Shownotes
You all know we’re big fans of picture books, and with so many amazing Christmas-themed books out there, it’s hard to pick which ones to read to your class or your own kids. That’s why we decided to make a list of our top 10 Christmas books and share them with you. In today’s episode, we’re discussing our favorite Christmas books for kids that range from 10 different categories.
For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:
https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/christmas-books-for-kids
Resources:
Transcripts
Emily
Hey, there, thanks for joining us today. We hope you are enjoying celebrating the holidays with your family and friends this week. So we wanted to re air a favorite episode from last year about some of our favorite Christmas books.
Heidi
This is actually a great time to be checking out these book titles, because you can often find sales on holiday books right after Christmas.
Emily
Yes, I love post Christmas book shopping. And we have a couple of new favorites you can add to your list this year like How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney by Mac Barnett and Santa Shark by Mike Lowery.
Heidi
So enjoy your holidays and enjoy this episode.
Heidi
So one thing that you need to know about us is that we are crazy for Christmas books.
Emily
Yeah, we really are.
Emily/Heidi
I mean, we're crazy for all picture books. And we both have large, extensive collections. But the Christmas section is for sure our favorites.
Emily
Yes. So we thought it would be fun to share with you some of our favorite Christmas books that you may want to read to your students this year or add to your collection. To keep it fun, we decided on 10 categories of books to share about with you today. But we didn't share with each other what books we selected for each category. So we're going to discover each other's favorites together with you right now.
Emily/Heidi
I'm excited. This is gonna be fun.
Emily
Well, the first category is gingerbread. Do you want to go first, Heidi?
Emily/Heidi
Sure, I will go first. Okay, I think my favorite gingerbread book. And this was actually really hard decision. Because I have a lot because I love to do in December. I love to like teach with all the different versions of the gingerbread story.
Heidi
But I think my favorite is Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. The illustrations are so cute. It has just a fun twist at the end. I like it better than than traditional tail. Yeah, we're gonna get me in. It's a little bit of a rough end. Yeah. It's just a softer ending. You may love that He has this little house. So that is my favorite gingerbread book.
Heidi
But I have to say in preparing for this, I was looking over, you know, my Western gingerbread books and going on Amazon. So this was just a lot of fun research for me. And I added like three new titles to my cart, but I haven't bought them yet. That was dangerous.
Emily
You'll have to show me which ones you picked out.
Emily/Heidi
Okay. Emily, what's your favorite gingerbread book?
Emily
I picked the Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas by Laura Murray. And it has those hilarious illustrations by Mike Lowery. If you don't know about these gingerbread man books, Oh, he's so cute. And he lives in this school. And there's a bunch of different versions of like back to school and St. Patrick's Day.
Emily
And the book is told in rhyme, which is not always my favorite. I could go either way on that. But in this book, I think it works really well. And it's just such an engaging, funny story. And I also really love that it takes place in a school.
Heidi
Which is fun. And I like that like if your kids have background with the traditional gingerbread stories like it's just fun for them to make the connections about places it's similar and places is different.
Emily/Heidi
The ones I put on my wish list are How to Catch a Gingerbread Man by Adam Wallace. I think it was part of that like holes. Yeah to catch series. They only have a few of those. So if that's good, let me know. And then I started cute when that was called Gingerbread Twins, but I couldn't see inside. I don't know how but the illustration looks really cute. So it needs some further investigation.
Heidi
Okay, Emily, now we're up to snowmen. Why don't you tell us your favorite snowman title. Because I think we might have the same one.
Emily
Do you have a backup? Because I do have.
Heidi
I do have a backup too.
Emily
Maybe we'll share our backups too. Okay, so my choice is Snowman at Christmas by Carolyn Buner I think is how you say it man is illustrated by her husband Mark Buner. Now there's several books in this series, and I really love them all. But I went with Snowman a Christmas for Christmas.
Emily
And it's just this funny insight. If you haven't read any of these books yet, it's just a funny idea to explore of. What do you think snowman do when we're not watching? And so this is what do you think snowman do for Christmas? And so you just get to see what the snowmen are doing as they prepare for Christmas and it's just so cute and delightful. What was your choice though?
Emily/Heidi
Oh 100% Of all the snowman books and the first one was Snowman at Night. Yes, I love it's just such a classic. And then Snowman at Work is actually went away for like the snowman jobs. It's just funny. And it's got a lot of puns in there. So yeah, love it.
Heidi
So my backup title is kind of a new one I went way out of left field. And it is published by make believe ideas. I don't even think it has a real author besides the publisher. And it's called Oh No, Mr. Snowman. And it just came out, I think last year, maybe the year before.
Heidi
And so the premise is that a couple of kids make a snowman. And then you know, they go into the house, but Mr. Snowman wants to come in too so he was trying to sneak into the house. And every time he gets in the house, they're like, No, you have to leave because he's making everything go wrong. Like he freezes the bathtub water and all this stuff.
