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Holiday Traditions

From the December 9, 2007 Pigeon Post essay of the same name.
Following are books that are especially evocative of the Christmas season. We think they are especially touching or helpful in communicating and explaining the holiday traditions.
What are your suggestions?

This book list is divided into three sections:
(1) Picture Books
(2) Books for Independent Readers
(3) Books for Young Adults

The list begins below with Picture Books, but you can use one of the following links to skip directly to either of the other two sections.
Go to books for Independent Readers
Go to books for Young Adults


Picture Books

The Jolly Chistmas Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg Suggested
Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans Recommended
Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett Suggested
The Twelves Days of Christmas by Jan Brett Suggested
A Small Miracle by Peter Collington Highly Recommended
Carl's Christmas by Alexandra Day Recommended
The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans and illustrated by Jacob Collins Highly Recommended
The Light of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans and illustrated by Daniel Craig Recommended
Cat in the Manger by Michael Foreman Recommended
Wombat Divine by Mem Fox and illustrated by Kerry Argent Recommended
The Elves and the Shoemaker by Paul Galdone Recommended
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman and illustrated by Maurice Sendak Recommended
Great Wolf and the Good Woodsman by Helen Hoover and illustrated by Betsy Bowen Recommended
Santa Calls by William Joyce Recommended
I Spy Christmas by Jean Marzollo and illustrated by Walter Wick Suggested
Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti and illustrated by Michele Lemieux Suggested
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and illustrated by James Rice Suggested
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and illustrated by Christian Birmingham Recommended
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and illustrated by Tasha Tudor Recommended
Rocking Horse Christmas by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Ned Bittinger Recommended
The Cajun Night Before Christmas by James Rice Highly Recommended
Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet Highly Recommended
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss Highly Recommended
Santa's Snow Cat by Sue Stainton and illustrated by Anne Mortimer Suggested
Look-Alikes Christmas by Joan Steiner and illustrated by Ogden Gigli Suggested
Corgiville Christmas by Tasha Tudor Recommended
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski and illustrated by P. J. Lynch Highly Recommended
Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate and illustrated by Ashley Wolff Recommended


Independent Readers

Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies Suggested
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson Recommended
Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider and illustrated by Elizabeth J. Miles Recommended
A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas and illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg Recommended
On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Garth Williams Recommended


Young Adults

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and illustrated by Arthur Rackham Highly Recommended
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco & Magery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson Highly Recommended
Silent Night by Stanley Weintraub Suggested

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