Hi friends! If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I’ve been sharing my seasonal “book nook” picks with you for several years now, and I’ve finally compiled all of my Holiday book picks into ONE neat post, so that you don’t need to go hopping from year to year to find the book you are looking for!

To be completely honest- I get nervous every year about finding new Christmas books to share with you. But then, every year, without fail, I either forget about an old classic I loved growing up, discover some gorgeous publications I missed, OR I find a shiny new book that just came out in print and I just get so excited to share them all with you!!

I hope you take the time to scroll through the categories and favorite selections from years past (there is quite the collection to browse!); click the links, read the summaries and find a few new books to add to your collection this year. I am SO excited to share these books with you…and to start reading them with my own kiddos!

Happy Holidays, friends!

1. Good Night, Santa a precious book for the littlest of listeners
2. Dasher a BRAND NEW release this year and it is just gorgeous!
3. Santa Mouse Eeek! I know this title was on my original list in 2017, but this precious 1966 classic was JUST released in hardcover format this year! Scoop it up!!
4. Merry Christmas, Little Elliot Such a sweet story about an elephant named Elliot who is on the hunt for the meaning of Christmas
5. Christmas in Noisy Village The Christmas version of the beloved classic series (by Astrid Lindgren of Pippi Longstocking)|
6. The Christmas Story An absolutely beautiful pop-out book of the nativity story
7. The Nutcracker An Usborne Sound Book with classical nutcracker music on each page
8. The Fir Tree loving this beautifully illustrated modern edition of the Hans Christian Andersen classic
9. Gingerbread Baby I love this take on the standard Gingerbread Man story by one of my favs, Jan Brett
10. The Tree that’s Meant to Be The sweetest story about a lonley tree, with a message to children that they are perfect the way they are
11. How Winston Delivered Christmas ok, I’m in love with this book! It’s a heart warming story about a mouse who sets off on a journey to deliver a lost letter to Santa. It’s 24 1/2 chapters and meant to be read one chapter a night starting Dec 1, as an advent count down! Each chapter concludes with a fun holiday activity. LOVE!
12. Walk This World at Christmastime take a tour around the globe to see what Christmas looks like all over the world
13. The Advent Storybook 25 Bible stories telling why Jesus came, to be read, one-a-night until Christmas Day! I linked this book as a favorite way to “prepare for the season” over on my 2019 Holiday Gift Guide, but figured I’d share here as well.
14. Nutcracker Night A little girl’s experience at The New York Nutcracker Ballet
15. The Bear and the Star bear goes out in search of the perfect tree to celebrate under and finds himself surrounded by other creatures of the forrest, all bearing gifts; a beautiful book about hope and community
16. Santa’s Story Santa almost forgets all about his Christmas tradition that gets his reindeer ready for their big night
17. *Christmas Eve at the Mellops’ such a cute new find from one of my favorite “off the beaten path” authors, Tomi Ungerer

