Children's Christmas Books--2013

Shortly after Thanksgiving I pulled out our winter/holiday books with all of our other decorations.  This year I wanted to wrap the books in brown craft paper and label them with the date to be opened.

I noticed that last December some of the recent additions to our collection tended to go unnoticed while a few were requested over and over...and over.

Wanting to give each one their special debut, I opted for the wrapping idea.  And I must say, the kids have been so excited to take their turn unwrapping a book each morning.

I've added two new titles, each featuring a tractor and a horse--because that's how we roll in this household.  But I'm continually hunting down bargain copies throughout the year, so add your favorite title to the comments box!  I'm counting on you fellow bloggers/commenters for suggestions.  :)

1.  TRACTOR MAC SAVES CHRISTMAS by Billy Steers
A snow storm has dumped a lot of snow in a short time, threatening cancellation of the New England town's tree lighting. Farmer Bill saw the halo around the moon, put chains on Mac his tractor, and is prepared. He and Mac dislodge vehicles stuck in the snow as well as Shelby the farm's horse, who is pulling the tree, so the activities can go on without a hitch.

2.  AN OTIS CHRISTMAS by Loren Long
It's Christmas Eve on the farm and Otis the tractor is delighted with his shiny new horn.  All the animals are excited, especially for the farm horse's new foal which is about to be born.  But a big snowstorm complicates matters when the horse starts to have trouble.  Otis and his new horn come to the rescue!  If your kiddos love farm life this is sure to be a favorite!

And the rest of our collection...

THE TALE OF THREE TREES: A Traditional Folktale ~retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
This one never fails to choke me up! Three trees, each with dreams of what they'd become when they grew up, and how God's plan for each of them turned out to be very different and far better than they ever dreamed.  I read this when I host a Christmas brunch for the ladies in my small group from church.  (A great Easter book too!)

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY ~Susan Wojciechowski
Our ex-library copy came with a CD narrated by James Earl Jones--which the kids just love. And I could stare at the beautiful watercolored illustrations for hours. They are breathtaking. It's a story of a hardened man rediscovering the meaning of Christmas.

THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING ~Rick Osborne
A simple story about selfless giving with a sub-lesson on Saint Nicholas and the origin of hanging Christmas stockings.

THE CRIPPLED LAMB ~Max Lucado
The illustrations didn't grip me as some in the other books, but the message that God has a special place for each of us, no matter how different we are, is a treasure.

MR. WILLOWBY'S CHRISTMAS TREE ~Robert Barry
This one is just so much fun! Mr. Willowby's tree is too tall for his fancy parlor, so he asks his butler to chop off the top. That top becomes someone else's Christmas tree, but alas it is too tall for their space,...and on and on. Adam asks me to read this one over and over!

THE CITY THAT FORGOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS ~Mary Warren
This was my favorite Christmas book from our church library some 30 years ago! It seemed much larger back then. Doesn't everything seem smaller than you remember it as a kid though? It's the story of a carpenter named Matthew who happens upon a village that no longer celebrates Christmas, and how he brings the message of Christ's love through carving a life-sized nativity.

THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS ~Paul L. Maier
Phenomenal illustrations, true depictions of the ethnicity of Jesus and the Middle Eastern region, and lots of biblical "footnotes" included in the story as it's related from a mother to her son. I found the dialogue between the mother and son distracting and a bit awkward in parts, but the richness of the biblical account totally makes up for it.

KATY AND THE BIG SNOW ~Virginia Lee Burton
For the train/tractor fans in your household, you can't go wrong with this story of Katy coming to the rescue for the city of Geoppolis.
      *Our copy got ruined so I'm now on the lookout for a replacement.

HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS ~Carol Heyer
The first page contains the most amazing close-up of Humphrey's beautiful, long-lashed, and luminous eye. The second page elicits giggles everytime. Humphrey is the most awkward, goofy-looking camel you ever did see, and his thoughts are only for himself until he encounters the King of Kings. My only qualm with this book is that the three wise men visit the newborn Jesus in the stable, not later as the scriptures teach. A cute book none-the-less. Who can help but fall in love with the unlovely Humphrey?!

BEAR SNORES ON ~Karma Wilson
A wonderfully sychopated rhyme of a hibernating bear whose cave becomes a haven from the wintry weather for a gaggle of furry and feathered friends...that is until the bear wakes up! Another book with marvelous illustrations!

ONE WINTRY NIGHT ~Ruth Bell Graham
This Christmas book is really an abbreviated account of Creation through the Resurrection in eleven chapters.  The thirty-some beautifully detailed, full page illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson are a feast for the eyes. Only minor details of the text left the impression that the author, Billy Graham's wife, was loosely paraphrasing. This is the first year I've read it to my kids because of their combined attention span, and I purposefully "scheduled" a chapter to be read the 11 days prior to Christmas.  A wonderful tool to bring the BIG picture into focus this holiday season.

FROGGY GETS DRESSED ~Jonathan London
This one is just plain silly. Aside from us asking the kids why it was wrong of Froggy to ignore his mother's admonition to go back to bed (frogs hibernate during the winter) this book illustrates the maddening exercise of getting dressed for the cold weather only to forget something!

BEAR STAYS UP FOR CHRISTMAS by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman
Another delightful "Bear" book, this one about Bear's struggle to stay awake to celebrate Christmas with his friends when he normally would be hibernating. Santa makes a very quick appearance in this book, but we've talked about the tradition of Santa in our household, so I've no objections to his inclusion in the story. The spirit of the book is friends blessing friends with thoughtfulness. And I simply adore Chapman's style.

ONE WINTER'S DAY by M. Christina Butler and illustrated by Tina Macnaughton
Along the same vein as the previous title, this book showcases selflessness and a generous spirit as Little Hedgehog tries to find shelter on a blustery winter night and en route gives away his hat, mittens and scarf to friends in need, at cost to his personal comfort. His kindness is rewarded in the end. *This is a touch and feel book.

THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats
I normally enjoy greatly detailed illustrations and country scenes, but I purposefully chose this book for a change. It's broad, plain illustrations and city scene capture the simple joy of discovering snow and the fun to be had playing in it.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY by Ezra Jack Keats
Another book by Keats, this one illustrating the lyrics to the song. *Music score included at the end. I liked that all of the people looked Middle Eastern/Asian, as that is rare, but I will point out that there are 5 wise men and they visit the manger scene. I just remind the kids of what the scriptures say about the "kings" and when they visited Jesus.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by Laurel Long
The only words in this stunning book are the lyrics to the song, but the illustrations are clearly the shining star. With each page turn, a new verse is uncovered along with the previous verses themes hidden in the elaborate design. A fun challenge to find everything!

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI by O. Henry and illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
The familiar story of Jim and Della and the lengths they go to get a meaningful gift for the one they love. In the end the gifts are rendered useless by the sacrifice they each make, but the intention is what matters. A nice segway opportunity to talk about the sacrifice Jesus made to give us the greatest gift--salvation. The only thing we truly need.

THE YEAR OF THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Barbara Cooney
This book is set in 1918 Appalachia--a heartwarming story of familial love and dedication with illustrations that capture the charm of the region.  This is a favorite for Natalia.