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Home » Books » Library Finds » Fun Christmas Picture Books
bear stays up for christmas
December 8, 2011

Fun Christmas Picture Books

From the Kitchen of Katie Kick

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The day the calender flipped to December I was on our library’s website ready to reserve some new Christmas picture books for us to enjoy this season. We have a few tried and true favorites of our own, like Madeline’s Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Polar Express, but it’s always great to add new books to the rotation.

You never know, sometimes those new books will become old favorites. Here are a few new to us books that we checked out from the library.

CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS FOR 2011

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Bear Stays Up for Christmas

by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Published October 2008
Find Bear Stays Up for Christmas on Amazon.

I mentioned recently about a book we found at the library called Bear Snores On. A kind reader left the comment: “We love the the “Bear” books… the combination of the cadence of the text and the great illustrations, really captures my kids’ attention.”

What? My ears perked up. There are other books in this series? Right away I looked up the author to see what else she had written in the “Bear” series.

Bear stays up for Christmas is a tale of Bear’s friends doing all they can do to keep Bear from falling asleep and missing the love and joy of Christmas. They find a tree, hang stockings, and sing songs all to keep Bear up. In the end, it’s not Bear who falls asleep. He’s far too busy preparing surprise gifts for his friends.

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona

story and pictures by Tomie dePaola
Published September 1991
Find Merry Christmas, Strega Nona on Amazon.

Strega Nona abandons her potions and spells once a year – just in time for Christmas preparations. The day before Christmas, Strega Nona sends her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, off to do errands to help her prepare for the Christmas feast. Big Anthony forgets everything and it seems Strega Nona will be alone this Christmas, with no friends and no feast.

Luckily, Big Anthony has a thing or two up his sleeves. Together with the townspeople, he plans his own Christmas feast. And Strega Nona won’t be alone after all. Strega Nona, who knows more about magic than anyone else, learns that Christmas has a magic of it’s own.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

pictures by Laurel Long
Published October 2011
Find The Twelve Days of Christmas on Amazon.

Most of us are familiar with The Twelve Days of Christmas. Growing up we had a pewter ornament series featuring verses from the song that hung on our tree every year. Reflecting on those childhood memories while we decorated our own tree, I realized that my own children have yet to experience this holiday classic.

This classic tale is fun, but the highlight of this version are really the gorgeous illustrations. You’ll get lost in the detail of the pictures and enjoy searching for each of the previous gifts hidden in the brilliantly colored illustrations. Even better than Where’s Waldo?.

The Christmas Hat

by A.J. Wood, illustrated by Maggie Kneen
Published September 2005
Find The Christmas Hat on Amazon.

Little Owl is just a tiny baby when Rabbit and Badger find him lost in the woods. They take him home and care for him, but looking after a mischievous owl is tricky. When the snow comes, his downy white feathers blend in perfectly!

Little Owl’s Christmas present is a festive red hat that all can see . . . but the bright Christmas hat soon leads to trouble in the big woods.

Red Sled

story and pictures by Lita Judge
Published November 2011
Find Red Sled on Amazon.

the red sled

Despite being an almost wordless picture book Red Sled is destined to become a favorite Christmas book for us. In this book you’ll find adorable woodland creatures experiencing a nighttime joy ride on a child’s sled.

Bold watercolors, hilarious expressions, and spot-on sound effects depict the woodland creature’s fun ride.

The Christmas Magic

by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
Published September 2009
Find The Christmas Magic on Amazon.

Far, far North, when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for Christmas. He gathers his reindeer, and tends to his sled. Each chose is lovingly chosen for all the children of the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most.

Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeers fly, he spreads the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world.

Shall I Knit You a Hat?

by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
Published October 2007
Find Shall I Knit You a Hat?: A Christmas Yarn on Amazon.

shall I knit you a hat christmas story

In this cute tale, Mother Rabbit knits Little Rabbit a special, warm hat. Little Rabbit likes his hat so much that he wants to give knit hats for all of his friends for Christmas.

Another great story to remind us all about the joy of giving.