1. Last Stop on the Reindeer Express NEW & NOTEWORTHY! I’m in love with this one!
2. Once Upon a Snowstorm A gorgeous picture book narrative (no text, only illustrations- I love books like this for little ones who don’t read yet and like to narrate the story themselves!
3. The Broken Ornament When a little boy breaks his mother’s irreplaceable heirloom ornament, it almost ruins Christmas. With a little Christmas magic, the family comes together to realize maybe Christmas has been saved after all.
4. Secret Santas and the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving A fun new tradition that teaches children how they can become members of the real-life, Secret Santa Team!
5. Red & LuLu The story of two birds who live in a beautiful evergreen tree. One year, the unthinkable happens and they they get separated. This is the story of the Christmas miracle that reunites them.
6. Christmas Farm “A lyrical, behind-the-scenes look at the intricate lives of Christmas trees” told through the story of Wilma and her five-year-old neighbor, who decide to convert Wilma’s garden into a Christmas tree farm!
7. Room for a Little One (also available in a board book!) Beautiful story about the birth of Jesus.
8. A World of Cookies for Santa See what boys and girls around the world leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
9. Walk this World at Christmastime “Illustrates the ways people around the world celebrate Christmas”, also includes lift-the-flap pages to be used as an Advent calendar!
10. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree A beautiful story (Think Little House on the Prairie in the Appalachians). This one is a bit lengthy, but it is illustrated by one of the classics (and one of my favorites) Barbara Cooney!
11. Christmas Tapestry Patricia Polacco might be one of the very best story tellers of all times! Every one of her stories is based on her own family experiences.
12. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Based on the new movie!
13. The Grinch: Who Likes Christmas? Based on the new movie!
14. Dear Santa (The cutest lift-the-flaps board book!)
15. The Wish Tree The story of a little boy who goes out in search of a Wish Tree, despite being told “there is no such thing” and finds, along his journey, that wishes can, in fact, come true in the most unexpected ways.
16. The Lost Christmas A cute Christmas themed seek-and-find boo, from this popular “The Lost…” series.
17. A Wish to be a Christmas Tree The sweet story of an overgrown evergreen tree (who always gets passed by at Christmas) and what his friends do to help him.
18. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the original story, written in verse by its creator)
19. Miracle on 34th Street Got this one for the girls this year! Can’t wait to share it with them!
20. Santa’s Favorite Story Santa’s retelling of the Story of the First Christmas
21. A Charlie Brown Christmas Classic! We bought this last year after we went to see the play at out local children’s theater!
22. Over the River and Through the Woods A gorgeously illustrated version of the classic song/poem we all know & love!!
23. Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree This became a new favorite of ours last year!
24. Apple Tree Christmas This book was originally published over twenty years ago, and has been out of print since 1998!! It’s been re-released and it tells the story of a very special present and the love between father & daughter.
25. Christmas Stories: A Little House Chapter Book I always like to include a chapter book each month. My girls LOVE reading a few chapters every night and their love for Little House runs deep!!

 

MY ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS BOOK LIST

by category

1. The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol from BabyLit Books : I adore the BabyLit series and these are a perfect introduction to both the holidays and classic literature for the very youngest of babes. Each book focuses on one skill: colors, shapes, counting, etc. and is set to the backdrop theme of the titled literature piece. There is typically only one word/phrase per page, and yet the classic story is told through that simplicity alone. Love these books!
2. S is for Santa : Another fabulous book for the youngest of babes. This one is an alphabet book and the illustrations make it worth every penny!!
3. First Snow by Bomi Park :A sweet story about a little girl’s adventures through her first snowy day! Beautiful, muted illustrations with a pop of red!
4. Dream Snow by Eric Carle: It’s Eric CARLE, people! This book is beautiful!!
5. Oh Christmas Tree : A fun board book that follows Santa around the world to see all the different types of Christmas trees
6. Harold at the North Pole : The Christmas version of the beloved classic
7. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney : We LOVE the Llama Llama series. The rhymes are so sweet and the illustrations are gorgeous. These books are a family favorite. I think we have them all!

1. The Mitten by Jan Brett : Another classic winter tale about kindness and sharing. I absolutely love this book.
2. The Twelve Days of Christmas: The classic song but with adorable illustrations and peek-through cut outs on each page. Super cute!
3. Walking in a Winter Wonderland :You know the song? Yeah- that. But with gorgeous illustrations!
4. The Polar Express : Another classic. The book is a gem, but I’m not a huge fan of the movie. I know, I know. Sue me.
5. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer : Probably my very favorite!
6. The Night Before Christmas : There are so many versions of this classic tale, and honestly all the ones I’ve seen are great. But, you guys…this one is illustrated by Holly Hobbie!!!!
7. Santa Mouse by Michael Brown : This book is so adorable and beloved by my girls. (Update: JUST re-released in 2019!)
8. The Nutcracker by The Story Orchestra : The classic Nutcracker story but with “press the note” buttons within the book that play selections of the music!! How cool is that?!
9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss : Pretty sure every home in America already has this book. So we’ll skip the description! 😉
10. The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown. There are so many new versions by various illustrators but do yourself a favor and buy the old-school Barbara Cooney version! Trust me!

