Christmas Books to Read with Your Kids This Year

Merry Christmas! Yes, I know it seems early, but trust me, it will be here before we know it! Anyone who has been a regular on my blog may have noticed I disappeared for a short while, and there's been a gap in my reviews. Sorry about that! Life got busy and I got in one of those reading slumps where I just couldn't finish a book. Ever been there?

Well I'm back in time for the holidays! Not sure if things will slow down enough for me to catch up on my chapter books, but until I do, I've got some special picture books to recommend! I remember these from my good ol' library days, and I highly recommend you take some time to check these out, slow down, and read them with the kids. These books all have a great message to remind us the real reason for the season!

Let me start with a classic. How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

image courtesy of goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56905178-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-full-color-edition

I think we all know this one! And secretly, we all love the Grinch. Probably because sometimes we relate to him a little bit! Christmas can get overwhelming sometimes and makes some of us grouchy, or "grinchy." What I love about this classic though, is how the Whos make the Grinch realize Christmas was never about all the presents and the decorations and "stuff." Even if we lost all of those things or couldn't afford them, Christmas would still come and we would still celebrate with family!

I also HIGHLY recommend you find the animated classic and watch after reading the book.

image courtesy of imdb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060345/

That's a tradition in my house and even though I don't have kiddos of my own, I still watch it every year! I love it! It is a direct narration from the book, and the animation is fantastic. This may be another special case where I love the movie a bit more than the book! *gasp*

Next, one you have probably never heard of. I remember using this one in storytime. I loved it, the kids loved it too! Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss. I know what you're thinking. Charity, seriously? What do you mean "un-Christmas?" Don't worry! This is a special story with a special meaning.

image courtesy of goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/404864.Merry_Un_Christmas?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=daSzM3V2dU&rank=1

It's about a little girl named Noelle who lives in a world where every single day is Christmas--except one special day of the year. On one day, it's "un-Christmas", and everything is normal. Noelle can finally go to school, since school is always closed on Christmas, as we know. Everyone can finally mail all their stuff, since the Post Office opens for one day. (Can you imagine?!)

Noelle is overrun with gifts, Christmas dinner, decorations and so on. She doesn't even have room for all of the ponies she got for Christmas! The book is hilarious and illustrates in a funny way that we don't need to be so spoiled at Christmas. A lot of kids tend to think "wouldn't it be great if every day was Christmas?" Most are thinking about getting presents every day of the year. But this book shows us that while celebrating Christmas Day is great, every day we live is a gift and precious and fun. If we only had presents and never went to work or school, we'd miss out on a lot of great things.

It's a good opportunity to have a discussion with your kids about what Christmas really means, and how it is so much more than presents. And the illustrations are fun and beautiful!

Now, I believe I've saved the best for last. Mortimer's Christmas Manger. We cannot have Christmas without a story that shares how Jesus was born. I remember this one from my library days as well, and it was (and still is) precious. Karma Wilson presents the Christmas Story in a new, special way.

image courtesy of goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1214550.Mortimer_s_Christmas_Manger?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_27

Mortimer the mouse wants a new home for Christmas. He doesn't like his dark, cold hole in the wall anymore. He stumbles across a manger scene set out for Christmas. It seems like the perfect home for him! Except it's full of statues. Mortimer sets them all out and moves in for a good night's sleep. Problem is, every morning, someone has put the statues back in. Mortimer wants everything for himself!

But one night, he hears the family reading the story of Jesus's birth. He hears about Mary, Joseph, the stable, and baby Jesus. Mortimer realizes who all of the statues represent, and tearfully puts them all back. He apologizes for pushing out Jesus, and is ready to go back to his home. But Mortimer knows that Jesus came to save the whole world, so Jesus can help him too. Mortimer says a prayer to Jesus, knowing He can help him find the right home. I don't want to give away the whole ending, but let's just say this story proves to children that no request is too small, and Jesus always hears and answers our prayers.

It is such a sweet story! And I like the messages it brings. First of all, it shows us Jesus is the reason for the season. He is the real reason we celebrate Christmas! Also, it makes us ask the question, do you have room for Jesus? Will you make room for Jesus in your home? Not just for Christmas, but every day?

If you don't find time to get a copy from your local library, you can very often find readings of these stories on YouTube for free! Either way, I hope you take some time this year to read with your family and discuss the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas, and as always, Happy Reading!