Making Christmas Memories with Books

Christmas is the perfect time for spending time with your children. And what better way to spend time together than to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Children’s books are certainly plentiful. But that’s the problem. There are so many choices!

We are happy to come to the rescue. Here are some of our recommendations – all available at Amazon.com.

Books for Young Children

For very young children, we love board books, touch and feel books, and lift-flap books. All of these types of book encourage children to be involved. Thick pages are easy for little fingers to turn, textures capture a child’s attention, and lift-the-flap books encourage children to be active in the story. Here’s a short list to consider in this category:

  • The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, Jeff Burton, a board book
  • Christmas in the Manger, Nola Buck, a board book
  • A Christmas Wish for Corduroy, B. G. Hennessy, a board book
  • Dear Santa, Rod Campbell, a lift-the-flap book
  • Where is Baby’s Christmas Present, Karen Katz, a lift-the-flap book
  • Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas, DK
  • Merry Christmas, Roger Priddy, touch and feel book

Books for Pre-K Age Children

Children from 3 to 4 can sit still for a longer story, especially if the illustrations are captivating. You will recognize some of the characters in this list of books:

  • Santa’s Stuck, Rhonda Gowler Greene 
    The story, told in rhyme, of how Santa eats too many desserts along the way on Christmas Eve and gets stuck in a chimney.
  • Pinkalicious: Merry Pinkmas! by Victoria Kann
    Tells the story of what else? – a pink Christmas tree. Comes with poster, cards, and sticker sheet.
  • God Gave Us Christmas, Lisa Tawn Bergren
    As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…
  • Madeline’s Christmas, Ludwig Bemelmans
    All of the famous “twelve little girls in two straight lines” are sick in bed except brave Madeline, who must run the school. With help from a magical merchant, Madeline takes the girls on a Christmas journey that make them forget their sniffles and sneezes.
  • Danny and the Dinosaur: A Very Dino Christmas, Syd Hoff
    Danny helps his friend the dinosaur celebrate his first ever Christmas. But the museum director isn’t so happy with the new museum decorations. Comes with 8 holiday cards, a poster, and stickers.
  • The Smallest Gift of Christmas, Peter H. Reynolds
    Roland can’t wait for Christmas Day. But the tiny present he finds makes him wish for something bigger . . . and bigger . . . and bigger. It’s a cautionary tale of “be-careful-what-you-wish-for.”

Books for Preschoolers

Consider electronic books for this age group, especially for those that already have tablets. We have some print book suggestions and some Kindle Edition suggestions in this category. Note that many books give you the Kindle Edition for free when you buy the print copy. Others are only available in Kindle format.

  • How Santa Got His Job, Stephen Krensky
    A contemporary, funny, and original look at how Santa Claus acquired all the skills that have made him the great success he is today.
  • Christmas Fun Mad Libs, Roger Price
    Kids of all ages love these, and preschoolers are no exception.
  • GROSS GUS’s Rotten Christmas (Kindle Edition), Kally Mayer
    The story of a “bad” boy told in rhyme.
  • Christmas Stories, Sigal Adler, (Kindle Edition):
    A collection of bedtime Christmas stories for preschoolers.

Reading is Fun – damental

At the Academy, we believe that reading is very important. But we think it should be fun as well as educational.  If you have questions about our curriculum and reading programs, please click here to send us a request for more information.

Academy Child Development is a leading Nashville educational preschool providing the best in preschool, child care and daycare services. Our award winning preschools have been voted Best of Parenting 9 years in a row as of 2017. We have locations across Middle Tennessee conveniently located where parents live and work. We currently have 5 preschools in Franklin, TN, 2 preschools in Brentwood, TN, as well as offering some of the top preschools in Hendersonville, preschools in Murfreesboro, TN and preschools in Spring Hill, TN.