In YW Sunday we did a lesson where everyone shared a favorite Christmas memory or story- I thought it’d translate well to a post, so here’s some of our favorite Christmas books and stories.

“The Polar Express”

My daughter really doesn’t like this movie, and I have to admit I think it’s a little weird too.  I don’t think it translated well to the big screen, and Tom Hanks just isn’t the right fit for the voice- but my daughter loves this book, and I love reading it to her.  A beautiful story, and Jordyn’s not quite old enough to understand that it’s speaking about the “spirit” of Santa Claus, so she can still believe he exists when I read it to her. -Laura

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

Is there any book that’s more fun to read at Christmas time then this one?  This is an especially great follow up to all our readings of “Horton hears a Who” lately- since it’s based in who-ville.  We even love Seuss cartoon of it- so much so that Jordyn honestly believes “We wish you a merry Christmas,” ends with “and a can of Who-hash.” -Laura

Two of my absolute favorite Christmas Stories that I haven’t found in any book, but were read to me over and over as a child(if you have these in a book form please comment below, because I would love to buy them). -Laura

“In the Great Walled Country” is an amazing story about the power of “giving” rather then receiving

“Why the bells Chimed” A great “Christ” in Christmas centered story

We like the classic “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement C. Moore.  We have the Mary Engelbreit version that my mom gave us.  It’s actually really fun illustration.  The kids like to pretend to eat the candy off the pages and tell the story along with us. – Alisa

This was the first Christmas book that both my boys loved and begged for me to read to them at ages one and two (Eli asks for it almost every day).  It’s a little board book told from the perspective of the animals in the stable, preparing for the arrival of someone special, although none of them know who it will be.  All the animals help to clean things up and make the stable as clean as possible for the humble birth of the Savior.  Such a sweet and tot-friendly read.   -Julianne

A few other favorites:

From the Toot and Puddle series, I’ll Be Home for Christmas is another book that we love to read this time of year.  If you’re not familiar with these books, they’re about two best friends who have very different interests.  Toot loves to travel the world and see new places, while Puddle loves to stay at home and enjoy the changing seasons.  This book has Toot traveling home for Christmas but getting stuck in a huge snowstorm that only a mysterious man in a sleigh can save him from.  Meanwhile Puddle is making all the Christmas preparations at home and anxiously awaiting the arrival of his friend.  -Julianne

Like Alisa’s kids, Bennett loves The Night Before Christmas; we have the same one, in fact, also given to us by my mom.  Another fun book along the same lines is called The Mouse Before Christmas, where a curious mouse hitches a ride in Santa’s toy sack to see the world from the top of Santa’s sleigh.  The mouse is mesmerized by the rooftops of London, the pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, etc. and gets to see Santa in action to boot.  This is Benito’s most-requested Christmas book this year.  -Julianne