In our family (age 12&9) and must read is John Masefield’s A Box of Delights - a bit dated but wonderful language and there’s a DVD from the BBC if reading’s not your thing. We started reading it from about age 8 as it does get scary in places but nothing serious - we’re just a family that get scared by Disney!
Its this year's Christmas show at the RSC in Stratford - I'm really annoyed that I cant persaude any grandchildren to come and see it with me - might just sneak off on my own one afternoon!
A wonderful (wordless) book with 96 stunning illustrations by Peter Collington is "A Small Miracle". The wooden figures in a Christmas crèche come to life to save a poor old woman in a highly original and moving parable.
Lovely to see Shirley Hughes and Alison Uttley on this list, and I havent seen that cover for One Snowy Day for years, but I'm sure I had a copy. The only one I would add is The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allen Ahlberg - so many fiddly funny flaps to lift!
"Take Joy!" by Tasha Tudor is one of my very favorite Christmas books. It includes stories, poetry, songs, recipes, the Christmas story, and of course, the most beautiful illustrations. Highly recommend.
Jonathan Toomey was always at the top of our list. This is a favorite among many families and I have yet to meet a parent who can read to the end without tearing up (we just had a conversation over dinner where two of the fathers admitted that they just can't finish the last page dry-eyed despite their best efforts:)
I loved reading through this! Do not spent anymore time resizing images!). I did not know about many of these books! Here are some of our favorites (my children are 4,6, and 7).
In our family (age 12&9) and must read is John Masefield’s A Box of Delights - a bit dated but wonderful language and there’s a DVD from the BBC if reading’s not your thing. We started reading it from about age 8 as it does get scary in places but nothing serious - we’re just a family that get scared by Disney!
Its this year's Christmas show at the RSC in Stratford - I'm really annoyed that I cant persaude any grandchildren to come and see it with me - might just sneak off on my own one afternoon!
Might have to see if we can get tickets ourselves!
A wonderful (wordless) book with 96 stunning illustrations by Peter Collington is "A Small Miracle". The wooden figures in a Christmas crèche come to life to save a poor old woman in a highly original and moving parable.
Thank you for this wonderful list, Catherine!
Some that we especially enjoy:
Holly & Ivy, by Rumer Godden
The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits, by Ulf Stark
The Tomtes' Christmas Porridge, by Sven Nordquist
The Little Golden Books Christmas Favorites (3 stories in one book)
and from my childhood, The Mole Family's Christmas, but Russell and Lillian Hoban
What a tempting list, thank you! Completely sold on a Rumer Godden Christmas book. Adding to basket now.
I have seen a few people recommend it lately and that makes me so happy! Rumer Godden + Barbara Cooney makes for magic!
I was just going to recommend Holly & Ivy as well! It is our annual Christmas tradition.
I’ve ordered it and very much hope it will arrive today!
This is such a lovely box of books. And so much work to put this post together. It’s much appreciated here!
Lovely to see Shirley Hughes and Alison Uttley on this list, and I havent seen that cover for One Snowy Day for years, but I'm sure I had a copy. The only one I would add is The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allen Ahlberg - so many fiddly funny flaps to lift!
"Take Joy!" by Tasha Tudor is one of my very favorite Christmas books. It includes stories, poetry, songs, recipes, the Christmas story, and of course, the most beautiful illustrations. Highly recommend.
We’ve just discovered “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” this year, which is beautiful.
“This Is The Star” is our favourite Nativity book.
And Carol Ann Duffy’s Christmas poems come out every year - nearly got them all!
Jonathan Toomey was always at the top of our list. This is a favorite among many families and I have yet to meet a parent who can read to the end without tearing up (we just had a conversation over dinner where two of the fathers admitted that they just can't finish the last page dry-eyed despite their best efforts:)
Yup, I've joined the club!
Definitely going to have to add this to the box.
I loved reading through this! Do not spent anymore time resizing images!). I did not know about many of these books! Here are some of our favorites (my children are 4,6, and 7).
https://susiewales.com/2022/11/27/picture-books-for-advent-and-christmas/