Christmas Day in the Morning

by Pearl S. Buck, illustrated by Makr Buehner
Published November 2011
Find Christmas Day in the Morning on Amazon.

Christmas Day in the Morning is the story of a man remembering a Christmas from his youth. As a boy, Rob wanted to give his father a special gift for Christmas, something that meant more than the 10 cent tie he usually gave him. But what does a boy with little money give?

This is a great story to illustrate that Christmas is more than gifts and the most thoughtful gifts often don’t cost any money at all.

What are your favorite books to read this time of year?


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Meet Katie Kick

My lifelong interest in cooking has shown me that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. I love trying new foods, discovering new places & things that help my family live the good life.

More About Katie
Updated: March 8, 2019

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  1. Carrie says

    December 19, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    My favorite Christmas book is not on this list–it’s not in print anymore either but I bet it can be found at some libraries! It is called “The Gingerbears’ First Christmas” It is about these gingerbread bears that work in the night to finish up Christmas tasks for the unsuspecting family. The bears look delicious and fun! I always wanted one in my house.

    Reply
  2. Annette says

    December 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    You may like my Christmas book for children, The Rescueteers’ Christmas Mission. I am reading the entire story on YouTube. Give the kids a real treat and Let them hear a little Irish storytelling over the Holidays.

    Merry Christmas to All
    Annette

    Reply
  3. Frieda says

    December 16, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Fond memories of the books above! Another favorite of my kids is Oliva helps with Christmas. Such a fun story & kids love to sing loudly ” Glooooria “!
    Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  4. Kendel @ Eating Abroad says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    This is such a great list. I don’t have children, but have always imagined doing exactly the same Advent reading calendar as Erica described above. It must be so exciting for kids to reread their favorite Christmas stories each December. I’ll tuck this list away for someday use. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  5. Erica says

    December 10, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Thanks for sharing this list! I am reading a Christmas book each night for Advent with my three little ones, so I love discovering great new kids books to add to our collection. We also added The Christmas Magic to our collection this year, and my kids loved it. The illustrations are amazing. My kids thought that it was so funny that Santa wears bunny slippers. One of the others that we purchased this year that my kids love is Olive the Other Reindeer. It is really cute! My kids adore Bear Stays Up for Christmas as well. Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  6. Joy says

    December 10, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Do you know about Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood? It’s a counterpart to The Little Mouse, the Red Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear. I also like Small, Medium and Large by Jane M. Donovan. Variations on the 12 Days of Christmas are fun- like A Porcupine in a Pine Tree or A Pinata in a Pine Tree- then you can write your own family version!

    Reply
  7. Sues says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Aww I loveee Strega Nona! These books are bringing back some seriously wonderful memories for me 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jen at The Three Little Piglets says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Home for Christmas by Jan Brett is another good one! She has several good Christmas books with such beautiful illustrations! She’s one of my daughter’s favorites…

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    We LOVE Mortimer’s Christmas Manger, also by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman. Since you love their Bear series (Check out Bear Feels Sick, my favorite in that series), you’d love this one too! A short chapter book we always chuckle over is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. My mom always read it to us at Christmas and this year, I’m reading it to my boys.

    Reply
  10. Christy says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Right after you suggested Bear Snores On I reserved it on our library’s site. We LOVE that book. I looked up the author’s other books and have the Christmas one right now. It is so cute. Karma Wilson (the author) also wrote Animal Strike at the Zoo, it is very cute.

    Thank you for all the other suggestions too. They are going to go on my library list too.

    Reply
  11. Erin @ Small and Simple Things says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I LOVE Christmas Day in the Morning. It’s one of my very favorite Christmas books and always makes me cry happy tears.

    Reply
  12. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Thanks for the suggestions! These would all be wonderful additions. 🙂

    Reply

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Meet Katie Kick

Hi, I’m Katie! Thank you so much for visiting my corner of the internet. I am passionate about cooking delicious and beautiful, yet accessible, food for my family and friends. I love tasting new foods, discovering new places and things that help my family live that good life.

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