12 Recommended Children's Books for the Holidays
Classic picture books for all ages during the holidaze
Although the winter break can be a busy time of holiday craze and family-filled chaos, there is something reassuring about the thought of curling up by the fire with a good book. Even if you don’t have a fireplace or the obligatory cold weather to make it truly a festive scene, you could and should lose yourself in a holiday classic story or a new wintery favorite over the next few weeks.
Grab a cup of hot chocolate and consider reading, re-reading, or sharing a read-aloud of one of the following seasonal recommendations (all titles linked to GoodReads):
The Snowy Day is a children’s classic, in which Ezra Jack Keats’ Caldecott-winning illustrations follow the adventures of a boy trying to hold the wonder of winter in his pocket.
Not a Box is not a holiday book, but this sweet tale by Antoinette Portis does show the joy found in boxes — of which there are many to be found during the days of gift giving ahead.
The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear reminds us all to keep searching for ways to make our wishes come true, and to enjoy the journey along the way.
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson is a poignant tale of finding the definition of family in the most unexpected of places.
Snow by Uri Shulevitz depicts the joy of snowfall in winter and the patience it takes for a wonderland to appear.
In The Mitten, popular author/illustrator Jan Brett shares her sweet retelling of a Ukrainian folktale to illustrate the cozy togetherness of making space for friends, even in a snow-covered wood.
The Gift of the Magi is a cautionary tale by O. Henry that speaks of the true emotion behind giving of yourself to make someone else happy.
The Lion in the Box by Marguerite de Angeli is based upon a true story. A poor family at the turn of the century receives an unexpected large box on their doorstep for the holidays.
While not an outright holiday book, The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires underscores the creativity found in making something unique, which could be great inspiration for holiday gifts.
The Little Match Girl is a classic tale by Hans Christian Anderson that is wreathed in sadness, yet illuminates (literally) the ideals of family love and underscores the need for charity and giving.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg quite simply brings to life the journey of believing through the award-winning mix of words and illustrations.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson has to be one of my personal, all-time, laugh-out-loud favorites. The story of the Herdmans is a great read aloud, as well as a wonderful reminder to myself about the intangible spirit of the holidays.
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Happy reading and Happy Holidays!
