DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids
Christmas Book Recommendations
Youngest Book Lovers (Baby through Kindergarten)
Christmas Alphabet
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):
Animal's Christmas Carol:
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.
The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale
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.
Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present
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.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
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!
Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury
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)
Olive, the Other Reindeer
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.
Polar Express
Great storyline, lots of color and great artwork combine to make this a terrific cuddle by the fire on Christmas Eve storybook.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Mini book from DLTK based on the classic poem.
I Can Read with Help (First Chapter Books- Grade 1 to Grade 3):
Arthur's Christmas Cookies:
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.
Aunt Eater's Mystery Christmas
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):
A Christmas Carol
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.
Child's Christmas in Wales
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.
Star Mother's Youngest Child
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
