Holiday Books - Christmas & Hannukah

Christmas Books

My Favorites:

Santa Mouse by Michael Brown

This is a favorite from my childhood.  This book sat near the fireplace  at my grandmother's house and every year I would read sit on her blue velvet couch and read this book.  This book brings me back to some of my fondest memories.

 I opened up my box of Christmas books this year, and this book was missing.  I plan on a thorough search of all my boxes, and if I can't find it, I'll have to find a copy.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsberg

This is a great book.  Every child would love to ride the Polar Express.  I'm sure my children listen just as intently for this train's whistle as they do for Santa's sleigh bells.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Classic! Every year I start to become a little Grinch-like as I think of all the unimportant To-Do's that surround the holiday, so this is a good book to remind me that Christmas doesn't come in a box, but is felt in the love we share.

Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold

I love Olive. Please do not confuse this cute book with the awful Christmas special. Olive is a dog who believes in herself and makes things happen.

Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Berenstain Bears do a great job of explaining things, including a visit to Santa Bear.

This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

Beautiful poem that explains in simple language the role of each person that First Christmas.

The Stable Where Jesus Was Born by Rhonda Gowler Greene

I love this book about the Nativity, too.  A poem that builds on itself.  Beautiful illustrations, beautiful poem, beautiful book.

Who is Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate

The animals in the stable prepare for Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck

Very simple, sweet explanation of the Nativity.  I love Felicia Bond's sweet, simple drawings.

More Christmas Books

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry

The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Felicia Bond

The Gift of the Traveler by Wendy Matthews

Snowmen at Christmas by Carolyn and Mark Buehner

That First Night by B.G. Hennessey

Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate

A Merry Little Christmas by Mary Engelbreit

Come and See: A Christmas Story by Monica Mayper

When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey by

Christmas Treasury  Compiled by Dalmatian Press

Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parrish 

Mooseltoe! by Margie Palatini

Santa and the Three Bears by Dominic Catalano

The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll

Christmas Mice by Bethany Roberts

Jingle Bell Mice Illustrated by Lisa McCue

The Littlest Christmas Tree by Janie Jasin

My Favorite Hanukkah Books

Yes, I have a few Hanukkah books, too. I kept these after I"retired from teaching" (became a stay at home mom) because they are great books! My kids love them and they are as much a part of our "Christmas Books" as How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel My #1 favorite

The Chanukah Guest by Eric A. Kimmel I really love this book

The Magic Dreidels by Eric A. Kimmel

These are my favorite Chritmas books, what are yours? I'd love to hear about your favorite Christmas books, and Christmas memories.

Holiday Books - Halloween

I love books.  I may be obseessed with books.  I don't know. What I do know is that when it comes to books I say, the more the merrier!
Stashed away with my holiday decorations I have holiday books that only come out during the month we celebrate the holiday. So this month I have, next to my fireplace, Halloween books.  I have 30 Halloween books (including the five I bought yesterday).  My kids love this time of year when the holiday books come out. We read them over and over again, knowing that in a few short weeks they're packed up until next year.

To create a library of holiday books I buy from school book orders and the library (that's where the newest five books came from). 

Our favorite Halloween/Autumn Books are:

• The Stranger by Chris VanAllsburg (Jack frost loses his memory and a kind farmer helps him)

• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything and Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White(So cute)

• The Spooky Smells of Halloween by Mary Man-Kong (scratch and sniff!)
• The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene (Sing it to the 12 Days of Christmas)
 

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson (I think it's my kids' favorite)
• Five LittlePumpkins (I have a lesson I do with this book as well)

I have books for Thanksgiving and Christmas, too (I also have a few Hannakah books).
I'll write lists of our favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas books in the next few months.