10 Christmas Classics to Read This Holiday Season
by Dena McMurdie
Each December, my kids and I pull out our favorite holiday books. We make a big stack and work our way through it again and again. Just like our Christmas tree and the gifts under it, these stories play a special part in our holiday celebration. We add new books to our collection every year, whether they’re heartwarming, religious, or just for fun. They become cherished classics in our home as we read them frequently throughout the holiday season. Here are some of our favorites.
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Santarella
Available from:In this delightful twist on the classic Cinderella story, Santa Claus hurts his back and can't lift his bag of toys. It's a good thing Cinderella is there to lend a hand!
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How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Available from:It's the age-old question: how does Santa go down the chimney? From urban high-rise apartment buildings to tropical homes made of grass, this charming and humorous book explores the many ways Santa makes his legendary entrance on Christmas Eve.
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Otto the Ornament
Available from:Shiny and bright, Otto believes he belongs on the top of a Christmas tree. Follow Otto on a pun-filled and hilarious adventure as sets out to find a tree worthy of his sparkle, discovering the importance of kindness and chosen family along the way.
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The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Peek-Through Picture Book
Available from:All three of my kids are obsessed with this book and the peek-through pages. Each page is die cut to reveal gifts corresponding to the twelve days of Christmas. My kids love watching the new gifts appear as we turn each page.
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Available from:The Grinch is isolated, grumpy, and cruel, but he finds redemption and joy by embracing the spirit of Christmas. A holiday staple since publication in 1957, this book has become a modern classic.
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Snowmen’s Twelve Nights of Christmas
Available from:Celebrate The Twelve Days of Christmas with your favorite snowmen! Each night brings more animals, chaos, and silliness than the last. This book will soon become one of your favorite holiday reads.
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The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Available from:Don't read this without a box of tissues handy. This new edition of the beloved story is a gentle reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and has themes of love, friendship, redemption, and kindness.
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The Christmas Fox
Available from:A baby is coming and all the animals are getting ready, but the little fox feels like he doesn't have anything to give. This sweet nativity story is a treasured addition to my children's shelf that we'll be reading for many years to come.
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How to Catch Santa
Available from:Learn why you should catch the jolly old guy and get tips on the best way to do it (and how not to do it). Full of humor and charm, this book has my kids plotting cookie-baited traps for Christmas Eve.
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Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein
Available from:Rachel wants to celebrate Christmas even though she's Jewish. When Santa doesn't visit her house, she's disappointed. This funny and touching book shows what Christmas can feel like for those who don’t celebrate the holiday and reminds us that there are many different traditions that are celebrated in America.
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The Nutcracker
Available from:Introduce your kids to the classic ballet with this stunning picture book. With whimsical artwork by Sheilah Beckett who who started illustrating Golden Books in the 1950s, this book is worth having on your shelf.
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Share your favorite holiday reads with us in the comments below!