Christmas Stories

[Netleigh]

In another thread Readstoomuch says she'll be reading Christmas stories during December. Other than A Christmas Carol, what do people regard as Christmas Reading?

[Jen D]

We read a different one every day of December until Christmas to the kiddos... I will have to look, but one for sure is The Polar Express!

Not sure if you were looking for children's literature or adult =)

[shhbabymine]

I keep a box of Childrens Christmas books packed with my Christmas decorations so as we unpack the decorations the kids remember the books and nightly story time, we always add books to our stash each year. (I actually do this for each Holiday that way our shelves arent overloaded with seasonal books) ... Will have to get the bin from the game room tomorrow and see what the titles are. (if you are looking for children's books, that is)

[digigrandma]

Polar Express is such a good one, Jen! Love A Christmas Carol, Netleigh.

I've been purchasing a special Christmas book every Christmas for many, many years. Some years I can't resist and buy 2 or 3. Most are children's books. They occupy several shelves in a large bookcase in our living room, but, I bring them all out on December 1st and keep them in stacks around the house as part of the Christmas decorations so I'm reminded to reread them.

Here's just a few of mine that come to mind:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (This is a must read if you haven't already read it. We read this one aloud over the period of several days when the boys were about 8 and 11 years old. Adults enjoy the humor as much as the kids and it is a very touching story.)

The Littlest Christmas Tree by Janie Jasin (a tale of growing and becoming)

Christmas Trolls and The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett (I love all books by this children's book author/illustrator)

The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (grandson Henry loved this. It has little pockets that look like envelopes on every page and inside are Christmas cards from characters like The Three Bears, Red Riding Hood and Humpty Dumpty)

and for adults:
Miracle on 10th Street by Madeleine L'Engle (a collection of essays, poems, journal writings for adults)
The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory

[Chris]

What a wonderful book list for Christmas reading! I buy books for the children but they're given as gifts to be taken home, so I never get to see them again! My list of favorites are the old classics. Little Women always brings back many memories, and during this past year I read one of the follow up stories.

I used to make up my own stories a lot to my girls and then their children. With a few favorites, I'd draw pictures and make them into very rough books. I'd forgotten about these until my daughter brought it up this Thanksgiving, and so I had to tell the great granddaughter one of the stories. She kept saying "Again, again nana!" it was so sweet! I only have one of my books left - I might do a scrap page about it one day!

[carollee]

Merrilee, I bought The Cat Who Came for Christmas off ebay last year, I loved it.

[mugsbigsis]

My absolute favorites are the intricate pop up books by Robert Sabuda: The Christmas Alphabet, Night Before Christmas and 12 Days of Christmas. Cassie sent my son one when he was younger called Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed. I also have two unique stories representing the Christmas story called One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham and Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.
I'll have to check back for more adult reading from you girls. :O)

[Elena]

Ever since I lived in Baton Rouge for a couple of years, I've loved a Cajun Night Before Christmas!

[mugsbigsis]

Ok, you guys had me out shopping for Christmas books today. I got two that aren't kids books. One is called The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson (yes, I know, what can I say? I like dogs.) The other is The Wicked and the Wondrous. It's two holiday stories by Christine Feehan. I hope they are good. :O\

You girls are getting me into the spirit already. :O)

[Netleigh]

Thanks for the comments. I was not really looking for adult or children's books specifically, just interested in what people love! I suppose I'm between generations as my son is 22, however I still have some of the favourite books from his childhood and get them out for a reminisce as they are evocative of the Christmas excitement that children bring.

My favourites are
The Night Before Christmas
The Wild Christmas Reindeer I just love the illustrations
Letters from Father Christmas: J. R. R. Tolkien

And the adult ones, but I'd love to add more to this list to revisit
The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth : Charles Dickens I have two volumes of these stories that I was given many Christmases ago by my parents.
A Wayne in a Manger: Gervase Phinn So funny, written by a school inspector.

Going beyond books, I love watching Holiday Inn to get me in a Christmas frame of mind.

[mugsbigsis]

Ok, hadn't heard of Letters from Father Christmas and went straight to Amazon. This might be a dangerous thread for me.

[lisa.hinrichs]

Dangerous thread for me too. But I have been very good about my book habit since I found DD. My favorite Christmas book is "The Christmas Sweater" by Glen Beck. Wasn't sure I really liked this guy off Headline News at first, but he grew on me, and his book is really great. I bought it last year and I think everyone in my family read it and left a great inscription inside the cover before the returned it to me.