Wolfner :: Recommended Readings :: Youth Bibliographies :: Children's Winter Holiday Books
Children’s Winter Holiday Books
December 2014
This recommended reading list provides a broad list of fiction and nonfiction books about different winter holidays. This list is recommended for those reading at a preschool through 2nd grade reading level up to a 4th through 7th reading level. To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through WolfPAC. Identification numbers for braille books begin with BR, large print books begin with LP, and audiobooks begin with DB. All audiobooks and available braille books listed are linked to the Braille and Audio Reading Download site (BARD) for downloading.
Preschool to Grade 2
Christmas Mouse by Anne Mortimer
LP 2369
Mouse gets ready for Christmas Day and makes a special Christmas wish. 2013.
Clifford's Christmas by Norman Bridwell
Download Clifford's Christmas, DB 78612
Read by Stephanie D’Abruzzo. Reading time: 10 minutes.
It is Christmastime, and as Emily Elizabeth and Clifford count down the days to their favorite holiday, Clifford gets a tree, a stocking, and a surprise under the mistletoe. Clifford series. Commercial audiobook. 2008.
Dusk by Uri Shulevitz
LP 2417
Boy with dog and grandfather with beard watch holiday lights turn on in the city. 2013.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel
Download Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, DB 31281
LP 2610
Read by Ray Hagen. Reading time: 19 minutes.
Relates how Hershel outwits the goblins that haunt the old synagogue and prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. A Caldecott Honor book. 2014.
Merry Christmas, Splat! by Rob Scotton
LP 2362
Splat the cat is worried that he has not been good enough to deserve a visit and a present from Santa Claus. 2013.
Kindergarten to Grade 3
The 12 Days of Christmas by Jane Cabrera
LP 2294
Merry animals celebrate the twelve days of Christmas in this version of the traditional folk song. 2013.
Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
BR 18032
With the help of her five-year-old neighbor Parker, Wilma plants sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings. Over the next five years, Wilma and Parker tend the trees and keep count of how many grow up to be sold as Christmas trees. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2008.
A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm by Jon Koons
Download A Confused Hanukkah, DB 60392
Read by Barbara Rappaport. Reading time: 23 minutes.
When the rabbi is out of town as the time for celebrating Hanukkah approaches, the villagers of Chelm don't remember what to do. So Yossel travels down the road and returns with a new version of the Festival of Lights. 2004.
Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel
LP 2293
On the first night of Hanukkah, Old Bear wanders into Bubba Brayna's house and receives a delicious helping of potato latkes when she mistakes him for the rabbi. Includes a recipe for latkes. Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Louis Posner Memorial Award winner. 2013
It's a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook by Stephanie Spinner
Download It's a Miracle, DB 60212
Read by Suzanne Toren. Reading time: 32 minutes.
This is Owen's first year to light the Hanukkah candles on the menorah. On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah his grandmother tells him a bedtime story. The last story makes him especially happy. Includes the Hanukkah legend and blessings and a glossary. 2003.
Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story by Laura Krauss Melmed
Download Moishe’s Miracle, DB 62307
Read by Barbara Caruso. Reading time: 17 minutes.
Moishe the milkman is kind to everyone in his poor village of Wishniak. One winter he receives a magic frying pan that produces delicious Hanukkah latkes until his selfish wife meddles. 2000.
The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff
Download The Only One Club, DB 62701
Read by Colleen Delany. Reading time: 12 minutes.
Jennifer is the only one in her class making decorations for Hanukah instead of Christmas. So she starts the "Only One Club" with a glitzy badge. When her friends want to join, Jennifer realizes that they are all "only one" in different ways. 2004.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
BR 12001
Download The Polar Express, DB 23625
Read by John Borrowman. Reading time: 8 minutes.
On a dark Christmas eve, a boy boards a mysterious train, the Polar Express, hoping to visit Santa Claus. He and the other children, still in their nightclothes, drink hot chocolate and sing carols as the train races through snowy landscapes toward a huge city at the North Pole. PRINT/BRAILLE. Caldecott Medal. 1985.
Santa's Secret by Tony Cancelosi
Download Santa's Secret, BR 19113
Anthony has wanted to be Santa's helper on his sleigh on Christmas Eve since he was four years old. But Santa says Anthony must guess his secret first. It takes Anthony until adulthood to find the right answer. 2010.
Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant
BR 11030
A wealthy man, once nursed back to health in Appalachia, now brings a Christmas train through the mountains each year and tosses silver packages to the children. One boy wishes in vain for a doctor's kit but, years later, realizes he received the gifts he needed most. PRINT/BRAILLE. 1997.
The Velveteen Rabbit Christmas by Maria S. Barbo
LP 2367
Christmas is coming--but the Velveteen Rabbit is missing! Will the Boy find him before the holiday? Illustrated by Michael Hague. A My Readers Level 1 book. 2013.
Grade 3 to 4
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Download The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, DB 38118
Read by Barbara Rappaport. Reading time: 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Everyone agrees that the Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. When they hear about the free refreshments at Sunday school, the Herdmans not only show up, but also muscle their way into the lead roles of the annual Christmas pageant. A Herdman Kids book. 1972.
Christmas Crafts From Around the World by Judy Ann Sadler
Download Christmas Crafts From Around the World , BR 15242
Read by Dale Allen. Reading time: 9 hours, 22 minutes.
A how-to book on holiday handicrafts from fourteen countries that children can make. Includes an advent calendar from Germany, cranberry and popcorn garlands from the United States, a piñata from Mexico, and a nativity scene from Italy. 2003.
Kit's Surprise: A Christmas Story by Valerie Tripp
Download Kit's Surprise, DB 64461
Read by Gillian Green. Reading time: 1 hour, 27 minutes.
Kit is not looking forward to Christmas when her family has so many money troubles. She even has a fight with her best friend, Ruthie. But, unexpectedly, helping grouchy uncle Hendrick solves some of her problems. Sequel to Kit Learns a Lesson (DB 64079, BR 17175). American Girls, Kit, series. 2000.
Grade 4 to 7
Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights: The Story of the Christmas Symbols by Edna Barth
Download Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights, DB 53940
Read by Ray DiZefalo. Reading time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Traces Christmas traditions and symbols back to Christian, mythological, and pagan sources. Covers the star, tree and its ornaments, the Yule log, Santa Claus, gift exchanging, food, and bells--all associated with this December holiday. 1971.
Winter Holiday by Arthur Ransome
Download Winter Holiday, BR 17523
The Walker and Blackett children all come down with the mumps during their Christmas holiday. Quarantined in the house by the lake for an extra month, they set out on an imaginary adventure to the North Pole. Sequel to Peter Duck (DB 30557, BR 17522). Swallows and Amazons series, book 4. 1988.