December Book List
This post contains affiliate links. All options are mine and these are books that I read to my children. I only recommend items that I use myself. For more information please see my disclosures here.
Turkey needs Santa’s help so he won’t be eaten for Christmas dinner.
Turkey is in trouble. Again. He made it through Thanksgiving without becoming a turkey dinner, but now it’s almost Christmas, and guess what’s on the menu? Turkey decides the only thing to do is to ask Santa for help. He sets off for the North Pole, but getting in to see Santa at Christmastime isn’t as easy as Turkey expected. It’s going to take all his ideas—and his clever disguises—to find a way into Santa’s house. After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise, and Santa has the perfect solution! In this holiday treat, a companion to Turkey Trouble, Wendi Silvano’s story is once again matched with the watercolor artwork of Lee Harper.
Twas the week before Christmas, and somewhere up north,
dear Santa was frantic-he paced back and forth.
He had just heard some news that he sure didn’t like:
it seemed that the reindeer were going on STRIKE!”
Oh, no! There’s trouble brewing in the North Pole: Santa’s reindeer have gone on strike and he’s auditioning other animals to take their place. But when the cats abandon station to chase some mice and the elephants fall through the roof, what’s Santa to do? Will his eight trusty reindeer ever fly again? This playful take on “The Night Before Christmas” gives kids a fun behind-the-scenes peek into Santa’s workshop.
“The tale is unfolded with such mastery, humor, and emotional force that we are entirely within its power.” “The New York Times Book Review”
Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas classic. This beautiful anniversary edition includes a new note from the author and an audio narration by James Earl Jones available as a complimentary download.”
This charming tale of an overgrown pine always being passed by for Christmas, and what his woodland friends do to help him, is sure to become a Christmas classic. With delightful illustrations by wildlife artist Michael Monroe and enchanting text from Colleen Monroe, the birds, deer and squirrel of this story help make their special friend’s wish come true.
The Jolly Postman rides again with more real letters, and present, too, in his Christmas postbag.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books have been embraced by generations of readers. This beautiful picture book is a warm and gentle way to introduce the Little House books to the youngest readers. In Christmas in the Big Woods, Laura and her family enjoy a visit with family, making snow angels, and other simple pleasures of Christmas.
When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees. A cozy, holiday read-aloud and a lyrical way to usher in the month of December.
Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa’s elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, extraordinary photographs, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.
A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . .
Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.
Wonderful new version of the classic poem every family should own. Lavishly illustrated by renowned artist Charles Santore, the critically acclaimed illustrator of The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and others. An oversized heirloom edition with a four-page gatefold. Includes embossed and foil cover.
Since it was first published anonymously in 1823, “The Night Before Christmas” has enchanted children with the story of St. Nicholas climbing down the chimney and filling all the stockings before springing back to his sleigh. Many families read the poem every year, and now they have an edition to treasure. The cherished verse, faithfully reproduced here, is accompanied by Charles Santore’s lavish illustrations.
