Christmas Books Available from Wolfner Library for Grades 2-4
At the end of each annotation you will find the call number or numbers for each title. BR means braille. Braille is contracted (grade 2) unless otherwise noted. A Print/Braille book has braille, standard text, and illustrations. LP means large print. RC and WOC mean recorded cassette. MOD is a recording in cassette format made by Wolfner Library volunteers. Not all titles are available in all formats.
To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our OPAC. Happy Reading!
Addy’s Surprise: A Christmas Story by Connie Porter.
Their first Christmas as free people is approaching, and Addy Walker and her mother are busy helping Mrs. Ford finish her holiday orders. The Walkers have been saving to buy a lamp, but when a boatload of freedmen arrive, Addy and her mother decide to help them instead. For grades 2-4. BR 10883 and BR 50187 and RC 43823 and LP 1373.
The Adventures of Johnny May by Robbie Branscum.
Christmas is coming and Johnny May wonders what to do to make the holiday special for her grandma and grandpa who are so poor that they eat pinto beans every day of the year. Perhaps she could shoot a deer for a Christmas feast—but can she bring herself to kill such a beautiful animal? Some strong language. For grades 2-4. RC 23764.
A Candle for Christmas by Jean Spear.
Tomas's parents promised to be back at the reservation "in lots of time for Christmas...." Now it is Christmas Eve, and Tomas is worried. Nurse Roberta, with whom he is staying, suggests that they trim a Christmas tree at his house. Shortly after they begin, Nurse Roberta is called away on an emergency. For grades 2-4. Print/Braille BR 7507.
Changes for Addy: A Winter Story by Connie Porter.
Addy hopes her family, separated by slavery and the Civil War, can be together for Christmas. She is working extra hard so Poppa can make another trip to look for her aunt and uncle and baby Esther. Addy also worries about her friend Sarah, who has dropped out of school. For grades 2-4. BR 10886 and BR 50306 and RC 43826.
Christmas by Barbara Cooney.
A reverent retelling of the story of Jesus and of the many legends surrounding his birth. Also tells how Christians through the centuries have woven merry elements of ancient midwinter festivals into our celebration of the holiday. For grades 2-4. BR 6563.
Christmas Around the World by Emily Kelley.
From country to country, Christians celebrate Christmas in many different ways. This book tells how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico, Iran, China, Sweden, Iraq, Spain, and Norway. For grades 2-4. BR 8233 and RC 31285.
Christmas Around the World [vol. 2] by Emily Kelley.
This companion to Christmas around the World (RC 31285, BR 8233) describes holiday celebrations in eight countries—Mexico, Ethiopia, China, Germany, Lebanon, Sweden, Australia, and Russia—that mostly were not included in the earlier volume. Also contains jokes, tongue twisters, and a recipe. Beginning chapter book. For grades 2-4. BR 15264 and RC 57498.
Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne.
On Christmas Eve, the magic tree house transports Jack and his sister, Annie, to King Arthur's castle in Camelot. They find the kingdom under a dark spell and undertake a quest to the Otherworld to restore joy to Camelot. For grades 2-4. BR 13975 and RC 53580.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski.
Wood-carver Jonathan Toomey is called Mr. Gloomy by the village children. Since the death of his wife and baby, Toomey has been sad and grumpy. When widow McDowell moves to the village with her young son, she requests a special Christmas favor from Toomey. For grades 2-4. BR 51424 and RC 44405.
Christmas Stories: Adapted from the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder by Heather Henson.
Laura and her family celebrate several joyous Christmases on the western frontier. Even when there isn’t much money, Christmas is a time for good things to eat, visits from friends, and gifts from the heart. For grades 2-4. BR 12961.
Cutlass in the Snow by Elizabeth Shub.
In 1797, Sam and Grandpa sail across New York's Great South Bay to Fire Island in search of holly for Christmas. Stranded by the snow, they are forced to spend the night on the beach and see twinkling lights in the woods. The two decide to explore, and to their surprise find a cutlass in the snow, and a chest full of gold. For grades 2-4. BR 7288.