Heidi
So but then it's Christmas Eve, and the desserts are melting. Something's gone wrong. So Mr. Snowman has come save today. Oh, it's just funny and clever. So Oh No, Mr. Snowman by make believe ideas. So I get that at some low. What was your snowman backup?
Emily
Well, actually my snowman backup was kind of a cheat because it's technically not a snowman book itss a snow book. So I might be robbing one of your future choices. I think we probably get its Dream Snow by Eric Carle.
Heidi
Okay, you did? Yeah, that was on my list.
Emily
Okay. You can share it again later. If you want. I won't go into it so that you can still share it later. But Dream Snow is in my top 10 favorite Christmas books. It is just just this charming Eric Carle book that I think everyone needs to own. But we'll talk about it. We'll talk about it in a minute.
Emily
So the next category is the 12 days of Christmas. So what was your choice for that one?
Heidi
This was hard to pick because I wasn't sure do we go traditional? I know, do we go more modern, we do a fun take? So I've got like multiple on the list. But we'll just start with a traditional one, which is the version by Britta Teckentrup. The illustrations are darling. It's just a traditional song. But each page has little like peek through windows, and I love all of her books. So what was your non backup?
Emily
My first choice was actually the Greg Pizzoli verse.
Heidi
That was my backup.
Emily
I like it because it's still the traditional words from the song, but the illustrations are what will make you laugh when you read this book.
Emily/Heidi
It's so funny that we can't do it justice.
Emily
I mean, this really should be a video instead of a podcast, but we have a podcast so you'll just have to imagine.
Emily/Heidi
And I did have a third backup of 12 days of Christmas by Jane Cabrera. So it's not the traditional one. It's like woodland animals all getting together to have a party and Jane Cabrera illustrations are just always so charming.
Emily
Yes, I have that one too. It's really cute.
Emily/Heidi
All right, down to number four on our list. Emily, what is your book with a favorite animal character?
Emily
This was hard because there's actually so many animals. So I picked A Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker. Were the worst.
Emily/Heidi
No one knows that one. That was such an under the radar book. That's
Emily
That's why I love it. It is so charming as the most darling illustrations. And it's just funny. You know, I really love the tale of mouse and bear and I relate to that Grumpy Bear on a deep level.
Emily/Heidi
He just wants what is it like pickles and my Yeah. Yeah, it's so it's just, you know, grumpy sunshine characters and unlikely friendships and how they managed to make Christmas work for the two of them.
Emily
Yes, so definitely check that one out. If you haven't. What was your backup choice?
Heidi
My backup choice. I've got like three and list but I will spare you. My backup choice is Finding Christmas by Lesley Evans. So these little woodland animals find a little frozen bird at winter and have to like try and warm her up and help her and it's just such a sweet story of like, they use their gifts that they got for each other to help someone else.
Heidi
And I remember like we read it to our preschoolers and it just was such a good gateway to talk about, like how we can help people with the gifts that we have. Yeah, it's just it's such a sweet little quiet story.
Emily
I love that one.
Emily
Okay, our next category is funny. What did you choose for a funny Christmas book Heidi?
Emily/Heidi
So this is another one that I love to read to the preschoolers. It's called Presents through the Window by Taro Gomi, and it's another one that has like peek through windows.
Heidi
So like Santa lands in this village, and he's trying to get the presents to the right people. So he's like looking through the window and he's like, Oh, the bunny lives here. He needs like these ear warmers. And then you turn the page and you see that Santa looking through the window, sees what looks like two ears poking out through the window.
Heidi
But then you turn the page and it's like the two knobbly knees of an ostrich that kind of looks like ears to the window so he gets these like crazy ears. laughs that obviously aren't gonna fit an ostrich. So based on what Santa sees through the window, yes, he gives them all the wrong gifts. And it's very cute and funny.
Emily
I forgot about that one. That's a good one.
Emily/Heidi
And then I did have the backup of vegetables and holiday underwear. Emily, what's your funny book?
Emily
I picked Here comes Santa Cat by Deborah Elderwoods. I love all the cat books. They are so funny. The cat is communicating with the reader by holding up signs. And in the Christmas book, he has a feeling that maybe he's going to be on the not so nice list. So cat decides that he's going to try to be good so he can for sure get on to the nice list. And it's just sweet and hilarious. And my kids love to hear it.
Emily/Heidi
We just really love this one. Get all the cat books are so funny, but I think my Christmas wants the best. Yes.
Heidi
Okay, Emily, what is your favorite Christmas chapter book?
Emily
I had to go a little bit old school on this one and pick Junie B Jones Jingle Bells. Batman smells? Yes, so does me. I know Juie can be a bit of a controversial character. But personally, I adore her. I think she has so much character and interest that kids just love reading about her.
