I love traditions, as do my girls. My husband is warming up to the idea of yearly traditions. At first, he thought they were kind of silly, until he found some that were REALLY fun for us to do as a family. I am introducing a new one to my girls this Christmas season, and to be quite honest with you, it’s one of my favorites so far!
One book a day from December 1 to Christmas day. Easy, right? Starting December 1st, my girls will get to pick ONE book from the wrapped stack, and that’s the book we will read together as a family that night. Family time and reading, can’t beat that. My girls have always enjoyed reading, so this is a super fun addition!
With help from ZonderKidz, I was able to add some new books to our Christmas book collection…with what I already had and what they offered me to create this post, we have 25 books for Christmas. So fun! Nothing like ringing in the most wonderful time of the year with some fun reading, and more importantly, reading about what the season is ALL about!
An additional option, if you don’t want to store the books, or invest in a Christmas book library, check them out at YOUR library! Just be sure to stay on top of it so they don’t go overdue. 🙂
TALK TO ME! Have you done this with your kids? Would YOUR kids like a tradition like this too? I’d love to hear!
I wanted to share a few titles that were included in our Christmas book selection. Click below to read about each.
A Night of Great Joy
Author/Illustrator: Mary Engelbreit
Description: New York Times bestselling illustrator Mary Engelbreit presents A Night of Great Joy—a delightful picture book that celebrates the season and tells the story of the nativity through the performance of the children’s Christmas pageant. This book celebrates diversity by featuring child character illustrations of many races and ethnicities. Booklist says Engelbreit’s A Night of Great Joy is “a colorful picture book will please her adult fans while pleasing many children.”
More Info & Buy Link:
http://www.zondervan.com/a-night-of-great-joy
Christmas Love Letters from God
Author: Glenys Nellist Illustrator: Rachel Clowes
Description: Christmas Love Letters from God, written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Rachel Clowes, is a whimsical collection of seven beloved Bible stories that focus on the birth of Jesus and include love letters from God written especially for the young reader.
More Info & Buy Link:
http://www.zondervan.com/christmas-love-letters-from-god
Goodnight Manger (board book edition)
Author: Laura Sassi Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Description: Goodnight, Manger, written by Laura Sassi and illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist Jane Chapman, tells the story of Mary and Joseph as they try to get Jesus to sleep in the noisy stable after his birth. Told in gentle, lulling rhyme, Goodnight, Manger is an adorable and tender bedtime story, for Christmas or any time of year.
More Info & Buy Link:http://www.zondervan.com/goodnight-manger-1
The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel
Author/Illustrator: Mike Berenstain
Description: In this newest Berenstain Bears Living Lights book, Brother, Sister, and Honey are in a hurry to get out into snow-covered Bear Country to build a snowbear. But when Honey gets bored and makes a snow angel, Brother and Sister have a better idea! The cubs make a Christmas Angel, and get a little lesson about God’s angels from Mama and Papa Bear.
More Info & Buy Link:http://www.zondervan.com/the-berenstain-bears-and-the-christmas-angel
The Berenstain Bears Christmas Fun Sticker & Activity Book
Author/Illustrators: Jan & Mike Berenstain
Ready, Set, Find Christmas!
Description: Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem on Christmas night, and they need your help to find many different things along the way! Read the classic story of Jesus’ birth in Ready, Set, Find: Christmas Story, an engaging look-and-find book for young children.
A Royal Christmas to Remember
Authors: Jeanna Young and Jacqueline Johnson Illustrator: Omar Aranda
Description:With the arrival of the most spectacular winter season in years and Christmas only a night away, Princesses Joy, Grace, Faith, Charity, and Hope find themselves in the midst of a dramatic scene that includes bandits, a rescue, and a royal Christmas celebration of family and God’s love.
More Info & Buy Link: http://www.zondervan.com/a-royal-christmas-to-remember
the fashionista :: shannon is a wordy, type-A OCD momma to FOUR little ladies and wife to her perfect match of 14 years now. she will run for fun, emotional stability, drinks and more importantly {chocolate}. shoes, bags, baubles and cute babies are her vice. she loves anything fashion and is loving every second of having 4 little fashionistas in training! {life motto :: Phil 4:13}
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Kristin C
December 5, 2016 at 1:08 pmI did this with my daughter one year and it was so much fun. However, it did get to be space intensive as we already have so many books. The library idea is great.
Shannon
December 6, 2016 at 3:02 pmOh yes, I totally agree! We save our books for each holiday and tuck them away with our decorations for the given holiday. That’s the ONLY way I could make this work. Space, need more of it LOL!
Katy
December 4, 2016 at 12:44 pmWhat a super-fun idea! Reading stories is our favorite thing to do with our daughter. She would get such a kick out of this. Since we missed the first few days, we could do the 12 nights of reading. Thanks for the awesome reading list, too!
Shannon
December 6, 2016 at 3:03 pmYES!! Great idea! And, you are welcome 🙂
Cynthia R
December 1, 2016 at 3:58 pmWhat a great tradition, maybe every year keeping some of the favorites and adding in new ones. Looks like a great bunch of books.
Shannon
December 6, 2016 at 3:04 pmYES! Exactly, gradually add in. I love it 🙂
Dandi D
November 30, 2016 at 3:53 pmThis is a wonderful idea, and I want to start this with my children!
Shannon
December 6, 2016 at 3:05 pmYAY! I hope you have fun with it too 🙂