It is that time of year when things are starting to get a little festive—and I thought I would share some of my five new favorite Christmas picture books. Check out these titles to help you get into the holiday spirit!
By Jennifer A. Bell
Two Lions, 2022. Picture Book.
In this tale Hedgehog takes time to make special cookie gifts for all her friends. However, she really wants to make give something extra special for her friend Bear. Eventually Hedgehog decides on the perfect gift—only as she heads to Bear’s house to give it to her, a big gust of wind dashes the gift to pieces. Bear comes out and sees what happens and Hedgehog soon learns that the best gift isn’t necessarily something…but the kind friendship you offer someone. This book is such a great treat for a holiday read!
Words by Corinne Demas
Pictures by Penelope Dullaghan
Cameron Kids, a division of ABRAMS, 2022. Picture Book.
Bunny has prepared everything she needs to decorate a Christmas tree. Now all she has to do is go out and cut down her perfect tree. As she goes looking, different animals tell her what makes a perfect tree. (It should be bushy like Squirrel’s tail, pointy at the top like Mole’s nose, a great color, smell nice, etc.) Bunny keeps finding trees that almost measure up—until she spots the perfect tree. Only, if it is that perfect, how can she cut it down? This is a sweet story about decorating for the holiday and what really makes the perfect Christmas tree.
By Jashar Awan
Tundra, 2022. Picture Book.
Strum strums his guitar and Drum drums her drum. One night, the duo decides to go on a quest to visit the Great Star in the north. Other things like lanterns or bubbles of glass are part of their journey and readers start to discover that Strum and Drum are two ornaments on a Christmas tree. Only, when they get close to their goal, the Beast with Green Eyes (a cat) tries to catch them. The illustrations are bold and bright, until they change perspective and then it becomes more like a black and white movie when seen from the perspective of the cat and human outside the tree. Such a fun new title that will be sure to inspire magic and imagination with other Christmas trees!
Written by Clement C. Moore
Illustrated by Matt Tavares
Candlewick Press, 2022. Picture Book.
The classic tale by Clement C. Moore (and I do mean classic—all the original words and spellings are there) has been illustrated by New York Times best-seller Matt Tavares. The illustrations are all in black and white with a red floral bar to separate the text. Now, I didn’t read this book for the text—though don’t get me wrong, I do love this classic tale. I read this book for the beautiful illustrations. Tavares has created a masterpiece of a book that feels as classic as the story itself. Even though there are a lot of versions of the Night Before Christmas, this is one you won’t want to miss.
By Billy Sharff
Illustrated by Eda Kaban
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book.
In one particular house on one particular Christmas Eve Santa came and loved the cookies that he tasted—so after Christmas was over he came back for more cookies. At first the narrator and her parents were excited to have Santa come to stay. I mean, who wouldn’t love having presents given to them all-year-long. Only, the extra stuff and extra people that came with Santa (his wife, in-laws, the reindeer, and the Easter Bunny and her brood) all made life a little more complicated. Eventually, our unnamed narrator has to show Santa how part of what makes Christmas special is the fact that it comes around just once a year—and not every day. This is a silly look at Christmas that will make young readers wonder what would happen if Santa came to stay with them.
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