Top Christmas Books for Kids

'Tis the season. Kids are counting the days till Christmas. Parents and teachers are looking for ways to make the time go by quickly. Paper chains, advent calendars and countdown clocks are all ways that children keep track of “how much longer?” till the big day.

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 Why not combine the long wait and some wonderful holiday literature to make the days go by more quickly? Choose a different seasonal tale each night (or school day) to read and enjoy with your children. Make weeks leading up to the Night before Christmas fun by sharing some favorite stories with your children. Classics like the Grinch and Little House join new tales.

Here’s a list of five favorites to get you started.

Christmas in the Big Woods

A favorite for younger readers is Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder [HarperTrophy 1997]. This short tale from the famed “Little House” series focuses on Laura’s winter in Wisconsin and how she helps her family get ready for Christmas. This version, illustrated by Renée Graef, is an adaptation for the original series aimed for younger children, but it will be loved and enjoyed by all.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the famous Dr. Seuss tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas [Random House Books for Young Readers, 1957]. This tale of a hard-hearted Grinch, who learns the true meaning of Christmas, had been a holiday favorite since it was first published in 1957. It has been animated for TV, adapted for the stage and translated into many languages including Latin. Written in Dr. Seuss’s unmistakable style, this classic is one to be enjoyed over and over!

The Teacher’s Night before Christmas

This entertaining story by Stephen Lane [Pelican Publishing, 2001] is a story that will become a favorite of harried teachers as they prepare for this holiday. It is a teacher-oriented adaptation for Moore’s tale and is sure to be a read-aloud favorite in those last few days of school before the holidays.

The Night Before Christmas

Two classic versions of Clement Moore’s famous The Night Before Christmas are worth seeking out. Everyone knows the story, but the illustrated versions by Tomie De Paola [Holiday House, July 1980] and Tasha Tudor [Topeka Bindery, 2001] make this tale not only a treat for the listener, but a visual joy as well. Both are wonderful version of the classic tale, and reading them both will add to an appreciation of this classic.

A Wish for Wings That Work

Finally, try this lesser known, but wonderful Christmas story to read to young and old alike. A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story by Berkeley Breathed [Little, Brown Young Readers, 1995] tells a delightful tale of a penguin whose one wish is that he can fly. Through a series of misadventures on Christmas Eve, Santa grants him that wish and this little guy not only gets his wish, he gets to save Christmas as well. This story is a refreshing take on the traditional Christmas story and will give readers and listeners a new “must-read” favorite to add to a long list of books holiday books.

The holidays are a wonderful time for family and friends. Favorite holiday stories by Dr. Seuss, Clement Moore, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Berkeley Breathed are just a start. Add to the joy by sharing a Christmas book a day during the holiday season.

Original copyright 2008 Irene Taylor. The copyright of the article Top Christmas Books for Kids in Teacher Tips and Lesson Plans is owned by Irene Taylor. This article is reprinted here with the author's permission. Permission to republish Top Christmas Books for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.