Favorite Holiday Books

[Raidra]

What are your favorite holiday books? We're looking for some new ones, but I hate choosing randomly, we tend to be picky. Can you please mention if the book is religious or more secular, too?

Specifically, if anyone has a great picture book version of The Nutcracker or The Night Before Christmas, that would be great. :)

Thanks!

[SnuggleBuggles]

I really enjoy "The Night Before The Night Before Christmas". :) I think they also have ones for other holidays too. It's funny and sweet. eta- definitely secular.
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Christmas-Reading-Railroad/dp/0448428725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257732979&sr=8-1

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a nice one too.

All my holiday books are packed up with the decorations now so I can't remember them all.

Beth

[boolady]

Polar Express. Hands down. Secular, Santa-based.

ETA: I will keep thinking...I know there are others we really enjoyed last year.

Adding: Bear Stays Up for Christmas [Karma Wilson] (secular, Santa-based).
Who is Coming to Our House [don't remember] (gently religious..it's a board book for introduction of Christmas story. Beautifully told from the perspective of the animals in the barn).

[mama2g03]

Last year I found the book "A Perfect Snowman" and it has become a definite favorite. It is written and illustrated by Preston McDaniels and I think his illustrations are beautiful. He also illustrated the Lighthouse series by Cynthia Rylant. I wouldn't say the book is religious per se, but it does have a definite message to it that I think is wonderful for Christmas and all year long.

http://tinyurl.com/yz26up2

[billysmommy]

There are some gorgeous "Twas the Night Before Christmas" books at Barnes & Noble. They have them all grouped together so it's easy to look at them all.

We have this one (it's the one my parents read to us when we were little)
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Fathertime/items/Little_Golden_Book__The_Night_Before_Christmas

The boys also really like
The Christmas Donkey
The Small One
Polar Express
Mr Willowby's Christmas Tree
The Little Fir Tree

[elizabethkott]

Santa Mouse!!!!
This was my FAVORITE Christmas book as a child, and I was over the moon when I found it at Barnes and Noble last year on sale after the holidays. I bought it for J and he LOVES it!!! Secular, Santa based (obviously). It's about a lonely little mouse who realizes that no one gives Santa a gift, so he wraps up his only piece of cheese for Santa. Santa then invites him to come with him as his helper! It's so cute!

[vonfirmath]

Polar Express. Hands down. Secular, Santa-based.

ETA: I will keep thinking...I know there are others we really enjoyed last year.

Adding: Bear Stays Up for Christmas [Karma Wilson] (secular, Santa-based).
Who is Coming to Our House [don't remember] (gently religious..it's a board book for introduction of Christmas story. Beautifully told from the perspective of the animals in the barn).

We just read Who is Coming to Our House -- Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff.

I'm not a fan. But I haven't gotten rid of it yet.

[noodle]

We do Santa Mouse! It's a favorite tradition in my family. I have a secret stash of yellow ribbon. :love-retry:

[DeeEast]

One of my favorites since I was a child. The Sweet Smell of Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Smell-Christmas-Scented-Storybook/dp/0375826432

Glad to see it in re-print.

[graciebellesmomma]

"One of my favorites since I was a child. The Sweet Smell of Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Smell-Ch.../dp/0375826432

Glad to see it in re-print." (can't get it to quote)

LOVE this book. Love the smells....mmmmmm.
I've got my old one and a new one.


http://www.amazon.com/Brava-Strega-Nona-Heartwarming-Pop-Up/dp/0399244530

http://www.amazon.com/12-Bugs-Christmas-Pop-up-Counting/dp/0689831048/ref=pd_sim_b_1

and Jingle Bugs

I have a few more favorites, but they are packed with the Xmas stuff.
Will have to come back to it.