Toddlers
Two Lists for Christmas
by Lisa Pieterse-Carson, Illustrated by Ethan Roffler
Ages 1-9
Christmas is an exciting time of year filled with wonder and enchantment and Two Lists for Christmas does a fantastic job of demonstrating the thrill of the holiday. Six friends are gathered to celebrate and to create lists for Christmas when the unthinkable happens: Santa crashes! Setting aside their lists, the friends work together to get Santa and his reindeer back in the air. Along the way they each learn about their own personal strengths and a valuable lesson about the joy of helping others.
Lisa Pieterse-Carson has done a wonderful job of creating a diverse cast of characters in her story. From a slow sloth named Sammy to a resourceful monkey named Millie each character learns about their strengths when they help Santa and his crew get back into the skies. In addition to learning to work together, the characters learn about the gift of giving and how doing something nice for others makes them “feel good and happy inside.”
Review courtesy of https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas
Written by Jimmy Fallon, Illustrated by Rich Deas
Ages 3-6
Just 5 more sleeps ’til Christmas!
Can you believe it’s here?
I know that Santa’s coming soon ’cause I’ve been good all year.
Everyone who grew up celebrating Christmas remembers the excitement that built up to the most magical day of the year. But why not make the last week until Christmas more fun by counting how many sleeps until the arrival of Santa and his reindeer?
My Big Wimmelbook Christmas Village
Illustrated by Monika Parciak
Ages 3-7
In these one-of-a-kind picture books, every page is bursting with life—and tons to discover! Children as young as age 2 have a blast pointing out recognizable things—a blue tricycle, a hungry dog, a piggyback ride—while older kids can follow the star characters from page to page, telling their stories along the way.
In this special holiday-themed Wimmelbook, it’s Christmas time! Christmas Eve, to be exact. From the outdoor ice rink to the bustling holiday market, a busy cast of characters is having a great time as they celebrate by skating, sledding, shopping and singing away. But will the little boy get the tractor he wants for Christmas? And where is Santa? Kids follow along and find out in My Big Wimmelbook—Christmas Village.
Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf
by Greg Wolfe, Illustrated by Howard McWilliam
Ages 3-6
In this delightfully inventive holiday tale, an elf named Shmelf takes a journey from the North Pole . . . and discovers all the joys of Hanukkah.
Shmelf is one of Santa’s most important elves. He’s part of the List Checking department, and he makes sure all the good boys and girls get their presents! But when Shmelf finds out that some children are missing from Santa’s list, he goes to investigate.
What Shmelf uncovers is Hanukkah, a wondrous and joyful holiday that Jewish families celebrate each year. As Shmelf observes a family lighting the menorah, playing dreidel and hearing the Hanukkah story, he sees how special the traditions of the holiday truly are–and he wants to be a part of it! Luckily, Santa just might have a special role in mind for Shmelf . . . The rich traditions of Hanukkah come to life in this whimsical and magical story that’s perfect for the holiday season.
Happy Llamakkah!
Written by Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Lydia Nichols
Ages 3-5
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Llama family in this joyful, rhyming picture book. Follow along with the Llama family’s Hanukkah traditions as they light their menorah, spin the dreidel, fry latkes and more. Laura Gehl’s lively rhyming text and Lydia Nichols’s vibrant illustrations make for a festive read. The book also features kid-friendly back matter, with expanded information on the holiday’s history and traditions.
Elementary Aged
The Worst Christmas Book in the Whole Entire World
by Joey Acker
Ages 3-9
Jingle bells…this book smells…
After being in the worst AND the scariest book in the whole entire world, Nameless just can’t catch a break! Now he’s in the WORST CHRISTMAS book! Will his Christmas be ruined? Will your Christmas be ruined?? How can a book about the most magical time of the year possibly be so terrible???
The Worst Christmas Book in the Whole Entire World is a humorous and witty tale for young and seasoned readers. Deck the halls this season and get into the holiday spirit with a book so bad it might actually be good…
The humor in The Worst Book in the Whole Entire World will resonate and connect with readers who are fans of The Book With No Pictures, Elephant and Piggie, and the Pigeon books. Be prepared for smiles, silliness and laughter!
There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!
by Lucille Colandro , Illustrated by Jared Lee
There was a cold lady who swallowed some snow. I don’t know why she swallowed some snow. Perhaps you know. This time, the old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there’s a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!
How to Catch an Elf
by Adam Wallace, Illustrated by Andy Elkerto
Ages 4-10
From the New York Times bestselling How to Catch series comes a hilarious Christmas adventure, perfect for stocking stuffers!
It’s Christmas Eve and an elf is on the loose… in YOUR house! Do you have what it takes to catch him? Follow along in this fun holiday story as a mischievous elf causes chaos Christmas Eve! Filled with zany traps, vibrant illustrations, STEAM concepts and even Santa Claus himself, this Christmas picture book for kids is guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition!
Little Red Sleigh
Written by Erin Guendelsberger, Illustrated by Elizavita Tretyakova
Ages 4-8
The Little Red Sleigh has one big dream — to one day become Santa’s big red sleigh! But all her life, she’s been told she’s too small, she’s too young, she can’t fly and she certainly can’t meet Santa. Well, this Christmas, with the help of some friends, she’s determined to do the impossible. Little Red Sleigh is a heartwarming children’s Christmas book you’ll want to read again and again. Full of winter joy and Christmas magic, this Christmas book for kids will remind you that no dream is out of reach if you believe
The Christmas Pig
by J.K. Rowling
One boy and his toy are about to change everything…
Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens — DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life… even toys. And Jack’s newest toy — the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) — has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost and to save the best friend Jack has ever known.