Advent/Holiday Books for Kids
Can I just start out by saying:
It thrills my little Type A, structured heart
that advent begins on December 1st this year.
Beginning when MyChild was two-years-old, we started a family tradition of Advent Books counting down until Christmas Eve. During the first two years, I actually wrapped each of the books. The third year, I didn’t have the time, nor the motivation to wrap all of those books. AND I couldn’t get past the thought of truly wasting that much wrapping paper.
So, I changed it up a bit.
I no longer decide which books we will read on which night(as I had when I wrapped them) and as an added component, I created a puzzle that would be completed the night we finished all 24 books (a.k.a. Christmas Eve).
This easy step involves a google image, a printable magnet sheet (cut into 24 pieces), and some washi tape.
Here are a couple of images we’ve used in the past:
Each night, she chooses a book, removes the (face down)puzzle piece, adds it to the fridge, and we read the book as a family. I’m the only one who knows what the finished picture will be.
It’s a family tradition that even MyHusband and I enjoy and look forward to.
Note: All of the links will take you directly to Amazon.
I do not use affiliate links, if that’s of concern.
Please consider purchasing any books you like from
your local independent books store.
Advent Books
William’s Winter Nap
Author: Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Chuck Groenick
ABC Hanukkah Hunt
Author: Tilda Balsley
Illustrator:Helen Poole
Pig the Elf
Author: Aaron Blabey
A Bad Kitty Christmas
Author: Nick Bruel
Will she ever learn?
Captain Bling’s Christmas Plunder
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator:Rob McClurkan
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
What is that sneaky duck up to this time?!?!
The Knights before Christmas
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Some valiant, but confused, knights almost ruin their own Christmas!
The Nutcracker
Author: Susan Jeffers
Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale
Author: Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
The Gingerbread Pirates
Author: Kristen Kladstrup
Illustrator: Matt Tavares
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Author: Hilary Knight
The illustrations are what make this book!
Elf in the House
Author: Ammi-Joan Paquette
Illustrator: Adam Record
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Author: Johannah Gilman Pavia
Illustrator: Asha Pearse
The 12 Sleighs of Christmas
Author: Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator:Jake Parker
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
Author: Alice Schertle
Illustrator:Jill McElmurry
Our favorite little truck has a wonderful surprise at the end of this book!
The Spirit of Christmas
Author: Nancy Tillman
Carols entwined in a story that gets to the heart of the season.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Such a sweet story about how friends can be your family.
A Pirates Night Before Christmas
Author: Philip Yates
Illustrator: Sebastia Serra
Get your talk-like-a-pirate voice ready – this one is SO fun to read aloud.
How do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First Christmas
Author: Amy Young
The four books that I do guide her to choose on certain nights are:
The Night Before Hanukkah
Author: Natasha Wing
Illustrator:Amy Wummer
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
Author: Susan L. Roth
The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
Author: Natasha Wing
Illustrator:Mike Lester
A very fun twist on a classic story that resonates too well with this busy mom.
The Night Before Christmas
Author: Clement C. Moore
And we end with a classic.
Some of the other books we used when MyChild was younger included:
Duck and Goose: It’s Time for Christmas
Author: Tad Hills
Room for a Little One
Author: Martin Waddell
Merry Christmas, Mouse!
Author: Laura Numeroff
Illustrator: Felicia Bond
Merry Christmas, Ollie!
Author: Olivier Dunrea
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I am Sandy Kay 
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