I did wrap the first three books... then I started just putting the books in a gift bag and now I just pull a new one (or two or three if there are cries for an encore) out of a cabinet. We also started reading them just at night before bed but now we read them anytime during the day. I wanted all the books to be Christmas books but as I only own three I borrowed most of them from the library.
Fast, free and flexible.
This is going to be an easy tradition to keep!
I plan to buy two or three every year until we no longer need to borrow the library's for our advent. These are all beautiful, timeless Christmas books I want to keep in the yearly rotation:
Move Me to Tears
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale
by Angela Elwell Hunt
At Jesus' crucifixion I literally had to stop a few minutes before I could control my voice. Hopefully, the effect was impressive and not over the top for Jonas.
Christmas Day in the Morning
by Pearl S. Buck Illustrated by Mark Buehner
Karen- I thought of Neufeld theory on every page of this book!
The Crippled Lamb
by Max Lucado Illustrated by Liz Bonham
God has a special place for a sad, crippled lamb. I almost couldn't even begin to read this one!
The Original Classics
The Twelve Days of Christmas
by Laurel Long
Jonas and I can search for minutes on each page without coming close to finding all the illustrations hidden in the amazingly intricate pictures.
The Night Before Christmas
by Clement Clarke Moore Illustrated by Holly Hobbie
The illustrations are new. They blow the older versions out of the water in my opinion though they look vintage.
The Little Match Girl
by Hans Christian Anderson
My Mom told me this story as a little girl without using a book. I'm not sure whether to read this one to Jonas just yet.
The Classics
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
by Dr Seuss
Probably Jonas' most requested Christmas book. He's grown up on Dr Seuss. He quotes it throughout the day and as he falls asleep.
The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
A train and hot chocolate that tastes like a melted candy bar. The stuff of Jonas' dreams.
I Spy Little Christmas
by Jean Marzollo Photographed by Walter Wick
Harland's favourite Christmas book.
For Animal Lovers
On This Special Night
by Claire Freedman Illustrated by Simon Mendez
Amazingly realistic and warm illustrations.
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Jason Cockcroft
Similar storyline to "On This Special Night" but different enough I'd (Rhett!) would like both.
The Mitten
by Jan Brett
Rhett's first favourite book. Not strictly Christmas but the grandmother gives a gift to Nicki.
True Meaning of Christmas
This Is the Stable
by Cynthia Cotten Illustrated by Delana BettoliGorgeous lyrical language.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski Illustrated by P.J. LynchA book I loved growing up.
The Christmas Train: A True Storyby Thomas S MonsonI haven't actually held this book yet (it's still on hold at the library) but I have read this story in the friend (it's by President Monson) and from what I can see the pictures look good.
by Susan Wojciechowski Illustrated by P.J. Lynch
A book I loved growing up.
The Christmas Train: A True Story
by Thomas S Monson
I haven't actually held this book yet (it's still on hold at the library) but I have read this story in the friend (it's by President Monson) and from what I can see the pictures look good.
Love this idea! Thanks so much for posting your book list too!
ReplyDeletelove this tradition. We want to read the Christmas Carol together every year by Charles Dickens. I'm sure you know it. Another really good one is The Christmas Orange, one of my favorite and not a crazy long read, perfect for a one nighter. it is usually at the LDS bookstores around Christmas time.
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