December by Eve Bunting.
Simon and his mother live in a cardboard box. They don't have much, but they offer to share what they have with an old woman who has even less. She spends Christmas Eve with them, but the next morning she is gone. By the next Christmas, their luck has changed. For grades 2-4. RC 48294.
December Secrets by Patricia Reilly Giff.
Everyone in the class must pick one person to be especially nice to during the month of December. This person won’t know who is being so kind till the last day before vacation, but Ms. Rooney will know. By the time Emily Arrow gets to choose her secret friend, the only one left is someone no one else has chosen: that fat crybaby, Jill Simon. For grades 2-4. RC 25052.
Don’t Be Mad, Ivy by Christine McDonnell.
Six episodes in the life of Ivy, an independent and ingenious little girl with big ideas. She never really means to be bad, but some of her ideas get her into trouble. For grades 2-4. RC 21822.
Eloise at Christmastime [and] Eloise in Moscow by Kay Thompson.
Two complete stories about the mischievous 6-year-old who lives at the Plaza Hotel. Eloise enjoys Christmas in her own inimitable way, spreading cheer and giving gifts to the staff. And, when Eloise and Nanny visit Moscow, she is undaunted by language or cultural barriers. For grades 2-4 and older readers. RC 49857.
Encore, Grace! by Mary Hoffman.
Grace and her friends face unfamiliar experiences: a new girl in class, taking part in a Christmas play, losing a dear friend, and challenging the grown-ups to talk to them about situations that could affect their lives. Chapter book. For grades 2-4. BR 15998.
Fair’s Fair by Leon Garfield.
A mysterious dog with a heavy iron key under its collar lures a homeless and thoroughly bedraggled orphan boy to a huge mansion for an adventure greater than he could ever have imagined. For grades 2-4 and older readers. RC 22444.
Felicity’s Surprise: A Christmas Story by Valerie Tripp.
Just before Christmas in colonial Williamsburg, Felicity Merriman is surprised to receive an invitation for a dance lesson at the governor’s palace. The other girls will have new gowns, and Felicity’s mother decides to make her one. But then Mrs. Merriman becomes ill. For grades 2-4. BR 10893 and RC 43763.
Hark! A Christmas Sampler by Jane Yolen.
A potpourri of holiday fare that includes excerpts from the Bible, songs, folktales, poems, stories, a play in verse, and informational pieces on gift giving, Christmas food, Christmas plants, Christmas animals, and the history of Christmas. For grades 2-4 and older readers. RC 36032.
Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days by Cynthia Rylant.
It’s winter! Henry and his big dog Mudge have a great time playing in the snow, sharing a family Christmas Eve dinner, and taking a starlit evening walk. Easy reading for grades 2-4. BR 7670 and BR 50943 and Print/Braille BR 51282.
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline.
Miss Mackle's third graders share December holiday traditions—Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Three Kings' Day, and Korean New Year—with one another and with Harry's great-grandfather who just moved into a nursing home. For grades 2-4. RC 58706.
I, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger.
Amber prepares for Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations with her mother and her mother's fiancé, Max. Meanwhile, Amber doesn't help the growing irritation between her mother and her father when she sneakily gets her ears pierced. For grades 2-4. RC 50501.
Josefina’s Surprise: A Christmas Story by Valerie Tripp.
Christmas is near and Josefina, her sisters, and their aunt are getting ready. It has been a year since the girls lost their mother, and they hope this Christmas will be a little happier. But when they take out the altar cloth their mother made, they find it has been ruined by the flood earlier in the year. For grades 2-4. BR 11393 and RC 45563.
Kirsten’s Surprise: A Christmas Story by Janet Beeler Shaw.
Christmas is just a few weeks away, and Kirsten, a young pioneer girl, longs for Papa to get their trunks from town so she can have her doll Sari. But there are many things to be done on the farm before Papa can go. The day finally arrives, but the trip almost ends in tragedy. For grades 2-4. BR 10873 and BR 50190 and RC 43753 and LP 1370.
