I felt compelled to share my favorite kids' books with the parents and grandparents of my congregation this year. There's too much schlocky Christmas stuff out there to wade through, and so many wonderful alternatives. Many of these I've featured before:
P: Especially for young kids (ages 0-5)
A: Animal Stories
C: Traditional carols, illustrated
T: Biblical text, illustrated
L: Legends
G: Giving stories
O: Good for older children (6-12)
An Angel Came to Nazareth, by Anthony Knott, ill. by Maggie Kneen. Formal illustrations tell the biblical story while the text asks, “who is the greatest?” You can guess the answer. T
Angela and the Baby Jesus, by Frank McCourt, ill. by ---- Gorgeously illustrated, the text by the late author of Angela's Ashes (yes, it's that Angela, as a little girl) is an amusing and suprisingly touching story of forgiveness and giving. G, O
The Animal's Christmas Carol. By Helen Ward. The traditional Carol of the Animals, from the sheep to the bees, gorgeously and luminously illustrated. P, A
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. A chapter book that became an instant classic in the 1970's, this is a great family read-aloud that will make parents and kids alike laugh and cry, for different reasons. Don’t settle for the picture book. Get the full text. G, O
Christmas Day in the Morning, by Pearl Buck. This old-fashioned story of a boy's search for the perfect Christmas gift for his hard-working father is the antidote to our consumer age. Not to be missed! G, O
The First Christmas. Luke's Christmas story, illustrated with classical art from the London Gallery. A lovely way to make the story come alive for little ones, or to inspire conversation about what it was "really" like with older kids. T
Go Tell It on the Mountain. By Debbie Trafton O’Neale. Young kids love this traditional spiritual, and this book will help them connect words of the song with the biblical story. T, C
Good King Wenceslas
John M. Neale, ill. Tim Ladwig. Dynamic illustrations bring out the winter cold.
OR Christopher Manson, ill. Woodcut-style art and medieval looking text.
This traditional carol about a Bohemian saint lends itself to great illustrations. Buy a book, assign parts in the family, and sing it together on the day after Christmas (the Feast of Stephen). C, G
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Christmas, by Deborah Heiligman. National Geographic. This photographic series on holidays around the world offers a "just the facts" description of how Christmas is observed on every continent, with photos like only National Geographic can do. (Check out the Easter one as well) O
Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer.: Humphrey is a young camel who is missing his favorite blanket on the journey to Bethlehem. Great illustrations and a touching conclusion. P, A, G
The Legend of the Poinsettia, by Tomie dePaola. The celebrated illustrator tells the traditional Mexican story of the poinsettia. L
The Miracle of St. Nicholas, by Gloria Whelan. Not about the saint, or about Santa. After a generation of suppression, a Russian village isn't sure they can worship as they used to. Christmas is a minor player in this story about true worship residing in the heart of a community. L, O
The Nativity, ill. by Julie Vivas. The biblical story is made real with decidedly unpious illustrations. Mary never looked so pregnant. T
Three Wise Women. By Mary Hoffman. Three women from different continents each bring their gifts to the Christ child. A modern-day legend with lovely pictures. L, O, G
We Three Kings, ill. by Spirin Genady. A Russian illustrator makes the words of this carol come alive with exotic animals and lavish angels. The seraphs in the front and back will make you look at Isaiah 6 again. C, A
Who is Coming to Our House? This lovely rhyming book features various stable animals announcing the role they will play preparing for the coming guests. The littlest ones on your list will enjoy the illustrations and rhythm P, A
