Since the children were small, I have picked out 24 Christmas themed picture books and wrapped them up for Advent. As new books were discovered from the library, I would purchase them and add them to our personal collection. Usually I would wrap them just after Christmas and pack them away with our decorations so that they were ready for the following year. Below is a list of our favorite Christmas Picture Books, old and new that we have unwrapped in what has become one of our favorite family Christmas traditions.
~ Mindy Baker
One tiny church mouse must find a way to bring Christmas spirit to his little town when Parson gets sick and the usual Christmas Eve service is cancelled. Mouse never gives up hope as he prepares the nativity set and lights a small candle in the window to signal the villagers. Mouse’s small act of faith sparks a chain reaction of hope and love, demonstrating that even the smallest creature can make a big difference.
~ Robert E. Barry
Christmas is here and Mr. Willowby's tree has arrived. There's just one big problem: The tree is too tall for his parlor. He cuts off the top so it will fit, and soon the top of that tree is passed along again and again to bring holiday cheer to all the animals in the forest.
~ Helaine Becker
This Canadian Christmas carol became an instant holiday classic. Enjoy all of Werner Zimmermann’s zany illustrations, count the characters from 1 to 12, and sing along. It’s Christmas as only Canadians can celebrate it — with squirrels curling, Mounties munching donuts, hockey players-a-leaping.... and A Porcupine in a Pine Tree!
~ Lisa Tawn Bergren
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder... "Who invented Christmas?" Mama's answer only leads to more questions like "Is God more important than Santa?" So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that... Jesus is the best present of all.
~ Jan Brett
When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.
~ Margaret Wise Brown
All alone in an empty field grew a little fir tree. It dreamed of being part of a forest-or part of anything at all. Then one winter day, a man takes the little fir tree away and it finds itself at the center of a little boy's very special celebration.
~ Caralyn Buehner
Have you ever wondered what snowmen do for Christmas? Well, now’s your chance to find out! Filled wih holiday cheer, including icy treats and a snowman Kris Kringle. Told in verse, Snowmen at Christmas is perfect for a snowy evening read-aloud.
~ Nancy Churnin
Queen Charlotte brought her family's festive holiday yule bough from Germany to England. While planning a Christmas Day party in 1800 at Windsor Castle for over 100 children, she realized a single bough isn't enough. So she brought in the whole tree instead, making it the first known Christmas Tree in England.
~ Peter Collington
The wooden figures in a Christmas crèche come to life to save a poor old woman in this truly original, deeply moving contemporary parable. Told with 96 pictures by Peter Collington, the master of the wordless story, this is a Christmas treasure the entire family can enjoy.
~ Anthony DeStefano
The poignant story of a little boy who is sad because his grandmother has passed away. It is Christmastime, and the boy asks his grandfather where his grandmother might be. The grandfather responds by telling the boy his fondest hope—that his grandmother is in Heaven. The boy closes his eyes as his grandfather describes that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and that a great, festive party is taking place in Heaven. It’s a scene filled with angels and saints, music and laughter, joy and love, and most of all, abundant life!
~ Dr. Seuss
For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His "wonderful, awful" idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.
The Christmas Book Flood
For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His "wonderful, awful" idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.
~ Emily Kilgore
This lovely and lyrical picture book, based on a real Icelandic tradition, brings all the sparkle and anticipation of Christmas--and of the joys of reading--to the page.
~ Kristin Kladstrup
A brave gingerbread pirate, Captain Cookie, and his daring adventure on Christmas eve to rescue his crew from a mysterious man named Santa Claus. A fresh, funny story that sparkles with all the excitement of a pirate adventure — and all the magic of Christmas morning.
~ Mary Lyn Ray
When Wilma decides that her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become Christmas trees.
~ Sherri Duskey Rinker
’Tis the season for sharing delicious treats, singing Christmas carols, dazzling the world with sparkly decorations, wrapping gifts, delivering packages, and so much more. On the dream train, the workers know their tasks by heart, for when each new December starts, the Christmas Train takes to the air, transporting magic everywhere.
~ Trisha Romance
A gentle old carpenter who has spent his whole life in the service of others has finally begun to build his own home in a quiet meadow, with nothing but a small reindeer to keep him company. Finishing by winter seems like an impossible task, but the carpenter reaps the years of kindness he has sown, and his neighbors return his love by helping complete his new home by Christmas. He has a wonderful surprise in store for them, making this Christmas one that everyone will cherish forever.
~ Gideon Sterer
When Little Owl’s home is cut down by people saying it will make a beautiful Christmas tree, she’s not sure she wants anything to do with Christmas, whatever that means. But then she is saved by a woman named Ellen, whose house is merrily decorated for the holiday, and filled with birds who need someone to care for them. Surrounded by kindness and helpful new friends, Little Owl begins to wonder if Christmas might not be such a bad thing after all….
The Polar Express
The Polar Express
~ Chris Van Allsburg
Late one Christmas Eve after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards the mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole.
~ Marie Voigt
Cosmo doesn’t like the wintertime, because he thinks it's dark and lonely. Only his friend Betty's promise of finding a magical Christmas tree, adorned with the brightest star of all, can lure him out of his cave. Together they embark on a holiday adventure and discover something far greater than they ever imagined—and learn just how bright friendship can shine.
~ Martin Waddell
In the stable next to an inn, Kind Ox is just settling in for the night when Old Dog comes into the stable. Kind Ox makes room for Old Dog, who in turn makes room for Stray Cat, who then makes room for Small Mouse--and each time, the larger animal says to the small, "There's always room for a little one here." Finally, Tired Donkey comes by, carrying Joseph and Mary, who asks "Where will my child be born?" Kind Ox replies, "There is always room for a little one here." And so, Jesus is born in the stable with the animals all around Him.
~ Lori Walburg
On a dark November night, a man arrives in a small town. While the townspeople are curious about who he is, and what he brings, only Lucy is brave enough to offer him her help. As she unpacks candy jars and sweets, he tells her the story of the candy cane and its origin.
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
Christmas has come to the Big Woods of Wisconsin! Laura and her family are excited to celebrate. When Laura’s cousins, aunt, and uncle arrive, they spend their time together eating sweets, playing in the snow, and reading. Their holiday celebrations are full of simple joys.
~ Karma Wilson
Bear's friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up -- by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents!
~ Susan Wojciechowski
Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.
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