Littlejim’s Gift: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Gloria Houston.
Littlejim is almost eleven. He works hard helping his mother and father, and more than anything he wants his father to think of him as a man. Littlejim has been saving his dimes and hopes to buy a tool set he saw in the window of Mr. Burleson's store. But when his sister Nell falls in love with a doll in the window, Littlejim has some hard decisions to make. For grades 2-4. RC 40391.
Mama Had to Work on Christmas by Carolyn Marsden.
Nine-year-old Gloria resents having to accompany her mother to work at a hotel on Christmas. But later when they cross the border to Mexico to visit her grandmother for Feliz Navidad her family's love helps her overcome her bad feelings. For grades 2-4. RC 57516.
Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake by Cynthia Rylant.
Old Mr. Putter lives with his elderly cat, Tabby. He loves giving Christmas presents, but each year he has a hard time choosing one for his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry. Instead of getting her a fruitcake or the other odd things she adores, Mr. Putter decides to bake her a good Christmas cake. Unfortunately he doesn't know how. For grades 2-4. RC 43114.
Molly’s Surprise: A Christmas Story by Valerie Tripp.
Christmas 1944 approaches, but the McIntires are sad that their father will be in England. Molly, however, is certain he will send a box of Christmas surprises. Then Molly finds a box buried in the snow on the front steps marked "keep hidden until Christmas." For grades 2-4. BR 10933 and BR 50312 and RC 43833.
Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Craig Sharmat.
Nate the Great drops everything when his neighbor Annie’s large scary dog, Fang, needs a mystery solved. Fang’s mother sends him a card every Christmas, but this year’s has not arrived, and Fang is unhappy. For grades 2-4. BR 13200.
Samantha’s Surprise by Maxine Schur.
Samantha is sure Christmas 1904 will be the best ever. She has been invited to a party and has a new dress to wear. Then Grandmary tells her that Uncle Gard is bringing his girlfriend Cornelia with him for the holidays, and Samantha is afraid her plans will be ruined. For grades 2-4. BR 10943 and RC 43843.
Silent Night: The Song and Its Story by Margaret Hodges.
Describes how the well-known Christmas carol was created and how it traveled around the world. First performed in Oberndorf, Austria, in 1818, the song quickly spread from town to town, but its creators were forgotten. Thanks to a monk in Salzburg, the original authors are now remembered. For grades 2-4 and older readers. RC 48197.
The Story of Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden.
Holly, a doll sitting on the store shelves, longs to be loved; Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a home; and Mrs. Jones, a childless wife, yearns for a little girl of her own. One magical Christmas a series of unusual events occurs to fulfill each person’s wish. For grades 2-4 and older readers. BR 6458 and RC 24615.
The Twenty-four Days before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle.
For seven-year-old Vicky Austin December is the most exciting month of the year. This year she’s going to be an angel in the Christmas pageant. And, best of all, there is something special to do each day in observance of Advent. But what if the new baby comes during Christmas and Mother has to go to the hospital? How will they have Christmas without Mother? For grades 2-4 and older readers. BR 9053 and RC 35372.
Warton’s Christmas Eve Adventure by Russell E. Erickson.
Lost in a blizzard the day before Christmas, Warton the toad makes two new friends during his attempts to get home in time for his favorite part of Christmas Eve. For grades 2-4. RC 13229.
Young Claus: Legend of the Boy Who Became Santa; an Original Story by J. Michael Sims.
Young Claus was left at the orphanage as a small child. Although he is usually good, he tends to get into mischief once in a while. One day as the children are out gathering nuts and berries, Claus lags behind and suddenly he finds himself alone in a blizzard and off on a fantastic journey. For grades 2-4 and older readers. RC 43785.
Zelda and Ivy One Christmas by Laura McGee Kvasnosky.
While helping their neighbor Mrs. Brownlie make cookies, Zelda and Ivy decide what they want for Christmas. When the fox sisters get home, they begin to wonder if the Christmas elves will leave a gift for Mrs. Brownlie and decide to make a present for her. For grades 2-4. RC 51582.