December 24

Christmas Eve! And we have come to our last book.

First, December 23:

I've Seen Santa! 
by David Bedford
illustrated by Tim Warnes

Little Bear and his parents camp out by the tree to see Santa. Can they stay awake long enough? Can they keep their paws off the blueberry pies they made for him? This is a cute story illustrating a very common Christmas theme: a child who can't sleep and all the ways they try to "catch" Santa in the act.



The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski
illustrated by P. J. Lynch

This contemporary classic (pub. 1995) is my number one favorite holiday story, and just by chance, it was our special Christmas Eve book. (I didn't manipulate the Advent book unwrapping! I swear!)
While my preschoolers had a hard time sitting through it all at once (it would be better in two sittings, as it is a bit long), it is well worth the read. From the book jacket: "One day in early winter the widow McDowell comes to call on the woodcarver. A quiet request leads to a joyful miracle as the widow and her son gently warm the sad heart of Jonathan Toomey."

Merry Christmas!

December 22

The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is the master of mysterious realities. This beloved classic speaks poignantly to readers of all ages and reminds us to look for the honest, the generous, and the miraculous in life.

December 21

Bob and 6 more Christmas stories
by Sandra Boynton

I have yet to find a Sandra Boynton book that doesn't make me smile. Her lovable characters and witty rhymes make magic in every book. This collection of seven (very) short stories is a winner, from "Bob", the tiny reindeer, to "Wake Up!", with its spot-on Christmas morning reaction. Enjoy!

December 20

Frosty the Snowman
by Annie North Bedford
illustrated by Corinne Malvern

This is the classic 1950 Little Golden Book. Yes, it's an icon, but I have to say, I don't care for the ending in this version. Frosty's melting is very abrupt and a bit disturbing. But who am I to question a classic?

December 19

Oops! I forgot to post on December 18. It's not like it's a busy time of year or anything :) So here are two for the price of one:

December 18

The Trees of the Dancing Goats

by Patricia Polacco

This gorgeous book knits Christian and Jewish holiday traditions together as neighbor helps neighbor through a crisis. It is the embodiment of Christmas Spirit.

The Animals' Christmas Eve

by Gale Wiersum

illustrated by Alex Steele Morgan

In this quiet rhyming book, the animals in the barn retell the story of Jesus' birth. This classic Little Golden Book has been given a new look and still withstands the test of time.

December 17

The Littles Have a Merry Christmas
based on the books by John Peterson
illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers

This first reader is based on the classic chapter book The Littles and the Trash Tinies, by John Peterson. As with most stories that have been adapted to early readers, this story lacks nuance, but the boys thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy of little people with tails who use socks as sleeping bags and bathtubs as skating rinks. It will be fun to share the chapter books with them in a couple of years!

December 16

Night Tree
by Eve Bunting
illustrated by Ted Rand

Family traditions are so important. They instill culture, values, and meaning to our lives, binding us together with our parents and siblings. The family in this lovely book always spends Christmas Eve with "their tree", in the woods at the edge of town. They decorate the tree with edibles for the woodland creatures, such as strings of popcorn, apple ornaments, and sunflower seed balls. Even though it is cold and dark, the family sits on a blanket admiring the tree, drinking hot chocolate, and singing carols. It is a humble and quiet tradition, in the midst of the typical Christmas hustle and bustle. Beautiful.