All I want for Christmas is… to make reading fun for my kids!
Fear not! We have just the list. Your kiddos won’t even realize you’ve read with them for 12 days straight with these children's Christmas must-reads (synopses from GoodReads). Let's face the truth in the technology-based world of today- No app can replace your lap!
Find freebies at the end:
Benefits of Reading Aloud
Reading aloud to your children aids in language development, imagination, comprehension, attention span, and creates a lifetime interest in reading. Not to mention, read-aloud time is great one-on-one bonding time!
Make this a very special tradition!
Download and cut out our special Advent Tags!
You can either wrap the books as presents and add the tag so that your child can open a present each night, or you can simply attach the tag to a string and hang it out of the book like a bookmark!
On the 1st Day of Christmas
"The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Emma Thompson
Peter Rabbit and his cousin Benjamin Bunny have a new friend, William the Turkey. The trio is excited for Christmas--until they realize that William is meant to be Mr. McGregor's Christmas supper! Just in time, Peter and Benjamin hide William, and the three enjoy a lovely Christmas dinner of pickled radishes and barley cake at the Rabbit family burrow. (GoodReads).
On the 2nd Day of Christmas
"Let It Snow" by Holly Hobbie
Celebrate the last book in the beloved series with a Christmas story about the gift of friendship and free limited edition Christmas ornaments. With a nod to previous books in the Toot & Puddle series, Holly Hobbie, shows readers that the best kind of present for the best kind of friend is one that shows just how much you care. (GoodReads)
On the 3rd Day of Christmas
"An Orange for Frankie" by Patricia Polacco
The Stowell family is abuzz with holiday excitement, and Frankie, the youngest boy, is the most excited of all. But there's a cloud over the joyous season: Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Pa hasn't returned yet from his trip to Lansing. He promised to bring back the oranges for the mantelpiece. Every year there are nine of them nestled among the evergreens, one for each of the children. But this year, heavy snows might mean no oranges . . . and, worse, no Pa! A “...tale of a little boy who learned--and taught--an important lesson about giving, one Christmas long ago.” (GoodReads)
On the 4th Day of Christmas
"A Christmas Tree for Pyn" by Olivier Dunrea
Christmas is coming. In the craggy rocks on the snowy mountainside, tiny Pyn has her heart set on decorating her very first Christmas tree. But, "No Christmas tree," Papa says. Still, Pyn won't take no for an answer. She knows that a Christmas tree is just the thing their cottage needs to make the season festive and cheery. Pyn is determined to find the perfect Christmas tree - no matter what. With this story of the love between a father and daughter, Olivier Dunrea captures the true spirit of Christmas. (GoodReads)
On the 5th Day of Christmas
"The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg
A train comes, picks up a boy, and as it arrives at the North Pole, the conductor explains that Santa will select one of them to receive the first gift of Christmas. The main character chooses to receive a bell from a reindeer’s harness… (GoodReads)
“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”
On the 6th Day of Christmas
"Evy the Evergreen Finds His Shine" by B.C. Nickoli
Meet the lovable Sofia, Jax, and Evy as they teach us how to be dazzling in our own way this Christmas. It's the friendships along the way of accepting yourself that make you truly dazzling. It's not the lights but those who help you find your own lights that matter.
On the 7th Day of Christmas
"Who Is Coming to Our House?" by Joseph Slate
A modern Christmas classic about how the animals prepare a cozy welcome for the baby Jesus. Who is coming to our house? Someone, someone, says Mouse. As Pig makes room, Lamb cleans up, Goose stacks the hay, and Duck lines the crib with eiderdown, Mary and Joseph are on their way by donkey. All the animals are eager to welcome the baby Jesus to their home.A warm, lyrical book your family will cuddle up with for years. (GoodReads)
On the 8th Day of Christmas
"B Is for Bethlehem" by Isabel Wilner
Tender and joyful, this alphabet board book tells the story of Jesus' birth in graceful couplets. Radiant collage art shimmers with all the glad expectancy of the Christmas season. (GoodReads)
On the 9th Day of Christmas
"Santa Claus, the World’s Number One Toy Expert" by Marla Frazee
It's true. No one in the whole world knows more about kids, toys, and gifts than Santa Claus.
No one. (And of course, he loves his job.) But how does he do it? (GoodReads)
On the 10th Day of Christmas
"Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole" by Bob Raczka
You know that Santa can fly a sleigh, squeeze down chimneys, and circle the globe in a night. But did you know that another of his talents is writing haiku?
These twenty-five short poems—composed by Santa himself—give you a peek into life at the North Pole as the December days tick down to Christmas. See the hustle and bustle of the elves' workshop, feel the serenity of moonlight on fresh snow, and find out how Santa and Mrs. Claus keep busy as Santa's big night draws near. (GoodReads)
On the 11th Day of Christmas
"Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever" by Matt Tavares
Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life - one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. And one day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It's not long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh, a man named Santa. And soon, with the help of a powerful Christmas wish, nothing will be the same… (GoodReads)
On the 12th Day of Christmas
"Humphrey’s First Christmas" by Carol Heyer
We have all heard the story of the three wise men, who brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. But what about the camels who carried them? Here is the imaginative story of Humphrey the camel and his long, cold journey to Bethlehem. In addition to an engaging text and gorgeous, whimsical artwork, this story reminds readers of the importance of Christmas and the true meaning of gift-giving. (GoodReads)
BONUS: Go ahead and read “Evy the Evergreen Finds his Shine” again, but this time read it while you go through our light show! Alternatively, we have a few tips from the pro-parents in our family to make it EXTRA MAGICAL! Want to know more about how Evy the Evergreen and his book came to life? Look here!
Decorate a Tree Worksheet!
Need another fun Christmas activity? Print this Decorate a Tree Worksheet!
Evy the Evergreen is a talking Christmas tree! Have your kids think of a name for their very own tree as they decorate it with any color of lights they want!
Download the worksheet below!
Want the Christmas lights to brighten your mood year-round?
We've made a Dec. 2021 - January 2023 Calendar - FOR FREE!
Download it here:
