ereks mom Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I'm thinking along the lines of "chapter books" such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and also picture books like The Polar Express! During the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we do "school lite", and we bake, make crafts, learn about Christmas customs around the world, watch our favorite Christmas movies, and read Christmas stories & books--and I need book suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonNative Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) We always read A Christmas Carol:) I LOVE The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!! Edited November 19, 2010 by OregonNative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMe Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) My dh and I thought the Best Christmas Pageant Ever was funny. But dd didn't get some of it because she's never been in public school. I'm "looking" at Louisa May Alcott's "Christmas Treasury" and "No Fuss Christmas". We enjoy Pioneer Christmas. Edited November 19, 2010 by alilac typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bry's-gal Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I love love love Madeleine L'Engle's The Twenty Four Days Before Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 We love Jim Weiss' Christmas story CD! It has Dickens' A Christmas Carol and O Henry's The Gift of the Magi and another story. Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I've always liked The Light at Tern Rock. I think it was on the Sonlight K list when dd was 5, and we re-read it most years. I also like Max Lucado's The Crippled Lamb, but probably largely because I have a crippled lamb (disabled dd). That one always makes me cry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 "The Story of Holly and Ivy" is a Christmas must-read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 What a fantastic thread idea. Thank you! :lurk5: Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I wrap all of our Christmas books every year, and put them in a basket near the fireplace. During the Christmas season, I have our dc choose one to unwrap, which we then read aloud. I usually add one new book each year, so it's fun to discover the new book, and to rediscover old favorites year after year . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I love love love Madeleine L'Engle's The Twenty Four Days Before Christmas. :iagree: Hey, someone else knows that book! I love that book. I cannot give it enough praise. On a completely different note... while none of these are things I think are excellent holiday classics, they've all been enjoyed in our house: The Day Santa Fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke (not her best, but still Cornelia Funke!) Stanley's Christmas Adventure by Jeff Brown (not the best Flat Stanley, but a quick little read nonetheless) Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald (for fans of Judy Moody) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Oooh, you have to check out Jotham's Journey. What a wonderful story!! And it's all lined up to be used for advent if you do that. There are 2 sequels, but we haven't read them yet--I'm adding in Bartholomew's Passage this year & maybe the other one next year. Another wonderful book that my kids love, is The Advent Book. It's pricey but it has doors to open (lift flaps) on each page to reveal a part of the Christmas story. Merry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. A Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 A GORGEOUS picture book for younger children is called "A Small Miracle" by Peter Collington. It's only pictures no words, but the story is so heartwarming. Can't recommend it highly enough. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyniffrec Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 :grouphug: I wrap all of our Christmas books every year, and put them in a basket near the fireplace. During the Christmas season, I have our dc choose one to unwrap, which we then read aloud. I usually add one new book each year, so it's fun to discover the new book, and to rediscover old favorites year after year . . . Oooh...I love this idea! We like Demi's book about St. Nicholas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Another one: Eve Bunting Night Tree. Just a lovely story. They're all checked out already from my library [argh] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Little House on the Prairie has the story about Mr Edwards meeting Santa in town and taking the presents to Mary and Laura, in a bundle on his head, while he swims across the river naked. They get so little and think it is so much. It's my all time favorite Christmas story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Oooh, you have to check out Jotham's Journey. What a wonderful story!! And it's all lined up to be used for advent if you do that. There are 2 sequels, but we haven't read them yet--I'm adding in Bartholomew's Passage this year & maybe the other one next year. Another wonderful book that my kids love, is The Advent Book. It's pricey but it has doors to open (lift flaps) on each page to reveal a part of the Christmas story. Merry :-) We really enjoyed Jotham's Journey last yr! I was trying to decide rather to do it again this yr or look for the sequel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R Tolkein. These were stories he made up to tell his own children about Christmas. (I love just about everything Tolkein does, however :tongue_smilie:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I wrap all of our Christmas books every year, and put them in a basket near the fireplace. During the Christmas season, I have our dc choose one to unwrap, which we then read aloud. I usually add one new book each year, so it's fun to discover the new book, and to rediscover old favorites year after year . . . I LOVE this idea!!! Thanks for sharing! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gratia271 Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Dickens' The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain (and of course Christmas Carol) The Christmas Mystery (Jostein Gaarder) Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader Rembrandt: the Christmas Story The Nutcracker Why the Chimes Rang This Way to Christmas The Christmas Porringer Tasha Tudor Take Joy Christmas book The Christmas Story by Isabelle Brent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco I'll be honest and tell you that I don't read the very last page to my seven year old boys: too sad. I heard of a dad who came out of the bedroom saying, "d@*m book made me cry!" :lol: Great story, but that Patricia is all about getting her readers to cry! Thanks for a wonderful thread and thanks for the idea of wrapping the books and reading one a night: I LOVE HOMESCHOOLERS! