Children's Storybooks for Christmas

12/21/2020

A treasured tradition for the Remaley household is the day we pull out our bin of Christmas storybooks to read together.

Yes, you read that correctly. We have so many Christmas storybooks we have to store them in a separate location, and pull them out only in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Why do we have so many? Perhaps it's because folks want to gift them to the "pastor's kid." Or maybe it's simply a reflection of the magic of Christmas, and how easy it is to write classic storybooks that do justice to that magic.

In any event, we cherish and look forward to the day when we can once again crack open our Christmas storybooks. In celebration of the season, I pulled together a few of our favorites!

Stay safe. Be well. Merry Christmas.

The Nativity, illustrated by Julie Vivas
© 2006 HMH Books
Amazon

The words in this storybook come straight from the biblical story in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. They're brought to life by gorgeous, colorful illustrations by Vivas, which brings a whole lot of color and joy to the scene. I love this storybook for so many reasons... perhaps the greatest being that the illustrations help to show the human side of the characters. This is a storybook, I believe, that should be on every family's bookshelf.

Silent Night, illustrated by Lara Hawthorne
© 2018 Frances Lincoln Books
Amazon

Much like Vivas' Nativity uses the words of scripture, this Silent Night storybook simply uses the verses of the beloved Christmas carol as its prose. As such, readers might be tempted to picture, in their mind's eye, sanctuaries filled with candlelight... that is, were it not for Hawthorne's beautiful illustrations capturing immediate attention. I particularly love how the characters are pictured with diverse skin tones. It wouldn't surprise me if I someday find myself in a sanctuary singing Silent Night, picturing these gorgeous illustrations in my mind's eye as I do.

Refuge, by Anne Booth, with Illustrations by Sam Usher
© 2016 Little Brown Books
Amazon

The events of Christmas and the days following are narrated by the Donkey, from its point of view. Unlike most Christmas storybooks, this one does not end with the arrival of the Wise Men. Instead, after finding momentary comfort (refuge) in the stable, Joseph is warned of trouble in a dream, and they flee (as refugees) to Egypt in search of safety (refuge). Usher's illustrations -- primarily in black and white, with varying amounts of oranges and yellows -- seek to highlight the warmth that comes from the kindness of strangers in the midst of adverse circumstances. This storybook opened the door to a great conversation in our home about modern-day refugees who search for safety.

The Sparkle Box, by Jill Hardie, with illustrations by Christine Kornacki
© 2011 Worthy Kids Books
Amazon

This storybook tells the story of a boy who spotted a mysterious, sparkling box on the mantel in his living room a few weeks before Christmas. His parents tell him that they'll be adding things to it to get ready for Christmas. Meanwhile, the family participates in various acts of kindness (e.g., donating to soup kitchens). When the boy finally eagerly opens the Sparkle Box on Christmas Day, he discovers little pieces of paper that list the family's kindnesses. He realizes, then, that the Sparkle Box bears gifts not for him, but for Jesus. While set in the Christmas season, this book can also be a great illustration for the famous "whatever you do for the least of these" passage in Matthew 25. As a special bonus, the book includes a sparkle box to unfold and use as a family tradition.

In the storybook Plum, actor Sean Hayes and his husband Scott Icenogle share an endearing story about a little girl named Plum, who lives in a crowded orphanage and is on the receiving end of no small amount of bullying behavior from her peers. One night after consistently demonstrating kindness and compassion toward others, she is transported to the Land of Sweets, where she magically transforms into the Sugar Plum Fairy. While there, she again demonstrates kindness and compassion. This time, she finds her forever home, as she is adopted by King Christopher and King Patrick.