10 Books for the Christmas Season

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – by Dr. Seuss

Arguably the grandfather of Christmas classics, Dr. Suess writes a tale of whimsical, winter, word-play that everyone will enjoy. The Grinch, who despises Who-ville’s Christmas cheer, seeks to steal the treasured holiday from the unsuspecting Whos. To his amazement, Christmas arrives anyway, and the Grinch learns the true meaning of Christmas. Whether you’re looking to make memories with your family (or need something curb your own case of seasonal Grinchness) there’s no better way to start the winter holidays than with this charming tale!  

2. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree – by Robert Barry

Another Christmas book that’s great for children, when old Mr. Willowby discovers that his tree is bit to big for his parlor, he chops off the top and gives it to the maid. The maid in turn finds the treetop is too big for her table, and clips off the top before passing it on. The treetop continues in this fashion until it finally comes to a family of mice, who decorate it with cheese and find it just right for their little hole. This cheerful Christmas escapade captures everything there is to love about the month of December. 

3. The Polar Express – by Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express has never failed to capture readers with its spellbinding tale and beautiful illustrations. As a young boy lays awake on Christmas Eve, he hears a noise and looks out his window to discover an old-fashioned steam engine in the winter snow. It is a train that every year takes children to the North Pole to meet Santa before his annual sleigh ride. Not only does The Polar Express evoke all the mystery and wonder of Christmas, but it passes on valuable messages about childhood and faith which resonate with readers even now.

4. Letters From Father Christmas – by J.R.R Tolkien

Every Christmas, a letter bearing the crest of the North Pole would arrive in the mailbox for J.R.R. Tolkien’s children. Accompanied by colorful drawings or detailed sketches, Father Christmas would tell the children wonderful stories of how a clumsy Polar Bear had fallen through the roof onto his kitchen table, or how the reindeer got loose and scattered presents everywhere. Full of whimsy and harrowing adventures, Letters From Father Christmas brings the enchanting world of Santa’s workshop to life. The brilliant mind behind The Lord of the Rings will certainly delight readers with this Christmas gem.

5. The Gift of the Magi – by O. Henry

The Gift of the Magi is either a happy story or a sad story depending on how you look at it (and depending on which copy you buy). Still, this Christmas book is incredibly touching, and worth taking the time to read during a holiday that has become dominated by consumerism. Faced with the reality that there is no money to afford a present for her husband, Della, a young house wife, chooses to sell her greatest and only treasure. Her long, beautiful hair is cut and sold to buy a gift for the man she loves. What follows is sure to leave readers with a bad case of the sniffles.  

6. The Mitten– by Jan Brett

Author/Illustrator Jan Brett has written many Christmas books featuring her elaborate artwork, but The Mitten is one that has truly found a place in reader’s hearts. Despite the warning of his grandmother, a young boy named Nicki loses one of his white mittens in the snow. There it's found by a tiny mole, which crawls inside to escape the winter cold, but soon finds himself sharing space with a rabbit, a hedgehog, a fox, an owl, and even an enormous bear! It’s a cute story, and great for reading late some frosty night.

7. The Legend of the Candy Cane– by Lori Walburg

A pleasant story for anyone looking to get away from the hectic, holiday madness, the The Legend of the Candy Cane begins one cold November when a stranger arrives in town and begins to repair the old storefront. The adults hope he is a handyman or a carpenter, but the children all carry the same, secret hope that they don’t dare say aloud. Finally, a small girl offers her help and learns not only that their dream has come true, but also the true story of Christmas.

8. The Lump of Coal – by Lemony Snicket

Feel like you’re losing a bit of your holiday cheer? Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events, has just the thing to make you smile with this story of a small, flammable, hero. After being rudely dumped from a sack, a lump of coal sets out into the world hoping to one day make great charcoal artwork (or at least be used to create authentic Korean cuisine). The world is not a kind place for a lump of coal however, and he may need some help from “Santa” to see his dreams come true.

9. The Littlest Angel – by Charles Tazewell

Despite being one of the oldest books on this list, the story has not dimmed with time. In Heaven, a young angel is finding it difficult to fit in. An Elder takes pity on the poor boy and helps cheer him up by gathering a collection of his favorite things. When the time arrives for Christ to be born, the little angel gives his box of treasures to the baby, but soon fears his gifts are too common to please Jesus. Instead, God takes his simple gifts and transforms them into a Christmas miracle.

10. Jacob's Gift - by Max Lucado

A story of Christmas from an unlikely hero, Jacob’s Gift follows a young boy with a gift for carpentry. Jacob is eager to prove himself to his teacher and spends the entire night working to complete his master project. Yet, Jacob also nurtures a deep love for God, and has always been told that giving a gift to one of God’s children is to give a gift to God. When Jacob discovers a family next door with no place to lay their newborn baby, he must choose between his deepest wish and his love for God. Needless to say, the ending of this story will leave you feeling inspired, and ready for Christmas!

*Editor’s Note: The following was adapted from 10 Books for the Christmas Season. To read the original article, follow this link!