Thursday, December 1, 2016

Buzzin' Round Books - An Incomplete List of My Yuletide Favorites

December can be the most wonderful month of the year.  As family and friends begin to gather together for the holidays, there is nothing like a heartwarming story everyone can enjoy and relate to.  As a retired  junior high / middle school educator I have had the opportunity to share some of my favorites with students for decades.  Here are some of my favorite holiday books.  As I hold the spine of each of these holiday classics I can definitely experience the depth and love in every stitch.

Timeless Favorites
  • The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
  • The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
  • The Grinch by Dr. Seuss - No explanation needed here
School Favorites
  • A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens-  This 1843 classic was written in six weeks.  Did you know there are other companion books in this series?
  • Gift of the Magi by O'Henry
  • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
  • The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet Ahlberg- From 2001 this story features letters from the Big Bad Wolf, All the King's Men and more literary characters.
  • Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Rich Schneider- Released in 1988 this is the story of Small Pine's discovery on the true meaning of the holiday.
  • Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry- From its first release in 1963 this delightful tale of a family Christmas tree and its many uses is sure to reasonate in your head long after the story is finished.
Modern Favorite-Adults
  • Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright - This 2005 novel and the sequel are a must read.

Feel free to share your favorite holiday story with me.  Look for an expanded list to appear in December 2017 with still more books that weave the fabric of the season into all who share in their message.