Christmas Picture Books

Christmas Picture Books

Yes! Christmas picture books, my friends. I know there are a lot of traditions out there that include book reading for the holidays and that is a wonderful thing — a really wonderful thing.

[I realize that not a single one of the books in the pic are actually picture books, let alone Christmas picture books. ~grin~ Just focus on the header. Foooooccccccuus.]

Christmas Picture Books

I am all kinds of thrilled to introduce a guest that I hope will return again and again.

Her name is Karen and she pretty much sleeps, dreams, and breathes books.

She’s a librarian with an extraordinary ability to draw people into the world of whatever book she’s reading. She’s loved by young and old and in-between.

[I can’t imagine you won’t fall in love with her as quickly as I did.]

There’ll be plenty of time to talk about this wonder of a reader later.

Until then, let’s hear what she has to say about Christmas Picture Books.

There’s a Chicken on My Head and I’m Sharing My Favorite Christmas Picture Books

Thanks to Teresa for letting me take up a little bit of room here today to talk books. Let me introduce myself first… my name is Karen or as the kiddos call me ‘Miss Karen’. I work in a small library in northern Utah as the children’s librarian (aka the greatest of all the librarians). I’ve been there nearly 20 years which amazes me and I still love my job. My favorite sport is reading which I suspect has aided me in my chosen profession and I love nothing more than getting kids excited about books by dancing, singing, talking in crazy voices and generally acting ridiculous. It really makes my day.

I hope knowing that about me may incite a teensy bit of confidence as I share — and recommend — some of my favorite picture books, Christmas picture books to be exact. Now, in general, I’m not a fan of holiday books. It seems there’s a feeling in the publishing world that holiday books guarantee sales and so quality isn’t that important. Some of them would never be published if Santa and a Christmas tree were not included in the pages. However, there are two notable exceptions, Halloween and Christmas. I’m not saying that there isn’t a lot of ick for these holidays, too. There is. But there are also quite a few gems out there and since it’s December and Christmas is next week I’m gonna tell you about some of my favorite Christmas picture books.

This year I discovered a wonderful little tome called “I Love Christmas” by Anna Walker. This is a very simple book and is aimed at the baby market. The illustrations are so sweet and the text, while brief, brings the feeling of why Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. It’s one of the few books I would feel comfortable using at story time which contains a religious element because it’s subtle ‘I love the star, and donkey and baby asleep.’

Another favorite for toddlers is “Jingle, Jingle” by Nicola Smee. While not overtly about Christmas it celebrates the season with jingle bells, laughter, friendship, and Santa hats. My favorite way to read it is with bells and I give the kidlets bells to jingle along as we read this rollicking book.

I tend to gravitate towards the fun and silly books because of my storytelling personality but I love the book “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” by Susan Wojciechowski. It reminds me, just a bit, of A Christmas Carol. The story is of a bitter woodcutter who is changed, not by ghosts, but by a widowed woman and her 7 year old son who ask him to carve a Christmas nativity. It’s beautifully illustrated and poignant while not being overly sentimental.

Lastly, let me share my very favorite Christmas book: “Wombat Divine” by Mem Fox. This sparkly jewel of delight was published in 1999 and, while no longer available in hardback, you can still find it in paperback. The Australian animals are auditioning for parts in a Christmas nativity play and wombat wants a part.  Too clumsy to be the angel and too big to be Mary, will wombat find a part to play? I adore this book. It’s silly and sweet and carries the message that Jesus is the most important part of the story.

I get a new Christmas picture book each year as part of my personal holiday traditions and this year I’m adding the book “Here Comes Santa Cat” by Deborah Underwood. The illustrations are A-DORBS and I am so excited to read it and see if will become another favorite.

I’d love to know if you have read any of these books and pretty please share some of your favorites too! Have a very merry, booky, Christmas everyone!

Check them out and see if there’s room on your holiday reading list to include one or two more wondrous stories!

Don’t forget to share your favorites, too!