We set up our Christmas tree earlier this week and afterwards we had hot chocolate and sugar cookies fresh out of the oven and sat on the couch for our first Christmas book of the season. Evenings aren’t always so picturesque around here but it’s pretty sweet when they are. 🙂

We’ve got a number of favorite Christmas books and I thought I’d split them up into two lists, general Christmas books (this list) and the other list will feature books that focus on Christ and the reason for the season.

SEVEN BOOKS TO READ
AT CHRISTMAS

 

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

“Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. No holiday season is complete without the Grinch, Max, Cindy-Lou, and all the residents of Who-ville, in this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit on even the smallest and coldest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is the perfect gift for young and old.

A Porcupine in a Pine Tree

Celebrate Christmas Canadian-style with this hilarious adaptation of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” You’ll find squirrels curling, puffins piping, hockey players a-leaping and more.

GINGERBREAD BABY

Remember how the Gingerbread Boy is eaten by the fox? Well, not this Gingerbread Baby in a delicious twist to a favorite old tale.

It all begins when Matti opens the oven too soon and out jumps a cheeky little Gingerbread Bay. He leads Matti’s mother and father, the dog and the cat. And a whole colorful cast of characters on a rollicking chase through the village and into the forest, staying just out of reach, daring them to catch him along the way.

But Matti’s not with them. He’s at home in the borders making what turns out to be a gingerbread house into which the Gingerbread Baby runs. Only Matti knows he is safely inside. And readers will too when they look under the lift-the-flap gingerbread house at the end of the story, and there he is!

CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG WOODS

Long ago, a little girl named Laura Ingalls lived in a little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters, Mary and Carrie, and their good old bulldog, Jack. Winter was just around the corner, and Laura worked hard to help make the little house ready for the cold days ahead. Soon there was frost on the windows and snow on the ground, but Laura and her folks were warm and cozy in their snug little house in the Big Woods.

THE POLAR EXPRESS

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . .

Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.

MR. WILLOWBY’S CHRISTMAS TREE

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree
Came by special delivery.
Full and fresh and glistening green–
The biggest tree he’d ever seen.

That was the trouble. The tree was so tall, it couldn’t stand up straight in his parlor. Mr. Willowby asked his butler to chop off the top of the tree. What happens to the treetop? Where will it be for Christmas? Snuggle up with this story and follow along through a forest full of friendly creatures who get to share in a bit of Christmas joy.

ITSY BITSY CHRISTMAS

Do you ever feel like you are too small or too ordinary? This is just how Itsy and Bitsy feel. When these two charming little mice hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem, they set off with great enthusiasm to find Him. Along the way, they are met with discouraging words telling them they are too little and unimportant for any king. Just when Itsy and Bitsy begin to believe they really aren’t big enough for the new King, they learn that Christ the King has indeed come for everyone. 

If you enjoyed this book list check out our list of Ten Christmas Books That Keep Christ at the Center.