Christmas Books

Here are a few Christmas books we read over the break:

A Gift for the Christ Child

by Tina Jahnert

Miriam wishes with all her heart that she were bigger and more important, like her older brother, Malachai, who gets to do all kinds of jobs around the family's inn. One day, when the inn is bustling with visitors who have come to Bethlehem to be counted, Miriam gets her chance. Her mother asks her to lead a man and a young woman on a donkey down to the stable. Miriam takes her job very seriously. She knows it is important to find the safest path to the stable. Slowly, very slowly, she leads the way down the hill. And later that night, when Miriam shares in a miracle -- the birth of the Christ Child -- her own wish finally comes true.

A Houseful of Christmas

by Barbara Joosse

Every year Granny decorates, prepares her candied-yam casserole, wraps packages, and waits for the whole family to arrive for Christmas. Soon the house is full of family and festivities, while "Whhhhh went the wind. Shhhhh went the snow.-Tick tick tick went the grandfather clock." Snowed in, everyone-grown-ups, kids, and animals-camps out with blankets on the living-room floor. The clutter, chaos, affection, and fun of these once-a-year activities burst into life in Lewin's funny and tender pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. Written with economy and an ear for large-family dynamics, A Houseful of Christmas makes a perfect, cozy read-aloud for one-on-one or group sharing.-S. P.

Christmas in the City

by Loretta Krupinski

Mr. and Mrs. Mouse find themselves in New York City when the huge tree in which they live is transported to Rockefeller Center. The country couple ventures out every evening to explore the sights until Mrs. Mouse gives birth on Christmas Eve in, yes, a churchyard manger-surrounded by angel mice. Decorated borders frame scenes of domestic life, including the infants being bottle-fed. When their tree comes down after the holidays, it is returned to the countryside, and the little creatures take up residence in a barn. A sweet family story about Christmas in Manhattan.-S. P.

*All Summaries are from Amazon.

We enjoyed reading these stories and will definitely be rereading A Gift for the Christ Child next year. We loved the message it conveyed to Livi and Spencer.

A Houseful of Christmas helped us remember how fun it is to have traditions and the joys of spending time with family.

Christmas in the City was a cute book. The illustrations were really nice, each page had a different border and it was a fun read.