Christmas Picture Books

With Christmas in Harrison coming up, I set myself a challenge of picking my 5 favorite Christmas picture books to share with you. It was harder than I thought it would be to limit myself to just 5! But here are my choices for great reads while cuddled up with your favorite small person(s).

The Gingerbread Pirates written by Kristin Kladstrup; illustrated by Matt Tavares
This is an immensely silly story (and I mean that in the best way). A little boy and his mother bake gingerbread cookies on Christmas Eve; the little boy decides to make the gingerbread boys a pirate crew, and when his mother tells him to leave some for Santa, he can't bear to part with his favorite, "Captain Cookie", who has a toothpick peg leg. Captain Cookie accompanies the little boy to his bedroom and waits for him to fall asleep, then sets off through the sleeping house in search of his crew before "that cannibal, Santa Claus", gets to them. Hilarious!

The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg
I love this story. I think it perfectly captures the anticipation, the shadowy hush of Christmas Eve, as well as the doubt and uncertainty experienced by older children. I love the story, I love the illustrations; I do not, however, love the movie, which is rather creepy. Skip it and stick with the book.

The Christmas Magic written by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Jon J Muth
Santa and his reindeer prepare for the big day (without any of those pesky elves) and wait for the Christmas magic to come, "as it always has, and it always will". I love the depiction of Santa as alone, but not lonely, and absorbed in his work.

Night Tree written by Eve Bunting; illustrated by Ted Rand
A young family follows their Christmas Eve tradition of hiking into the woods to decorate "their" tree with treats for the forest animals.When it's finished, they spread a blanket, drink hot chocolate, and sing carols in the night. The charming story ends with the little boy imagining all the animals that will visit the tree.

Lighthouse Christmas written by Toni Buzzeo; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
This story, by Maine author Toni Buzzeo, was inspired by the story of the Flying Santa Service, a tradition begun in Maine in 1929 by a floatplane pilot to deliver holiday gifts to lighthouse keepers, often isolated at the holiday season by bad weather. A widowed father had brought his two young children to a remote lighthouse to begin their new life, and we follow the story through his two children. The young boy waits impatiently for all the joys of Christmas, and his older sister must decide if the children will go to the mainland without their father to spend the holiday with an aunt, thus insuring presents, sweets, and singing, or if they will remain on the island with their father, where the supply boat--and Santa-- may or may not arrive in time.

Here are my also-rans:
The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
My Wonderful Christmas Tree by Dahlov Ipcar
Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? by Jan Brett
Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes; illustrated by Eric Velasquez
The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

One of these titles is sure to get you in the holiday mood! All are currently available at the library.