Christmas Books {2013 Edition}

In years past, I’ve shared some of my favorite Christmas books for children. I hope you will check that post out if you’re interested in some wonderful books that center around the Christmas season.

But this year I’ve discovered a few more and I can’t wait to share them!

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
I included this book on my previous list, but since it’s my favorite Children’s Christmas book ever, I have to repeat it so that no one misses reading it! A tear jerker about a little girl named Ruthie, who is waiting for her father to come home from war and must donate the “perfect Christmas tree” to her town’s Christmas play.

Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo
A delightful story about a family that is not sure if they’ll be able to have Christmas this year due to lighthouse duties. Then they get an unexpected guest and a package is dropped from the sky.

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
A sweet story about belonging and the end made me tear up. Gorgeously illustrated and written by the author of The Tale of Despereaux.

Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant
No stranger to children’s literature, Rylant, continues her story of growing up in the country with her grandparents she first introduced us to in When I Was Young in the Mountains. Illustrated by Diane Goode who also illustrated the previous book, I loved the simple story of a Christmas in the country.

The Remarkable Christmas of the Cobbler’s Son told by Ruth Sawyer
A folktale illustrated by my ever-favorite Barbara Cooney, this book is about three brothers and a mysterious visitor.

Saint Nicholas by Ann Tompert
An illustrated biography for children about the REAL Saint Nicholas.

Father and Son: A Nativity Story by Geraldine McCaughrean
McCaughrean is quickly becoming a favorite around here and this is her take on Joseph’s point of view of the birth of Jesus.

Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer
This book is worth the amazing illustrations alone. I love the unique perspective of Ms. Heyer’s illustrations. Humphrey is a camel on a journey who thinks quite a lot of his comfort and is easily disgruntled–until he meets the Christ Child, that is.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long
We’ve read through all of Laurel Long’s picture books last year because her art is exquisite. This books has layers and layers of images that build on each other as the book progressives. She takes the simple song and adds even more with her gorgeous paintings, as well as explaining the history of the song.

The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
This book is easily a Christmas or an Easter book and it gets me every. single. time.

Hannah’s Bookmobile Christmas by Sally Derby
A snow storm strands a bookmobile on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowki
A grieving Jonathan Toomey is a woodcarver who meets a young boy who needs a nativity carved.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
A Christmas story by a classic author, this is the story of a boy who wants to give a special gift to his dad.

What’s your favorite children’s Christmas book?