WOW! 'Ask and ye shall receive'! I got more than 30 responses to my
question and was reacquainted with some old friends (Mr. Willoughby's
Chrismas Tree (we had a cat in the library years ago we name
Willoughby because he slept under the Christmas tree) and alot of new
ones!
The compiled list is below...and it is LONG!
**************************
My original post:
> I am reading to assorted ages of children at next week's "Cookies
> and Cocoa with Santa" sponsored by our PTO. In the past I have read
> The Grinch and Polar Express...the kids all know those and while
> the sense of familiarity is good, I need some new ideas...As far as
> I'm concerned I haven't found any great new Christmas books for
> many years...so please, some suggestions! What have I missed or
> have forgotten about?
>
The responses:
Santa Kid by James Patterson is an absolute favorite!
******
Also, The Christmas Extravaganza by David Shannon. That one is a bit
long, do it will depend on the ages of your kids.
*****
I don't know your situation, but if references to the Nativity aren't
off limits, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a wonderful
story. There's a pattern to it and one of the main characters is a 6
or 7 year old boy. Written & illustrated (great! Illustrations) Susan
Wojciechowski and P.J. Lynch
*****
Night Tree by Eve Bunting, Wombat Divine by Mem Fox, Redheaded
Robbie's Christmas Story by Bill Lutrell and An Orange for Frankie by
Patricia Polacco
*****
One that sounded really cute is The Night That Henry Ford Met Santa
by Carol Hagen. It was reviewed in the holiday books of recent SLJ.
*****
I would recommend Welcome Comfort by Patricia Polacco
*****
"Merry Christmas, Merry Crow" by Kathi Appelt.
*****
I love Santa Calls by James Joyce. It has a wonderful message about
the love between siblings (younger sister just wants her brother to
like her. She writes to Santa that that is all she wants for
Christmas, then the kids go on this really neat adventure and the
little girl saves the day…) There is so much more to it than I made
out. It is a bit longer to read, but there are villains, and a
meeting with Santa, mystery and adventure. And in the end, gifts from
Santa. Hope you enjoy it! I like the idea of your cookies and cocoa!
*****
I really like Auntie Claus. It's by Elise Primavera.
*****
Here are a couple that I really like:
*****
Snowmen at Christmas / Caralyn Buehner ; pictures by Mark Buehner.--
Sequel to: Snowmen at night.
Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Christmas / Joy Cowley ; illustrated by Elizabeth
Fuller
Santa Claus : the world's number one toy expert / Marla Frazee.--
Bear stays up for Christmas / Karma Wilson ; illustrations by Jane
Chapman
*****
We love Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by, Robert Barry; The Amazing
Christmas Extravaganza by, David Shannon; and The Reindeer Christmas
by, Moe Price.
*****
Definitely Jan Brett's Christmas books. Wild Christmas Reindeer or
Christmas Trolls or Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve.
*****
Have you looked at James Patterson's cute book: Santa Kid. I think it
would be perfect!
*****
I love Mr. Willowby's Christmas by Robert Barry. Be sure to get the
newer edition as it is in color. Good for all ages.
*****
I have 2 favorites...I like Olive the Other Reindeer by Siebold. I
also do Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree. I actually cut and recite
the story and through the years in December the kids would look
forward to seeing the scissors and green sheet of paper. If you have
a copy of the book and are interested I could tell you how I do the
story. It is a winner. I also tell The Hanukkah Tree by Eric Kimmel
for multiculturality.
*****
Winter's Gift - written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan Good
luck,
*****
Ranger Came Calling: a Guaranteed True Christmas Story, by Berkley
Breathed is a truly great Christmas story/picture book. I have used
it with middle school kids who started out facing the other way,
whose body language changed completely as the story progressed.
I think it's stated as grades 3-6.
*****
My favorite is the Cajun Night before Christmas.
*****
How about "Aunite Claus" by Elise Primnevara? My kids love it.
*****
I like:
The Mole Family Christmas - Russell Hoban
Legend of Old Befana - Tomie de Paola
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree - Robert E. Barry
**A Small Sheep in a Pear Tree - Adrienne Lobel (personal
favorite...hilarious!)
Rocking Horse Christmas - Mary Pope Osborne
Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia - Peggy Parish
Erik and the Christmas Horse - Hans Peterson (classic!)
Nutcracker - various versions!
Too Many Tamales! - Gary Soto
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Dr. Seuss
Night After Christmas - James Stevenson
Red Ranger Came Calling: A Guaranteed True Christmas Story - Berke
Breathed (Amazing!)
Twas the Night Before Christmas - Clement Moore (classic!)
Emmett Otter's Jug-Band Christmas - Russell Hoban
Soup on Ice - Robert Newton Peck (chapter book)
Wombat Divine - Mem Fox
The Tree Beggar Kings - Rosalys Haskell Hall
Christmas in Noisy Village - Astrid Lindgrin (another classic)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Barbara Robinson (chapter book)
Littlest Angel - Charles Tazewell
The Little Fir Tree - Margaret Wise Brown
Beatinest Boy - Jesse Stuart
Charlotte's Web - E. B. White Holiday Tales - Ludwig Bemmelmans
Absolutely Essential Eloise - Kay Thompson
Charlie Brown Christmas - Charles Schultz
A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (chapter book)
Christmas in the Stable - Astrid Lindgrin (classic)
Baboushka and the Three Kings - Ruth Robbins
Christmas Day Kitten - James Herriot
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona - Tomie De Paola
Petunia's Christmas - Roger Duvoisin
*****
My two faves are Holly and Ivy by Godden and Apple Tree Christmas by
Noble. I AM dying to read a new funny title, but haven't laid hands
on it yet--Santa Knows by Smith and Smith.
*****
It is an older book but one of my favorites is Mr. Willoby's
Christmas Tree (not entirely sure Willoby's is spelled right though)
*****
The Silver Package? Can't remember the author - Rylant?
*****
Do you like Silver Package by Cynthia Rylant? I think parents would
like it.
*****
How about The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Emma Kragen (who was 7 when
this was published - 1998) or There was a Cold Lady who Swallowed
Some Snow!
*****
Take a look at the QL Master list for the Christmas Season.
http://www.quizlist.net/BookList.aspx?lid=2410&oid=0
I always like to read McPhail's "Santa's Book of Names" and
Herriot's "Christmas Day Kitten"
*****
The Christmas Tapestry, and An Orange for Frankie--both by Patricia
Polacco
*****
You might try Three French Hens by Margie Palatini.
*****
Snowmen at night is a great read aloud
*****
I suggest a wonderful little book called "Auntie Claus" by Elise
Primavera as well as "Arthur's Perfect Christmas" by Marc Brown. Of
course, there are LOADS of good Christmas reads!
I also like "Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree" by Robert Barry as well
as "The Biggest, Best Snowman Ever" by Margery Cuyler and Will
Hillenbrand.
The newest favorite is probably Karma Wilson's "Bear Stays Up for
Christmas."
Good luck!
*****
Thanks, everyone!
Barb
****************************
Barb Engvall
=^..^=
Teacher-Librarian
John Campbell Elem
Selah, WA
macbarb@charter.net
http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/JC/jc.cfm
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