Across the tables in my living are currently strewn many of
my favorite childhood Christmas stories. I generally don’t look at these books
from mid-January to late-November, not because they’re not just as charming in
May, but because when I take them out after the halls are decked I am immediately
reminded of when I first discovered them.
I can remember sitting with my sister in our bunk beds
reading them as we tried to stay up late enough to catch a glimpse of Santa.
(At least that’s what I was doing. The little sis was probably staying up to
ward against the man in red. She was terrified. But that’s a story for another
day.) And as I page through the books again each year, all that childlike
Christmas anticipation comes rushing back in.
If I read them in May and felt that, I think waiting six
months for Christmas would just be too much. And then I’d become one of those
Christmas in July people, and we can’t have that.
So, for all of you who have children to read to or just want
to feel that childhood glow once again, I present to you my 12 Books of
Christmas (Children’s Edition):
- Christmas Always (Peter Catalanotto)
As I’ve mentioned before, how could
I not love a book where the Sandman, Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost are working
together to get a little girl to fall asleep before Santa shows up?
- A Wish For Wings That Work (Berkeley Breathed)
Who doesn’t root for a penguin who’s
biggest Christmas wish is to fly? Especially when by the end Opus realizes he’s
awesome with or without altitude.
- The Jolly Christmas Postman (Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg)
I loved getting mail. I loved fairy
tales. I loved Christmas. Hello, all my childhood loves rolled into one awesome
book.
- The Night Before Christmas (Clement Clarke Moore)
Every year I would re-memorize this
one, so I could recite to myself as I fell asleep. Sort of the book version of
my Homeward Bound experiment. Far more effective.
- The Polar Express (Chris Van Allsburg)
Honestly? I still get a little
teary about the whole hole-in-the-pocket situation.
- Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (Tomie dePaola)
My sister and I were in the habit
of calling my grandma “Strega Nona” after reading the first of dePaola’s
stories of the woman. So, we would read this with grandma and clap as the town
came together to help “Grandma Witch” on Christmas.
- The Wild Christmas Reindeer (Jan Brett)
A young girl is called in by Santa
to train the reindeer. Not only did I get a better understanding as to how
those reindeer do what they do, but Brett’s story also showed that bossiness
doesn’t really get the job done.
- Santabear’s First Christmas (Barbara Read and Howard B. Lewis)
Not only was the book awesome, but
we had a stuffed Santabear who continues to spend Christmases sliding down the banister.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr. Seuss)
Was it just me or was Max the best
character in this book?
- Samantha’s Surprise (Maxine Rose Schur, Nancy Niles and Robert Grace)
I was a big fan of all the American
Girl books, but Samantha was always my favorite. Her Christmas plans don’t
quite work out the way she expected, but she still ultimately has a wonderful
time. It’s a good message for kids as plans will generally go awry.
- Madeline’s Christmas (Ludwig Bemelmans)
You can always trust Madeline to
take charge. Plus, magic carpet rides!
- The Small One (Alex Walsh and Jesse Clay)
A little boy from Nazareth
can’t afford to keep his donkey anymore, so he sells him to a man who is
traveling with his pregnant wife to Bethlehem.
Check back next week for the 12 Books of Christmas for the
older set!
I enjoyed that Samantha book. I should get it again and read it before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI would certainly support such a decision. =)
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