12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
illustrated and retold by Rachel Isadora
Putnam Juvenile
ISBN: 9780399250736
Ages 4-8
32 pages

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Set in Africa, this beautiful rendition of the classic Christmas carol has a unique twist: colorful icons illustrate the various gifts repeated in each verse of this cumulative song, creating a rebus-style text that gives young children a fun way to follow along and chime in with the lyrics. The gorgeous, wonderfully detailed collage illustrations feature tribal drummers and dancers, traditional clothing and native wildlife, making every scene as visually striking as the last.

THE CHRISTMAS EVE GHOST
written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763644727
Ages 4-8
32 pages

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In 1930s Liverpool, where streetcars clang on iron tracks, young Bronwen and Dylan live with their widowed Mam. Every day, in the wee hours of morning, Mam leaves the two alone as she gathers other people’s laundry to boil in a big metal copper at home. At night, if she’s not too tired, Mam tells fanciful tales of dragons and ghosties, and on Sunday, she cautions the children about the O’Rileys next door, who go to a church that is not for their kind.
 
But on Christmas Eve, when Mam must go out, Bronwen and Dylan hear a ghostly plonk! plonk! plonk! from the washroom that sends them running straight into the arms of Mrs. O’Riley. Not only do they find that the house next door harbors nothing to fear, but it may hold a blessing for Mam, too.

THE CHRISTMAS GIANT
written and illustrated by Steve Light
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763646929
Ages 3-6
32 pages

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Humphrey is a giant, and Leetree, his best friend, is an elf. Together they love making wrapping paper for all of Santa’s presents. But this year Santa has asked them to grow a Christmas tree, and the pair couldn’t be more excited. They take great care with their project, planting and watering, snipping and pruning. Finally, the tree is wrapped and ready, and Humphrey and Leetree set off to deliver it. But when disaster strikes, the giant and the elf must come up with a way to make things right.

CHRISTMAS IN THE TIME OF BILLY LEE
written by Jerdine Nolen
illustrated by Barry Moser
Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 9780786818716
Ages 4-7
40 pages

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One Christmas season Ellie makes three wishes: that her parents will see that her friend Billy Lee is real and not make-believe; that snow will once again fall on Septon's Creek, where a flake hasn't appeared in 50 years; and that joy will return --- especially to her parents, who always seem worried lately. Grandma whispers to Ellie that there is a secret hidden in snow, and if you unleash it, joy will be unleashed. Billy Lee always says, "There is magic in believing something good with all your heart." When Ellie begins to believe in the magic of Christmas, all kinds of miracles occur.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE MOUSEKINS
written and illustrated by Maggie Smith
Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780375833304
Ages 5-8
40 pages

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All the highlights of a great December are here. The Mousekins pick out and decorate a tree. Make paper snowflakes with Nana Mousekin. Bake cookies for friends and neighbors. Write letters to Santa Mouse. Welcome carolers. Sled and skate and make a snowmouse. Share family stories of Christmases past. And find secret corners of the house to work on surprise presents for each other.

You can celebrate along with the Mousekins, as this book includes recipes for cookies, instructions for paper and felt crafts, and stories and poems to share with your family.

DEWEY’S CHRISTMAS AT THE LIBRARY
written by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter
illustrated by Steve James Little
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316068727
Ages 3-6
40 pages

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The holiday season is in full swing in Spencer --- the lights are twinkling, the wreaths are hung, and Christmas bells are ringing. Inside the library, Dewey longs to be part of the holiday fun. After a series of silly misadventures, Dewey finds a way to add his own special touch to his beloved Christmas tree --- and the results are Dew-rific!

GRANDMA’S GIFT
written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Walker Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780802720825
Ages 5-8
40 pages

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This prequel to Eric Velasquez's biographical picture book GRANDMA’S RECORDS is the story of a Christmas holiday that young Eric spends with his grandmother. After they prepare their traditional Puerto Rican celebration, Eric and Grandma visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a school project, where he sees a painting by Diego Velasquez and realizes for the first time that he could be an artist when he grows up. Grandma witnesses his fascination, and presents Eric with the perfect Christmas gift --- a sketchbook and colored pencils --- to use in his first steps toward becoming an artist.

HANUKKAH: A Mini AniMotion Book
Kate Ohrt
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 9780740797996
All ages
12 pages

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In this “Mini AniMotion” book, animated windows feature flickering menorahs, spinning dreidels, and flipping latkes to celebrate important Jewish traditions associated with Hanukkah. In addition, a collection of Hanukkah facts can be found in the back of the book, providing further opportunity for children to learn about --- and celebrate --- the rich traditions around the Festival of Lights.

THE HANUKKAH TRIKE
written by Michelle Edwards
illustrated by Kathryn Mitter
Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 9780807531266
Ages 3-6
24 pages

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Gabi Greenberg loved Hanukkah. She loved to watch the sun go down. She loved to see the sky grow dark. When the stars appeared, she loved to light the menorah.
 
