The excitement for the holidays is here. Kids are already super excited for Santa to make his way to their home and wondering what goodies he’ll bring for them.
It’s hard not to get into the holiday spirit when retailers were stocking their shelves with decorations while Halloween candy will still out (no kidding). Even television stations are in the holiday spirit early. I see A LOT of holiday movies on television from classics to the plethora of Hallmark Christmas movies.
I’m resisting the temptation to watch holiday movies and listening to holiday music until Thanksgiving. It’s our family tradition to watch the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas as well as the original Miracle on 34th Street on Thanksgiving evening.
Reading holiday themed books is another way to get into the holiday spirit. Check out these new books that are ideal for children.
How Six Found Christmas
Written by Trina Schart Hyman
Once upon a time there was a little girl who had never heard of Christmas and therefore did not know what it was. So she sets off into the snowy woods in search of it, gathering a memorable troupe of animal companions along the way: a curious cat, a sad-faced hound, a regal hawk, a wise old fox, and an amusing nightingale.
Each of her companions has questions: What does Christmas feel like? Is it comfortable and warm? What does it sound like? Does it laugh? Does it shriek? But beneath the gently falling snow, they discover a different answer to their questions than expected: Christmas is how Christmas feels.
A timeless classic, this cloth-bound, luxurious new edition of Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman’s gentle, introspective holiday tale, leaves readers with the greatest Christmas story of all: that Christmas is not only where you find it; it’s what you make of it.
This is such a beautiful story. Even though it’s written for children, I think the message resonates with anyone of any age.
The message in this story is about what is most important about the holiday. It’s not receiving the latest and greatest toy or a plethora of gifts – it’s about the people who surround you. THEY are what is most important about the holiday. This book also emphasis that that holiday season is for everyone. It’s about family, friendship and experiencing the joy of being together.
There are not too many illustrations in this book, but that is okay. The illustrations are simple but fitting for this beautiful story.
Dasher and the Polar Bear
Written by the best selling creator of Dasher, Matt Tavares.
One bright night just before Christmas, Dasher the reindeer is out admiring the stunning colors of the northern lights when she meets George, a sweet polar bear. Astounded to see that Dasher can fly, George confides that he has dreamed of soaring through the sky himself. Dasher would like nothing more than to bestow some Christmas magic on her new friend, but their flying lesson turns out to be a disappointing failure. Even Dasher, an intrepid reindeer in the habit of giving—not giving up—begins to wonder if anyone can make George’s dream take flight.
In this sparkling new Christmas story, Matt Tavares, New York Times best-selling author of Dasher and its sequel, Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas, is back to remind us that sometimes the best gift we can receive is simply to bear witness to wonder—and that not all presents fit inside Santa’s bag.
I am a big fan of the Dasher book series. I received a boxed set of the books last holiday season. I loved them so much that I kept them in my family library rather than bring them to work for my “work kids.”
First off, the illustrations are BEAUTIFUL. They are magical in their own way. I would consider them more like artwork rather than just book illustrations. Even without reading the story, just looking at the illustrations make me get into the holiday season.
Hopefully children appreciate the illustrations are much as this “big kid” does.
As for the story, I loved it. It’s not something you would expect to read about – a reindeer and a polar bear. It’s an interesting combination.
I love how the polar bear had such an impossible Christmas wish (to fly) and Dasher, being such a wonderful friend, stepped up to make this amazing dream come true.
This book exemplifies the true meaning of friendship and the magic of the holiday season.
Merry Mittens: A Moontime Cats Christmas Story
Written by Jordan Morris and illustrated by Charlie Mylie.
The neighborhood is brighter than usual one night when cat friends Carl, Biscuit, and Peewee meet up to have some fun. Their mission? Making mischief as only cats can! One goes high, one sneaks low, one gets covered in a big plop of snow . . . And now they’re all sidetracked by a paw-print trail leading straight to a little thief’s stash of trinkets, tinsel, and a stolen star that they know just where to bring. Batted-at ornaments (crash!), twinkling lights, falling snow, caroling cats—but what’s that new voice they hear coming out of a beautiful box? Can they help her find a home?
With sprightly illustrations, good humor, and plenty of feline antics, Jordan Morris and Charlie Mylie spin a warm and funny tale full of Christmas magic.
We have nine (yes, 9) cats. So naturally I was interested in a book about cats.
Cats at Christmas time can be a scary time of year (ha ha). We always worry about what mischief and mayhem our cats are going to create. We’ve been lucky… so far. Still, the cats in this book is every cat owner’s worse fear – reaping havoc with the holiday decorations and Christmas tree.
One of the cats in the book is missing most of it’s tail. We have a cat that is missing most of her tail too (due to an injury).
This is a silly book, but at the same time a wonderful book about friendship and helping others during the holiday season.
I love the style of the illustrations. Aside from the cute kitties, the illustrations have an interesting texture to them – not a texture you can feel but rather one you can see.
The 13th Day of Christmas
Written and illustrated by Adam Rex
Our hero is having a lonesome Christmas away from his true love. So when she sends him a gift, of course he loves it—even if a partridge in a pear tree wasn’t exactly on his wishlist.
Twelve days later, his home is crowded with more birds, milkmaids, pipers, and other guests than he can possibly make sense of. Why would his true love think he’d like this?!
His search for answers transforms the disaster into a source of joy for the whole town—complete with a parade, a circus, and a fundraiser for the school library. By the time his true love gets home, the man finally understands what she’s given him: the true meaning of Christmas.
But she has no idea what he’s talking about— the whole thing was a wacky online shopping mixup. All she’d meant to buy was a pair of gold engagement rings. She meant to propose!
This is such a fun and silly book.
Almost everyone is familiar with the classic song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” But what would you do if the animals and people in that song suddenly show up at your home?
What I love about this book is the diverse cast of characters, as well as how the main character does such wonderful things for others in the community. The holiday is not about what you get but rather what you can do for others, especially those less fortunate or in need.
This book has some comic book style panels as well as full page illustrations, so it’s a nice mix of both.
Even though this is a kids book, grown ups will enjoy this funny book too.
Winter is Wonderful
Written and illustrated by Emma Dodd.
We snuggle together
under the stars,
and we are reminded
how lucky we are.An adorable fox family embraces the joy of being together during the most magical time of the year. This story from best-selling creator Emma Dodd has a heartwarming message that’s perfect for the season. With foil throughout, this story would make a great gift for sharing with someone you love.
I LOVE Emma Dodd books. I have a few but I’d gladly add more to my family’s home library. Her stories are precious and her illustrations are so adorable. I especially love how parts of the book have a shimmer to them to reflect how snow shimmers. I tried to capture a photo of it (below).
This is a wonderful book to read together at bed time as you get warm and cozy under the covers. It reads like a gentle poem, which is a lovely way to end the day.
All of these books are available at major retailers, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. They are from publishers Candlewick Press and Holiday House. Check them out online as well as on social media to keep up to date on new book releases.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