Emily
And I have a reluctant reader at my house who has not been that interested in chapter books until we got to Junie B Jones book and she has been very intentional. It's very onbranded for her. Yes, it is. So I'm excited to read her the Christmas one this year because I haven't read it in a lot of years.
Heidi
Yeah, I haven't either.
Emily
What was your pick?
Heidi
Well, I have to go nostalgic too, because I picked the two that I used to read my second graders every year. And those just feels like Christmas to me. When is the Bailey school kids Genies Don't Ride Bicycles, which is sadly out of print. I don't know why I know. They've reprinted a bunch of them. But not that one. And then Horrible Harry in the Christmas Surprise, which is another fun character.
Emily
Those are both good.
Emily/Heidi
But a newer one I really like is the narwhal and jellyfish one. Oh, yeah. Last year. Yes. That's a funny one.
Emily
That one's cute.
Heidi
Okay, well, let's get to the childhood faves, because I'm pretty sure you have the same book.
Emily
I'm certain we have the same book. It's the sweet smell of Christmas.
Emily/Heidi
It is by Patricia. Scary.
Emily
It is just the most darling book. I think probably a lot of you listening had this book as a child. And it was such a favorite in our childhood at home that we both hold it dear to our heart. And I'm delighted to say that my children now adore too; it's one of the first books we breed every year and we scratch the little stickers and take a big whiff of the orange and the hot chocolate and the pine tree.
Emily
I just could not love this book more. And I actually still I have a new version of it. A new copy of it, I should say. And I have our original one from scratch marks in it because I can't bear to part with that one.
Emily/Heidi
I don't feel like the new stickers smell as strongly as the old one. Yeah, so that's kind of a drawback that you still get the some of the magic.
Emily
Yes. And so what is your, do you have a backup for this one?
Heidi
t's like Victorian England or:Heidi
And they have like a doll party because they have this amazing doll's house and I was just always just drooling over it. And I thought it was just magical. And so they throw a party. They have a Christmas party that dolls have a Christmas party. And I loved it so much. It came out they released it a few years ago. So you know about a copy. I love it. You won't even remember that book, Emily?
Emily
No. Maybe if I saw it, it would ring a bell but didn't take it out for you reminding me. Did you have a backup for this one? Yes, but actually, I'm gonna save it for a different category. I thought it might be your backup. So I didn't put it later on. But I'm gonna save it for a different category now.
Emily
So the next category is the more modern favorite. So what did you pick?
Heidi
Well this is where I put Dream Snow I don't even know that modern but it's just so magical and makes a little sound and it has these like clear pages that you put over the animals to put there like they get snowed on. It's just simple and quiet and so sweet.
Emily
Yeah, make sure you get the hardback version if you do instead of the board book version, because I think the little sound at the end which is really true and those little lights I think are only in the hardback version. So make sure you get that version.
Heidi
Yes and they did just release it release it a few years ago because yeah, for a while. Yeah, you can find it anywhere. So yeah, watch for the hardback one; it's definitely worth it.
Emily
The problem with this game is that we like all the same books so we're trying to say the same thing.
Emily/Heidi
Well, what's your modern classic Emily?
Emily
I did How to Catch Santa by Jean Reagan. It's really cute. These two sibling narrators give clever tips for catching Santa. Like, be crafty, be clever, gentle on Christmas Eve. And it's got a lot of humor. And it's just a really fun read aloud.
Emily/Heidi
The does sounds good. I'm gonna have to actually check that.
Emily
I also had Pick a Pine Tree as one of my backups too, because that is just a really good more recent book.
Emily/Heidi
You can't go wrong with that. And the Halloween when the pick a pumpkin is also cute. Not as cute as the pine tree. But yeah.
Heidi
Okay, new release. This was actually kind of hard because, like, there have been a ton this year.
Emily
I know, I have been having a hard time too. On this one. I don't even have a backup. So hopefully we don't have the same one. But I don't think we do. So the book I picked for new release that I really loved is Merry Christmas, Anne by Callie George.
Heidi
That was my top pick but I got a backup in case so no worries.
Emily
Yeah, I really love that there's these new books coming out. I think they're all by Callie George taking on our beloved characters from Anne of Green Gables and putting them into new versions of the story. So this one's a picture book version. But she also has some short chapter book versions that I love. They're all just so beautiful. Yes. And so it's just really fun to see Christmas avidly. And I love this book.
Heidi
And it's Anne gets the puff sleeve dress. Yes.
Emily
So it's still taking parts of the original stories that we love and just putting them in a little bit of a new format. So if you're an Anne fan, you definitely need Merry Christmas Anne.
Emily/Heidi
And the illustrations, just magical are so good.
Emily
And what is your backup?
Emily/Heidi
I actually had came up with a few but I'll just pick the top one, which is Five More Sleeps till Christmas by Jimmy Fallon. And usually like, you know, celeb picture books just kind of let you down but it feels like Jimmy gets it because probably he's basically just a big kid. So I really liked that one. I thought that was fun.
Heidi
And then maybe one that people haven't heard of as much is Share Some Kindness Bring Some Light by April Stott which isn't particularly Christmassy is more like wintry but it works. It's all about like just coming together and helping each other and I love her illustrations. They're just like this magical this little girl and the snow falling around her in the forest. And all these animals come together. It's It's very sweet.
Emily
Okay, the last category is the wild card. When did you pick for your wild card book?
Emily/Heidi
I picked The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allen Ahilberg.
Emily
That's the one I have, I was like, save that for later. Okay, I have another wild card.
Emily/Heidi
It's got all these little letters and these fairytale characters. I love it. So the postman tries to deliver all their Christmas mail and it's just so fun.
Emily
And I have to really hold myself back from being that mom. That's like, be careful when you take the letter out. Don't just enjoy it.
Emily/Heidi
Because each of the letters sometimes they have like little interactive things in there.
Emily
A little I think there's like a little puzzle and one of them.
Emily/Heidi
Oh, I love it so much. It's just it's a book and a gift. Oh man.
Emily
I'm getting my Christmas books out today. I can't wait.
Emily/Heidi
Kay, well, what's your other wild card out there?
Emily
My other wildcard was I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield Morrison.
Heidi
That is such a sweet one.
Emily
It's so charming. It's about this little girl and her mom and they're enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. So she's hearing the sleigh bells ringing in the carolers singing and the crunch crunch crunch of the chestnuts roasting and it's just really sweet and joy filled. Really fun read this time of year.
Heidi
And the illustrations are just so exuberant. It's so fun.
Emily
She's a very charming character.
Emily
We'd love to hear about your favorite Christmas books over in our teacher approved Facebook group.
Emily
Now let's talk about this week's teacher approved tip. Each week, we leave you with a small actionable tip that you can apply in your classroom today. This week's teacher approved tip is prepare a list for tracking gifts you receive.
Heidi
So depending on where you teach, you will probably receive a gift or two for the holidays. And it's obviously not required. But it is a nice touch to send a thank you note for anything you might get. For one it shows the parent that the gift actually made it to school. And then also the kids just feel so special to get a note in the mail from their teacher. Yes.
Heidi
So if you plan to send thank you notes, print a list of your students names ahead of time. That makes it easy to track who sent which gift because I just always expected Oh, all the gifts are coming last day. But they do not all come on the same day. Yeah. So prepare your list early in the month and then as the gifts trickle in, you're just ready to go. I know it was always like keeping lists. son's sticky notes and trying to keep track of everything. So if you just print it now we're all set.
Emily
And if you're really on the ball, you could get your thank you note cards ready to go. So you can start filling them out when you have a moment, just so that it's already out of your heart.
Emily
And I have to say, when I was in first grade, my first grade teacher sent a thank you no postcard over Christmas break. And it is in my childhood memory book. And I just saw it again a few years ago, and I was just struck by what a lovely letter it was she sent and I was so glad my mom sent it because it was very personal and sweet. And I bet I was so excited to get that letter over Christmas break. So consider sending a thank you note and prepare ahead to keep track of your gifts so you're ready if you decide to do it.
Emily
To wrap up the show we're sharing what we're giving extra credit to this week. Heidi, what are you giving credit to this week?
Heidi
My extra credit is going to my sun box light therapy lamp. That's a mouthful. I really struggled so hard with the winter darkness like I think a lot of people do. But I typically wait till I start to feel lousy before I get up the sun lamp. But last year, I had the idea to start using the lamp before I felt bad. And I really think that made a huge difference.
Heidi
So I just got out my lamp the other day for this year and hopefully does the trick Fingers crossed. But if not, I might need an emotional support Hemsworth to get me through so we're gonna get the camera. If you need to get a light before the winter blahs set in there is a link in the show notes to the sun box that I like. Emily, what are you giving extra credit to this week?
Emily
I'm doing extra credit to the book Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson. It's about Savannah, an editor at a small publishing company that specializes in high brow books. But she secretly has a dream of writing her own romance novel. So she keeps her manuscript stashed in a secret room at her office and one day discover someone else has been reading the manuscript and leaving her notes in the margin.
Emily
So this is not serious literature, but it is a fun cozy light read that you'll love if you enjoy a good Hallmark movie. And it's a time of year for fun light read. Yes, I wish it was Christmas themed. It's still good.
Heidi
That's it for today's episode, check out some of our Christmas book recommendations, and let us know your favorite Christmas books.