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DLTK's Holiday Activities for Kids
Christmas Book Recommendations
Youngest Book Lovers (Baby through Kindergarten)
This is a fun Christmas pop up book that the little ones will love to
have read to them (and that older siblings love to read!). The only
downside is that after a Christmas or two you will likely find that the book
gets torn (if you've shared it with babies). It is a wonderful book
though. Complement the story with Christmas
Alphabet tracer pages for children learning to print.
Read to Me (PreK to Grade 1):
Beautiful ink and watercolor artwork complements the story based on the
French Christmas carol "The Friendly Beasts". Complement the
story with Animal
themed crafts and coloring pages or Nativity
Felt Board characters.
Read about the real Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) while learning about the
joys of giving. My oldest daughter didn't really like the way this
book was illustrated, but my youngest daughter loved it. Go
figure. Either way, they both enjoyed the story and despite now being
in Grades 3 and 6, it's still one we read aloud as a family every
year. Complement the story by making Chocolate
Chip or Gingerbread
cookies with your kids.
This is one of those books that repeats a refrain (over and over and
over) much to the amusement of the children (and, after the 99th reading --
exhaustion of the parents). It has a great plot -- Santa's forgotten
to deliver one present and sets out to do so. It really helped the
girls (and me) bond with Santa as a "real (slightly exhausted)
person" who cares about each and every child on his list.
Complement the story by making one of DLTK's Santa themed crafts
or coloring pages.
We love the book, we love the old TV show, we love the movie. We
love the Grinch, the Whos and, most importantly, Max the dog!
This book includes seven of Jan Brett's snowy classics: The Mitten,
The Wild Christmas Reindeer, Trouble with Trolls, The
Twelve Days of Christmas, The Hat, Christmas Trolls, and The
Night Before Christmas. If you haven't had the opportunity to
share a Jan Brett book with your family, it's time you start!
*grin*. Not only does she do a terrific job on her stories, she has
one of the best author/illustrator
websites out there with loads of printables to complement her
work. (I actually think it's the best, but I try hard not to play
favorites)
This is a completely silly and wonderful story that I was tempted to put
in all the age categories. I decided to place it here but if you have
an older big brother or sister, you may find this becomes a Christmas
favorite for them to read to the little ones. The idea of Olive the
puppy mistaking the lyrics to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" to
the extent that she's off to the North Pole to help pull the sleigh tickles
everyone who's ever heard it (in my family). If I had to pick between
Harvey, the Grinch and Olive to read for a bit of humor on Christmas day
it's be a tough choice. Complement the story by making one of DLTK's
reindeer themed crafts
or coloring pages.
Great storyline, lots of color and great artwork combine to make this a
terrific cuddle by the fire on Christmas Eve storybook.
Mini book from DLTK based on the classic poem.
I Can Read with Help (First Chapter Books- Grade 1 to
Grade 3):
This is a classic in our family! Arthur and my daughter Kaitlyn
have a lot in common when it comes to their unassisted baking efforts -- mis-measuring
and using the wrong ingredients have led to interesting outcomes in both of
their lives. Complement the story by making Chocolate
Chip or Gingerbread
cookies with your kids. Or if baking isn't your thing, try making a Blue's
Clues Baker craft.
It's rare to find an intriguing mystery for the holiday season, but this
is one you and your kids are sure to love.
I Can Read (Grade 3 and up):
Even Mickey Mouse and Bill Murray love this classic tale of Scrooge and
the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. You'll see 101
renditions of it on television and the theater. But don't let your
children (or yourself) miss out on the pleasure of reading the story for
themselves.
This is Dylan Thomas' most beloved book (in my humble opinion). The
poetic descriptions and beautiful illustrations bring the family filled
spirit of Christmas to life. Be forewarned though, although you will
likely find this in "picture book" format it is more for older
children through adult years than it is for children under 8 (though they
will enjoy it for a page or two). It is a wonderful book to take turns
reading aloud on Christmas Eve.
Once upon a Christmas, there was an old woman who lived in a hut at the
edge of the forest, with only her old dog, Uproar, to keep her company. The
old woman had only one wish: to celebrate a real Christmas, with a tree and
presents and candles and food. Just once.
High up in the heavens, Star Mother's youngest child makes a wish, too.
"Mother!" he wails, "just once I want to celebrate Christmas
like they do down there!" So Star Mother sends him to earth, where he
finds a hut and knocks on the door . . .
In this original, heartwarming fable, Louise Moeri tells the story of an
unlikely friendship and how it made two Christmas wishes come true.
More Christmas book suggestions:
Christmas
Memory
Elijah’s
Angel
Gift
of the Magi
Golden
Books Treasury of Christmas Joy
Hillary
Knight’s The Twelve Days of Christmas
I’ll
Be Home for Christmas
Joy
to the World
Marvin’s
Best Christmas Present Ever
Miracle
on 34th Street
Mr.
Willowby’s Christmas Tree
Nutcracker
Ballet
One
Wintry Night
Santa
Calls
Star
Mother’s Youngest Child
Too
Many Tamales
Tree
of Cranes
Truffle’s
Christmas
Velveteen
Rabbit
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