Saturday, December 05, 2009

Virtual Advent Tour 2009:

What's on your holiday reading list this year?

Might I recommend a few?!

First, I'd like to recommend the hilarious and ever-charming classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. If you haven't read it--no matter your age--you really should seek it out this holiday season. It's short--just under a hundred pages--but it's good. Definitely worth the time! It also makes for a great read aloud.

Looking for heart-warming picture books? Consider Patricia Polacco's An Orange For Frankie. Or Patricia McKissack's The All-I'll-Ever-Want-For-Christmas Doll. Both are historical picture books with strong family stories.

How about nativity stories to share with the youngest (and probably cutest) family members? Try these board books and picture books! Room for A Little One by Martin Waddell, Under the Star by Jane Yolen, Merry Christmas by Susan K. Leigh, Tonight You Are My Baby by Jeannine Q. Norris, and Hurry! Hurry! Have You Heard? by Laura Krauss Melmed.

Don't have much time for reading, consider savoring these short stories and novellas. Christmas On Deery Street & Other Seasonal Stories by Steven Roberts. While Shepherds Watched by Steven Roberts. Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright. And The Shepherd's Prayer by Richard M. Barry.

And you just *have* to make time for The Velveteen Rabbit. You can read the story online here. Or listen to it here. I've included the *first* bit below:




Whatever you end up reading this holiday season, I hope you have fun and create some great memories. This is a great time of year for reading aloud to little ones. So whether you're a parent, a grandparent, aunt or uncle, make some time to cozy up with the little ones in your life!

This is my third year participating in the Virtual Advent Tour.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

16 comments:

Marg said...

Lots of recommendations there! Thanks for participating in the tour again this year Becky, and happy holidays to you.

Robin said...

Wonderful list of Christmas reading! You've got some of my own favorites on that list and a lot of new ones to enjoy. Thanks!

Krissi said...

Love all the suggestions there were a few I haven't read time for a trip to the library.

Rebecca Reid said...

I've read a lot that you mention! I LOVED Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I should find it and introduce it to my son too ;)

Meryl said...

I just bought a copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit" earlier this year. And thanks for reminding me about "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"--loved that one as a kiddo!

sprite said...

My Christmas books just came out of the closet, so I'll be breaking out The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in the next week. I can't wait!

And thank you for some of those picture book recs. My BFF has a recent baby and I'd love to give him one for his first Christmas.

Melissa said...

I find time to read picture books and short stories this time of year, but I haven't read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in a LONG time. I should. Thanks for the reminder!

Merry Christmas!

AlleluiaLu said...

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been looking for Christmas books. I was a little disappointed when I was at the bookstore to see all the crime/mystery books associated with Christmas. It just didn't fit for me. The ones you suggested sound perfect. Thanks! Happy Christmas!

Aarti said...

I remember The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! I think I have that book, somewhere. It's so good :-) I think it was made into a movie, too. Thanks for reminding me of it.

Kailana said...

Great idea for a post! Thanks for joining in! Happy Holidays!

Unknown said...

I love Christmas stories & look forward to reading some of these. The Velveteen Rabbit is a wonderful story. I often give this as a baby gift to new mom's. I think it's one of those must-haves.
Thank you for posting some of the story.
Happy Holidays!
~ Amy

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Tonight You Are My Baby makes me tear up, just thinking about it. Thanks for pointing me in its direction.

A really lovely stop on the Advent Tour!

Louise said...

I want to give books to my small nephews this Christmas for read alouds and will check if any of those you recommended are available in Danish :o) Otherwise I am sure I will find something else.

Happy Holidays

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I chose to talk about Christmas books, too, but I focused on children's picture books.

Stop by my blog if you get a chance and take a look at my list of favorite children's Christmas picture books. A winter storm knocked out our Internet connection yesterday, so I ended up posting today.

www.readerbuzz.blogspot.com.

Jacqui said...

Those are some awesome recommendations! I love The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The author is a friend of my grandmother's, so when I got involved in a community theatre production of the show, she actually came to see it! It was awesome. I think I need to dig up my copy of the book and read it now. Thanks for the inspiration!

Tami said...

Thanks for great recommendations. We're always on the lookout for new books to share with the Grandkids. Merry Christmas!