When I was 4 years old, I memorized “The Night Before Christmas.” I loved the classic story about seeing Santa and his eight tiny reindeer, and read it year-round. As a parent, I was excited to read it to my own children and pass down the poem by Clement C. Moore to the next generation.
Growing up, my mom was an elementary school teacher, so she had a wonderful selection of books in her classroom, and I was fortunate enough to have inherited many of her holiday-themed stories to share with my kids.
Whether you’re looking to expand your collection of treasured tales or looking for gift ideas for your friends and family members, this list of books will delight readers of all ages during the holidays.
"Merry Christmas, Peanut!" is written and illustrated by Terry Border.
1. "Merry Christmas, Peanut!" (Terry Border): This sweet tale about a little peanut going to visit his grandma on Christmas Day is only made better by the adorable visuals that accompany the story. Author and illustrator Terry Border is known for his clever stylings, and in this case, he added wires to peanut shells to give all the characters arms, legs and glasses. In one scene, the characters walk through a forest, but the forest is made out of sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees and covered in green sprinkles.
"The Chanukkah Guest" is written by Eric A. Kimmel.
2. "The Chanukkah Guest" (Eric A. Kimmel): In a case of mistaken identity, an old woman cooking food for a Chanukah feast thinks a bear is a Rabbi coming to visit her house. It’s as funny as it sounds, while also thoughtfully incorporating many of the traditions associated with this Jewish holiday.
3. "Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve?" (Jan Brett): A girl and a boy try to keep trolls from ruining their Christmas Eve feast, and get some help from a polar bear. Based on a Norwegian folktale, author and illustrator Jan Brett spent time researching the clothes and traditions of the people who live above the Arctic Circle, where the story takes place. Among Brett’s many other books are “The Mitten,” “The Wild Christmas Reindeer” and “Christmas Trolls,” which all feature the detailed, distinctive drawings and joyful storytelling of this beloved children’s author.
"K is for Kwanzaa" is written by Juwanda G. Ford.
4. "K is for Kwanzaa" (Juwanda G. Ford): In this book, each page has a letter of the alphabet (“I is for Indigo/Q is for Quilt”) that relates to Kwanzaa, the non-religious holiday that honors African-American people and their heritage. With vibrant illustrations from Ken Wilson-Max, it serves as a great introduction for younger children to learn about the meanings behind the celebration that lasts for seven days from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.
5. "Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition" (Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell): Many parents have mixed feelings about the Elf (myself included), but there’s no denying that it’s a tradition kids love, and that includes reading the “Elf on the Shelf” book every year. At the end of the book you can write when you got your elf and the name you chose. For parents with foggy memories (myself included), it’s a good reminder of how long you had the elf, and your family will appreciate it as your kids get older.
"The Legend of the Poinsettia" is retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaolo.
6. "The Legend of the Poinsettia" (Tomie dePaolo): This legend from Mexico is about a little girl who can only offer weeds to Baby Jesus at her church on Christmas Eve, but her simple gift turns into a gorgeous red plant, la Flor de Nochebuena, the poinsettia. Retold and illustrated by one of my favorite children’s authors, Tomie dePaolo, this beautiful book captures the message of miracles and gift-giving. Another cute holiday book by dePaolo is “Jingle the Christmas Clown.”
7. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (Dr. Seuss): No matter how many movies have been made about the Grinch, nothing compares to the original book from 1957. The rhymes, the Who’s, the downright Grinchiness, Dr. Seuss captures it all in his iconic illustrations and reminds readers about the true meaning of Christmas.
"The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree" is written by Gloria Houston.
8. "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree" (Gloria Houston): The subtitle of this lovely book is “An Appalachian Story” because it is set in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina in the 1940s, and follows a little girl named Ruthie. It is her family’s turn to provide a tree for the town church, but with her dad at war overseas, and Ruthie and her mom left without a lot of money, will they be able to pull off the perfect Christmas? (The answer is yes, but only because of the hard work and sacrifice from Ruthie’s mom; a scenario that most moms can relate to this time of year….) The pretty pictures were painted by Barbara Cooney.
"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O'Henry.
9. "The Gift of the Magi" (O’Henry): This timeless short story never fails to delight as it weaves a tale of love, sacrifice and irony centered on a poor, young couple struggling to find the perfect gift for one another. O’Henry’s writing is insightful and exquisite, but it might be a little over the head of some younger readers, so might be best to start with second or third graders so they can better appreciate the language and nuances within the story.
10. "The Polar Express" (Chris Van Allsburg): Winner of the 1986 Caldecott Medal for its outstanding illustrations, this book about a boy who takes a magical train to the North Pole has earned its status as a classic for young readers. Additionally, the 2004 movie with Tom Hanks and the real-life train rides in places like Bryson City, N.C., have ensured “The Polar Express” will remain part of the Christmas experience for years to come.
