Michelle
We’ve got a tradition in our house, where not only do we watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Polar Express and The Snowman, we also read together, snuggling up and creating a Christmas filled delight of wonder for our children… I hope you’ll join us. So…Christmas just round the corner, and with the cold weather most of us have had, it’s time to grab a steamy cup of hot chocolate (mine’s the one with marshmallows in please!), get cosy, and relax. Ready?…..Here’s a roundup of books for Christmas that you can enjoy over and over with your family…
1. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore
Our Christmas wouldn’t be the same without ‘The Night Before Christmas. Our four year old loves the illustrations in this, they are warm and very cosy and invite readers and watchers into the Christmas spirit.
Synopsis from Wikipedia:
The poem, which has been called “arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American”,is largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, the number and names of his reindeer, as well as the tradition that he brings toys to children. Prior to the poem, American ideas about St. Nicholas and other Christmastide visitors varied considerably. The poem has influenced ideas about St. Nicholas and Santa Claus beyond the United States to the rest of the English-speaking world and beyond. Learn more…
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
We also read The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at least once after watching the movie. This is a fantastic story which takes the focus off a commercial Christmas, and reminds everyone that Christmas is for friends and family, and for sharing. The rhyming in this is mesmerizing, we love Dr Seuss books and this is no exception.
Book Synopsis:
The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight
The ghastly Grinch refuses to be moved by the Christmas spirit in this lovely hardback version of Dr Seuss’s classic tale. When he spies the citizens of Who-ville enjoying their Christmas preparations, the Grinch comes down from his cave and makes a dastardly attempt to take all the joy out of the occasion by actually stealing Christmas.
It’s a fun book, with a moral to share.
3. Father Christmas Needs a Wee, by Nicholas Allen
This is a hilarious book (with CD) which is sure to have you all in fits of giggles. The cover is bright and eye catching.
Book Synopsis:
“In this book and CD edition of Father Christmas Needs A Wee, Bernard Cribbins brings to life the excruciating dilemma that Santa faces every Christmas Eve.On Christmas Eve every child leaves out a drink and a snack for Father Christmas. Before long he really, really needs a wee but what can he do about it?There’s a long time to wait before he can get home and when he finally does he’s lost his house key! A hilarious take on a dilemma that every toddler will identify with, this picture book now includes a CD complete with music and sound effects.”
Buy it from Amazon
4. Crazy Christmas Stickers by Autumn Publishing
Our youngest who’s 4, loves stickers. He’s happy to spend time sticking creations on books, and this one would really please him. It’s bright, colourful, and unusual.
Synopsis from Autumn Publishing:
Go sticker crazy this Christmas with this jam-packed sticker book. With hundreds of stickers to choose from you can create fun and funky Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations. There are label stickers for gifts, and picture stickers for letters and envelopes, books, bags and toys.
5. One Winter’s Day by M. Christina Butler
A beautifully illustrated book where the characters are animals.
Book Synopsis:
Little Hedgehog’s nest is blown away in a terrible storm he wraps up warmly and sets off for Badger’s house. On his way Hedgehog meets lots of animals shivering in the wind and snow. One by one, he gives them his cosy mittens, hat and scarf. But will Little Hedgehog make it through the storm to safety?
6. Dragon Stew by Steve Smallman
Winter means stew time, this book is a fun take on stews, and the kids love the bold cover.
Book Synopsis:
“Five bored Vikings went out hiking, looking for adventure, something daring, bold and new. So they thought they’d hunt dragon, and then tie it to their wagon, take it home and chop it up, and make dragon stew! But when the Vikings set off to find their dragon, they get a BIG surprise…Hilarious, rhyming story from the award-winning author, Steve Smallman. The quirky, detailed artwork by Lee Wildish, illustrator of Charlie’s Superhero Underpants, will entertain children for hours. With an amusing surprise ending, this is the perfect story to read aloud to youngsters.”
7. StoryWorld By John & Caitlin Matthews
This is a set of cards with visual prompts to help you and your child think up new stories to tell each other. A wonderful way to enjoy storytelling this Christmas!
Do you love snuggling up with a book with your children on a cold day? Tell us which books you’ll be reading with your kids this Christmas for your chance to win some fabulous prizes in our Prize Draw.
What a great selection… I’ll certainly be checking a few of these out 🙂
Great roundup of Christmas books to read with the little ones. The Grinch is one of my all-time favourites too.
Another one that the kids love (and that makes me well up a little – I’m such a sap) is another one of M Christina Butler’s lovely stories about Little Hedgehog and his friends. This one is a touch-and-feel book called One Snowy Night. It’s such a sweet story.
My little boy is almost 4 and he just LOVES ‘Aliens Love Panta Claus’ sequel to Aliens Love Underpants. I personally love The Jolly Christmas Postman x
I have just brought Father Christmas needs a wee and love reading it. Might look into getting the sticker book as dd1 loves stickers.