These are books I recommend for Christmastime:
The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien -- These are letters that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote (I mean Father Christmas wrote) to Tolkien's children each year, complete with wonderful artwork and a Goblin alphabet.
Stubby Pringle's Christmas by Jack Shaefer (actually a long short story, but sometimes published as a small book) -- This is the story of a young cowhand who has been isolated for two months at the farthest winter-line camp, and is headed to a Christmas Eve dance far down in the valley. What will he do when he comes upon a small cabin holding a family in need on this Christmas Eve?
Of course, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
And The Night Before Christmas in whatever illustrated version you prefer.
Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and J. Otto Siebold -- This charming picture book tells the story of a dog named Olive who hears the famous song and thinks it must be about her!
The Mitten and others books by Jan Brett. Much of the joy and storytelling is in the details of he artwork.
A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone -- a classic
e.e. cumming's "Little Tree" illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray
The Tomten and The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lindgren -- Lovely, lyrical picture books
Star Mother's Youngest Child by Louise Moeri, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck. You may have heard this story (or seen a video of it) and not known that it was written by the famous author Pearl S. Buck. Look of the edition with illustrations by Mark Buehner.
Caralyn and Mrk Buehner's snowmen books
On This Special Night by Claire Freedman and Simon Mendez -- picture book
Little Golden Books: (nostalgic for me)
The Littlest Christmas Tree by Thornton W. Burgess
Santa's Toy Shop
Mickey Mouse flies the Christmas Mail
For fun and perhaps to make us realize that sometimes we just need to slow down and spend some time with each other: Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
more to come
