A Christmas Sleigh of Books
One of my favorite memories about Christmas as a child was getting a small wooden sleigh out of the attic that we filled with Christmas-related books. We set it by the fireplace, near the stockings, where we tended to gather at night, so it was easy to peruse the books, especially if the conversation or TV show playing wasn’t of much interest to me. So many of the books had such beautiful illustrations that even though I already knew the stories by heart, it was joyful to linger over each page.
By weaving together the opportunity to read with the excitement that kids naturally have about the holidays, it encourages more reading and increased literacy and appreciation for books and reading. My parents didn’t have to tell me to go read the books that were in the Christmas sleigh. Because I was already excited about Christmas, I was naturally drawn to the books that focused on the season, giving my excitement an outlet. You can combine this excitement and opportunity with other holidays and celebrations, too. Sometimes kids just need to find something that excites them. If a child doesn’t care about Christmas (I have yet to meet this child) but really likes basketball, maybe putting out books about the game of basketball, basketball players, or even books that just have a basketball focus could help get his or her interest. You don’t have to buy all of these items either. Going to the library for books that focus on a theme every once in a while may be enough. Consider a wide range of topics and interests, like: adventure stories with dragons, dinosaurs, African American inventors, female protagonists, dogs, time travel, young detectives, making a difference, etc.
I am starting to collect Christmas books to have available for my daughter to read, too. These are some of the ones I remember fondly from my childhood that have a message I appreciate and want to pass along to her. I grew up in a Christian household, but as an atheist, I won’t be including many books to which I was exposed because of their religious message. (Note: Some of these are newer editions than the version I grew up with.)
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect by Richard Schneider
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, Judith Gwyn Brown (Illustrator)
The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia M. Scarry, J.P. Miller (Illustrator) Scratch and sniff!
The Gift of the Magi by Lisbeth Zwerger (Illustrator). I love this particular edition because of the beautiful illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss It may seem a bit trite since it’s SUCH a classic, but it is a classic for a reason — kids and adults love it.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen. I find this edition, illustrated by Rachel Isadora, particularly beautiful, perhaps because it’s the one I remember from my childhood.
What classics might you recommend for adding to the Christmas sleigh?
