By Heather Hedlund
One of my favorite family Christmas traditions is bringing out the special Christmas picture books. When my kids were small, we would read a different book each night during Advent. Books are a great way to give children mirrors and windows to the world. Some books are like mirrors – when we read the book, we can see ourselves reflected back in the story. Other books are like windows – they show us how other people experience the world. Both kinds of books are important for helping children understand themselves and the world. This Advent season, pick up a great book, snuggle up with your kids or grandkids, and create some memories!
Check out one of these great books from the local library to see the Christmas story through new eyes and to learn about Christmas traditions in all kinds of different families.
Who Built the Stable? By Ashley Bryan
A shepherd boy apprenticed to his carpenter father builds a stable and then welcomes two weary travelers from Nazareth. |
'Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Thong
Inspired by the author's desire to share with her daughter the Christmas traditions she had experienced while living in Guatemala and Mexico.
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Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
Beautiful illustrations of the Nativity accompany the text of the classic Christmas carol.
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Tree of Cranes by Allen Say
As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas.
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The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
Virginia and her brother are never allowed to pick first from the donation boxes at church because their father is the priest, and she is heartbroken when another girl gets the beautiful coat that she covets. Based on the author's memories of life on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
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A Child Is Born by Margaret Wise Brown
A poetic description of the first Christmas night and the birth of baby Jesus.
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Ming's Christmas Wishes by Susan L. Gong
Ming, the daughter of Chinese immigrants in 1930s California, wants to be like other children at school and celebrate Christmas with a tree, but after her father takes her to see a wise old friend, she discovers a better way to honor her heritage.
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An Angel Just Like Me by Mary Hoffman
An African-American child wonders why all Christmas tree angels look alike and sets out to find an angel that looks just like him.
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