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 Oooh, you have to check out Jotham's Journey. What a wonderful story!! And it's all lined up to be used for advent if you do that. There are 2 sequels, but we haven't read them yet--I'm adding in Bartholomew's Passage this year & maybe the other one next year. We read one each year when the kids were little. These are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Indeed Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 We have wrapped our books for years! Love that tradition. :D I usually try to come up with some idea to do with each book, either a craft, cooking, or a movie. Some days nothing. On to our book list: Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree Tree of Cranes Cranberry Christmas Little House Christmas Treasury Jonathan Toomey Best Christmas Pagent ever There are lots more but that is what I can come up with right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in AZ Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 We like the Jotham's Journey series! :) Our favorite Christmas chapter books are A Tree for Peter and If You're Missing Baby Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie in Life Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is one of our favorites. In it, a little boy discovers a magic Advent calendar which contains the 24 day story of a little girl who traveled through time to be present at the birth of Jesus. We've read it the past few years and have loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimsclan Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 The Littlest Angel was a beautiful story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 I wrap all of our Christmas books every year, and put them in a basket near the fireplace. During the Christmas season, I have our dc choose one to unwrap, which we then read aloud. I usually add one new book each year, so it's fun to discover the new book, and to rediscover old favorites year after year . . . :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bry's-gal Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Such great ideas- I've been able to request most of them from my library! Thank you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Jonathan Toomey is very good. We just go this one from the library. I was hoping they would have Silver Packages as that one sounds excellent, and is based on a true story! For olders I love Dicken's Christmas Carol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 My suggestion is for younger kids, but it is the one that absolutely pulls at my heart-strings every single year.. It is The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by Jane Thayer. It is a simple story with that perfect bit of holiday magic. I tear up every time I read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted November 21, 2010 Author Share Posted November 21, 2010 My suggestion is for younger kids, but it is the one that absolutely pulls at my heart-strings every single year.. It is The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by Jane Thayer. It is a simple story with that perfect bit of holiday magic. I tear up every time I read it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 the video is a modification of the poem below. Worth reading to the kids. Merry Christmas, My Friend By James M. Schmidt, Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land. With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine. I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home. He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed? His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight. Soon around the Nation, the children would play, And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here. I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry. He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more. My life is my God, my country, my Corps." With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside. I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure." One look at my watch and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deeke Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Kringle by Tony Abbott was a fantastic read-aloud! I remember liking so much I emailed the author telling him it would be a great movie, he emailed me back saying they are planning on a movie, hopefully soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 (Above spam reported) Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcross222 Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Two recurring read alouds in our family are Best Christmas Pageant as already mentioned and Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 (edited) - Father Christmas Letters (Tolkien) -- charming, fun, all-time family favorite -- Tolkien writing as Father Christmas to his children with his lovely watercolor pictures - Christmas Every Day (Howells) -- hilarious tale of a greedy Victorian girl -- the other Christmas family favorite - When It Snowed That Night (Farber) -- lovely short poems of animals coming to visit baby Jesus - The Christmas Knight (Curry) -- short, funny picture book with a moral - The Other Wise Man (retold by Barrett) -- lovely, poignant story (WARNING: you need a hanky for this one!!) - A Small Miracle (Collington) -- charming wordless picture book - The Remarkable Christmas of the Cobbler's Sons (Sawyer) -- very fun story with charming illustrations - Dance in the Desert (L'Engle) -- lovely writing; all creatures adore the Christ child one magical night - The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree -- quietly understated self-sacrifice at the home front during WW1 - B is for Bethlehem -- vibrantly illustrated Christmas alphabet book written in a lively rhyming pattern - The Polar Express (Van Allsburg) -- another lovely picture book - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Seuss) -- this was a classic when *I* was growing up! If you like Jan Brett, she has a Christmas treasury collection What about all the December stories from Richard Scarry's A Story a Day collection Here's a charming collection we've enjoyed: The Tall Book of Christmas Edited November 22, 2010 by Lori D. added more titles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey :iagree: Fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadsandLilysMom Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury is a favorite in our house. I could spend hours looking at her pictures and I love her use of foreshadowing. http://www.amazon.com/Jan-Bretts-Christmas-Treasury-Brett/dp/0399237410/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290393218&sr=8-1-spell Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catholicmommy Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 A GORGEOUS picture book for younger children is called "A Small Miracle" by Peter Collington. It's only pictures no words, but the story is so heartwarming. Can't recommend it highly enough. :) :iagree: This is one of my favorite books for kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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