The Children’s Book Review | November 25, 2018
Ringing in the Christmas season with a good book, a cup of cocoa, and a snuggly blanket is just the right idea! If you need some fresh holiday book inspiration to add to your collection of favorites, here are some new picture books that brought joy to our world. We think they’ll spark joy in your world, too!
Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever
Written and Illustrated by Matt Tavares
Publisher’s Synopsis: From the celebrated creator of Red and Lulu comes the story of a brave little doe who meets Santa and changes Christmas forever.
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. 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.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Candlewick | September 10, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1536201376
If I Could Give You Christmas
Written by Lynn Plourde
Illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer
Publisher’s Synopsis: Skating on a frozen pond, decorating the fanciest gingerbread house ever, re-reading a favorite story . . . these activities and more are brought to life through a variety of animal pairs. The tastes, smells, sights, and sounds of the holiday are evoked in universal scenes showing special moments being shared by parent and child. Adults will appreciate the theme of passing on traditions and the message that it doesn’t take a lot of stuff to celebrate Christmas. Kids will enjoy the playful, loving scenes. Sharing this book could become a brand new family tradition!
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Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | September 3, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1368002677
Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Christmas Pop-Up
Created by Insight Editions
Publisher’s Synopsis: Celebrate the holidays at Hogwarts with this interactive pop-up book and advent calendar.
Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Christmas Pop-Up is a one-of-a-kind book that re-creates the iconic Great Hall as seen in the Harry Potter films, complete with a 13″ pop-up Christmas tree at the center. Recapture the holiday memories from the Harry Potter series, or create your own, as you celebrate the holidays with this must-have collectible for fans of the Wizarding World.
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Ages 7+ | Publisher: Insight Editions | October 22, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1683839002
The Great Santa Stakeout
Written by Betsy Bird
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Publisher’s Synopsis: A delightfully devious Christmas story from beloved librarian Betsy Bird and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat.
Freddy Melcher is Santa’s #1 Fan. He has Santa posters, Santa action figures, and even Santa underwear. But there is one prize Freddy desperately wants: A photograph taken with Santa, fresh out of the chimney.
Oh, is it risky! It’s awfully hard to sneak anything by someone who can see you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake. That’s why Freddy has been extra good this year . . . at hiding his plans.
Will Freddy get away with his delightfully devious scheme to outwit Santa Claus himself and capture the ultimate selfie?
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books | September 3, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1338169980
The Muppet Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Holiday Classic
Written by Brooke Vitale
Illustrated by Luke Flowers
Publisher’s Synopsis: This holiday season, relive the beloved musical film The Muppet Christmas Carol—now an illustrated storybook!
The classic holiday film The Muppet Christmas Carol comes to life in this illustrated storybook for kids. Narrated by The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens, with help from his pal Rizzo the Rat, this fully illustrated children’s book retells the classic story of the beloved original film starring Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, and Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit.
In the Muppets’ version of Dickens’s timeless tale, Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter and mean old man, sees the error of his ways after meeting three strange ghosts—and a whole lot of Muppets—one snowy Christmas Eve. Featuring the entire Muppet cast, this is a hilarious and heartwarming story about the importance of spreading love and kindness throughout the whole year. A colorful storybook celebrating a funny and festive family favorite, it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit year after year!
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Insight Kids | October 29, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1683838371
Tomie dePaola’s Christmas Tree Book
Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Publisher’s Synopsis: Fun facts and holiday cheer from the creator of Strega Nona and Quiet.
While picking out their Christmas tree, a couple of curious kids start to wonder where Christmas trees came from. Who invented the first one? How did they become so popular? And how have they changed over the years?
Celebrated children’s author Tomie dePaola is here to tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas trees–and everything you never even thought to wonder about. With bright illustrations and kid-friendly text, Tomie dePaola’s Christmas Tree Book is full of facts, history, and legends.
Instructions on making your own Christmas tree ornament are included!
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Holiday House | September 10, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0823442386
A Christmas Sweater for Nina
Written and Illustrated by Cecilia Heikkilä
Publisher’s Synopsis: A heartwarming Christmas story that will delight young readers.
During the wintertime, life is not easy for Nina the homeless cat. She lives in the middle of a big city in a house made of cardboard. When it gets cold, Nina puts on her warm, woolly, red sweater. But one day when she’s out for a walk, the sweater starts unraveling. Without her sweater, the windy winter weather is unbearably hard! Nina follows the yarn as it winds through alleys, up walls, and over rooftops and towers. Luckily for her, this race ends in an unexpected place, where Nina receives her first Christmas present.
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Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Crocodile Books | October 9, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1623719371
The article 7 Kids’ Christmas Books That Will Bring Joy to Your World was curated by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Christmas Books for Kids and Holiday Gift Guide Kids Books.
