Happy Christmas!

“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” – Eric Sevareid, American journalist

The Birds of Bethlehem

dePaola, Tomie. The Birds of Bethlehem. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012.

“On the morning of the first Christmas, the colorful birds of Bethlehem gather to talk about the exciting events they have witnessed, from the long line of people approaching the town to the stable where a newborn baby lies.” – CIP.

“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.” – G.K. Chesterton, English writer

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Moore, Clement C. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015.

An exquisitely designed picture book adapted and illustrated by Daniel Kirk. The style and size of the font are perfectly suited to the colourful and cheerful illustrations. Highly recommended.

Little Elfie One

Jane, Pamela. Little Elfie One. New York: Balzer + Bray, 2015.

“Elves, snowmen, stars, and reindeer cavort at the North Pole on Christmas Eve, introducing the numbers one through ten.” – CIP. A joyous adaptation of the famous song “Over in the Meadow” illustrated by Jane Manning.  The style and size of the font match the quirky illustrations sure to be enjoyed by readers – and listeners – three to nine years old.

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” – Charles M. Schulz, creator of ‘Peanuts’

Deck the Halls

Becker, Helaine. Deck the Halls: a Canadian Christmas Carol. Toronto: North Winds Press, 2016.

A rollicking Canadianized version with a simple piano transcription at the very end. The full page-illustrations by Werner Zimmerman are full of details sure to be enjoyed by readers four to ten yours old.

Shooting at the Stars

Hendrix, John. Shooting at the Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014. 

Stick Man

Click HERE to watch this story read aloud.

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens, author of ‘A Christmas Carol’