1. Eloise at Christmastime by Kay Thompson : This is a Christmas staple in our house…and a movie that’s played on repeat throughout the Christmas season over here. One of these years, I WILL get the girls to the Plaza.
2. Santa Claus the World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee : How does Santa go about knowing JUST what everyone wants for Christmas…and what exactly does Santa get for Christmas??
3. Toot & Puddle: Let it Snow: Toot & Puddle have my heart…I want all of their books ever made. Ever.
4. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh : Was recently made into a tv special and I can see why. Such an adorable story.
5. The Jolly Christmas Postman : Do you remember this book from when you were a kid? Opening each envelope on every page and reading the letter or postcard or piece of “mail” inside? This was one of my FAVS and is now one of my childrens’ favorites as well. This Christmas edition is just as cute as the original!
6. How to Catch a Santa by Jean Reagan : This is another newer book but it’s very cute. Same author as the How to Babysit a Grandma/pa books.
7. Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas : My girls LOVE Fancy Nancy, so this book was a must!
8. Bear Stays up for Christmas : The Bear Stays Up series is one of my favorites and this Christmas edition might be my favorite. It’s so simple and sweet and the illustrations are beautiful! How can you read these books and not fall in love with Bear. It’s impossible I tell you! 😉
9. Maple & Willow’s Christmas Tree : Been seeing that “Christmas Ladder” trend going around? Pretty sure this book is where it came from! I liked it because of how sweet the sisters are to one another! 😉

1. The Story of Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden and Barbara Cooney : A sweet story about an orphan, a childless couple, and a doll who each have only one Christmas wish: each other…they just don’t know it yet. It’s a longer read (might take 1-3 “reading sessions”, but it is a beautifully written, heart-warming story!
2. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht – Beautifully illustrated merry little story about the rituals of decorating a Christmas tree. Rhythmically written and fun to read aloud. One of our Favorites!
3. Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak : Remember the Summer to Autumn one from my Thanksgiving post? Yep, this one is just as good!
4. The Little Reindeer by Nicole Killen : A simple and magical little story!
5. Christmas in the Big Woods :I mean, hello. If it’s a Little House book, we’re reading it. Period.
6. The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert : Honestly, just go ahead and buy this one for the photography alone. Per Breiehagen is just THAT GOOD. My girls are entranced by his work!
7. The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy : A beautiful story about an unwanted tree and a homeless boy who brings Christmas magic to the city. Heartwarming tale with a pop-up at the end!
8. When Santa Was a Baby : This is a newer book and it’s pretty adorable. My kids get a kick out of it and the illustrations are just beautiful.

1. The Littlest Angel by Charles Tizewell : A mischevious little angel learns about the spirit of giving. Such a sweet story!
2. The Story of Christmas: The story of Jesus’s birth, told through simple text and fun, vibrant illustrations
3. The Tale of Three Trees : A folklore explaining how the lumber from three trees became three very important and iconic symbols in Christianity. I use this book at Easter as well!
4. The Christmas Story: Another story about the birth of Jesus, but this Little Golden Book version just has a special place in my heart. My girls love the realistic illustrations!
5. The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats : The classic story of the little boy who is too poor to bring a gift to baby Jesus so he brings the gift of song instead.

1. Life Magazine’s The Story of Santa : This one is fun for ALL ages; a glance-back at the story, legend, and creation of “Santa Claus” as we know and love him today!
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens : I used to perform in this play every year as a child so I think I’ve pretty much got this one memorized. I can’t wait to read this aloud once the kids get a little bit older!
3. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson : A novel that is sure to be a favorite read aloud, super funny and a great message!
4. Santa’s Last Present : A sweet book by Marie-Aude and Elvire Murail. Julian doesn’t believe in Santa anymore, but when a mysterious box arrives on Christmas morning, he just might change his mind! (a short novel, 32 pages)

And by, request…a few cute Hanukkah books I found!

Latke The Lucky Dog|Is It Hanukkah yet?|Hanukkah Bear|Little Red Ruthie|Way Too Many Latkes|The Night Before Hanukkah|Gracie’s Night|The Story of Hanukkah

Share YOUR Monthly Book Nook!

Don’t forget, once you get your Christmas/Holiday “book nook” up and on display:

• post a picture to Instagram
• tag @jordan.and.co (so I get notified)
• tag #shareyourmonthlybooknook!

Then you’ll be put in the running to win one of my favorite January book picks!

Happy Reading!