm of this story. It is a simple, rural retelling of the Christmas story. A great book for small children and older ones alike.
All for the New Born Baby by Phyllis Root
Another work of art! Mary sings a beautiful lullaby to the baby Jesus and in her song she describes how the world around Him is rejoicing at His birth. Just look at that illustration! The sweet birds covering Baby Jesus with their feathers to keep him warm.
“The inn was full. It was cold in the stable, dark and bare. But Mary held her baby close, and when he fussed, as babies do, she sang a little cradle song all for the newborn baby.”
Baby Jesus by Welleran Poltarnees
Countless painters and illustrators have been moved to illustrate the Christ child for us. The author has selected a wide and beautiful variety of artistic depictions of the birth of Jesus and combined it with a well told narrative. There are 43 different images in the book, and an artwork reference page in the back, if you find an artist you are particularly inspired by. Love it!
Thanks, I added almost all of them to my amazon wish list. I am just starting to collect beautiful Christmas books and I am excited to slowly start gathering my first few over the next year. Just in time for next Christmas, I hope to have a nice little beginning collection started. I’m thinking of doing the thing where you wrap the 25 books and open one each day until Christmas. I’m thinking opening them as a present will most definitely excited my boys
I know what you mean about Clown of God. I borrowed it from the library, unsuspectingly gathered the boys on the sofa one night and yes, sobbed when I got to the end. Pre-reading it before reading to the kiddos is great advice.
Erin – I’ve always thought that wrapping up books would be nice, too. I always assumed moms went out and bought 25 new Christmas books each year. Sheesh! That’s quite a lot of cash! But, I bet you could even wrap up books from previous years as well. They don’t have to be new Christmas stories – but make the story for the day! I bet that’s what everyone else does and I’m just now figuring it out! Hmmm… a very good idea you have there! :)
I love these. The illustrations and the story in Santa’s Favorite Story are so beautiful. http://www.amazon.com/Santas-Favorite-Story-Santa-Christmas/dp/141695029X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356108062&sr=1-1&keywords=santa%27s+favorite+story
We spent a whole morning reading and watching the tv special from the 80s of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I think it’s a great way to spend a morning during Advent.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Christmas-Pageant-Ever/dp/B009LUDL8S/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356108149&sr=1-17&keywords=the+best+christmas+pageant+ever+book
I love these, Jami! Thank you for sharing. My mother-in-law’s favorite Christmas story was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She passed away two Thanksgivings ago, and you’ve just reminded me that I need to read that to my children again! And, I’ll be sure to add Santa’s Favorite Story to my list as well.
One of my very favorites is “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” by Gloria Houston. It’s about a little girl waiting for her father to come home from WWI, and how she and her mother get a special Christmas tree for the church all by themselves. It’s such a sweet story, and I’ve got a lump in my throat just thinking about it, because I wish my brother could be stateside for Christmas instead of spending it in a tent in Afghanistan (though I am proud of him for serving his country!).
I really like”The Gift.” it’s about a poor newlywed couple who sacrifice to give each the perfect Christmas gift. Also like “The Donkey’s Dream” and “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.”