When Gabi receives a new tricycle, she names it "Hanukkah" and vows to ride it everywhere. On her first try she falls off the trike, but she finds the courage to try again by remembering the brave Maccabees and their struggle and victory over King Antiochus and his army.

I SPY A CHRISTMAS TREE
written by Jean Marzollo
illustrated by Walter Wick
Cartwheel Books/Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545220927
All ages
24 pages

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Young I Spy readers will want to celebrate the holidays with I SPY A CHRISTMAS TREE. New easy-to-read text by Jean Marzollo is paired with Walter Wick's amazing seasonal photographs to create a fun-filled Christmas search-and-find. Included are eight punch-out ornaments to hang on your tree!

IT’S CHRISTMAS, DAVID!
written and illustrated by David Shannon
The Blue Sky Press/Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545143110
Ages 4-8
32 pages

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Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages; writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa; and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are common Christmas activities --- but with David's naughty trimmings.

JACKIE’S GIFT
written by Sharon Robinson
illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Viking Juvenile
ISBN: 9780670011629
Ages 4-8
32 pages

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Young Steve Satlow is thrilled when his hero Jackie Robinson moves onto his block. After the famed second baseman invites Steve to a Dodgers game, the two become friends. So when Jackie hears that the Satlows don’t have a Christmas tree, he decides to give them one, not realizing the Satlows are Jewish. But Jackie’s gift helps these two different families discover how much they have in common.

JAKE
written and illustrated by Audrey Couloumbis
Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780375856303
Ages 8-12
176 pages

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It's a few days before Christmas when 10-year-old Jake's mom breaks her leg, ending up in the hospital. For as long as Jake can remember, it's been just him and his mom. So with no one else to look after him, the hospital contacts the gruff granddad who Jake only knows through awkward twice-a-year phone calls. When Granddad shows up, he's nothing like Jake expected. And he brings a dog with him --- a nightmare dog, Jake thinks at first. But as Jake gets to know his grandfather and a makeshift family of friends and neighbors comes together around him and his mom, he realizes that this might not be such a bad Christmas after all.

JEANNETTE CLAUS SAVES CHRISTMAS
written by Douglas Rees
illustrated by Olivier Latyk
Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781416926863
Ages 5-8
40 pages

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It’s Christmas Eve --- and Santa’s sick! His spunky daughter, Jeannette, takes on the task of delivering all the presents, but when rebellious reindeer leave her stranded halfway through the night, Jeannette has to get creative.

LI’L RABBIT’S KWANZAA
written by Donna L. Washington
illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780060728168
Ages 3-7
32 pages

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Li’l Rabbit wants to celebrate his favorite part of Kwanzaa --- the feast of Karamu --- but poor Granna Rabbit is sick in bed. Li’l Rabbit decides to go off and find a very special treat for Granna Rabbit so she can have the most wonderful Karamu. Along the way, he discovers the true meaning of Kwanzaa.

PEANUTS: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS POP-UP EDITION
Charles M. Schulz
Running Press Kids
ISBN: 9780762440047
All ages
10 pages

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Celebrate the season with this beautiful pop-up version of the modern-day fairytale A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Charlie Brown is determined to find the true meaning of Christmas as he looks for the perfect tree for the holiday. Faithful to the original television special that airs every holiday season, this is the perfect gift for any child or collectors’ library.

THE TWELVE BOTS OF CHRISTMAS
written and illustrated by Nathan Hale
Walker Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780802722379
Ages 4-8
40 pages

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Take one robotic Santa, nine cyber-reindeer pulling his techno-sleigh, and 12 days of Christmas circuitry and wizardry --- and this incredible holiday offering is guaranteed to add up to every gear-head's delight!

This unique spin on the familiar song just begs to be read aloud, as it retains the cadence and lyricism of the original. With two turbo doves and three wrench hens leading the way, young readers will be thrilled to join Robo-Santa on his annual round of gift giving.

WHITE CHRISTMAS
written by Irving Berlin
illustrated by Michael Hague
HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780060291235
All ages
32 pages

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One of the most well known holiday songs of all time, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” depicts the dream of a perfect Christmas --- one filled with snow. And in the hands of fantasy artist Michael Hague, it’s also filled with snow fairies, reindeer, woodland creatures, sleigh rides, Santa Claus, and more. As you turn the pages and read the lyrics, you’ll be swept away into a magical Christmas fairyland that is sure to make your holiday “merry and bright.”

A WISH FOR ELVES
written and illustrated by Mark Gonyea
Henry Holt and Company
ISBN: 9780805088144
Ages 5-up
40 pages

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The holiday season can be stressful, even for a kid. But when one boy makes a wish for a little holiday help, he gets more than he bargained for. And what will Santa do without his elves? Mark Gonyea uses comic-strip styling to great effect in this clever picture book.