The feast of St. Nicholas is one month from today! Every year
on December 6th our children wake up to find new slippers
(or sometimes as new pair of shoes for winter) filled with little treats,
chocolate gold coins,
candy canes, and new Christmas books.
I just finished wrapping most of the books for this year and have added Trader Joe's
Chocolate Coins and
TruJoy Candy Canes to my shopping list. Now to start working on the rest of the Christmas list!
Note: You can download my St. Nicholas labels over at Dropbox with either
Black or
Green text.
I realized after wrapping all the books that I completely forgot to take pictures of the inside pages...
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Here is the list of books my husband and I picked out for our children this year:
For Captain:
It's getting so hard to choose books for our older boys... Not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep it up, but this year our oldest son is getting this coloring book based on one of his favorite Christmas stories. Coloring while listening to music or audio books is one of favorite ways to relax. I think he will love it!
Illuminate your Christmas with the colors of mystery, charity, kindness, and the melting of old Scrooge's cold heart in this opulent coloring book for grownups; travel back to Victorian London for a Christmas celebration filled with delicious repasts, elaborate costumes, intricate decorations, and iconic imagery from Charles Dickens's beloved tale. Like the other books in the Coloring Classic series-including Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights-this one offers 37 wonderfully complex two-page drawings on heavy paper, each with a carefully selected quotation from the book, while the cover is embellished with red foil details.
For Ranger:
I have had such a hard time choosing a book for Ranger this year... I still haven't decided! I've narrowed it down to one of the following two books: A Christmas Carol illustrated by Robert Ingpen (his older brother has
the beautiful P.J. Lynch version) or Treachery and Truth, the story of Good King Wenceslaus which was just published by Pauline Books. They are both on their way!
The complete and unabridged text enhanced with more than 70 illustrations by Robert Ingpen Includes an additional story by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Tree"
- OR -
Immersed in the historical background of the tenth century, this true tale of Good King Wenceslaus, as told by his faithful servant Poidevin, brings the reader into the Dark Ages. Fear grips the land of Bohemia as the faithful face betrayal and persecution under the reign of the pagan Duchess Dragomira. As she struggles for power with the rightful heir, Prince Vaclav, her foes forge alliances in secret despite the risk of discovery. Who will survive?
For Twinkle Toes:
We already had books for the girls, but when I ran across the coloring book of Christmas cards and envelopes I had to pick it up for the girls to share. They will love using it to send cards to their pen-pals. The other book is out of print, but worth picking up if you can find a copy.
"The twenty four festive designs include Christmas trees, gingerbread men, reindeer and more and are perfect for all ages to decorate and send to family and friends. Take inspiration from real life, or get experimental – try unusual colors and different materials to make each card truly unique! With enough blank space inside for a message, envelopes to customize and cute stickers to seal your card – this is the complete Christmas creative package!"
"Readers will want to pull up a creepie (stool) and gather ’round a roaring peat fire to hear every lilting word of Sawyer’s magical and haunting Irish folktale, first published in 1941. Orphan girl Oona, abandoned by her tinker kin, grows into a lonely, ostracized old woman longing for a home of her own. On Christmas Eve, as the legend goes, the wee people to whom Oona has always been kind oblige her in a special way. Gauzy, evocative mixed-media paintings convey a quiet yet powerful energy."
For Chiquita:
This brand new book about Bubushka (with a pretty purple cover!) caught my eye for Chiquita.
"With beautiful illustrations evoking folk art traditions and sensitive storytelling, Babushka tenderly reminds us that nothing is more important during the holiday season than taking the time to show love for one another. This timeless Russian tale will warm your heart and fill you up with the joyful, generous spirit of Christmas."
For Snuggles:
Though not exactly a Christmas book, this story begins on Christmas Eve and will be absolutely loved by
our little Viking!
"Based on a 1264 account documenting a true incident in Norwegian history, this engaging narrative opens during a 1206 Christmas Eve gathering at the home of one of the Birkebeiners, a group of brave warriors. A priest knocks on the door, who has in his protection a baby, Prince Hakon, and his mother; a rival band aspires to kill the child (who is heir to the throne) and to declare one of their own king. Soon a handful of Birkebeiners escorts the trio, escaping on skis across tall, stormy mountains. Caldecott winner Azarian's (Snowflake Bentley) finely detailed woodcut illustrations, hand-tinted with watercolors, capture the serene snow-covered landscape as well as the driving snowstorm that impedes the travelers' progress. In direct and compelling prose, Lunge-Larsen recounts how the two Birkebeiners most renowned for their skiing ability forge ahead with the prince, fortuitously happen upon a barn buried under a snowdrift and manage to keep the baby alive by feeding him snow. In a concluding note, the author explains that Hakon became Norway's most powerful king during the Middle Ages and brought peace and prosperity to the country, making this rescue tale all the more gratifying. The stately art, which includes intricate borders framing blocks of text, neatly captures the historical and cultural aspects of this story."
For Rose:
"The Christmas horse is on a journey to meet baby Jesus! Join him and his animal friends with the three wise men as they cross snow-capped mountains, swift rivers, and hot deserts to reach the peaceful stable in Bethlehem where baby Jesus lies in a manger. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as captured by Isabelle Brent’s stunning illustrations and experience the wonder as the pure-hearted animals and the wise men finally meet their savior and king. The journey of the Three Wise Men following the star is here told from the point of view of the three courageous animals that carried them: Safanad the horse, Gamali the camel, and Simbalo the elephant. Each one comes from a different land and possesses a unique skill. Together there is no challenge they cannot overcome in their quest to find baby Jesus. Verses from the Gospel help to tell the story. Also included in the illustrations are birds connected through legend with the life and wisdom of Christ."
For Bud:
A Christmas Classic - 75th Anniversary Edition
"Way out west in Cactus county lived a horse named Calico. She wasn’t very pretty, but she was smart and could run like greased lightning. When villain Stewy Stinker threatens to hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, will Calico the Wonder Horse be able to save the day? This gift edition celebrates the 75th Anniversary of this classic tale by Caldecott medalist Virginia Lee Burton, the author of Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel."
For additional Christmas book suggestions you can find some of our lists in the archives:
Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins {Beautiful book!}
Christmas Mosaic: A Review & Featured Book List
35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children
Feasts & Seasons :: Advent & Christmas Collection
