Hi friends– When we drag out the Christmas decorations around here, I also climb up onto a chair reach the top bookshelf where we keep a beloved collection of Christmas books. I pull down all the favorites and plop them on the corner of the coffee table, ready to read with grand-girls when they come in to stay. It’s one of the best parts of Christmas! Here are a few of our favorites.
B Is For Bethlehem — by Isabel Wilner, illustrated by Elisa Kleven. This lively rhythmic telling of the Christmas story uses an ABC format and couldn’t be more beautiful. The illustrations are a combination of collage and small paint details–exquisite. And the message is glorious– honoring God and his gift to us at Christmas.
Christmas in Noisy Village — by Astrid Lindgren, illlustrated by Elon Wikland. A band of village Swedish neighbor children spend their Christmas baking, gathering a tree from the forest, visiting a grandfather and feasting together at a Christmas party. Couldn’t be more charming.
The Story of the Three Wise Kings — by Tomie DePaola. Classic DePaola telling of the journey of the three wise men in search of the baby Jesus at the first Christmas. He uses a slightly more formal take on his signature illustration and there is a interesting preface about the history of the telling the story of the wisemen. A wonderful addition to any Christmas book collection.
Santa’s Favorite Story — by Hisako Aoki, illustrated by Ivan Gantschev. When the forest animals find Santa napping just before Christmas, they worry that Christmas won’t be ready! But Santa assures them that the real Christmas is more about the coming of a babe in a manger. Lovely water color illustration and gentle text, make this a beautiful telling of Christmas.
Hope your Christmas is full of cozy reading and sweet times with family young and old. Merry Christmas!
P.S. top illustration thanks to Holly Hobbie.
The Thankful Heart 
These all sound like precious books Rhonda. Happy reading x
Thanks Brigid– don’t you love beautiful stories?? take care friend. xox
I love this list! We are enjoying reading with our little Sofia Clare each night and will have to add these to her Christmas books 🙂 Hope you are very well and enjoying the season!! ❤
HI Jasmine!! Fun to hear from you– I think this means you are getting into your baby groove. How how is it going??! So dear that you read with Sofia Clare. Love it. xo
I’ll have to see if our library has these. Thanks Rhonda for not only have reading recommendations for me but my kiddos too.
Don’t you love the library Lacey– always a surprise what you find– and it’s free! Happy reading friend. xo
Christmas in Noisy Village! Love that book!
Yep it’s an old favorite with our family– so sweet. And–love your post on comparisons at Christmas. So true. xox
Thank you 🙂
Rhonda, you know I love when you do these book “review” posts! I just want to run down to the library and check them out so I can read them soon! Thank you for taking the time to share with us your favorites! :).
Hey Daisy– love hunting for books at the library too. And really loved what you posted on Instgram today– wonderful place for that true thought. hugs friend.
Beautiful choices, Rhonda. I’ll have to revisit a few of them.