One of my favorite things about the holidays is the fact that I have more time to read; moreover, my family has more time as well, so we usually read by the fireplace together, in a craftily decorated room, while sipping on some hot cocoa and eat cookies.
Whether you will read out loud or agree that every family member read their own book, the very act of sharing the reading time is a valuable way to share the Christmas spirit as well. And for that, of course, you need a good book.
Here is the ultimate Christmas book list you should definitely check out for Christmas reading sessions with your family.
We read this Christmas classic almost every year, as it is a simple story teaching kids (and adults) the importance of good deeds. As a new film inspired by this book is scheduled for this November, I bet we will read the book again even before Christmas, to compare it with the movie!
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The movie of the same title is amazing but the book is hypnotically heart-warming. The book, as you probably already know, portrays a boy who experiences an adventure on the Christmas Eve, heading to the North Pole. You can also find an audio version of the book narrated by Liam Neeson.
Of course, you are familiar with the Very Hungry Caterpillar. The author of this book has also given us a Christmas classic Dream Snow in which – you guessed it – there is no snow on the Christmas Eve. Will the dreams help the protagonist bring the snow?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
If you ask me, this books is the base of modern Christmas literature. Going through the past, present and future, we get the essence of the Christmas spirit and human transformations it inspires. You can access the Kindle and audio version of Dickens’ classic for free on Amazon.
A snowman gets a cold and does everything we would do when we are sick – he has a bath, drinks hot cocoa, keeps himself warm and – melts. The kids have to fix the situation.
This book isn’t directly related to Christmas but it is still amazingly amusing and great for reading during the holidays.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Peanuts)
I may not be a fan of “branded” Christmas books (I avoid books with characters famous from other media, as they are usually just a poor exploitation of the original content), yet I gladly read this one all over again. I guess it is really powerful in reminding me of my childhood Christmas celebrations. My children love this book as well!
Dougherty and Richards, a famous NYT duo, brings us an adorable picture book abundant with Christmas joy and heart-warming messages. It teaches children no dream is too big for them, no matter how “little” they are. A true holiday treat!
Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh
Published over 20 years ago, this picture book is still fresh and manages to keep children’s attention. Olive, wanting to help Santa and the rest of the North Pole crew as a reindeer, is in fact a dog – and a silly one, too. Her adventures are a hilarious reminder of the essence of holidays, as well as of the importance of our persistence.
Weird But True Christmas by National Geographic Kids
Weird but True Christmas: 300 Festive Facts to Light Up the Holidays was great for us between fiction books. As you could expect from National Geographic, the book contains a variety of scientific facts so unusual you end up stunned by the world we live in. The entire family enjoyed discovering so many new things.
This classic picture book is now a great piece of nostalgia for the time before the internet. You can use it not only to show your kids more about the tradition of sending letters to Santa but also to show them more about sending letters in general.
What’s on your Christmas reading list this year? Give us your recommendations in the comments!
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