Disclaimer: Like many librarians who work with children, I am not generally a fan of seasonal and holiday books. Most of them are written and published simply to fill a gap in the market. We read them to our kids because it's that time of year and we want to read SOMETHING related. So they don't have to be (and frequently aren't) all that high-quality. There will always be, of course, some books like The Polar Express that manage to fully capture the spirit of the season and yank everyone's heartstrings right out. And they are elevated to the status of classics and bought by the millions and read every year, as they rightfully should be. But most books will attempt the same and fall short. They still may be worth reading when you need holiday filler for your bedtime routine or your insatiable preschool student, but they also may be one in a slew of similarly interchangeable mediocre stories.
So with that in mind, here are the ones I have picked up lately and my honest opinions.
A beautiful fable about three trees with very different aspirations. They each achieve their wish, but not in the way they expected, and somehow become a part of the greatest story ever told.
So after that very cautionary warning, I'm going to open with one of my very favorites that no one has ever heard of. This one is way more than decent. I LOVE this book, although it always makes me freakin’ cry, so read with caution. I own a copy. (If you don't speak librarian, this means that this book is so good I will not risk NOT being able to find it when I go to work, and it has earned a space on my limited personal shelves.) This book is religious in nature. Five stars.
The Smallest Gift of Christmas by Peter H. Reynolds:
Roland is really excited for Christmas until he sees how SMALL his gift is. So he demands a bigger gift. And gets it... With this sort of magic at his fingertips, what could possibly go wrong?
I’m a huge fan of Peter Reynolds, especially his book The Dot. This one is not as good as that one, but it’s decent. Actually, the premise is quite fun, but the ending was very abrupt and left me wishing for a resolution readers could settle into a little more. Still worth picking up. Three stars.
The Great Santa Stakeout by Betsy Bird:
Freddy is very determined to get a selfie with Santa right out of the chimney. His elaborate traps and schemes will finally have Mr. Claus right where he wants him. Or will they? Santa, after all, has been around a long time, and has a few tricks of his own up his red sleeve.
This one was really fun. It was just funny, and kids and adults will get a chuckle out of it. It was definitely one I would read to about kindergarten through second, although it could flex on either end. Five stars.
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo:
A story of a poor organ grinder who lives on the street corner, and a little girl who pays attention to the right things.
It's hard to go wrong with Kate DiCamillo, and this story is no exception. This is a more sentimental tale, but it's short and easily read even to younger children. Worth a visit, and this one is likely to find a large audience who end up incorporating it into their annual traditions. Five stars.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, illus. by Mary Engelbreit:
Obviously, this is a classic. THE classic, really, and it is likely already a part of everyone's holiday. However, I’m a particular fan of this version illustrated by Mary Engelbright; I think it’s supremely well done and accessible for kiddos. A fun, colorful addition to anyone's holiday storytime.
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