PHOTO SOURCE: Pixabay.com
This holiday season is unlike any other in the past. Everyone has had to make a lot of concessions for the pandemic, including not being able to be with family and friends for the holidays, parties and even doing something fun like visiting Santa at the local mall.
Just because the world is a bit crazy right now, that doesn’t mean that things have to be that way for the kids. Kids need to have as much “normalcy” as they possibly can, including enjoying the holiday season.
Now is a great time to start new holiday traditions. That would be a positive thing to come out of this pandemic.
A fun, new tradition you and your family should consider is family story time. Grab some holiday books, some hot cocoa, and a few snuggly blankets, and enjoy reading the books together. You can also take turns reading pages in the books. Its a great way to help children hone in on their reading skills. Most kids are learning remotely, or in a hybrid model. They might not be getting as much reading help as they normally would be, so it’s time for families to step up and help any way they can. Having your child read to you (and read out loud) is a wonderful way you can help a child learn to read better.
If you are looking for some delightful holiday books, I have a few suggestions.
SANTA BABY by Jonathan Stutzman, illus. by Heather Fox:
Santa is feeling old, and being in the business of Christmas for centuries isn’t all milk and cookies. In hopes of regaining some of his pep, Santa asks the spirit of Christmas to him younger.
I can totally relate to Santa in this book, especially about wrinkles getting more “wrinkley” and feeling the aches and pains of getting older.
I also miss the holiday spirit I had as a child, waiting for Santa and his sled full of presents to arrive at our home on Christmas Eve night. You can always get a touch of that special Christmas magic back when you see Christmas through the eyes of a child. I miss my own children being young and excited for Santa, just like I was. Now my kids are 21 and 23, and all they want for Christmas are new tires for their cars, and an oil change. Ha Ha.
5 MORE SLEEPS TILL CHRISTMAS by Jimmy Fallon, illus. by Rich Deas:
A sweet and rambunctious Christmas picture book from Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s The Tonight Show and #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA and Everything Is Mama.
We can all remember how anxious we were as children for the night Santa would arrive. I remember making paper chains and ripping off a link each morning, so I could count how many more days until Santa arrives.
This book is all about how anxious and excited children are for Santa Claus.
I think this is an sweet storybook, and the illustrations are adorable! I Plus it’s by Jimmy Fallon. That is a “bonus” if you ask me.
SNOW FRIENDS by Margery Cuyler, illus. by Will Hillenbrand:
A charming winter picture book about a dog, his boy, and a new friend, set against the perfect snowy day.
Cute! Cute! Cute! I love the story and I LOVE the illustrations!
I love animals, so this book is especially appealing to me. It’s about a dog named Oscar who is super excited to see snow, and he can’t wait to go for a walk with his owners. However, his owners are not up to a walk, so they send him out on his own to enjoy the day. He does – in many ways! Oscar goes on an amazing snow adventures with his friend.
These books are available where ever books are sold. I see them on Amazon and Barnes and Noble too.
Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?
Do you and your family enjoy reading holiday books?
Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
PHOTO SOURCE: Pixabay.com
Kimberly
*I received free samples to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
