The First Christmas

by Catherine B.

There was a little donkey,

He carried Mary far,

He kept right on walking,

Following a star,

The man's name was Joseph,

His wife was named Mary,

They came to a stable,

Then came a baby.

Christmas Books

The Birds' Christmas Carol, by Kate Douglas Wiggin Born on Christmas Day, Carol is the Bird family's special Christmas baby.  As she approaches her tenth birthday, her health grows worse.  However, Carol has only one wish, to plan an unforgettable Christmas for the poor Ruggles children who live next door.


 

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomeyby Susan Wojciechowski

I have yet to read The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey without crying.  It is a touching story about a sad carver whose life changes thanks to a widow, her seven-year-old son and the crèche they ask Mr. Toomey to carve for them.  The illustrations are beautiful and truly capture the expressions of the characters. (Christine B. 11/05)

The Christmas Story Book, Neumann Press

My children enjoy all the stories in this book. (Barbara S. 12/02)

The Donkey's Dreamby Barbara Helen Berger, Philomel Books (also available as a Puffin Book).
Vibrant, detailed pictures add to the beauty of this story about Christ’s birth. (Mary L. 12/01)

The Fussy Angelby Mary Arnold, Bethlehem Books, Lamb Time Book, 1995

Christ's guardian angel, "the smallest angel in Heaven", tries to make everything perfect for Him on the night of His birth. The angel tries to remove the "smelly beasts", he reprimands the shepherds, he questions the wise men's gifts, he tries to shut out all the light, etc. The angel cannot understand why God would send Jesus into such a mess. Finally, the smallest angel realizes that everything is perfect because it is human. It is the "divine mess" God wants.

My children start enjoying this book around age two. (Christine B. 12/7/05)

The Lady of Guadalupe, by Tomie dePaola, Holiday House.
This  book tells the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe in easy to understand language. (Rebecca C.)






 The Little Drummer BoyIllustrated by Kristina Rodanas, Clarion Books.
Kristina Rodanas brings this song to life with her beautiful illustrations.  My almost two-year-old asks Mommy and Daddy read (we actually sing) this book over and over again.  He also enjoys sitting and looking at the beautiful illustrations. (Christine B.)

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
by Tomie de Paola, Harcourt Brace Jovanavich, 1986
The story takes place in Italy around Christmastime.  It is near Christmas and Strega Nona is getting ready for Christmas without using magic.  When things started to go wrong, Big Anthony made up for what he did.  Big Anthony decides to help Strega Nona by planning a surprise Christmas party for her with the help of the whole town. (Bernadette, age 6)

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas (Golden Key Books) by Gloria Whelan, Bethlehem Books

A young Russian boy tries to make his dream of having the village church reopened become a reality. (Christine B. 12/02)

An Orange for Frankie, by Patricia Polacco, Philomel Books, 2004

Last night, we read An Orange for Frankie. Patricia Polacco travels back in time to the Christmas when her grandmother's youngest brother, Frankie, was ten years old. It is the eve prior to Christmas Eve and the Stowell family is anxiously waiting for their Pa to return home with the nine Christmas oranges (one for each of the children). Despite their worries about Pa not being home, the Stowells prepare for Christmas as only a warm and loving family can. By the time I finished the book, tears were rolling down my face and Frankie, my children and I had learned a valuable lesson. (Christine B. 11/30/05)

The Story of Holly & Ivy, by Rumer Godden, Viking, 2006
An orphan, a doll, and a police officer's wife experience a little "Christmas magic" which changes their lives forever.

Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book, by Tasha Tudor, Philomel
This out of print book contains a wonderful selection of traditional Christmas stories, poems, carols, lore and legends, and the author’s Christmas traditions. Some of the included stories are: The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen, The Caravan by Ruth Sawyer, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. Tasha Tudor’s illustrations add to the beauty of this book. (Christine B. 12/03)

The Trees Kneel at Christmas, by Maud Hart Lovelace, Abdo & Daughters Publishing, 1994

The Trees Kneel at Christmas is a poignant chapter book about a Catholic Lebanese family, living in Brooklyn. On the eve prior to Christmas Eve, Grandmother tells two of her grandchildren how the trees in Lebanon kneel at Christmas. Her story inspires her grandchildren to see if the trees kneel at midnight on Christmas Eve in Brooklyn, too. The children secretly set out to see three trees in Prospect Park. The tale the children tell, upon their return home, affects all of their family members.

My children, ages 5 and up, enjoyed listening to this book. My 6 and 8 year olds are now reading it on their own. (Christine B. 11/29/05)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney, Dial Books.

Papa has gone away to war, leaving Ruthie and her Mama to get the perfect Christmas tree to their Appalachian town church. (Christine B. 12/01)